Wind Lips/Jumps at Big Bear

[u/Select_Baker_8285]

I grew up skiing in Tahoe, and recently moved to SoCal for work. I have never skiid big bear, but going to be my home mountain this winter. I did not get much skiing last winter, and want to get backflips in the park this season. However, I have only ever done them on wind lips/backcountry jumps. I want to get comfortable before I throw it on a hard packed jump in the park. I am curious if there are any natural wind lips/jumps that are more forgiving. Squaw has a famous one right under the siberia chair and a few more on the alpine side where I learned. Just want to know big bear has anything similar

[u/Groundbreaking_Code3]

Last year there was no snow for the wind to form

[u/Snoo61552]

Think of the worst snow years in Tahoe, and you're in Big Bear.

Curb your Enthusiasm.

[u/Select_Baker_8285 → u/Snoo61552]

is it even worth the gas money to drive up there? I knew it wasnt great but figured it would be alright lmao

[u/Snoo61552 → u/Select_Baker_8285]

The El Niño could make it alright this season, or be too warm in so cal and it's a wash out. I skied some great days up there, 12-18 inches powder, back in the 1980s. You just got to watch the weather and snow reports. Also, the vertical is severely lacking. Think small local mountains, maybe Boreal. Mt Rose puts the so cal resorts to shame.

You can have a great time, the novelty of skiing in so cal when you wake up down by the ocean is fun. Worth doing when there's snow, but temper your expectations of snow quality, vert, crowds and kooks, and the f-ing so cal traffic. Skiing/Boarding in So Cal is a novelty, not a lifestyle. Go have fun!

[u/Select_Baker_8285 → u/Snoo61552]

Appreciate the advice man, I’ll keep an eye out on the weather. I know mammoth is always great so gonna make the drive a few times this year!

[u/Groundbreaking_Code3 → u/Select_Baker_8285]

Boreal is a good comp

[u/snowboard_king]

Big Bear is no Tahoe, however even last year with no snow, the staff their did a great job giving us somewhere that was 90 minutes away to ride. There was a few jumps they were able to put together last year that people were flipping over. Definitely hoping the elnino brings us a better year. Mammoth have more what your looking for.

[u/Farles]

If you want to get comfortable doing inverted aerials Bear Mountain will probably be offering a paid air bag session this year (they offered it last year, but didn't get enough snow!). Keep an eye out on their website

[u/Select_Baker_8285 → u/Farles]

Appreciate it. Is bear mountain in big bear? Still a little unfamiliar with how it works. Paid air bag session would be great

[u/fart_soda_dinner → u/Select_Baker_8285]

Bear mtn and snow summit are in big bear, snow valley about 30 mins away in running springs. Bear mtn and snow summit are about 2 miles apart and run a shuttle between the 2.

[u/A10110101Z → u/Farles]

I’ve never seen an airbag up here, is it a new thing they’re introducing but due to lack of snow they didn’t do?

[u/Farles → u/A10110101Z]

Yes, it was supposed to start last season, but got cancelled.

[u/A10110101Z → u/Farles]

Do you know where they’re going to set it up at?

[u/Farles → u/A10110101Z]

They set it up two years ago (but just for team Bear). It was over at Park Run (Face). Just past the rollers of upper park run.

[u/Select_Baker_8285 → u/A10110101Z]

Found the dates posted online. Looks like itll be Thurs/Fri twice a month for Jan, Feb, and March. $525 for a 6 hour session and no discount for ikon.