Too many tourists
Mtncwby, Sun Jan 06 2019, 01:48AM

This holiday season had to be a record breaker for tourists visiting big bear.
I've heard that many locals are really angry....
There was supposed to be a meeting at city hall to limit the amount of people visiting big bear...when you can't even get to the store....we have a problem.
I'm well aware we need the money,..but enough is enough.....
We need a break.


Re: Too many tourists
ROCK, Sun Jan 06 2019, 06:27AM

its like this every year. nothing will happen etc etc etc. if they don't come then everyone loses. I like the chances of making money. WE ARE A TOURIST TOWN PEOPLE AND ALWAYS WILL BE

Re: Too many tourists
Polar 🌌rbit, Sun Jan 06 2019, 06:55AM

Don't go to the markets after the lifts close unless you just want to laugh at the tourists.

Re: Too many tourists
MrOwl, Sun Jan 06 2019, 06:59AM

Polar Orbit wrote ...

Don't go to the markets after the lifts close unless you just want to laugh at the tourists.


They can provide some fine entertainment.

Re: Too many tourists
Benny ⭐, Sun Jan 06 2019, 08:15AM

Yeah it's been this bad before, it's actually been worse. A few years ago when we had that couple feet of snow around the holidays it was chaotic. It's not that bad really, it's all mostly all snow players.... resorts have been busy, but not this kind of busy. Just need to know when to travel and how to get there!

After today, things will somewhat return to normal! !yay

Re: Too many tourists
BootsNBridles, Sun Jan 06 2019, 08:52AM

I don't know why it always comes down to "Big Bear is a tourist town so they can do anything they want" and "We have to do something" butting heads. There ARE problems caused by the tourists and their sheer numbers. There are ALSO solutions to a lot of those problems! It hasn't always been like this and I'm willing to bet the majority of those who've been here a long time don't base all their income on tourists. Those who came here to get rich off of tourists should probably start looking for another place where that will actually happen. If we continue to let the tourists rule and we don't deal with the problems then eventually the valley will be someplace that NO ONE wants to live or visit. It's time to find those solutions and make it so our elected officials have to enforce them. There are examples of mountain towns who have done this and are successfully making tourists and locals happy. Vail anyone?

Re: Too many tourists
©ammy, Sun Jan 06 2019, 09:28AM

I'm not happy about Vail's $209/day lift ticket price.

Re: Too many tourists
Polar 🌌rbit, Sun Jan 06 2019, 09:41AM

Are they trying the new traffic control at Moonridge, are haven't enough
folk made it UTH yet?

Re: Too many tourists
Benny ⭐, Sun Jan 06 2019, 09:47AM

Polar Orbit wrote ...

Are they trying the new traffic control at Moonridge, are haven't enough
folk made it UTH yet?


They've been doing traffic control in Moonridge, at both resorts. But all these visitors are not up here to ski & snowboard, so it's not a resort thing. The majority are snow players, day trippers coming up just to play in the snow.

Re: Too many tourists
NShore.Allen, Sun Jan 06 2019, 02:07PM

The chain up outside the moose last nigh was crazy.. some said they did not chains but got kicked out of their rental and were headed down anyway hence the chaos on the AC. The traffic down 38 this morning 10am wasn’t bad, the uphill was bumper to bumper from before AO to jerks lake. Those folks should be headed down soon.

If the city was allowed to restrict visitors/tourists, how would someone get on the invitation list?


Re: Too many tourists
Delj, Sun Jan 06 2019, 02:14PM

All we need are several dedicated (and free) snow play areas with adequate parking.

Re: Too many tourists
Lumber Jill, Sun Jan 06 2019, 03:34PM

Exactly how does one restrict visitors? And to what end? So many of the conveniences many of us rely on would disappear. You know what town you live in. Don't go into town during the holiday rush.

Everyone is quick to blame the resorts, but as Benny pointed out, most of the visitors are here for the snow play. Give them what they want, and many problems go away. Stop closing the parks. Open more roadside parking. Put out dumpsters and port-a-potties.

BTW...we have the EXACT same conversation EVERY year about this time.

Re: Too many tourists
cricket, Sun Jan 06 2019, 03:54PM

The last time I looked (Friday afternoon) the parks were OPEN. AND there was hardly anyone over there romping around.

Re: Too many tourists
Lumber Jill, Sun Jan 06 2019, 07:54PM

cricket wrote ...

The last time I looked (Friday afternoon) the parks were OPEN. AND there was hardly anyone over there romping around.

What parks? The boat ramps and Grout Bay are closed

Re: Too many tourists
©ammy, Sun Jan 06 2019, 08:07PM

...and Juniper Point and probably Meadows Edge.
And Greyback Amphitheater.

