Snow has been gradual to blanket Large Bear, California, this yr, however huge modifications are on the horizon for the world’s interconnected ski scene. Bear Mountain, a cornerstone of Large Bear Mountain Resorts, has launched its first new chairlift in three a long time: the Halfway raise. This high-speed, six-seat marvel carries skiers over 2,500 ft in as little as 2.5 minutes and is designed to raise the snowboarding expertise at Bear Mountain. The resort has invested $10.2 million on this state-of-the-art raise, showcasing Alterra Mountain Co.’s dedication to enhancing the Large Bear ski expertise.
Nonetheless, the Halfway raise is barely a part of a a lot bigger imaginative and prescient that entails seamlessly connecting Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. Collectively, these two resorts supply a variety of terrain appropriate for newbies and consultants alike. Whereas at the moment linked by a free shuttle bus, Alterra has proposed a daring plan to hyperlink the 2 with a pair of lifts—dubbed “Large Bear Join”—and extra facilities to permit skiers and snowboarders to maneuver between the mountains effortlessly.
This bold challenge, which isn’t new, is detailed within the Large Bear Mountain Resort Grasp Growth Plan and requires approval from the U.S. Forest Service, which manages a lot of the land. The proposal consists of including 300 acres to the resorts’ permits, growing a skier bridge over the present mountain street, and constructing a Goldmine Mountain Lodge with eating choices at Bear Mountain. Plans additionally name for 60 acres of latest trails, a zipline system, 12 mountain biking trails, a mountain coaster, and 1,400 new parking areas. These upgrades purpose to remodel the visitor expertise whereas minimizing environmental disruption, with solely 100 acres of a “disturbance footprint” to be anticipated.
The connection might dramatically change how skiers and snowboarders get pleasure from Large Bear’s slopes, eliminating the necessity for shuttles and making a cohesive expertise between the 2 resorts. Each Bear Mountain and Snow Summit are already celebrated for his or her various choices, with Bear Mountain catering to freestyle fanatics and Snow Summit offering a balanced mixture of trails for all ability ranges. The proposed lifts, averaging 4,250 ft in size, would make navigating the mountains extra handy, providing a steady, expansive snowboarding journey.
Whereas the challenge has garnered pleasure, it has additionally confronted issues from locals concerning elevated visitors and the pressure on infrastructure. Some residents fear that an inflow of holiday makers might overwhelm native roads, particularly throughout peak winter weekends. Others, nevertheless, view the connection as a long-overdue enchancment that may improve the area’s enchantment and competitiveness within the ski trade.
As skiers and snowboarders check out the brand new Halfway raise this season, the broader imaginative and prescient of a completely built-in Large Bear Mountain Resort strikes nearer to actuality. If permitted, the Large Bear Join lifts might redefine the area’s ski tradition, mixing the most effective of Bear Mountain and Snow Summit into one seamless, unforgettable expertise. For now, guests can stay up for improved services and the promise of even greater adventures forward.
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