Video: Park Laps and Party Shreds at Big Bear

The terrain park scene in snowboarding and skiing owes itself largely to Big Bear Mountain Resort. Thanks to skate/snowboard legend Tom Sims and Mountain Manager Karl Klouzer, the resort built its first ever permanent halfpipe in 1983, spurring a revolution within snowsports. Keeping the momentum going, they established North America's first terrain park in 1992—the Outlaw—which has grown into one of the most influential and progressive parks with 200+ features, four halfpipes, and the only superpipe in Southern California.

It's because of this heritage that they've been able to play a pivotal role in Southern California's freestyle scene, whether it be on the snow, surf, or pavement. "They're always trying to look ahead of the game with new features in their terrain park," explains snowboarder Mike Grey who's been coming to the mountain since he was two. His parents had their weekend trips up here so dialed that they'd buckle him up in the car while he was still asleep. Grey would snooze through the entire drive and eventually wake up to discover he was at Big Bear right as the mountain opened. It doesn't get better than that. Years later, Grey continues to make the trek out here. He says:

Big Bear's culture is heavily influenced by its proximity to the ocean. If you're especially motivated you can catch the surf and ride some corduroy on the same day—accomplishing what locals would call the "California Double." Even surfing legend Rob Machado calls the spot his home base since it's a quick drive from Cardiff-by-the-Sea. But whatever you are—surfer, skater, skier, or snowboarder—there's a little something for everybody here at Big Bear.