Big Bear Lake Introduces Big Bear Ropes Course

Big Bear Ropes Course is a new recreation feature this summer that reaches new heights with a high-octane obstacle course that towers 35 feet off the ground! This state-of-the-art aerial adventure designed to give families an exhilarating yet challenging experience all bundled into one.

Big Bear Ropes Course is far from an ordinary family day at the park. Instead, this two-story obstacle course that spires high above Big Bear allows participants to face an array of challenges and features. In fact, Big Bear Ropes Course stretches over 6,400 square feet. Many of its features exposed to nothing but air! There are a variety of suspension bridges, some with wide-open gaps, some with nothing but two-inch round cables to scramble across, yet another that overhangs on a curving structure with dangling ropes to grasp onto. All in all there are 37 different obstacles on this towering two-level ropes course. There is even an airborne element added to the equation for those who wish to experience the joy of flying. The Sky Rail Zipline stretches 80 feet and bananas out onto a ledge, enhancing the overall excitement.

“Nothing but thrills! Were bringing a whole new excitement to Big Bear,” said Big Bear Ropes Course Director of Operations Scott Voigt.

 Big Bear Ropes Course Safety Features

While some features teeter and other features wobble, participants need not fret about falling, because they’re at the utmost level of protection. There is an advanced safety system, which includes a five-point, full-body harness. It connects to a safety line. And that safety line has a slider puck inserted into a continuous belay track system. Each participant is fully secured at all times from start to finish. The slider puck can only be inserted or taken out of the track by a certified operator at either the entrance and exit of the ropes course.

Big Bear Ropes Course is a self-guided excursion, and participants can conquer the two-level course in a variety of combinations at their own pace. Some participants may choose to push the limits and try to do all the obstacles, or hone in on a few favorites along the course. There are certified operators on the ropes course at all times in case any participant requires assistance. It should take most participants about 15 to 20 minutes to get through this action-packed obstacle course.

Join in on the Family Fun Adventure

Big Bear Ropes Course anticipates to make its debut the last week of June or first week of July. Once Big Bear Ropes Course officially opens to the public, it will remain open all-year round (weather-dependent). Participants must be at least 42” tall. Participants 42” to 48” must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Maximum weight for an individual cannot exceed 300 lbs. The cost is $12 per person, per round. Please call ahead to get current operating hours, as operating hours may change throughout the year.Big Bear Ropes Course is located at 42825 Big Bear Blvd. (the same location as Big Bear Speedway / Big Bear Snow Play). For more information call 909-585-0075 or visit BigBearRopesCourse.com.

 

Find other family fun attractions in Big Bear here: https://www.bigbearguide.com/recreation-activities/

Snow Tubing Hills Covered in Snow

Big Bear’s first snowstorm of the season delivers! Snow tubing hills at Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain are completely covered with the white stuff. A recent snowstorm brought fresh snow to Big Bear, which is combined with two weeks of prior snowmaking efforts. This boosted snow levels at Alpine Slide’s snow play area. Moreover, the snow-tubing park reported that its snow base is two to four feet. It even expects to add to it with more snowmaking. Ideal snowmaking conditions with cold temperatures and low humidity are anticipated to remain consistent all week.

Ski-resort quality, snowmaking fan guns at Alpine Slide are expected to fire up again. Furthermore, the snow play area will continue at every opportunity to build on its base. Alpine Slide is now open for the 2019-2020 winter season! Big Bear’s favorite snow tubing provides a fun outing for families this weekend. Also, midweek is a great time to play in the snow.  

Snowmaking at Snow Play Area in Big Bear

Alpine Slide has ski-resort quality snowmaking! Of course, this means there’s always snow for snow tubing enthusiasts. Furthermore, it grooms its runs each night, which makes ideal sliding conditions for the following day. Watch as winter continue. Both Mother Nature and Alpine Slide will cover the snow tubing park with more white stuff. Of course, this will eventually stack up to 15 to 20 feet of snow. 

Want to get in more downhill fun? Well, Alpine Slide makes it easy to get to the top of the hill. Ride its Magic Carpet lift. That’s right, the moving conveyor belt eliminates the stress of climbing the hill. Furthermore, it provides more opportunity for having fun on the slopes. For added comfort, the Magic Carpet ride comes equipped with a Plexiglass cover. It shields guests from winter-weather conditions.

