Itching to get snow under your feet?
Mother Nature hasn’t been cooperating with natural snowfall, but machines have been cranking during the night to allow two local resorts to officially kick off their winter season on the slopes this week, with lifts running as early as Thursday, Dec. 2.
Big Bear Mountain Resort, which owns Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, announced it will open both resorts to season-pass holders on Thursday, Dec. 2, and to the general public the following day, Friday, Dec. 3.
Big Bear Mountain Resort spokesman Justin Kanton said there was a good window for snow making last week with temperatures dropping and the right humidity to create snow on two runs at each mountain.
The resort, this year, will not require advanced reservations, as it did last year due to the ongoing coronavirus concerns, and people will be able to walk up to ticket windows for day-of purchases in a “somewhat return to normalcy,” he said.
People will be required to wear masks indoors in dining areas and retail and repair shops, regardless of vaccination status, he said.
“That’s just a stipulation we’ll keep in place for the time being,” he said, noting masks will not be required outdoors. “We’re still going to ask people to social distance from people not in their traveling groups.
“We’re hoping people will respect what we have in place and get excited for the upcoming season, because it’s finally here,” he said.
Snow making isn’t new to the resort, which in the ’60s was one of the first in the country to implement the technology, Kanton said.
“We can theoretically operate all season without a single snowflake or natural snow,” he said. “Hopefully, that’s not the case, that’s not what we’re hoping for. That’s the worst-case scenario.”
Though there may be a stigma associated the man-made snow, it can be better because of its reliability and the ability to control the snow, putting down a dense layer on the bottom and a “groomable” surface on top, Kanton said. “In some regards, man-made snow is really a blessing. Especially for early season, verses having to work with whatever nature lays down for you.”
Water is purchased and used from Big Bear Lake and typically in a season the resort uses about 4 inches of surface water. About 90% of it ends up recycling back into the lake through evaporation, run off and infrastructure built decades ago to ensure the water returns to the lake, he said.
Looking further out in the forecast, there could be a window this weekend and into next week for additional snow making, Kanton said.
Mountain High in Wrightwood has also been blowing snow onto the ground, but there’s not quite enough to open up the slopes, said John McColly, the resort’s chief marketing officer.
“We still need another round of snow making,” he said. If temps cool again next week, the resort could open by the following weekend.
Ticket kiosks put in last year for coronavirus protocols will remain in place and people should reserve tickets online, he said.
Masks will be required indoors, he said. “We’re just trying to follow the rules and accommodate everyone.”
Snow Valley will also open “as soon as conditions permit,” according to Vice President and General Manager Kevin Somes.
Source: Orange County Register
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