The leaves on oak trees, cottonwoods, aspens, and dogwoods are shifting from green to gold.
In the next three weeks, leaf peepers will make their way up to Big Bear Lake to witness the dazzling display of fall colors that surround the mountain resort. Alpine Slide Big Bear is an excellent spot to view the seasonal palette of amber, red and gold. Best of all, Alpine Slide offers three different rides that provide a rather unique perspective of Mother Nature’s brilliance.
The Soaring Eagle Ride, Mineshaft Coaster, and The Alpine Slide all have one thing in common, which is each of these three rides are respectively the first and only rides of its kind in California. Moreover, not only do these three rides offer an extraordinary adventure, but each offers a different way to experience a splendid display of colors that only appear once a year.
The Soaring Eagle gives guests an opportunity to get a bird’s eye view to see the shades of gold and yellow that dapple the valley below. This dual-seated ride is 500-feet long with a 100-foot vertical drop. It starts at the base of Alpine Slide, and lifts riders backwards on a cable to a 70-foot-tall launch tower, giving guests the sensation of flying high above Big Bear. This ride offers spectacular views of the blue lake and green pine trees that blend together with a grand spectacle of fall colors. Cherish the moment, because soon enough, the Soaring Eagle darts back for a fun, thrill ride back to the base!
The Mineshaft Coaster is a thrilling, mile-long mountain coaster, that gives each rider the freedom to control the speed of the individual coaster cart with a side-lever braking system. Riders can opt to meander through the forested landscape at a mellow pace to take in the autumn hues; or they have the choice to fully accelerate the lever to reach max speeds of 30 mph. The latter option gives the rider a dizzying array of colors as the cart buzzes by a vibrant pageantry of foliage.
The third option is the Alpine Slide, which transports guests via chairlift on a laid-back ride to the top. This reduced-speed chairlift allows plenty of time to take in the panoramic views of fall colors that plaster the San Bernardino Mountains. This leisurely 5-minute ride to the top is a great way to take it all in. Scenic beauty resumes on the ride itself, as riders take twists and turns down the Alpine Slide.In addition to the three great rides, Alpine Slide Big Bear has an 18-hole putt-putt golf course and an oval go-kart track, providing more recreational choices that appeal to all ages. When it’s time for a break, head inside for an ice-cream cone. An ice-cream bar located at the snack bar offers 12 different tasty flavors to choose from, such as Cookies N Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip or Birthday Cake!
Spectacular fall colors are in Big Bear now through November, and expected to peak the third week of October. Once Mother Nature blows the leaves away, the fall show will come to a standstill, which means folks will have to wait another year to witness Big Bear’s blazing autumn beauty. Alpine Slide Big Bear is indeed a great place to take in the autumn hues.
The operating hours for Alpine Slide Big Bear are as follows: Mineshaft Coaster, The Soaring Eagle Ride, Go-Karts and Miniature Golf are open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. midweek and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends.
The popular Alpine Slide ride is open during the fall on weekends only, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. After November 6 however, the Alpine Slide ride will open daily for its winter hours (weather dependent). Snow tubing is another attraction that will become available as weather becomes colder.
Alpine Slide Big Bear has ski-resort quality snowmaking systems to assure there is always snow for snow-tubing family fun from November to April. For snow tubing updates follow Alpine Slide Big Bear on Facebook. Alpine Slide Big Bear is located at 800 Wildrose Lane (just off Big Bear Blvd.).
For pricing, height requirements or general information visit AlpineSlideBigBear.com or call 909-866-4626.
