It was decided. We, being Ben Farrell, Ben Littler, and Noah Hausknecht, were going to head to LA. With no real itinerary the trip was as open ended as it could be. LA was a definite stop, including Big Bear but it was left to the road from there.
The trip began around 10 AM on a sunday morning, and we headed south. The drive from Salt Lake City Utah to Los Angeles is between 10 and 11 hours. Along route 15 south, there wasn't too much excitement, the usual sights, Las Vegas, the desert, and some more desert with a few mountains in the distance. As we pulled into Los Angeles, we had a place to stay for the night with Ben's friend Nick.
- L.A. is full of movie sets. Here is another, the set of a Nickelback music video. Ben Littler does his best to recreate.
The next few days were spent at Venice Beach, and in the canyons in between Santa Monica and Malibu. Here we found fruit trees and were able to grab handfuls to serve as a nice citrus treat for later. We also grabbed some amazing views from the tops of the canyons, over looking the ocean and at some points even downtown LA. The views were incredible, and hard to leave but we were headed for Big Bear Mountain Resort the next day to do some snowboarding.
- Californians put the "anal" in Canal.
- Littler and Nick going to the avacado trees to pick lunch.
Big Bear is one of the most fun places if you want sun, great park riding, and more sun. I have made a point to make it to Big Bear at least once a season for the past 3 years, and never once have I left without a smile on my face. It's not just the sun, and riding that make this place so great, the staff is always helpful and eager to make the experience at Big Bear as close to perfection as humanly possible.
- Bear Mountain Resort.
-These guys are really happy to be at Bear Mtn. Ahh gay.
As many may know Big Bear is a resort with obstacles and features of all shapes and sizes scattered every which way. It's unbelieveable how well they maintain their parks with so many features to take care of. We rode until close, and the park staff was out there working away in the sun all day, making rounds on all the open areas.
- Littler has been in Utah for a while and tweaks out when he grabs some tail in California.
-No lame attempt at a wise innuendo here just Noah in textbook form.
- Ben grabs stalefish off the one of 10,358 features at Bear.
We took laps upon laps, covering nearly the whole mountain, riding so many different types of features; from log rides, to down bars, halfpipes, and all sorts of jumps. One feature that has become my favorite is the large hip. It is always well shaped and never have I been disappointed by this jump.
Around noon we met up with Lance Hakker, Desiree Melancon and her sister, Dianna Melancon. That is another great part about Big Bear; the fact that you can go up and most often you'll meet up with someone you know. It's always nice riding with a larger group, watching each other and just enjoying the company. We continued to lap, and before we knew it it was last call. This may have been the excitement of the day, as the lift attendant began yelling that anyone who wanted one more ride had to get to the chair in 30 seconds, and as you can imagine at a place like Big Bear no one wants to stop lapping. There was a mad rush to make it on the last chair. We all made it, and we made it a proper last run.
-Lance Hakker gettin' nice on the ole' bear hip.
- Ben Littler bloggin' like its 2009.
- Desiree Melancon and one hip method.
The riding doesn't have to end at the last chair when your at Big Bear. They have a great set up right at the bottom in front of the deck. So if you've had enough you can grab a beverage and hang, or strap on and ride some more. We opted to session the down bar and then headed for the car. Our next stop had been decided just a day prior and was to be, San Francisco. We were eager to get there, but sad to leave Big Bear. We will return again soon.
- Its always more fun to lap out with friends.
-Noah forwards perpendicular slide.
-Noah switch nose lifter.
Thanks to Mindy for helping us out with everything, and to the whole Big Bear Mountain staff.