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Alpine Slide At Magic Mountain
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
64 reviews for Alpine Slide At Magic Mountain
64 reviews in English
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Review from Amber E.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 3/18/2012
We came back again a couple weeks ago w/ a dozen plus friends and kids, and I have to bump it up to 4 stars, bcse everyone had a great time here -- both on the inner tube run and the alpine slide. I stand by my previous advice of "get here when it opens" - which we did again, and got a lot of runs in before it got crowded.
By the way, in regard to the previous reviewer who said the tubing is dangerous, the alpine slide can be, too. My friend was riding down w/ his 4-yr old daughter, probably going pretty fast, but leaned the wrong way and ended up jumping out of the track. No serious injury, but they both got some road rash on the face. But hey, maybe that's part of the excitement. It isn't an amusement park.
Plus, when there isn't snow on the ground, and you've driven up to Big Bear, what are your other options if you want to experience snow? It's still cheaper than skiing. And an escalator up the snow hill? That's pretty styling. I'm upping my last review from 3 to 4 stars. (not 5 stars, bcse I still think they're both overpriced)Listed in: Best Big Bear places to go
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/19/2012
The Alpine slide is fun - the kids love it.
The inner tubing in winter is also fun, but waiting in… Read more »
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Review from J. M.
San Diego, CA
3/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
UH-MAZING! I may be a bit bias just because I grew up on the East Coast and loved sledding/tubing as a child & had't gone in years; but this place is a lot of fun!
My friends & I went on a Saturday evening and paid the discounted $15 (cash only), and tubed for a good couple of hours! Each lane is different but all are fun! We had a great time thinking of different combinations to get down the hill - most of which were quite 'dangerous' but resulted in an adrenaline rush each time (backwards on our stomach, diamond grabbing each other legs, etc.) - it was like Tubing Olympics for us. Oh did I mention we're all in our late 20s/early 30s - our inner-child came out instantly!
As others have mentioned, there's nobody at the top to direct traffic or "monitor" so if you do have a small child, it's best that you accompany them so they don't get trampled by the excited tubers! I agree that maybe they should staff someone at the top of the hill, because sometimes you get some obnoxious people not paying attention!
This was definitely the highlight of our weekend - it's great to bring back childhood memories of sledding / tubing! -
Review from Sabrina L.
Los Angeles, CA
2/27/2012
I feel bad giving this place so little stars but I'll list why:
1) It's expensive
2) It's crazy dangerous...but I suspect all similar tubing places are just as dangerous so I can't really dock stars for that.
3) It's disorganized. When we went up to the ticket window to ask the lady if there was a snow play area for kids, she said yes. But then she wasn't sure if it was open. She said we'd have to ask the people inside (that is, pay to get in just to ask if it was open or not?!?!). Then she realized she could use her walkie talkie and found out it was open. We had pointed out to her that we had a 2 year old and a baby.
Then after purchasing the tickets & waiting in a long line to get in, the gatekeepers tell us the baby can't come in so then some of us had to go back to get refunds while some of us went in. Boo!!
4) They should warn you that the only way down from the kiddie play area is to TUBE DOWN. I didn't want to tube down with my toddler...it just didn't seem safe. But I didn't realize that was the only way back down!!!
Of course we had a minor tubing accident on the way down as there was no other way to walk down...only tube down.
I will write this: the other people who went to tube and wanted to tube were all having tons of fun. So if you don't mind the dangerous aspect of this, then this is probably your place to go! I just wish there was some built-in safety features like staff at the top to monitor timing of people tubing down or looking out for poor souls like us who wiped out mid-way down the track.
If the owners are reading this...please give people more instructions than what's posted for safe tubing and please find a way for parents of little ones to get down the mountain from the Kiddie snow play area without having to tube down. Thanks! -
Review from Nikki G.
El Monte, CA
3/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ok, I bought Snow Pants and Snow Boots just to go tubing. I have never been before and this was a blast. It was $20 all day. We were there for several hours. I mean you go there to have fun in the snow. I do not know why ppl complain about prices...you are up in BIG BEAR. Hello?