More Family Fun Activities in Big Bear

This family-friendly recreation area gives all ages an opportunity to enjoy the spirit of winter with other attractions. First, check out the Alpine Slide ride. It resembles the Winter Olympics luge / bobsled. Riders navigate their own individually controlled sleds down a quarter-mile-long-concrete track, with high-banked turns and long straight-aways. Each sled has Teflon runners, ball bearing wheels, control handle and brakes. Next, take flight! The new Soaring Eagle ride gives thrill-seekers an opportunity to fly like a bald eagle. Once at the top, take in views of Big Bear Lake from high above. In addition, there’s an 18-hole miniature golf course, go-karts and arcade. All outdoor attractions are open during the winter (weather permitting). Take cover at the heated-base lodge. Here you’ll find a family-priced snack bar. Also, it makes for a great place to take a break. Be sure to warm up with a cup of hot cocoa.   

Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain is Open Daily – See Hours of Operation, Locations, Contact Info, etc.

Get on the mountain! Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain is open daily for snow tubing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also, night tubing is slated to begin Friday, November 29, and will be open every Friday, Saturday and holiday nights from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Moreover, the other attractions at Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, which includes the Alpine Slide, Soaring Eagle ride, mini-golf and go-karts are open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to dusk. Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain is located at 800 Wildrose Lane (just off Big Bear Blvd.). For pricing, height requirements, and general information call 909-866-4626 or visit AlpineSlideBigBear.com.

Furthermore Big Bear has other great recreation activities. Click here for more fun-filled activities: https://www.bigbearguide.com/recreation-activities/. Also, be sure to check out these great dining options: https://www.bigbearguide.com/dining/.

Big Bear’s Fall Season

Big Bear’s fall season is ideal for those who want to escape for a day or take a mini-vacation. The fall months are the time to experience the splendor of Big Bear’s autumn hues. There are only a few select places to experience a real autumn season in Southern California. Big Bear tops the list! From mid-October to mid-November, Mother Nature transforms Big Bear Lake into a sea of gold, crimson, amber and yellow.

Barrel 33

Barrel 33, located in Big Bear Village, provides an elegant and inviting environment, especially for wine lovers and craft beer enthusiasts. The shop exploits Oktoberfest, Big Bear’s most celebrated fall event, by offering Enegren Brewing Company’s Bavarian-style lager. It also gives guests that come dressed in lederhosen, a dirndl or other Oktoberfest-themed attire 50-percent off any draft beer. Barrel 33 offers a natural craft cider. It’s made with real pumpkin and freshly pressed apples.

Outside the storefront you’ll find wine barrels with Jack O’ Lantern-style faces.Above all, they capture the fall season in a completely different fashion. These carved wine-barrel creations are handcrafted by the shop’s owner. They are available for purchase. For more details call 909-878-0838 or visit Barrel33BigBear.com.  

The Copper Q

The Copper Q is located in the heart of Big Bear Village. It is the place to get a gratifying jolt of caffeine with its variety of choice espresso drinks. This fall’s menu includes Honey Maple Latte, Butterscotch Cappucino, ‘Fall’-mond Latte (an almond latte), and Iced-Pumpkin White Mocha. For those who wish to skip the caffeine should try the Buttered-Apple Cider. It’s a crisp, refreshing signature drink. For a sweet tooth fix try Pumpkin Brittle, Spiced Chai Cupcakes, Vegan Maple Cupcakes, or Chocolate-Swirled-Pumpkin Bars.

The Copper Q has a custom-built demonstration kitchen, which treats guests to free cooking demos every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Interactive in-store events are scheduled for October through November. The cooking demos give guests the opportunity to interact with the chef. Because they have a front row seat, they get to watch him/her whip up amazing autumn-flavored dishes. Some recipes on the cooking demos program include Pumpkin-Carrot Soup with Coconut Cream, Harvest Couscous Salad, Pumpkin Cake Roll, Nutty Caramel Pumpkin Bars, Pomegranate Tabbouleh Salad and Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake…Yum! For more information call 909-878-4777 or visit CopperQ.com.  

The Pines Lakefront

The Pines Lakefront is an upscale steak & seafood restaurant. It is the only lakefront dining in Big Bear Lake. The Pines Lakefront features a special Oktoberfest menu that only comes once a year (October through the first week of November). Why spend money on a round trip flight to Munich, when you can get a gourmet Bavarian meal at The Pines Lakefront? The custom, made-to-order menu gives patrons an opportunity to savor the flavors of authentic German fare.

