Snow Summit
Snow Summit is a ski resort that was established in 1952 and is in the San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California.[2] It is located by Big Bear Lake along with its sister resort Bear Mountain; these two resorts which operate under the same management are collectively known as Big Bear Mountain Resorts (BBMR).[3]
| Snow Summit | |
|---|---|
 A Satellite View of Snow Summit Ski Resort, March 2008 | |
  Snow Summit Location in California  Snow Summit Snow Summit (the United States) | |
| Location | Snow Summit |
| Nearest major city | Big Bear Lake, California |
| Coordinates | 34.2286°N 116.8911°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Owner | Alterra Mountain Company |
| Vertical | 1,209 ft (369 m) |
| Top elevation | 8,174 ft (2,491 m) |
| Base elevation | 6,965 ft (2,123 m) |
| Skiable area | 240 acres (97 ha)[1] |
| Runs | 31 total  10% beginner  25% low intermediate 40% intermediate  25% advanced[1] |
| Longest run | 1.25 mi (2.01 km) (Westridge) |
| Lift system | 14 lifts |
| Lift capacity | 18,550 passengers/hr |
| Snowfall | 100 in (250 cm) |
| Snowmaking | Yes, 100% of developed terrain, 240 Acres |
| Night skiing | Yes |
| Website | www.snowsummit.com |
Snow Summit is one of the larger ski areas in Southern California, and is considered to be one of the most popular ski and snowboard destinations for patrons from around the Los Angeles area.[4] Snow Summit is a mid-sized resort, with a 1,209 ft (369 m) topographic vertical drop,[5] and 240 acres (97 ha) of skiable terrain, partially covered by snowmaking.
In 2014, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (owned by Starwood Capital Group at that time under the entity Mammoth Resorts) purchased Bear Mountain and Snow Summit for $38 million.[6][7] In 2017, Mammoth Resorts, which also included June Mountain, announced its sale by Starwood to a partnership of Aspen Skiing Company and KSL Capital Partners, known as Alterra Mountain Company.[8]
Bear Mountain relationship
For decades, Snow Summit and Goldmine Mountain operated independently of one another, less than two miles apart. In 1988, S.K.I., a major ski area operator, bought Goldmine, changed its name to Bear Mountain, and invested millions of dollars in improvements that enhanced its competitive position against Snow Summit.[9] In 2002, Snow Summit purchased Bear Mountain, and the two became one company.
Snow Summit and Bear Mountain are marketed as areas constituent to Big Bear Mountain Resorts. A lift ticket from either area is honored at the other, and a free bus service between Snow Summit and Bear Mountain shuttles patrons back and forth between the two for that purpose.[10]
Snowmaking
Snow Summit's extensive, multimillion-dollar snowmaking system draws water from Big Bear Lake to cover all of the resort's marked terrain with skiable artificial snow — if ambient temperature and humidity are amenable — throughout its winter operating season .[11]
Snow Summit trails
| Beginner | Intermediate | Difficult | Expert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skyline Creek | Miracle Mile | Ego Trip Park | The Wall |
| Sundown | Pipe Dream | Dicky's | Olympic |
| Summit Run | Westridge Freestyle Park | Tommi's | Side Chute |
| Cruiser | East Why | Off Chute | |
| Last Chance | Zzyzx Park | Log Chute | |
| Miracle Mile | |||
| Timber Ridge | |||
| Log Chute | |||
| Mainstream | |||
| 7-Down | |||
| Perfect Pitches | |||
| Side Show | |||
| Sugar Pine | |||
| Jo's |
References
- "Mountain Statistics". Snow Summit Official Website. Retrieved on 2013-01-16.
- "Area History - Winter Sports". Big Bear Valley History. Big Bear Valley Historical Society. 18 December 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
- Public Relations (2009). "Bear Mountain Press Kit (2009-2010)" (.PDF). Big Bear Mountain Resorts. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
- "Snow Summit Ski Area". Destination 360. 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
- "Comparison of Midsized Ski Resorts in US/Canada by True-Up Vertical Descent (Page 2 of 3)". Mountain Vertical. 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
- "Mammoth Buys Bear Mountain". On the Snow. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- "Mammoth Mountain owner buys Bear Mountain and Snow Summit". Los Angeles Times. 2014-09-24. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- Martin, Hugo (12 April 2017). "Mammoth Resorts is being sold to a Colorado ski partnership – LA Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2017-12-06.
- "Snow Summit History, 1952-Present". Snow Summit. 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
- "Snow Summit and Bear Mountain". Big Bear Mountain Resorts. 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
- "Snowmaking & Grooming". Snow Summit. 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2010.