All I know is that I cannot wait to go back again next year.Listed in: Anything and Everything
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Review from Charles H.
Torrance, CA
10/27/2011
This was probably the highlight of our summer trip to Big Bear. We took kids 2 and 4 and rode with them in our laps. They absolutely loved it. Reasonably priced. We took three runs each, but could have gone all day. The chair lift rides were relaxing and scenic.
If I had to nit-pick, I'd say that there were a few bumps in the fiberglass tubes, so the runs could have been it bit smoother, but that's it! -
Review from Karen C.
10/22/2011 6 photos
It's surprising how many people don't know about this place! I've heard about it and been wanting to try it out for the longest time and finally got to try it out as a side bonus on an Oktoberfest trip with a group of friends. I feel like this would be great practice to be on a bobsled team sans ice/snow just like Cool Runnings! http://www.imdb.com/ti... =)
I was apprehensive at first the potential for disaster looks quite high. There are no seat belts just you sitting on a plastic sled with skateboard-like wheels with gravity doing all the work pulling you down a chute. But after seeing a little toddler doubling up on a sled with their parent, I knew it had to be safe enough.
The operation of the sled is so simple: A lever is located between your knees, push forward to go and pull back to slow/stop the sled. I've made it down the hill full speed ahead with no breaks till the end, but it's different for everyone. People with larger em... masses can build up more kinetic energy and will travel faster and farther.
Neuton's second law: A body in motion will tend to stay in motion unless acted on by another force. (That force is friction, pull up on that lever!!!)
Alpine Slides second rule: Reduce speed on corners and sharp dips- excessive speed can cause sled to leave track or overturn. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Coincidence? With complete disregard for rule #2, almost half our group and left their mark/DNA on Alpine Slides. http://www.yelp.com/bi... While on the chair lift I saw my friend fly horizontally almost two ft. off her sled! x_X Still all of them soldiered on with happy, smiling faces continuing more runs.
Physics is FUN! =D -
Review from Sandy T.
Westminster, CA
12/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Expensive! $25 for all day snow tubing sounds ridiculous. Sure you can go on a weekend for $15 night time tubing, but I was freezing my ass off at noon in 26 degree weather already! What made it worse was the rude kids and adults who couldn't wait to take their turns and end up crashing into the people who went down the slope right before them. G'job, folks.
Alpine sledding was a lot more fun, but there is no way I'm paying $5 for a 1 minute ride again.
I highly recommend roughing it: bring your sledding device of choice and park next to an open field with some small hills. -
Review from Ian W.
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a sure-fire fun way to spend the afternoon in the snow in Big Bear. The $25 entrance fee for the day of "snow play" is a bit steep, but ultimately worth it, I think. You get an inner-tube and unlimited rides down the 5 or 6 little slopes. It's a lot of fun, especially the last slope which is the fastest and has a couple of turns in it. I wish the other little slopes had some twists and turns and varying degrees of speed. They're all pretty tame, except that last run with the red flags.
Didn't do the luge, because it's an additional cost, and the water slide wasn't open because it was the winter season. But the snow play was pretty darn fun! -
Review from Albert R.
Pico Rivera, CA
3/16/2012
A must do if you are in the Big Bear Area. The slide is open year round and is a blast! Admission of $7 covers a lift ticket to the top of the mountain and a ride down the slide in a looge like sled. You can control how fast or slow you go with a handbreak but I never bother using the breaks, go balls out for the ride of your life! It's cash only but there is an ATM nearby. DO IT!!!!
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Review from Sabrina M.
Los Angeles, CA
2/19/2012
What fun! We spotted the alpine slide and tubing hill from the road, so we stopped yesterday to check it out. What a blast! The alpine slide was super-fun. I had ridden one once as a child, so I knew what a treat my kids were in for. Kids under 2 are not allowed :( The sledding hill is steep and exhilarating. I wish we had our helmets on. Both the kids and the adults had a blast. The lines during the day on President's weekend were insanely long, but well worth it.
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Review from Earl S.
