Big Bear Weekend

Big Bear Lake is a small town built on the shores of its namesake lake. Depending on the season and how active you are dictates much of what can be done here. During the winter the obvious and most popular activity is any thing related to the snow. During the rest of the year boating and fishing on the lake are the most popular activities. Hiking and off-roading are also very popular along with biking and camping. Any seasonal outdoor activities are popular and encouraged here. Shopping in "The Village" is also a fun thing to do. Last but not least is the old standby of relaxing and doing nothing. This is also a great place for that.

Quick Tips:

We found the "Gold Fever Trail" to be an interesting way to see some of the surrounding countryside. It would be best to visit the Big Bear Discovery Center to learn about this and other outdoor adventures available to you.

Best Way To Get Around:

There is no public transportation so you will need a vehicle of some sort to venture very far. However, if you do have a mountain bike, this would be a great place to utilize it (in season).

Best Things Nearby:
Big Bear Lake, the "Village", Gold Fever Trail

Best Things About the Resort:
Fresh air, mountain scenery, well appointed units.

Resort Experience:
We were very pleased indeed when we arrived at the Snow Lake Lodge. Having stayed in several RCI resorts previously, we were curious as to how this resort would stack up to the others. We are happy to report that this unit held up quite nicely. It was a one-bedroom unit (as are all the units at this complex), which was more than enough room for my wife and I to call home for a few days. If another couple were with us or if our children (who are now grown) had been with us, I'm sure we could have managed nicely as there were two separate bathrooms available to the guests. The bathrooms each seemed to have a theme. One could have been called the 'Rabbit' bathroom and the other could have been called the 'Squirrel' bathroom as each had specific decor related to the animals listed. Both main rooms of the unit (bedroom/living room) could be closed off with their own doors and each had their own cable TV.

In any case, this unit was furnished nicely with the usual amenities. The only downside to this unit was that instead of a dining area, there was only a long bar (no dining table) and bar stools on which to sit to take your meals. It was a minor point since there were only the two of us but it could have been more complicated had there been more people to seat at a meal. On Saturday mornings a free continental breakfast is provided. The complex itself was located right on the main highway through Big Bear with ample parking being found on the grounds. Our unit was on the second floor and we found it to be very quiet and peaceful.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Fair
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Good

In 1859 Bill Holcomb discovered gold, which triggered the largest gold rush in Southern California. Although the gold soon ran out, some of the sites of these activities still remain in the valley named after him. The trail, which consists of a dirt and rock road, begins near the Big Bear Discovery Center where a map and description of the trail are available. The road itself can be a bit rough in places but high clearance vehicles will have no problems if you take it easy. However, much of the road is fairly good grade. Following along the trail with the descriptive brochure as a guide is a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. The trail itself is 11 miles in length one way. Using an auto or truck would be the most convenient way to "do" this trail although any other form of transportation such as mountain bikes or motorcycles would also work. Numerous other hiking trails are found along the Gold Fever trail so you have many outdoor options from which to choose.