One of the most popular items on the menu is the Weinerschnitzel. It’s a veal cutlet that’s pounded thinly by hand, then breaded and pan-fried to perfection. The German sausage platter includes a variety of different German sausages such as Weisswurst and Knockwurst. For a robust autumn culinary delight try the Black Forrest Special. It’s a wild-game sampler platter of Elk Ribs, Venison Chops, Texas Wild Boar and Duck Breast. All German meals are served with Red Cabbage Sauerkraut imported from Germany and homemade German Potato Salad.

Topping off Oktoberfest-themed food at The Pines Lakefront is a colossal-sized Bavarian pretzel and if there is any room for desert try the warm apple strudel. To make reservations call 909-866-5400 or visit ThePinesLakefront.com.  

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest 

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest is known for serving up a German feast fit for a king. This year, the 49^th Annual festival introduces three new menu items. These are certain to please any appetite! First up, is the Schnitzel Dinner, which is a tender pork cutlet. It is hand pounded and breaded in eggs, milk and breadcrumbs, deep-fried to a golden brown. It’s served with a lemon wedge and topped with parsley. The dinner comes with two German potato dumplings, which is like they do in Germany.

The Brat Burger is new this year, but is already gaining momentum as a crowd favorite. The Brat Burger combines two iconic Oktoberfest beloveds, Bratwurst and Pretzel, with a Burger. It’s a meal in itself! It starts with a 100% Black Angus all-beef patty. Then combined with Swiss cheese. Additionally, On top of that, is an entire bratwurst topped off with pickles, grilled onions and sauerkraut. The sauce is a homemade German Dijon mustard aioli. All of this is sandwiched between two fresh pretzels. This massive sandwich pairs well with a Warsteiner beer!

Another new menu item is the Vegan Beer Brat, which is a vegan sausage that meat lovers even enjoy! It is served on a bed of Pickled Red Cabbage and topped off with a German Vegan Dill Pickle Spear. For more details regarding tickets and general information, log on to BigBearEvents.com, or Facebook, or call 909-585-3000.  

Interiors on Fox Farm 

Interiors on Fox Farm Road is Big Bear’s fall decor headquarters! Embrace the warmth of seasonal colors with a large selection of silk floral arrangements. Furthermore, add a touch of whimsy with cute Halloween and Harvest characters. As well as tabletop accents. Get ready for company with our in-stock selection of dinnerware and serving pieces. Of course, table linens in beauty-fall colors. Furthermore, there are comfy cozy pillows and throws for autumn snuggling, too! For more details call 909-878-0838 or visit Interiorsbbl.com.

Barnstorm Restaurant

The Barnstorm Restaurant, located at the Big Bear City Airport, is another restaurant that offers an Oktoberfest-themed cuisine. Of course, it’s only fitting considering its owner Renee Wagner is a German immigrant. Ms. Wagner treats her customers to family recipes handed down from her mother and grandmother.

The Barnstorm Restaurant serves two different Schnitzels. The Jaeger Schnitzel is hearty serving of sautéed pork cutlets smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce made with plenty of savory herbs and spices that adds to this home-style favorite. The other is the Knusper Schnitzel, breaded tender pork cutlet that is fried golden brown and topped with a poached egg. After that, try the German Sausage plate, which includes a bratwurst and a knockwurst. They’re both plump and grilled with mouthwatering sear marks. The sausages are served with traditional spicy mustard. Oktoberfest entrees come with sweet Red Cabbage Sauerkraut. Also, homemade Potato Pancakes with sour cream and applesauce. Call 909-585-9339 or visit BarnstormRestaurant.com.          

Mountain Witch Tea Company & Old Country Store 

The name alone suggests Halloween! However, this old-fashioned country store features specialty foods and crafts and gifts made in Big Bear by locals. It’s the ideal store to find the flavors of Big Bear’s fall season. Whether its in a bottle or jar, such as jams, jellies, apple butter and cider. Plus, there is locally grown honey and sweets such as fudge, candy and baked goods. Therefore, it is the store to get in the mood for fall. Check it out at MountainWitchTea.comor call 909-366-0580. 

Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain

It’s because Big Bear’s favorite amusement area is open seven days a week. Best of all, the special discounted package includes one round of admission for each of the three attractions (Soaring Eagle, Go-Karts and mini golf)> The package price is only $20 per person (a 13% discount). For pricing, height requirements or general information visit AlpineSlideBigBear.comor call 909-866-4626. 