1/21/2012
Fun to do once (or 5 times) since our kid loved it. I wouldn't be inclined to do it again, but probably will for the kid's sake. The wait can be pretty long, even when it's not crowded.
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Review from Elvin Z.
Los Angeles, CA
3/26/2012
Eek! Methinks not. Only good posts are written be the owners. :((
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Review from Jennifer R.
Camarillo, CA
7/14/2011
So much fun for kids and adults!
We went up to Big Bear for the weekend. This was our first time there in the summer, and I have to say it was just as fun. We found this little gem of a place, and our 9 year old daughter had a blast!
She loved racing her dad down the alpine slide, and going on the waterslide a million times. The prices are very reasonable! We ended up going back for another ride on he slide the next day! Great fun if you have kids from about 5-10! -
Review from Holly W.
10/4/2010
Do you have 5 minutes to spare? Well for 4 bucks, take one trip up the kiddie ski slope, grab yourself a makeshift "luge", tuck in, and fly down the quarter mile track of the Alpine Slide. Yes -- this is all kid's play, but it really doesn't have to be.
In fact, I probably saw more adults on this thing more than any kid -- there's two tracks. One for slower "newbies" and the other for faster people. No worries about potentially running into each other -- it's not Autopia, people. The guy manning the start box at the gate ensures that people take off down the track so as not to prevent any sort of pileup -- though you do sign your life away on a release form at the ticket counter!
Overall, you can get one ride for $4 and 5 rides for $18. Definitely do the $18 and try and go in the cooling off weather! It's nothing short of awesome.
Cash Only!Listed in: When in Big Bear
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Review from alice c.
7/25/2011
there are two ways you can slide down the "magic mountain":
1. luge
2. water slide
we did the luge ride and it was more fun than i thought it would be! you take a lift up the mountain while getting a pretty decent view of big bear lake. you pick up a luge and wait in line and push the lever all the way forward and you're in for some winding ride.
you can gain speed pretty quickly... but considering helmets are not required which means the track is built to support any bumps and turns. so don't worry about falling off the tracks :)
overall, good value @ 4.00/ride. get 5 rides for $18. so bring some friends!Listed in: summa summa summatime!
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Review from jane m.
Alhambra, CA
12/29/2010
Poorly staffed by workers who obviously didn't want to be there. Young fellow who was suppose to be monitoring the line into the magic belt SAW people cutting in to the front of the line and all he can say was "single file please". We even said "you should really make sure people don't cut in line--our kids have been waiting 15minutes to get to the front, it's really not fair"! and he just gives a quick smirk. No one is watching from the top either--people just start sliding down whenever they want--so very unsafe for young children to go alone.
It was really crowded when we went so despite having four hours to go on the tubing, only got to ride it 4 times because of the long wait. Paid $25 for the unlimited tubing rides. The Luge ride was fun but waited almost 2 hours just for it. 5tickets for 18$ or 4$ each ride.
Maybe it was just the mere fact that it was super crowded the day we went, so there was more of a chance for rude and obnoxious teenagers to be present (roaming around without parents), but having groups like these around a "family oriented place" really made the entire expensive experience unbearable--especially when the people who are suppose to enforce sanity and order don't really care about their job. Too bad.
Please don't waste your money and time. I saw alot of people park at little remote areas, brought their own sliders and had tons of fun for free, without having to deal with unlawful teenagers and ridiculous lines. -
Review from Raquel B.
Fontana, CA
1/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Very fun.
Tips: Don't go on a busy day - the lines are too long (30 minutes at least). Do ride the Alpine Slide over and over! Their snow play was OK, I think the other location has more lanes and they are longer.
My kids loved it here, the 11 year old rode alone, and the two year old on my lap, and she was screaming MOMMY FASTER!!! Highly recommend the Alpine Slide too families. It was a great time. Plan on more than 3 rides each...you'll want to go more.
Try not to use the brake and go fast! :-) -
Review from Deborah M.
Los Angeles, CA
7/25/2011
We went on a summer weekday and rode the luge, played golf and rode the water slide. Good fun but the luge track can be dangerous. We saw some poor kid come around the corner too fast, crash and bashed his head on the track. That did not look good! They accept cash only so, for those of us who prefer not to carry a lot of cash, it was a slight inconvenience. The people were all pretty friendly and although a big group of campers showed up, the lines went pretty fast.
