Big Bear Ski Trip - The Blizzard

Yesterday I got a phone call for an impromptu trip to ski at Big Bear. Since it has been pretty much dumping snow constantly over the past few weeks due to the enormous amount of rain we have been getting I jumped at the chance to get up there and break in the skis for the first time this season. Since it was a holiday weekend Mr. Rogue had the day off and was able to come also he has only been a few times and I wanted him to get on this mountain to warm up for our large trip to Mammoth mountain in two weeks.

This trip was fraught with issues and I swear someone was seriously trying to prevent me from skiing today. First was which vehicle to take. My jeep has an issue, we found out both front axels are screwed, which was the noise my mother and I heard on our Condor Trip so there was no way we were going to be able to take that car. The other vehicles available to us were cars and all had a high performance tires which means that we cannot use chains so those modes of transportation were out. We finally ended up renting an SUV for the day which worked out perfectly. But that was not the only issue. Mr. Rogue did not want to leave at 6:00 am because that was to early so we ended up deciding on 7:00 am. Of course no one was ready on time and we ended up leaving at 7:30. Then we had to stop at multiple stores looking for chains for the SUV and we had to stop at a sports store to buy goggles for one of us in the group, then there was also there was the mandatory Starbucks run. So instead of taking an hour and a half to get to the base of the mountain it took us 3 hours. Once we got to the base of the mountain we found that the route we were going to take was closed due to the EXCESSIVE amount of snow that was dumping down on us. We took another way up but instead of taking the usual 40 minutes to the top it took 2 hours. This put us with skis on and ready to go at about 12:30 pm and the mountain closes at 4:00 pm.

I have been skiing for many years and today I had the best skiing conditions ever. The powder was so thick and if it would have just let up snowing just a bit so I could have seen I would have said that it was one of the best days of my life. There is something about being on a hill with virtually no one around, just you and the mountain and nature it is the best feeling in the world, like you are so connected. I imagine our ancestors took this awe for granted but our generation locked inside so often it is a unique moment when it is you and the elements.


ME ON THE CHAIR LIFT


THE SNOWFALL WAS SO THICK YOU COULD NOT SEE A THING


ME HAPPY TO BE SKIING


COVERED IN ICE WITH ONLY OUR NOSES SHOWING

What ended up being a very short time to ski initially was pretty sad but in the long run it turned out to be ok. Mr. Rogue was not up for skiing more than that and since the mountain was almost completely empty we got quite a bit of runs in.


THE GANG

I also took some time away from the skiing to pause and take several nature shots. These are my favourites.

ROLLING MISTY HILLS

LUSH GREEN MOUNTAINS

THROUGH THE FOG

SLEEPING GIANTS

RED SHRUB

EVERGREEN

CLOSE UP OF FROSTY BARK

After the long day skiing and the VERY long drive down the mountain which took 3 hours instead of 40 minutes, we were ravenous. We pulled over at a southern style ribs and steak place decorated from the outside as an American saloon from the west. I loudly voiced that if there was any type of animal head in the restaurant we were NOT going to eat there. Here is one of many of the animal heads; this one was hanging just inside the entrance.

THE HEAD IN THE RESTAURANT

I was overruled and we ended up eating there DESPITE my loud protests. I knew I should have drove, he who is the driver is he that has the power to veto all decisions. Sadly in this case I was out-vetoed.