firstx1017

Snow Summit is my home mountain - have a season pass there. It does take 3 hours from San Diego. The Parking lot fills up fast. They open at 8:00 and we used to get there at 7:00 to get a spot in the parking lot and then eat breakfast and get gear on and hit the first tracks at 8:00 if you drive. There is an intermountain shuttle that takes you over to Bear Mountain with the shuttles running every 1/2 hour. If the parking lot is full you have to park down the road and take a shuttle when can waste boarding time. They have VIP parking for $20 but that fills up also.

We go every weekend and will be there the 10th and 11th. If you see the old couple on snowboards - that's us!

fyi - Summit Run is a get warm up run, but it gets really REALLY crowded by about 10:00 so you then can switch over to the left side of the mountain where the blues and blacks are.

Last two weeks has been ICY - but they just got a foot of snow Monday so who knows....

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Leo

Ah, we're planning on a weekday and looks like Bro wants to ride Bear. Wouldn't mind catching a shuttle to SS as well though so I can experience both!

Looks like nobody can do a weekday.

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mixie

this was discussed om some other thread in the southwest forum, but more then one of us suggested taking a newb to Snow Summit to learn. It's a bit mellower and has more beginner terrain. Even the green runs at Bear are going to have park features.

You can start your day at SS. Put bro in a lesson, you shred. Then take the shuttle over to Bear and ride together. That could work out well for both parties.

I've only been to BB/SS on weekdays so I can't speak to any crowds parking etc. Ive seen BB be fairly crowded on weekdays where SS is empty. No idea on a weekend.

L3mnhead

I wouldn't recommend Bear for a beginner. There are so many features to hit everywhere and everyone there hits them fast. The beginner run is almost too flat to gain any momentum, just making it easier to catch an edge. Snow Summit is definitely more beginner friendly. You can both take Chair 2 if he wants to hit up Summit Run and you can go down Westridge (Park), Miracle Mile, or Log Chute and meet at the bottom.

Zombaco

I've only been to bear, and that's where I had my beginner lesson. I had a very good instructor, but I can't remember his name. They do package the lift ticket, lesson, and rental into one package which is nice (same company as Snow Summit- so they probably do the same). But as others have said, bear has only a handful of beginner type runs and has features on almost every run. With Snow Summit being more open and with less park features from what I hear.

I might be able to make a weekday up there. My work schedule fluctuates all over the place and I've had some weekdays free lately. Still haven't been to that neck of the woods this season yet either.

handscreate

I might be able to make a weekday, depending on my schedule. You guys can get a 2for1 from Del Taco on the way up & make the trip even cheaper. Keep us posted what day(s) you'll be going

Leo

Mind you guys though, I won't be using 95% of those features unless I'm feeling particularly brave that day haha. I'm a total noob in the park and have only been hitting beginner features. My bro goes to Bear so he's cool with that. I'd start at Bear definitely and end the day at Summit. Mellow runs will be good for Jello legs.

I'm really just interested in glades, smaller kickers (small by MI standards, not yours), and just interesting lines. I'll probably jib a few features if they are sprinkled along the runs. I'm super excited now. Bear sounds fun. My other Cali friends are telling me Bear is the way to go as well.

I heard something about Mt. High and Baldy too. Saw pictures of Baldy and that place looks gnarly with snow.

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hawaiinboarder

Baldy has no snow this year and bear and summit are better than mt high. You'll like bear. They only have a couple of big jumps. Everything else is small.

handscreate

Leo, Summit has some mellow park runs too that are wide enough to avoid features you want to skip. I'm a newb in the park too & stick to the same kind of stuff you're looking for in a park run - maybe even smaller...

I think Baldy is closed for the season, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I've never ridden there, but my buddy claims it's the place to go after a huge dump.

I prefer Summit/Bear over Mt. High. I've had too many interactions with assholes there, and didn't find the runs to be nearly as long or fun as Summit

Zombaco

If you want to get an idea of what some runs at bear and snow summit are like, Ttam has an ongoing video thread- http://www.snowboardingforum.com/pho...ms-videos.html