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Review from Aimee S.
Whittier, CA
11/15/2007
I signed my life away for a cheap thrill in the freezing cold (by my standards. I'm a wimp when it comes to cold). And paid $4 for it too. Oh but it was so worth it.
The lift up the hill, the piercing pain in your feet when you jump off the lift, the awkwardness of trying to get on the bobsled-go-kart-thing-a-ma-bob, the boredom on the operator's face, the breathtaking view of Big Bear Lake, the anticipation of going down the hill, the freezing cold air that hits you as you glide down, the girly screams of your friend as he whizzes past you and the teasing that follows because you were going so slow (I thought I was flying!).
All so, so worth your $4. -
Review from Charlene C.
San Diego, CA
8/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
1. Balls to the wall, bitches. Put that throttle down and don't let up.
2. No braking, braking's for pussies.
3. Get over it. Yeah you're scared now, but really just get over it.
Follow these rules when you go to the Alpine Slide and you will have fun. Don't and you'll be out $4 and disappointed at the end, so just let go and do it. I don't think I could be here for a couple hours but for a brief, fun activity it rocks! Watch the dismount on the lift!
We noticed that oddly enough everything we wanted to do in Big Bear - hiking, kayaking, dining - was near the Alpine Slide. Next time, rather than trek around the town, we're definitely staying on that side! -
Review from John L.
Austin, TX
12/29/2010
The reviews that people gave were really helpful.
We took children ages 2-6 there, and riding with an adult, it was really fun for them. We went on 12/28/10, and because of holiday goers, the slide was packed. About 1 hour wait to line up and go on the ride. Kids would have wanted to go more.
If you are looking for a unique ride, without danger, and taking small kids (many adults without kids were going on this ride), then this is a winner. -
Review from Bryan R.
Long Beach, CA
7/13/2009
$4 for a ride down Alpine Slide (aka most fun you will have in Big Bear) + $1 for a water slide ride.
Only complaints: wish you could race a friend instead of having the left lane for fast right lane for slow. I'd slaughter my girlfriend at this shit but she still thinks she's better than me at Alpine Slide. How weird right? -
Review from mike l.
Burbank, CA
1/14/2008
I've tried snowboarding and skiing a few times in the past, but I just can't do it because I'll end up sore in my knees for weeks afterwards. Alpine Slide was the fun alternative on a recent trip up to Big Bear with the girl.
$4 each (or $18 for a book of five) for the trip on the "AlpineSide" or $22 for "Snowplay." They also have go-carts, but in the end we were too exhausted to try them.
We ended up taking several trips down the AlpineSlide and spent a few hours tubing in the Snowplay area on one of their five tubing slopes (four that go straight down the hill and one that does a few S turns). The tubing was extremely enjoyable because of a 'people mover' they have to shuttle you and your inner tube to the top of the runs.
Definitely something fun to do as an alternative to snowboarding or skiing at one of the resorts. -
Review from Judy T.
Los Angeles, CA
8/12/2008
This is really really fun!! It's like luge, but going down a half tube downhill. I had a friend who flipped over one year, so you gotta be careful.
Otherwise, I love it! You zoom down the hill so quickly but the good thing is, you dont need to have alot of control or skills to do so.
You gotta try it if you're in big bear. -
Review from Elizabeth W.
San Diego, CA
12/1/2010
The bobsled was SOOOOO much fun! The really cool guy at the top of the track offered to take a picture of my boyfriend and I right before takeoff, so it was classic! :D
We are going again before leaving Big Bear, and I think it is fun for everyone, so you should give it a try, -
Review from Anhers M.
Santa Ana, CA
12/10/2009 1 photo
There are two places, people...
