OT: Ski Week

[CardiffBaseball]

OK so the wife and kids are off for the week and were thinking of another six-flags trip for the roller coasters. However they are only open Monday, and tomorrow looks to be a crappy day to be at the park.

So she is thinking of taking them snow-boarding and/or snow-tubing. I have zero experience with snow sports outside of riding sleds down the backside of a dam a few times a year. Also we had a little hill in the backyard that was pretty fun. (fun by the way). We had a ski-club at our HS back in Ohio that would travel to our little Ohio ski-hills, but since I was a basketball player I was never able to participate. (couldn’t afford to miss lest I miss out on that scholarship, which never materialized).

As an adult I’ve had no desire and still have no desire to ski/board mostly for financial reasons. If I am broke and in debt why pick up a habit that will keep me there. However the kids ought to experience a little snow sports. So I want to ask a few questions and throw out some assumptions and see if I am on the right track.

– Mountain High or Big Bear? (one day trip). Leaning towards Mt. High because little one wants to try tubing.
– Any local rental? My assumption we are not going to have the time due to sports commitments to spend a lot of time up there, so better to rent.
– How hard is the chains on the tires thing?
– Do you all just buy your day pass up there?
– Any tips on what to take? Rental wise I was hoping to rent boots, boards, etc. so that would leave some cold-weather purchases (gloves, hats, good socks, thermal?)

[Eugene]

I have not been to Mountain High. I’ve been to Big Bear a few times. Skiing/snowboarding is fun, but it is very tiring if you’re not in a good physical condition. After an hour you’ll pretty much want to tear off the boots and sit in the snow.

You can buy a day pass and rent the equipment on the spot. Day pass for Big Bear is ~$50. Equipment is ~$25. Bring pants/jeans and a jacket. Local stores sell cold weather clothes (insulated pants and such), but prices are outrageous. It’s not all that cold (our “ski resorts” get to 50 F during the day). Your main concern is to keep snow out of your boots and sleeves.

It is easy to put chains on tires, it takes 10 minutes with no prior experience. Chains/cables are purchased at Wal-Mart for $20. Be sure to check the owner’s manual of your vehicle to see if it’s compatible with chains or cables. Once they are on, you drive as usual, but it’s very noisy and you’re not supposed to go above 25 mph.

[Eugene]

I have not been to Mountain High. I’ve been to Big Bear a few times. Skiing/snowboarding is fun, but it is very tiring if you’re not in a good physical condition. After an hour you’ll pretty much want to tear off the boots and sit in the snow.

You can buy a day pass and rent the equipment on the spot. Day pass for Big Bear is ~$50. Equipment is ~$25. Bring pants/jeans and a jacket. Local stores sell cold weather clothes (insulated pants and such), but prices are outrageous. It’s not all that cold (our “ski resorts” get to 50 F during the day). Your main concern is to keep snow out of your boots and sleeves.

It is easy to put chains on tires, it takes 10 minutes with no prior experience. Chains/cables are purchased at Wal-Mart for $20. Be sure to check the owner’s manual of your vehicle to see if it’s compatible with chains or cables. Once they are on, you drive as usual, but it’s very noisy and you’re not supposed to go above 25 mph.

[Eugene]

I have not been to Mountain High. I’ve been to Big Bear a few times. Skiing/snowboarding is fun, but it is very tiring if you’re not in a good physical condition. After an hour you’ll pretty much want to tear off the boots and sit in the snow.

You can buy a day pass and rent the equipment on the spot. Day pass for Big Bear is ~$50. Equipment is ~$25. Bring pants/jeans and a jacket. Local stores sell cold weather clothes (insulated pants and such), but prices are outrageous. It’s not all that cold (our “ski resorts” get to 50 F during the day). Your main concern is to keep snow out of your boots and sleeves.

It is easy to put chains on tires, it takes 10 minutes with no prior experience. Chains/cables are purchased at Wal-Mart for $20. Be sure to check the owner’s manual of your vehicle to see if it’s compatible with chains or cables. Once they are on, you drive as usual, but it’s very noisy and you’re not supposed to go above 25 mph.

