Cut lift lines while raising money for a good cause during the annual Ski-A-Thon benefitting the Adaptive Ski School at Bear Mountain on March 6.

    This is fundraiser with an emphasis on fun as skiers and snowboarders cut lift lines all day, enjoy a great lunch and apres party on the 13,000 sq. ft. deck, and help the disabled get out on the slopes...while getting a tax-deduction at the same time. More than once Ski-A-Thon has fallen on powder days through the years, and with El Nino still bringing the white stuff in bulk at press time, line cutting could be epic.

    Truly everyone wins during this popular event. Getting in on the fun is easy—just raise the minimum of $150 or $500 for teams of four by getting friends to sponsor you. Some just write a check for the tax-deductible amount. Of course, those who solicit larger amounts can win great prizes that range from equipment to destination resort trips, lift tickets and more.

    The donation includes lift ticket, line cutting, lunch, event T-shirt, raffle ticket, and the famous “Survival Kit” swag bag filled with all kinds of goodies. The apres party on the deck is legendary with free-flowing beer, wine, entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and auction.

    Registration is from 7-11 a.m. in Trapper’s Lounge. Call (909) 584-0269.

    Cool night jams under the lights at Snow Summit and Bear Mountain will make for some hot fun in March.

    The party’s on Westridge under the lights after dark when Analog’s “Go Huck Yourself” is held at Snow Summit on March 6 from 6-9 p.m. Enjoy cool riding including the Wiseman Hip Contest. Plus there’s sounds, hot beverages and freebies galore plus insane conditions after the recent snowstorms, one of which cancelled February’s scheduled event.

    A week later at Bear Mountain is the biggie: “War of the Rails” on March 12-13 with huge $2,500 cash purse. It’s a freeski rail jam with qualifying in The Scene on Friday at 1 p.m. followed by Saturday’s finals under the lights.

    Entry fee is $40 with competition in men and women open divisions. Spectating is free and there’s DJs and prizes so come out and party at Bear after dark! Sponsors include NewSchoolers.com, Volkl, Sessions, and Kickers.

    Analog Ditch Days on Wednesdays, March 10 and 24, the perfect excuse to play hooky from work or school. There’s a music tent with prizes and killer raffle from 1-2 p.m. for Analog outwear kit, gloves, beanies, fleece items and more.

    Watch Bear team riders and top pros in action in The Scene on March 27 during the Nima Jaladi demonstration.

    Swag and sounds keep the resorts partying in March, with a free concert by alternative rock band Smile Empty Soul.

    The group, formed in 1998, plays on the 13,000 sq. ft. deck at Bear Mountain on Friday, March 12, hosted by KCXX 103.9. The grunge band’s first, self-titled debut album was certified gold in the U.S. The second album, “Vultures” has also performed well and recent gigs by the band include shows at Buffalo Bill’s Casino.

    Catch more sounds at Bear on March 5 as Rock 105 is on hand with Power 106 playing the next day. 98.7 brings a DJ on March 7 then hosts Ditch Day on March 12, before KROQ “Storms Bear Mountain” with music and giveaways on March 19-20. Snow Summit hosts 102.7 KIIS FM on March 13.

    DJ Club George hosts free reggae parties Saturdays at noon. There’s island music, barbecue and full bar at Geronimo’s Outpost, top of Access Express.

    Don’t miss the return of the Transworld Transam on Saturday, March 20. It’s pro-style fun for amateur riders who pay $10 to compete.

    Registration opens March 5 and is limited to the first 100 riders to sign up. Bear is the sixth stop on the tour, which visits Northstar-at-Tahoe two weeks earlier on March 6. Other stops included Winter Park in Colorado, Waterville and others. Visit www.transam.transworld.net to enter.

    Racing and a terrific silent auction are on tap during the 14th annual Victor Alvarez Memorial Race at Snow Summit on Saturday, March 27.

    The race is a pro-style giant slalom (no pro bump) down the Widowmaker course that gets underway with qualifying runs at 10 a.m. Racers get two timed runs in the gates with the top 32 combined times advancing to the afternoon’s action in the men’s racing, 16 for the women.

    That’s when exciting head-to-head racing takes place, as top racers from not just Big Bear but also Mammoth and Lake Tahoe resorts compete for the $3,075 cash purse. The top 16 men and eight women get paydays, enough to bring out the region’s best and it’s a fun show to watch.

    Entry fee is $70 ($50 15 and under) and includes lift ticket, race fees, T-shirt and apres party with food and cheap beer. Register from 8-9:30 a.m. in Bear Bottom Lodge. That’s where the silent auction is held with great items to bid on like ski and snowboard equipment, trips including a stay at Desert Hot Springs Spa and Hotel, trip for two on Southwest Airlines to Breckenridge, four tickets each to Kings, Clippers and Lakers games, and more.

    The auction is open to the non-racing public as well so come on up and get some great deals! Proceeds benefit Summit’s Junior Race Team, and the Alvarez race has grown to become the group’s second largest fundraiser. Call (909) 585-5246 or (909) 866-5766.

    Think you can build a better Scene? Prove it and you just might win a weekend with lodging and lift tickets in Big Bear!

    Bear Mountain provides you with 12 features on its Facebook page to choose from. Incorporate any eight into The Scene layout that you think works best and submit it by March 22. If your design is chosen the winner, you’re on your way to Big Bear for an April 9 jib contest that’s a qualifier for fall’s Hot Dawgz and Hand Rails... and you get to be one of the judges!

    Three ways to get your design in for consideration. Mail to the resort at PO Box 77, Big Bear Lake, 92315; drop off at Guest Services; or submit as a jpeg on Facebook. The winner will be selected March 26 and announced on Facebook.

    Steal a deal at Big Bear Mountain Resorts as Snow Summit and Bear Mountain trot out several money-saving specials.

    Best of the bunch, of course, are “Screamin’ Deal” season passes, on sale and valid from March 15 till the end of the season (story this page). But there are several other deals for those afraid of long-term commitments...

    *Get three midweek tickets for essentially the price of two with “Three Play Daze.” Cost is just $108 for three tickets valid Monday through Friday that are redeemable one per day—a savings of more than $50!

    *Parents: bring your 12 and under child for free! Buy two adult all day passes online valid Monday through Friday and your kid skis or rides for free.

    Kids: save $10 off each full night ticket by showing your college ID at the window. Last Friday session is March 5, final Saturday is March 14.

    *Both resorts are still offering ‘bounce back” vouchers good toward your next visit with each all-day lift ticket purchased. Adults get a $10 voucher, $5 for children, which are now valid anytime through the rest of the season.

    Oh, and check the back of your lift ticket for cool discounts, like 15% off your next purchase at K5 Boardshop (K5.com). Get a buck off Tornados taquitos. And remember you can always ski free on your birthday, and save $10 onetime by registering for CORE.