The first one by off the highway is for little kids. I think
800 Wildrose Lane
Big Bear Lake, Ca 92315
is the one with the bobsled. (but I hate you, steroid using man who yelled at me for no reason. he said I almost ran into his daughter even though his whole family was standing NEXT to the bobsled. there's no SLOW side, idiot. even families standing waiting for their kids to come down were like he probably hasn't gotten any in a long time. my conclusion is: he's sad that he doesn't have enough testosterone to have any boys and only had two little girls. you even embarrassed your daughter! no one likes you & please stop using steroids. your ahem is getting smaller) -
Review from Danielle N.
Los Angeles, CA
8/18/2009
This place was great. We came for the Alpine Slide because we had never been on anything like that before. Old fashioned ski lifts carry you up. The tracks are exactly the same; the slow one is for if you choose to go down at a more relaxed rate. We ended up loving the water slides even more- only $1 a ride, compared to the $4 track. It was our alternative to a shower while camping I guess.
The kids here were having a lot of fun, while parents relaxed. My boyfriend was grinning ear to ear and we've decided to look for water slide parks after riding the two they had here. So refreshing and fun!Listed in: Nature!
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Review from Jenna R.
Playa del Rey, CA
9/17/2007
Today I relieved one of my favorite childhood memories. No, not the one where I made my cousin cry by shoving tapioca down her throat. The one where I whizzed through the trees on a tobaggon even though there wasn't any snow.
Turns out, such a magical place actual exists -- in many locations. When I went to Big Bear this weekend, I made certain that I found an alpine slide so that I could relive -- 20 years later -- those fond childhood memories of reckless, bobsled-like speed. When I saw that one ride was only $4 (holy bargain, Batman!), I pushed all the intimidating-looking kids out of the way and jumped to the front of the line.
You can watch the beginning of my ride here:
http://www.youtube.com...
In my defense, I picked up speed after I stopped filming and it became easier to steer with two hands. When I rounded some of the turns near the bottom, I felt as if I might go flying off the track I was going so quickly. I might have let myself do so if I hadn't signed an electronic waiver of my and any future offsprings' rights to sue for personal injury. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Who wants to road trip to Big Bear?
Fun Memory: After going down an East Coast alpine slide, my brother and his friend came running over to me and my mom screaming and crying. Turns out they were chucking rocks off the ski lift and hit a beehive. As fate would have it, the ski lift then stopped, leaving them stranded 30 feet up in the air at the mercy of the bees, who stung them until they looked like sea polyps. I still chuckle at the memory.
Yes, I'm aware of my innate evilness. -
Review from Elizabeth A.
San Diego, CA
10/6/2008
I used to attend the big bear tennis camp back in the day and we would go here every Wednesday night. Man it was awesome! We were even given money to buy junk food (the camp didn't allow junk food or soda)!!!!
I do remember falling off one year so do be careful. I completely ate it and wound up having to walk down the hill because my sled continued going down without me. I tripped over the arrow sign too. lol. I was wearing a tank top and jeans and got so banged up..it was the best day ever. :).
I need to revisit this place one day... -
Review from Ron v.
Upland, CA
Cool break from the lake, we did both the unlimited water slide one day and a quick run down the Alpine slide on another day. Both are cool & fun. Note; On the Alpine slide money goes quick and the ATM has a $2 fee.
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Review from Jackie N.
1/5/2010 2 photos
This place is pretty fun, although i went right after christmas so you know this place is crazy packed. I only went on the alpine mountain instead of the tire hill sliding thingy.
For the price, it wasn't that bad $4 to go on a ski lift and to ride down a concrete course down. They have two different courses (one is the slow side/ first-timers and the other side is the way faster.)
I personally enjoyed the faster side. The slow side was no fun, but i had to go there because i had my little cousin to take with me. -
Review from James T.
Carson, CA
9/4/2011
There are 4 activities here.
Luge, which was very fun!
Water slide, which all the kids seem to really enjoy.
Go karts. Although the track is short, you were on there for about 10 minutes or so.
Miniature golf, which was just ok.
If you have kids, it is something else to do here in Big Bear. -
Review from Susana M.
2/28/2011
this place was tons of fun! All 9 of us got there after 5 PM and only had to pay 15 bucks to ride! I must admit that I was little scared to slide down at first, but after the first round I was in love! Great adrenaline rush and super fun. This place is also kid friendly, so I definitely recommend Alpine Slide to families!