[Eugene]

I have not been to Mountain High. I’ve been to Big Bear a few times. Skiing/snowboarding is fun, but it is very tiring if you’re not in a good physical condition. After an hour you’ll pretty much want to tear off the boots and sit in the snow.

You can buy a day pass and rent the equipment on the spot. Day pass for Big Bear is ~$50. Equipment is ~$25. Bring pants/jeans and a jacket. Local stores sell cold weather clothes (insulated pants and such), but prices are outrageous. It’s not all that cold (our “ski resorts” get to 50 F during the day). Your main concern is to keep snow out of your boots and sleeves.

It is easy to put chains on tires, it takes 10 minutes with no prior experience. Chains/cables are purchased at Wal-Mart for $20. Be sure to check the owner’s manual of your vehicle to see if it’s compatible with chains or cables. Once they are on, you drive as usual, but it’s very noisy and you’re not supposed to go above 25 mph.

[Eugene]

I have not been to Mountain High. I’ve been to Big Bear a few times. Skiing/snowboarding is fun, but it is very tiring if you’re not in a good physical condition. After an hour you’ll pretty much want to tear off the boots and sit in the snow.

You can buy a day pass and rent the equipment on the spot. Day pass for Big Bear is ~$50. Equipment is ~$25. Bring pants/jeans and a jacket. Local stores sell cold weather clothes (insulated pants and such), but prices are outrageous. It’s not all that cold (our “ski resorts” get to 50 F during the day). Your main concern is to keep snow out of your boots and sleeves.

It is easy to put chains on tires, it takes 10 minutes with no prior experience. Chains/cables are purchased at Wal-Mart for $20. Be sure to check the owner’s manual of your vehicle to see if it’s compatible with chains or cables. Once they are on, you drive as usual, but it’s very noisy and you’re not supposed to go above 25 mph.

[jpinpb]

Haven’t been skiing in a long while.

Mt. High – lots of freeway driving, better road conditions than Big Bear. Snow probably better at Big Bear. Both have decent bunny hills, good for beginners. (I learned at Mt. Baldy. Tough for beginners. Was going to can it and take up tennis or something.)

Be sure to stretch really well or you’ll have some sore muscles the next day.

[jpinpb]

Haven’t been skiing in a long while.

Mt. High – lots of freeway driving, better road conditions than Big Bear. Snow probably better at Big Bear. Both have decent bunny hills, good for beginners. (I learned at Mt. Baldy. Tough for beginners. Was going to can it and take up tennis or something.)

Be sure to stretch really well or you’ll have some sore muscles the next day.

[jpinpb]

Haven’t been skiing in a long while.

Mt. High – lots of freeway driving, better road conditions than Big Bear. Snow probably better at Big Bear. Both have decent bunny hills, good for beginners. (I learned at Mt. Baldy. Tough for beginners. Was going to can it and take up tennis or something.)

Be sure to stretch really well or you’ll have some sore muscles the next day.

[jpinpb]

Haven’t been skiing in a long while.

Mt. High – lots of freeway driving, better road conditions than Big Bear. Snow probably better at Big Bear. Both have decent bunny hills, good for beginners. (I learned at Mt. Baldy. Tough for beginners. Was going to can it and take up tennis or something.)

Be sure to stretch really well or you’ll have some sore muscles the next day.

[jpinpb]

Haven’t been skiing in a long while.

Mt. High – lots of freeway driving, better road conditions than Big Bear. Snow probably better at Big Bear. Both have decent bunny hills, good for beginners. (I learned at Mt. Baldy. Tough for beginners. Was going to can it and take up tennis or something.)

Be sure to stretch really well or you’ll have some sore muscles the next day.

[CA renter]

I highly recommend getting the insulated, **waterproof** pants, especially if they are learning. Jeans work if you’re experienced and can avoid falling — not likely for beginners.

