Big Bear Lake Resort Association has lift and lodging packages start as low as $69 per person per night, with double occupancy. The deeply discounted packages include discounted accommodations at one of Big Bear's participating lodges bundled together with discounted, all-day, interchangeable lift tickets good for both Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. Lift tickets include complimentary shuttle service between both resorts.

"With so many competitive rates on the Internet it's important for us to keep our package rates on the low end," said Big Bear Lake Resort Association Visitor Information Services Director Rebecca Hrabia. "The packages are ideal for bargain hunters looking for an affordable getaway this winter."

The bundled Lift and Lodging packages are designed to convenience Big Bear guests with one stop shopping, but more importantly the price cuts help guests save a significant amount of money during the current economic crunch. Midweek Lift and Lodging packages start as low as $69 per person per night, with double occupancy. Weekend Lift and Lodging Packages are from $89 per person, per night, with double occupancy and require a minimum of two nights lodging and two days of lift tickets.

 "Regular rates for lift tickets are $56 midweek and $69 peak weekends…you do the math," added Hrabia.

 Both Snow Summit and Bear Mountain provide excellent snow conditions throughout the winter season with more than 435 developed acres, 26 lifts, four high-speed chairs, 1,800 vertical feet, and more than 200 park features.

 During these economic times it makes sense to plan for a winter stay-cation within a reasonable driving distance. Big Bear Lake  is an easy two-hour drive from most Southern California cities.

 Lift and Lodging Packages are not valid on select holiday periods. The discounted packages are good for any time of the week starting November 30, 2011 to the end of the 2011/2012 season.

Price is per person, per night based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Minimum of two nights of lodging and two days lift tickets for weekend packages are required.

At least half of the guests in the party must purchase lift tickets for the weekend packages. Lift ticket vouchers and lodging discounts are not valid during the holiday periods; December 17–-18, 2011; December 23-31, 2011; January 7–-8, 2012; January 14-–16, 2012; and February 18-–20, 2012. Dates are subject to change.

Other restrictions may apply. For more details about these great discounted packages, log onto www.bigbear.com or call 800-424-4232.

With the understanding that guests want to ski, not wait in ticket lines, skiers and snowboarders at Mammoth will enjoy direct-to-lift access thanks to a newly installed RFID gate system.

The new system will help eliminate two of the largest issues for any ski resort: cumbersome lines at lifts and ticket windows.

By using MyMammoth passes that can be re-loaded with lift access credits online or over the phone, guests can bypass ticket windows altogether and head straight to the lifts.

With 68 total RFID gates installed across 19 different lifts, Mammoth's will be the largest RFID system at a ski resort in North America.

A five-year resort enhancement plan will kick off for winter 2011-12 with a blizzard of improvements as Mammoth Mountain continues to build on a reputation as the premier mountain resort in California. Cutting edge changes in store will provide faster access to the slopes, a completely transformed culinary experience, a new high-speed quad, enhanced air service and a snow tube park catering to the whole family. 

Mountain High will add four new "Los Angeles Features" to the terrain park for the 2011/12 winter season. The Concert Hall Handrail is the first of the four features to be completed.

This massive down-flat-down staircase handrail combo is an exact replica of the iconic concert hall rail in Los Angeles and will be the centerpiece of Mountain High's terrain park this coming season.
 

"If you live in Los Angeles, Mountain High is your backyard," says Mountain High marketing consultant, Brad Farmer. "So, we thought it would be really interesting to bring iconic features that people would recognize from the Los Angeles area to the terrain park."

The Concert Hall has some insane handrails that snowboarders and skiers alike have dreamed of sliding. This coming winter at Mountain High, they can do just that.

"Snowboarding is becoming more accessible and influenced by urban lifestyle," says Mountain High team rider, Nick Visconti. "Bringing the iconic features of Los Angeles to Mountain High is an incredibly creative idea and the epitome of current snowboard culture. I seriously can't wait to ride and film on these new features this winter."

The Concert Hall Hand Rail is just one of four new features that will be introduced at Mountain High this winter. The next three consist of The Hollywood Wallride, LA Convention Center Rails and The Wedge Quarterpipe.

"I've really been inspired by how close Mountain High is to Los Angeles and how relevant the urban culture is at this particular mountain resort," says Farmer. "When we started planning a new marketing concept and thinking about how to connect the city to the mountain, this whole idea unfolded as if it was meant to be. It's very exciting to see it all coming together and I believe the Mountain High customers are really going to enjoy the new offering."

Look for Mountain High to be stepping up its complete terrain park game this winter. Not only will these new features be in place but there are plans to get really creative with more urban and skate influenced setups including tons of tranny everywhere thanks to their new Zaugg Monster Transition Cutter.

An unexpected cold snap and 4-6 inches of snowfall at Big Bear Lake allowed early season snowmaking at Bear Mountain and Snow Summit.  Big Bear Mountain Resorts opened Bear Mountain Resort on Nov. 9 and Snow Summit Mountain Resort on Nov. 10.

This early winter-like weather has provided many runs and features to snowboarders and skiers anxious to get a taste of the 2011/2012 Season with early season lift ticket rates.

"With this rare shift in the weather, we opted to fire up the snowmaking guns to give our visitors an early start to a great season.  The recent temperatures are ideal for snowmaking and will be just what we need to ensure that our guests have a great opening day experience," said Chris Riddle, Vice President of Marketing for Big Bear Mountain Resorts. 

"In sunnySouthern California, we rely on our unmatched snowmaking systems to provide quality snow for hundreds of thousands of skiers and snowboarders each season. Rather than rushing to open, we decided to take a few extra days to provide the quality snow conditions our guests have come to expect."

Bear Mountain is open from the top to the bottom on Park Run with plenty of terrain features.  Snow Summit is also open top to bottom with Miracle Mile and Bear Bottom Beginner Area.  Collectively, Big Bear Mountain Resorts expects to have 5 lifts open with additional lifts and runs to open as snowmaking continues. 

Season pass holders are encouraged to get a head start on the season and discounted lift tickets are also available for only $40 for adults (ages 22 and older); $35 for young adults (13 - 21) and seniors (62+); and $15 for children.  Half-day rates are also available.

All roads are open and updates will be provided daily online or via text message. To receive updates on the latest conditions and opening day information, text "SNOW" to 35253 or call 800-BEAR-MTN or 888-SUMMIT-1.  To view updated videos, photos and terrain maps, log on to www.bearmountain.com or www.snowsummit.com.