Snow Summit 1st Snow Blowing 2011

Winter blew in, tipped her hat, and that changed everything in the Big Bear Valley.

In a few hours time, the temperatures plummeted, the roads went from clear to R-2 chain conditions and the mountains were engulfed in white.

With 6″ of fresh snow, the mountain resorts took full advantage of the cold storm and started blowing snow in earnest.

With this encouragement from Mother Nature and Thanksgiving coming so soon, Big Bear promises to be a slope rider’s paradise in time for the holidays. We expect an Opening Day announcement any moment now.

Autumn leaves meet snow laden pine boughs.

One look tells you, Fall and Winter have met. The last of the Autumn colors have given over to the bright white snow. We begin the transition to the Winter Wonderland of the San Bernardinos. Pure White, dark Evergreens and the subtle background browns, focused against Big Bear’s famous blue skies; these are now the predominant colors.

1st Snow Eagle Point Estates 2011

Bundle Up! Cozy and warm is what you want to be because, storm #2 is blowing in Sunday afternoon. If you haven’t shaken out your sweaters, snow pants and extra blankets, now is the time. The temperatures have dropped into the 20′s at night and are headed toward the teens.

There is a possibility of a few more inches to dust the hills and homes. This should be real encouragement to all those who have waited too long for the frosty weather to return.

We are all looking forward to a lovely white Winter.

1. Pan Hot Springs is steaming!

2. BBARWA is steaming!

3. Big Bear Snow Play is Blowing!

The last of the Fall colors are showing off, and Big Bear is ready for the next season.
Have you waxed your board?
Get out your coats and sweaters and come visit!
You don’t need chains yet, but you might want to throw a blanket or 2 in the car.
Last day of Oktoberfest is this Saturday! Come join the Halloween Spooktacular and closing ceremonies.

SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE INTO THE EVENING AND A FEW SHOWERS WILL BE HEAVY FOR A BRIEF TIME. SNOW WILL BEGIN TO ACCUMULATE ABOVE 5000 FEET ELEVATION AND ROADS THERE WILL BE VERY SLIPPERY. AREAS OF DENSE FOG CAN BE EXPECTED. STRONG GUSTY WEST WINDS WILL OCCUR OVER THE CRESTS AND EAST SLOPES OF THE MOUNTAINS WITH LOCAL GUSTS OVER 45 MPH.

STRONG GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS WILL OCCUR TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY IN THE MOUNTAINS…VALLEYS AND SOME COASTAL AREAS. AREAS THROUGH AND BELOW PASSES AND CANYONS WILL HAVE THE STRONGEST WINDS. WIND GUSTS OVER 60 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE…ESPECIALLY WEDNESDAY.

Road Conditions

HWY 18 IS CLOSED FROM 0.6 MI WEST OF THE JCT OF SR 138 TO THE JCT OF SR 189 FROM 0900 HRS TO 1500 HRS 7 DAYS A WEEK THRU 2/11/11 – DUE TO MAINTENANCE – A DETOUR IS AVAILABLE

CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM HEAPS PEAK – COUNTY DUMP RD, TO  0.6 MI EAST OF RUNNING SPRINGS.

HWY 38 NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS AREA.

HWY 330 IS CLOSED FROM HIGHLAND AVE IN SAN BERNARDINO, TO 2 MI SOUTH OF THE JCT OF SR 18 – DUE TO STORM DAMAGE – MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE.

Mountain Conditions are Perfect!

A Big Bear CA Weekend

Expect great conditions in Big Bear City and Big Bear Lake CA this weekend. Spring-like temperatures have given way to amazing afternoons. The temperatures at night are cold enough to blow snow. Every morning is a blue bird powder day for us so far!

The Discovery Center (MAP) sponsors snow shoe tours as long as the snow holds up in the back country. Explore the mountain with a Naturalist and enjoy the natural history of the Valley. Beginners are welcome. Adults are $35 and they limit the tour size to thirteen people.

On Sunday, Goldsmith’s Boardhouse will sponsor the snowboarding event  at Snow Summit (MAP). Things get going at 10:00 AM on Sunday.

The best route into the Valley is through Lucerne Valley on Hwy 18. Hwy 330 is closed, while Hwy 38 over Onyx Summit is clear. We have warm daytime temperatures melting the snow and freezing on the roads at night. Please drive cautiously and watch for black ice.

Food at the Resorts, Bear Mountain and Snow Summit can set you back. You can stock up on snacks at Von’s and then get some caffeine and protein on the mountain. We love Himalayan restaurant in Big Bear Lake and recommend it often. If your tastes don’t have a foreign bent, try Nottingham’s or Desi’s in the Village.

Dining Map

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• All season tires for curvy mountain roads – PriusChat Forums – I would be thankful for some tire advice from fellow mountain drivers. A couple of months ago we bought a used 2010 Prius (21K miles) with stock.
• Hard Times in Washington: Building mountain roads – Photo courtesy of Washington State Archives. Anyone who has traveled across the scenic North Cascades Highway (SR 20) knows how long and beautiful it is. Just imagine how difficult it was to construct it. …
• Hop Li and Riding the Local Mountains – Eating dim sum and then heading off to the local mountains for a quick ride is a great way to spend the day, especially if you can get away midweek, as I recently did. What is “dim sum,” you might ask? Well, dim sum is a selection of …

Road Conditions Holcomb Valley CA

The recent storms have affected the local road conditions. State Highway 330 has been wiped out and many take a year of two to repair.

State Highway 38, through Redlands, is open and trouble free. It is the prettiest drive in the San Bernardino National Forest. There road is has steep curves between Angeles Oaks and the South Fork of Santa Ana River. Enjoy beautiful views of snow covered Mount San Gorgonio, as you reach Onyx Summit. The highway enters the Valley from the east, into Big Bear City.

State Highway 18 from Victorville, through Lucerne Valley and up the Cushenbury Grade will have the least amount of traffic. Beware of the hairpin turns. After the climb into the mountain, Hwy 18 enters the Valley through the north shore of Baldwin Lake.

Big Bear Lake –we expect a good size crowd in the Valley this weekend. Driving conditions can become crowded. Most of us locals drive the North Shore when possible. Drive patiently and you should be good.

Back country road conditions are sketchy. We have a lot of accumulation out in the Holcomb Valley area and a lot of mud out behind Baldwin Lake. Be sure to have a cell phone to call for help if you get stuck.

We’re expecting sunny warm temperatures over the weekend. It will be gorgeous! Night time temperatures may affect the road conditions in some areas. Always watch for black ice at night in the winter.

The warm temperatures will effect conditions on the mountains. We’re suggesting snowboarders and skiers get on the mountain early. Quit when the peanut butter gets to be too much. Have lunch, then get back on for mid-afternon. As the sun goes down, the snow will firm up. The late afternoon and night-time skiing rock. Bear Mountain has the features, Snow Summit has family fun!

Today: Sunny, with a high near 58. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 61. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.

M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 10 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.

WIND ADVISORY FOR GUSTY NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS IN THE INLAND

VALLEYS…ORANGE COUNTY COASTAL AREAS AND MOUNTAINS AND THE SAN

DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS.

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