Must haves:

1. GOOD ski pants (most important part is having waterproofing), you can wear thermals or jeans and thermals underneath for warmth, so you don’t have to get the maxed-out insulation

2. pretty decent gloves (waterproof and well-insulated)

3. Ski goggles or sunglasses with 100% UV protection.

4. Lip balm (preferably SPF 30 or better) and suntan lotion/block

5. A fairly decent ski/snow jacket, but as long as it’s fairly waterproof, you can always layer shirts underneath

————————-

You can rent skis/boards, poles and boots at the ski resorts OR you can rent them locally, like at Hansen’s in Encinitas:

http://www.hansensurf.com/Hansens-Surf-Shop-Encinitas-California.html

You can easily get lift tickets at the ski resorts, but can also get them from places like Hansen’s in many cases (ask them, as I’ve never gotten them there).

Hope your family enjoys their ski trip! 🙂

[CA renter]

I highly recommend getting the insulated, **waterproof** pants, especially if they are learning. Jeans work if you’re experienced and can avoid falling — not likely for beginners.

Must haves:

1. GOOD ski pants (most important part is having waterproofing), you can wear thermals or jeans and thermals underneath for warmth, so you don’t have to get the maxed-out insulation

2. pretty decent gloves (waterproof and well-insulated)

3. Ski goggles or sunglasses with 100% UV protection.

4. Lip balm (preferably SPF 30 or better) and suntan lotion/block

5. A fairly decent ski/snow jacket, but as long as it’s fairly waterproof, you can always layer shirts underneath

————————-

You can rent skis/boards, poles and boots at the ski resorts OR you can rent them locally, like at Hansen’s in Encinitas:

http://www.hansensurf.com/Hansens-Surf-Shop-Encinitas-California.html

You can easily get lift tickets at the ski resorts, but can also get them from places like Hansen’s in many cases (ask them, as I’ve never gotten them there).

Hope your family enjoys their ski trip! 🙂

[CA renter]

I highly recommend getting the insulated, **waterproof** pants, especially if they are learning. Jeans work if you’re experienced and can avoid falling — not likely for beginners.

Must haves:

1. GOOD ski pants (most important part is having waterproofing), you can wear thermals or jeans and thermals underneath for warmth, so you don’t have to get the maxed-out insulation

2. pretty decent gloves (waterproof and well-insulated)

3. Ski goggles or sunglasses with 100% UV protection.

4. Lip balm (preferably SPF 30 or better) and suntan lotion/block

5. A fairly decent ski/snow jacket, but as long as it’s fairly waterproof, you can always layer shirts underneath

————————-

You can rent skis/boards, poles and boots at the ski resorts OR you can rent them locally, like at Hansen’s in Encinitas:

http://www.hansensurf.com/Hansens-Surf-Shop-Encinitas-California.html

You can easily get lift tickets at the ski resorts, but can also get them from places like Hansen’s in many cases (ask them, as I’ve never gotten them there).

Hope your family enjoys their ski trip! 🙂

[CA renter]

I highly recommend getting the insulated, **waterproof** pants, especially if they are learning. Jeans work if you’re experienced and can avoid falling — not likely for beginners.

Must haves:

1. GOOD ski pants (most important part is having waterproofing), you can wear thermals or jeans and thermals underneath for warmth, so you don’t have to get the maxed-out insulation

2. pretty decent gloves (waterproof and well-insulated)

3. Ski goggles or sunglasses with 100% UV protection.

4. Lip balm (preferably SPF 30 or better) and suntan lotion/block

5. A fairly decent ski/snow jacket, but as long as it’s fairly waterproof, you can always layer shirts underneath

————————-

You can rent skis/boards, poles and boots at the ski resorts OR you can rent them locally, like at Hansen’s in Encinitas:

http://www.hansensurf.com/Hansens-Surf-Shop-Encinitas-California.html

You can easily get lift tickets at the ski resorts, but can also get them from places like Hansen’s in many cases (ask them, as I’ve never gotten them there).

Hope your family enjoys their ski trip! 🙂

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