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Review from kumi k.
5/29/2009
Such a fun place. I had doubts at first because as a child, I was never fond of slides. The reason was I felt the sliding time was far too short for all the effort of climbing up to the top.
At Alpine Slide, getting to top is easy and if you're with your significant others, it can also be quite romantic. Imagine you and your hunny on a gondola lift slowly ascending up a hill with the pretty scenery of nature around you... and an occasional scream of delight from kids below sliding as fast as they could. Okay... so it's probably not romantic but their exhilarated and happy faces are very contagious. Once we reached the top of the hill, we were handed a yellow sled and off we go! The sliding time couldn't have been more than 3 minutes total but it felt so much longer and it was a lot of fun! Definitely worth $4 and the 15 minute wait. -
Review from Colleen L.
West Los Angeles, CA
9/22/2009 1 photo
Thank you Yelp! My friend said we would take a day trip up to Big Bear. Besides hiking he was open to any ideas. Yelp came through for us.
It was a breathtaking view from the top of the "bobsled" tracks. The vista was immense.
Not recommended for those with back pain (it goes bumpity bump over each seam of the track) or fear of heights, as the chairlift might be disarming. Be careful with the pulldown bar once you get on it and then again when you are preparing to get off the chair lift at the top. Alerting the chair lift operators if you're a first timer would be wise. They are helpful and friendly as are all the staff there.
Since I've always wanted to try the luge, this was the next best thing. I like how easy it was to maneuver and the brakes worked very well. The 1st x I went so slow. The 2nd x a little faster. By the 3rd x I had it down pat. Not exactly speeding, but a thrilling downhill ride.
My thoughts are making it more comfortable would be to bring an extra sweater or jacket to stuff behind your back, as you can see from the picture Celine posted you lean forwards.Listed in: Local Mountains
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Review from Robert Jr E.
Signal Hill, CA
2/9/2009
I have such fond memories of the Alpine Slide from my childhood days. Oh I remember how I dreaded coming to Big Bear, because as a kid & teenagers one's idea of fun was hanging out at the mall, skateboarding, going to the movies, girls, etc... After taking a moment and looking back, I am so grateful that I came to Big Bear with the entire family, and memories will forever be engraved in my heart.
As a kid, and even in current times, always have to make a stop at Alpine Slide. Going up on the ski-lifts to reach the top of the mountain and while going up, you see everyone sliding down on the sled. Its funny, people always yelling to go faster and they do... Although, I stopped because one we encouraged more speed and we came down, the person we'd encouraged 'ate shit' big time! Ooops. Another thing, thats fun is during the winter, they have these tubes and when you go as a group and slide down the hills 'What a rush!'
They have arcades, little races cars, etc... all there burgers and food is grilled outside the patio.
Its not a big place, but the moments you hang out there leaves a cherishable impact ! -
Review from Pam S.
San Diego, CA
5/29/2008
I got to experience the Alpine Slide on a church retreat last year. I didn't know what I was getting myself into, but the other girls dragged me along. You apparently always think you're going faster than you are, because the video a friend took sure looked like slow motion to me.
Four stars because I'm cheap, and 18 bucks seemed like a lot at the time. I went during the summer- I don't think I'd dare try it in the winter! -
Review from Kristen W.
Los Angeles, CA
3/29/2011
Talk about FUN!! We went on a week day so there was no waiting at all. We had so much fun riding down the hill in the tubes. We also checked out the Alpine Slide that opened up about 2 hours after the snow stopped. FUN-TASTIC! I remembering coming up here in the summer as a kid and it was even more fun in the snow!
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Review from Susan H.
Big Bear City, CA
12/21/2009
Alpines is fun for a couple hours... no more then that.
The slides are entertaining, but not to much extent
the cart tracks are probably the best part. -
Review from R J.
North Hollywood, CA
2/15/2010
The Alpine Slide, and chair lift to the top, are about as much fun as anyone can expect for $4.
But there are lines, and prepare to wait in them. And wait. And wait.
