Looking for a little extreme adventure this summer? Check out Snow Summit Adventure Park, the first complete outdoor summer adventure park of its kind in Southern California. This year they have new summertime thrills that include the new side-by-side Flying Squirrel Zipline, a new hiking trail and Southern California’s only lift-served mountain bike park with bike rentals.
It is the first time since 2004 that Snow Summit has allowed riders on downhill-specific bikes to ride down the face of Snow Summit. In fact, the resort has cut a new top-to-bottom trail called Miracle Mile Trail, which is an advance run for experienced mountain bikers. The trail includes upper level features such as step ups, banked turns and bridges. The other new way to experience an adrenaline rush at Snow Summit is to fly across the ski resort on a zipline. The great thing about this particular zipline is two people can soar across the mountain landscape side-by-side at the same time. Note: the Zipline may have a delayed opening, so call before heading up if that’s on your agenda.
“By combining these novel experiences to our existing mountain resort, we are able to extend our incredible winter facility into a year‐round hot spot,” says Chris Riddle, Vice President of Marketing at Big Bear Mountain Resorts. “This is only the start for the Snow Summit Adventure Park. We have plans throughout the summer to expand trails and add to the many perks that Big Bear has to offer.”
Gravity Logic, which designed the world-famous bike park at Whistler in British Columbia, is the design consultant for Snow Summit’s new mountain bike park. Gravity Logic will continue to work with Snow Summit this summer to cut more trails on the west end of the mountain. The resort is hopeful to open other trails by the end of the summer, which includes a trail with intermediate features called Westridge Trail and a connector trail to Westridge Trail for advanced riders to called Cruiser Trail. Trail building and improvements, which will include beginner trails, is part of an ongoing process with a three to five year plan in place. Snow Summit’s staff does not want to over promise the new Adventure Park in its first year of operation, but after a few years down the road would like to become a well-recognized mountain bike park that rivals the nation’s finest bike parks.
Another way for thrill seekers to experience the mountain is on the Flying Squirrel Zipline. The new feature allows riders to soar above the landscape, side-by-side with a friend. The zipline is accessed from Chair 4. It runs 1,050 feet from top to bottom with a 100 foot vertical drop that will allow guests to top speeds at 35 mph. *Media Note: At the time of this press release the opening date for the Flying Squirrel Zipline is still to be determined.
Snow Summit is home to the mile-long Scenic Sky Chair that transports sightseers, hikers, downhill and cross-country bikers to the top of Snow Summit at an elevation of 8,200’. The Scenic Sky Chair is also a great way to access the top of the mountain to witness panoramic views and enjoy nature up close. One of the options for the Scenic Sky Chair is to hike back down. There are a wide range of hikes to choose from including a new hike that takes hikers down Skyline Drive (2N10) and traverses across the ridgeline offering spectacular views of Mount San Gorgonio Wilderness. Also, the Scenic Sky Chair is the most popular way for cross-country mountain bike riders to access a network of US Forest Service Roads and some of Southern California’s best single-track trails that includes the new Skyline Trail built by Bear Valley Trails Foundation.
Snow Summit Adventure Park is open daily now through September 8. After September 8 it will operate weekends only from September 14 to the beginning of the 2013-2014 winter season (weather permitting). Sunday to Friday hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rates for the Scenic Sky Chair are round trip without bike $14 adult (ages 16 and over), $7 child (ages 7-15); one-way ride without bike $10 adult, $6 child; One-way ride with bike $14 adult, $7 child; All-day pass with bike $32 adult, $20 child. A season pass for mountain biking is available for $249 adult (ages 16 and over) and $129 for child (ages 7-15). Bike rentals (includes helmets) are available for adults and juniors, which can either be rented for three hours or all day. The types of bikes range from XC full suspension bikes, all-mountain enduro bikes or high end demo bikes. Rental prices range from $49 to $139 for adults or $29 to $99 for juniors. Flying Squirrel Zipline rides are $20 for one ride or $30 for two rides (same person).
For more information about Snow Summit Adventure Park visit www.bigbearmountainresorts.com
Photo: Copyright Big Bear Mountain Resorts