What's the deal with Big Bear?

[jonkranked]

I am getting conflicting reports. Their website states a bunch of mumbo jumbo basically outlawing dh bikes:

Any one of the following four factors will disqualify a bike from being transported on the chair:

1. Bikes must be less than 35 pounds.
2. Designated tire size must be less than 2.5.
3. Front shock must have less than 6 inches of travel.
4. Bikes must have three chain rings unless they are single speed.

Which to me, doesn't make sense from a business perspective, as they are effectively banning their potentially largest segment of clientèle (lift access biking was basically invented for dh'ers). ANYWAYS. Last night riding with some guys (who had been there over the weekend) said that they rode their on their big bikes (which violated at least 3 of the 4 aforementioned rules) and no one said a thing to them. I'd like to get some riding in there this weekend, but I have no bikes that meet the above criteria (the closest is my slalom bike, but it has a single front chain ring and 9spd in the back). So what's a biker to believe?

[allison]

It's hit and miss. They refused hubby's DH bike one morning after the employees had all gotten in trouble for letting big bikes on, but then an hour later a few guys with big bikes were up at the top DHing.

Bring your big bike, but bring a replacement. Never know when they will say no.

[guero]

there are a few threads on this same subject floating around here. the one time i was up there this summer i saw some of the big dh rigs up there, triple clamp forks with 8" of travel. quite a few people from this site were under the impression those bikes weren't allowed up the lifts based off of the 'rules' you posted from that site....seems to be a big gray area as to how and when those rules are enforced because it was apparent the day i was up there this summer that they weren't really enforcing those 4 rules based off the amount of big travel bikes i saw.

[uzziboy]

As far as i know they were banned after a accedent occured about 5 years ago?, when they hosted dh racing. That is the sole reason they wont allow dh bikes up there, it is because they cant have/dont want another lawsuit from someone who signed a waiver on the dangers of downhilling (legally binding contract) and still sued them because he got hurt. total BS!!!

[stinkyrider]

I am going up there to ride on sunday. I'm brining my Kona Stinky which violates every single rule. I go up there about once every 2-3 weeks and I have never been refused. I know the two ladies fairly well who load the bikes. They don't want to refuse people because of their bikes but sometimes they have to because the resort owner is lurking around.

Some tips would be to look innocent like someone who is not trying to set a land speed record or huck yourself off every cliff and drop with wonton disregard for own life and limb.

Lower your crowns so it only looks like you have about 5" of travel. Once you make it to the top, raise the crowns back to proper height.

Don't show up wearing full body armor and full on DH race jersey and full face helmet. Show up wearing XC gear with shinguards. Remember, you are doing XC riding but just HAPPEN to be riding a DH bike.

If you can, bring your trail/XC bike as well as your DH bike. Show up in the morning with your trail bike for the first few trips up the lift. They tend to be more stringent on the rules in the mornings because that's when the Owner is out and about. As the day goes on, they get more lax about the rules.

Don't move in large groups of people on DH bikes. Keep the groups to 3 at the maximum. It draws more attention when you have hoards or Dh'ers showing up at the lift to ride. This means the mountain owner will be looking your way and they will have to start becoming hardasses about enforcing the bike rules.

I plan on riding up there on sunday. If you want to, you're welcome to meet me up there and ride. Follow the right protocol and you will get to ride up the lift with the big bikes.

Originally Posted by uzziboy

As far as i know they were banned after a accedent occured about 5 years ago?, when they hosted dh racing. That is the sole reason they wont allow dh bikes up there, it is because they cant have/dont want another lawsuit from someone who signed a waiver on the dangers of downhilling (legally binding contract) and still sued them because he got hurt. total BS!!!

Snow summit is self insured (Unlike mammoth) to keep operating costs down (percieved costs). That means if someone takes a spill and sues, the money gets paid out of their pocket rather than some large insurance company. They took a big hit when those A-holes sued and the Owner got fed up with losing $$.

[ghixon]

The resort has a set of rules for bikes, but it really depends on the lift operator that's there at the time. I tend to climb to the top via Plantation to Skyline (I like the climb), but I've talked to almost all the operators and some have no idea what the rules are let alone know what it is their looking at in terms of bikes.

There are a few that have been there for while and can spot a DH'er from a mile away. It's been my experience that if you don't look like a serious DH'er (full armor) they really don't tell you that you can't ride. If you can, be sure to crank down your fork to 6" and they won't bug you about it.

[roadkillross]

nothin anymore, for big bikes at least

[socal ridur]

i was up there a few weeks ago breaking most of the rules, 7" travel 2.7 tires etc. i was wearing my DH jersey and shinguards, they never hastles me, but i was also only wearing a normal helm. if you dont seem or act like a moron yahoo with 8 people all looking the same they dont seem to mind. both sat and sun they were cool. if you have prob maybe offer a few brew?6 pack?