Southern California is known for many things; sunshine, frivolity, great clothes?everyone knows there are pretty beaches and pretty people, but did you know there's pretty good skiing, too? Big Bear is approximately 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles in the San Bernardino Mountains and contains two fabulous resorts that attract fun-loving visitors all year round. This is the place to ski, hike and so much more ? all with the laid-back attitude that this rad region pulls off so well.



It's possible to get your adrenaline pumping in about a thousand different ways here. Skiing and snowboarding are givens during the cold weather months thanks to plenty of acreage and seven top-notch terrain parks that can both start beginners on the right foot and challenge even the pros. Two resorts and all the peaks and lifts they entail are accessible under the same ticket, and if you just want to have some silly fun there are places to tube and build snowmen, too.

The Alpine Slide is another hot option, as it provides an authentic bobsled experience complete with high speeds and cement tracks. Also in the winter, usually beginning around early November, horseback riding through the snowy forest, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and taking a carriage tour are equally satisfying pursuits that expose visitors to a whole new side of California.

As for what you might expect in terms of natural surroundings, stop by Big Bear during the warm weather months to be just as dazzled by the ways that Mother Nature and resort offerings can seamlessly come together. Hiking, biking, climbing, boating, fishing, golfing and playing tennis provide the basic idea of what a spring, summer or fall day could contain. Big Bear Lake and its dozen miles of shoreline provide a calming effect that only the water can have. A game of volleyball or horseshoes, a spin on a motorboat or just a refreshing dip into the clear blue water can all erase the tension that months of overwork have brought about.

A good sign that Big Bear is indeed a happening place to be is that a number of special events and festivals fill the calendar. An International Film Festival, May's Spring Air Fair, Oktoberfest and tons of Holiday season events mean that it's likely visitors will stumble upon something fun and interesting to see and do even apart from the regular diversions already mentioned. Nightly entertainment is another constant, as are an array of unique shopping options and plenty of mouth-watering dining establishments. This is California, after all, where no appetite need go ignored.

No matter which season you choose to visit (many people end up coming back to see Big Bear again, dressed a little differently), the best way to squeeze every drop of enjoyment from this multi-faceted location is to stay somewhere equally accommodating. Specifically, this would mean reserving a vacation home for you and your traveling companions ? one that is roomy, friendly and oh-so-convenient to the magic of the mountain.

can be anything you want them to be (large, small, luxurious, simple) and they tend to mirror this destination itself. They look good in any season and are adept at pleasing a number of different temperaments. With amenities like kitchens, Jacuzzi tubs, entertainment centers, proximity to the lifts, log fireplaces and the hard-to-replicate aura of being tucked away into the woods you may find it hard to leave at the end of your stay.

Check it out by going online and perusing the various vacation rental listings. Big Bear lodges and cabins are plentiful and popular as well, so plan ahead to reserve your top choice. And, if the one you want happens to be taken already, remember that there's always next season.