SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | SKIING & WINTER SPORTS
The 411 on So Cal slopes: Bear Mountain & Mountain High
MOUNTAIN HIGH
The best way: From downtown Los Angeles, take Interstate 10 East to Interstate 15 North and then head west on California Highway 138 west. Turn left onto California 2 and continue past the town of Wrightwood. Travel time from downtown L.A.: 90 minutes (with no traffic).
Cost: $49 to $59, all-day adult lift tickets; $59 for holiday and peak weekend tickets; $30 for the North Pole tubing park, including use of a tube.
The skinny: Snowboarders prefer the West Resort, with its terrain park, halfpipes and assortment of rails, ramps and boxes. Skiers prefer the East Resort, with its long runs and higher elevation. (Your lift tickets can be used at either resort.)
Where: 24510 California 2, Wrightwood; (888) 754-7878, www.mthigh.com
Eats: Avoid the $7 lodge burgers and stop by nearby Cinnamon's Bakery & Sandwich Shoppe, 1350 State Highway 2. Get a freshly made sandwich and drink for about $6.
Where to stay: Mountain View Motel & Cabins, 1054 California 2, Wrightwood. Cabins with a kitchen unit start at $69 per person, and include a lift ticket to the resort. (760) 249-3553, www.mtviewcabin.com
BEAR MOUNTAIN
The best way: Take Interstate 10 East to California Highway 30 North, to California 330 through Running Springs, where it turns into California 18. Follow California 18 east and turn right across the Big Bear Lake dam. Stay on Big Bear Boulevard through Big Bear Village, turn right on Moonridge Road and right on Club View Drive.
Cost: $49 to $62, all-day adult lift tickets, $62 for holidays and peak weekends tickets.
The skinny: Snowboarders prefer the Park at Bear Mountain, with its more than 80 rails, boxes and jumps. Skiers might prefer nearby Snow Summit, which is also owned by Big Bear Mountain Resorts. It has 1,200 feet of vertical drop and 31 trails. (Your lift tickets can be used at either resort.)
Where: 43101 Goldmine Drive, Big Bear Lake; (909) 866-5766, www.bearmountain.com .
Eats: For a hearty German-style breakfast, try the Log Cabin Restaurant, 39976 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake. Entrees, such as Holsteiner Schnitzel, under $10.
Where to stay: The Block at Big Bear, 39471 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake. Rooms with big-screen TVs and Playstation 2 game systems start at $169 per night. (909) 866-6570, www.theblockatbigbear.com .
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