Chirp Nature Center 

Chirp Nature Center, the birding experts of Big Bear Valley, is conducting a special Bird Talk on Saturday, October 19, at 4pm. The session hones on owls and ravens, two birds that often are associated with Big Bear’s fall season. Moreover, the store offers fun Halloween-themed rubber duckies. For more details call 888-412-4477 or visit ChirpforBirds.com. 

Action Tours

Action Tours adds a fun autumn twist to its ziplining tours. Participants throw pumpkins at a target placed on the ground, while ziplining through the trees. Those who hit the target win a prize package. Pumpkin Smash Tours are every Saturday in October at 1 p.m. Action Tours also offers Segway Tours. Moreover, these specialty tours give guests a different way to venture out to see fall foliage in Big Bear. An experienced guide shows guests the best spots to view fall colors. Tours are available daily from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For details about Action Tours Pumpkin Smash Tours or its Segway Fall Foliage Tours, call 909-866-0390 or visit ActionToursCalifornia.com.    

In conclusion, Big Bear is the place to enjoy everything the fall season has to offer. Check out fall colors in the daytime and snuggle up to a cozy fireplace at night.

Infectious Bavarian Tunes by Four German Bands Fill Big Bear’s Fall Months

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest provides great entertainment again this year. It brings more Bavarian-style music than ever before, which means you should expect plenty of fun and dancing! The 49^thAnnual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest features four different bands direct from Germany. This all happens in a nine-weekend stretch, which spans from September 7 to November 2, 2019. This marks the first-time ever that Southern California’s number-one-rated Oktoberfest will have four different German bands perform live in the same season. There is a blend of traditional German polkas, sing-alongs and of course the Chicken Dance. Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest also gets its fair share of classic rock covers, country hits and today’s dance favorites. All four German bands help create the same vibe and pageantry of the original Bavarian Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

Franken Power Express 

Franken Power Express is the first German band slated to take the stage at the 49^thAnnual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest. They come direct from Hammelburg, Germany. The energy of this band is certain to stir up a lively atmosphere. They perform  September 14-15 and September 21-22.

Frankenbellen Express

The next two weekends Frankenrebellen Express performs September 28-29 and October 4-5. This band that hails from the Franconia region of Bavaria sings with thick German accents and delivers a fun-style of party music.

Die Bohmische Straßenmusikanten

Die Bohmische Straßenmusikanten is from eastern Bavaria. They bring a very unique style of Bohemian brass music during Oktoberfest’s peak weekends October 12-13 and October 19-20. This band combines street music, fast-paced rhythms, Bavarian folk standards and  pop hits.

Goldeisen & The Express Band

Goldeisen is a nine-piece band. They also reside in Bavaria, so you should expect even more great music that comes from this region. It was by by popular demand to get these guys to return. Expect people to get onto the dance floor when this band plays its upbeat jams. They play on October 26-27 and at Oktoberfest’s special encore event Saturday, November 2. The Express Band, Southern California’s premier German band performs the first weekend September 7-8.

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest delivers a genuine Bavarian-style celebration with alpine scenery and heritage

This German festival sincerely reflects the spirit of the original Oktoberfest. It even serves the very same beer poured at Munich’s Oktoberfest! There are two full service bars located inside the Convention Center and four different beer gardens outside. Beer lovers should check out the Craft Haus, which provides a variety of micro brews and craft beer. The food is very authentic to German tradition, too. The bratwurst and knockwurst is from a German butcher in Los Angeles, and fresh apple strudel and pretzels are delivered weekly from a German bakery!

Contests, Competitions and Good Times

Fun competitions and contests at Oktoberfest include log sawing, stein carrying, shoot & yodel, a version of beer pong, and stein holding. Children’s fun and games include kiddy mug holding matches and a kids’ play area with five different giant inflatables. Dance troupes perform customary dances, and guests get into the action by flapping their arms and clucking away to the Chicken Dance.

The 49^th Annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest begins Saturday, September 7, and then runs for nine weekends (Sat. & Sun.). It ends Saturday, November 2, 2019. The weekend festivities takes place at Big Bear Lake Convention Center, located at 42900 Big Bear Blvd. in Big Bear Lake. Oktoberfest kicks off with American’s Hero weekend on Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8.  All past and present military, fire fighters and law enforcement get free admission. Tickets to all 2019 dates go on sale Thursday, August 1, 2019. For more details regarding tickets, Burgermeister Party Packs, and general information, log on to BigBearEvents.com, or Facebook, or call 909-585-3000.

To find great places to eat in Big Bear, including Wyatt’s Grill & Saloon, check out the restaurants in Big Bear page.