Entering the first full winter as part of the Mammoth Resorts family, Bear Mountain and Snow Summit are set to unveil major upgrades for the 2015-16 season.
The updates are part of more than a $2 million capital improvement campaign that will include new dining experiences, off-hill amenities, and infrastructure improvements to one of the world’s most advanced snow-making systems.
Weather depending, opening day at Big Bear Mountain Resorts is targeted for late November, but guests can purchase both lifts tickets and The Cali4nia Pass in advance.
Now in its second year, the Cali4nia Pass ($799 for adults) provides season-long access to Bear Mountain, Snow Summit, Mammoth Mountain (which opens on November 11) and neighboring June Mountain. Bear and Summit-only passes ($599 for adults) are also available.
Specific improvements at Bear Mountain and Snow Summit include:
New Snow Tube Park: Serviced by its own dedicated magic carpet, the new snow tube park at Snow Summit will make its debut this winter. Open day and night, the snow tube park is the perfect venue for some lighthearted fun on the snow.
New Learning Center: Those new to skiing and snowboarding will find a comfortable environment to begin their adventure in the new learning center. Combining a rental shop, ski and snowboard school, and a moving carpet right outside the door, the learning center will make the process of getting started easier, quicker and less intimidating.
Both the Snow Summit and Bear Mountain rental operations will also start the season fresh with the latest equipment from Burton, Rossignol, Salomon, K2, Lib Tech, Gnu, Arbor, Head and Flow.
New Snow-Making, Shaping Infrastructure: The Snow Summit and Bear Mountain snow maintenance infrastructure, already one of the most advanced of its kind, will benefit from the addition of four new snowcats to help shape and maintain the parks and trails.
Continued investment in the snow-making system will also help ensure that the winter season at Bear and Summit starts earlier and lasts longer than any other in Southern California.
New Restaurant For Top Of Snow Summit: Formerly known as the Summit Haus and situated at the top of lifts 2,3 and 9, a new restaurant will feature an open-pit rotisserie barbecue with plans to cook up a whole pig every day.
A full bar specializing in local craft brews will wet whistles and the views from a new deck constructed on the building’s north side, overlooking the lake, will be spectacular.
New Coffee and Smoothie Bar / Base Area Eatery: The food and beverage options at both the Bear Mountain and Snow Summit base areas will also expand. Snow Summit will see the addition of a new coffee and smoothie bar, serving up Starbucks coffee drinks and smoothies made from fresh local produce.
At Bear Mountain, a new restaurant with a full-service kitchen in the “learn to” area will offer a full menu with plenty of options for kids and adults alike.
Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at [email protected]. Thanks for visiting his website at www.tahoeskiworld.com
