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#1 | ||
Pro Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, MB
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Skiing at Big Bear (California)
My wife and I are heading to Palm Springs for a week in February and would like to hit Big Bear/Snow Summit for a couple days while we are there. Problem is, we would need a 4x4 or chains to drive there, and the car rental places said they need about a week's notice to get a 4x4 (can't rent chains apparently). We don't want to book the exact days until as late as possible in case the weather isn't cooperative.
So, with all that said, do any of our SoCal members, or anyone who has ski'd Big Bear, know of a bus or shuttle that could take us up there? Specifically during the week, as we are flying in/out on the saturdays. We poked around online and could only find a couple of tour companies (Sierra and XTC Tours) but they only take individuals on specific dates, all of which are weekends. Any help would be appreciated.
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"Breakfast? Breakfast schmekfast, look at the score for God's sake. It's only the second period and I'm winning 12-2. Breakfasts come and go, Rene, but Hartford, the Whale, they only beat Vancouver maybe once or twice in a lifetime." |
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#2 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Hometown of Canada
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Wow, have fun!
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#3 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Whittier
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Hmmm...I havent heard of anything specifically that does that. You might just want to call up there at one of the ski resorts and find out what they say. If you don't end up going out there, you could always take the tram to a different mountain. No skiing/snowboarding though
http://www.pstramway.com/ |
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#4 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, MB
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Hmm, thanks MrBug. We are big on skiing so we're specifically looking for that, but thanks for the info.
__________________
"Breakfast? Breakfast schmekfast, look at the score for God's sake. It's only the second period and I'm winning 12-2. Breakfasts come and go, Rene, but Hartford, the Whale, they only beat Vancouver maybe once or twice in a lifetime." |
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#5 |
Torchbearer
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: On Lake Harriet
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If you know how to drive in the snow, you don't need chains. If you are from Winnipeg, you should be fine.
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#6 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, MB
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Hmm they make it sound like it is illegal to drive in the mountains without chains if your car is not 4x4. I'm guessing if the conditions were clear there would be no problems, but if it was snowy and the police saw me driving around without chains they would probably stop me.
That said, I wonder if the "I'm Canadian, eh?" defense would work... ![]()
__________________
"Breakfast? Breakfast schmekfast, look at the score for God's sake. It's only the second period and I'm winning 12-2. Breakfasts come and go, Rene, but Hartford, the Whale, they only beat Vancouver maybe once or twice in a lifetime." |
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#7 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, MB
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Hmm, I found a site called MARTA (Mountain Area Regional Transit) that looks quite promising, they have buses that take you up the mountain from San Bernardino.
So I'm assuming I can just get a bus from Palm Springs to San Bernardino, then take the MARTA thing from there. This is going to rock!
__________________
"Breakfast? Breakfast schmekfast, look at the score for God's sake. It's only the second period and I'm winning 12-2. Breakfasts come and go, Rene, but Hartford, the Whale, they only beat Vancouver maybe once or twice in a lifetime." |
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#8 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Whittier
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#9 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: The Great Northwest
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You only need chains if it is snowing or if the road isn't clear. They work pretty hard to keep the road clear, so as long as it's not snowing you should be fine.
Also do chains really cost that much? I think you could just buy some cheap ones... ![]() |
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#10 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, MB
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Chains are apparently about $125+ and are specific to the vehicle. Also it is apparently against California law to return them, so as soon as you walk out of the store they are yours for good.
__________________
"Breakfast? Breakfast schmekfast, look at the score for God's sake. It's only the second period and I'm winning 12-2. Breakfasts come and go, Rene, but Hartford, the Whale, they only beat Vancouver maybe once or twice in a lifetime." |
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#11 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PDX
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Depending on how adventurous you and your wife are, you could look for a ride on craigslist, and perhaps even save yourself some scratch in the process. Of course, you have to be somewhat discerning, or you can end up trapped in a drafty, '74 International Scout with a driver who's swilling Mad Dog 20/20, taking bong hits, blaring the worst music you've ever heard through a single, blown out speaker (look for me in the passenger seat!).
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#12 |
High School JV
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Nova Scotia
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4x4? Chains?
A good set of snow tires and common sense are all you need. If you have lots of the latter, snow tires aren't that important. In my experience, 4x4's are only good for driving out of the field after you've gone off the road from driving with a false sense of security. Most vehicles I see in ditches are 4x4s driven by people who don't understand that you still have to slow down for slippery conditions. I haven't even used snow tires for the past 19 years because I adjust my driving based on road conditions.
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It seems more like today than it did all day yesterday. |
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#13 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Mmmm....Aspen. I love California.
__________________
"Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales |
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#14 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PDX
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Snow/studded tires are most definitely the shit, but not exactly a cheap option for a rental car.
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#15 | |
Pro Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, MB
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Quote:
There is a difference between driving in icy conditions on a flat road and driving up a snowy mountain. I have lots of experience driving a normal car with all-seasons around icy/snowy Winnipeg streets, but no amount of experience will magically crawl a rented civic up a steep incline if the conditions are too bad...
__________________
"Breakfast? Breakfast schmekfast, look at the score for God's sake. It's only the second period and I'm winning 12-2. Breakfasts come and go, Rene, but Hartford, the Whale, they only beat Vancouver maybe once or twice in a lifetime." |
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