Spring’s swan song on the slopes comes in April—but not before the resorts celebrate Spring Break with lots of snow after the best season in recent years.

    Both Snow Summit and Bear Mountain are still open with tons of snow and excellent coverage. Thanks to terrific snowmaking courtesy of an endless supply of water from Big Bear Lake—plus a little help from Mother Nature—both will be open well into April and no doubt skier and snowboarder interest will melt long before the snow does. Indeed at press time slow skier and snowboarder volume has led Bear Mountain to operate only one chair, the Big Bear Express, which accesses over ahundred jibs and jumps and a third of the resort's considerable terrain. Snow Summit is still 97%$ open with only a few runs, namely Pipe Dream and Off Chute, off limits.

    Bear Mountain is open on a day to day basis with Snow Summit assured to stay open through April 13, after which its status will also be day to day. Be sure to call the resorts or check their websites before coming to the slopes.

    April 8-9 sees Uniform Days at both Bear and Snow Summit—military, police, fire and emergency personnel with proper ID get discounted $37 lift tickets. At press time there were still 120 features on The Park’s slopes, including 60 jumps, 60 jibs, standard pipe and even the Superpipe. Snow Summit is also finishing the season strong, with most chairs open and almost all its runs to choose from for all ability levels, including all four top-to-bottom runs—Miracle Mile, Summit Run Westridge and Lug Chute—and Chair 6’s steep bowl runs.

    Remember “Screamin’ Deal” season passes are good for skiing and snowboarding for the rest of this season and all of 2008-09, and start at just $249 for a midweek pass valid Monday through Friday (non-holiday) at both resorts. Spend an extra fifty bucks and you’ll get six days a week at Bear only (non-holiday) with the Midweek Plus pass good Sundays too for $299, and since it’s good nights it’s valid all season long at one resort or the other. Get Snow Summit too for $349.

    Ski or ride anytime at Bear (non-holiday) for $379. For $449 Bear Mountain only or $599 for both there’s the Anytime Pass, valid whenever the resorts are open—holidays, nights, you name it. These passes are also good for Scenic Skychair rides all summer long. But hurry...the best prices are only through May 31. The resorts also allow you to apply the cost of today’s lift ticket to next year’s pass!

    Call Snow Summit at 909-866-5766 or Bear Mountain at 909-585-2519.

    Even as the slopes melt, Big Bear Lake is filling fast—just three-plus feet down at press time and rising—the fish are biting, and marinas are opening for the season.

    New for 2008 and in conjunction with Municipal Water District, Big Bear Marina, which is now open daily for the lake season, becomes the lake’s first official weight station, with a tournament scale that prints official receipts with date, time and weight. A log will be kept to monitor catches and, most importantly, establish lake records for all species in the water.

    Currently only two lake records have been certified and accepted—a 14 lb. 11 oz. rainbow trout and 23 lb. 6 oz. carp. Big Bear Marina will award a gift certificate and Eagle Claw product for the largest fish in each category (trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish and carp) on a monthly basis.

    Smallmouth were reintroduced into the lake last hear by MWD. A rare species in Southern California, smallmouth bass should add excitement for anglers. MWD requests that smallmouth are released in good health to allow the species to spawn and proliferate.

    Big Bear Marina is an Eagle Claw dealer for 2008 with a full line of rods and reels, Nitro baits and tackle. In addition, the marina is carrying live crickets for the first time, excellent bait for trout, panfish and bass.

    In its continuing effort the be “The place on the lake” Big Bear Marina has replaced part of its dock system with new concrete and steel docks. Plus the facility is a California Clean Marina and will be recycling all shrink wrap used for winter boat storage. Call Big Bear Marina at 866-3218.

    Big Bear Charter Fishing is also gearing up for the season. Given that Aaron Armstrong has a knack for finding fish even during the dog days of summer, turning him loose on the trout during the natural biting season is downright unfair. If it’s trout action you’re after April is the time to get it with Big Bear Charter Fishing.

    Charters sail several times each day and include complimentary drinks and snacks. The $68 per person price includes boat, guide, equipment including all lures and bait, even drinks and snacks. Compare that to renting your own boat for three hours and the price is a bargain, especially since it’s sure to include dinner! Group with others or enjoy a private charter.

    Also check out bass boat fishing, another Armstrong specialty. Up to four can go out with two fishing at any time aboard the $60,000 Ranger Comanche. The $125/hour price includes drinks and snacks.

    Big Bear Charter Fishing sails out of Holloway’s Marina. Call (909) 866-2240.