Re: Too many tourists
SSJ2012, Mon Jan 07 2019, 10:11PM

How do we limit tourists??? Big Sur has the same problem. Biggest problem is the population of California has doubled over 25 years. Our road/highways were engineered 50+ years ago. No one, not even the government can answer that question. As I’ve always said, it’s the snow players, not enough CHP officers to handle the the thousands of snow players on the highways. The county collects money from all property owners for trash removal, but seriously what tourist is going to drive to the dump. Yes the city needs to put pressure not on the resorts but Cal Trans, CHP, Forest Service and county. Cause if we continue to allow snow players to park on the highways, the money of paying tourists will go elsewhere where the traffic isn’t has bad. It’s simple, issue $300 tickets. Signs saying it at the bottom of the mountain. Then sheriff department enforcing private property. Tow trucks won’t work cause then we have a bunch of snow players stuck up here.

Unfortunately, many are beginning to realize why Big Bear and the mountains have a huge turnover rate of residents. Most residents don’t make more then 5 years. Then many part time residents don’t use their property as much as years go on. We need to crack down on snow players, period....

Re: Too many tourists
Socalman, Sat Jan 12 2019, 08:03AM

Part time resident here. My father first fell in love with the BBV during WW II when he was on leave from the Navy, stationed in San Diego. All my life I remember going to Big Bear on trips and vacation. My parents first bought around 1956. Our family "place remained in the family with my brother a full time resident until about 2006. My wife and I bought our place in 2002. That is my background.

We have learned that if we want to be in Big Bear over New Year's to take enough food for the trip, plus extra. We don't go to Stater's or Von's. We have been snowed in a few times and my daughter also had the experience a few years ago. If you live in the area, PLAN AHEAD.

If you just want to be able to get to work why should you have to fight the tourists for 40 minutes to move 8 miles? Ask yourself the following question: What would happen to my job if the tourist/recreation business was gone?

I certainly do not want to come off as some smug part-timer, that is not my intent. I know there are some very serious issues that take place a few times during the year. There are reasonable ways to address the issue without "limiting" the tourist/recreation industry. I do not claim to know what those ways are, I have not spent time truly studying the problem, the resources or the costs.

Re: Too many tourists
Delj, Sat Jan 12 2019, 10:15AM

I am a full-time resident and am not dependent on the tourists.
With that out of the way, let me repeat my earlier post: All we need are several dedicated (and free) snow play areas with adequate parking.

A nice gentle slope for sledding and a flat area for romping & making angels and snowmen. Restroom facilities and a dumpster near the parking. Have it on gov't land.

Most of the snow-players are the kids brought up for some hours by their parents. While they might not contribute today to the prosperity of BBV, they might tomorrow or next year; assuming they leave with a good memory of today's visit.

Re: Too many tourists
Mtngoat John⭐, Sat Jan 12 2019, 10:57AM

Delj wrote ...

All we need are several dedicated (and free) snow play areas with adequate parking.

Having a “free” site is not free for anyone, particularly the residents of that area. Someone needs to pay for services provided. Additionally it would require changing an already in force settlement agreement.
[Click Here]



Re: Too many tourists
Socalman, Sun Jan 13 2019, 12:53PM

If a place is dedicated as snow play and in some way maintained (trash collected, parking provided) it then becomes a city or county issue. Imagine the lawsuit from someone whose sled hits a tree/rock/other person/whatever and someone is severely injured or worse! Who will pay the costs for that? Nothing is free. There is always some entity that pays.

Re: Too many tourists
Lumber Jill, Sun Jan 13 2019, 02:18PM

Socalsnowman wrote ...

If a place is dedicated as snow play and in some way maintained (trash collected, parking provided) it then becomes a city or county issue. Imagine the lawsuit from someone whose sled hits a tree/rock/other person/whatever and someone is severely injured or worse! Who will pay the costs for that? Nothing is free. There is always some entity that pays.

Can't those lawsuits already occur from the snowplay that occurs in the forest?

Re: Too many tourists
moco, Mon Jan 14 2019, 06:10AM

suing the federal government (forests) is very difficult.

Re: Too many tourists
Lumber Jill, Mon Jan 14 2019, 08:40AM

Then the Federal government needs parking in common snow play areas.

Re: Too many tourists
melvin, Mon Jan 14 2019, 10:11AM

Delj wrote ...

I am a full-time resident and am not dependent on the tourists.




actually you are unless you go dth for everything.. if there are no tourists there are no stores or gas stations .. no stores means no groceries.. no gas stations means no money for roads (yes i know they are crap anyway).. no taxes no money for police, fire, parks, upkeep, etc... the town can not support itself.. restaurants would close too.. business is in business for profit and if there is no profit there is no business.. this is just my honest opinion.. please do not attack me

Re: Too many tourists
melvin, Mon Jan 14 2019, 10:12AM

LumbeÂź Jill wrote ...

Then the Federal government needs parking in common snow play areas.



they are on a forced vacation

Re: Too many tourists
Delj, Mon Jan 14 2019, 10:29AM

I have lived in several small towns that were not tourist dependent. Life was simpler but there were the basics available to us within the townships. Gas, hardware, diner, etc. Those towns were as little as 5,000 population. The size of the town's normal population determines the services.

Re: Too many tourists
SSJ2012, Mon Jan 14 2019, 11:16AM

We can tear the ski lifts, drain the lake, block all the trails, charge a toll, watch our property values tank, and still you’d fighting snow players. Don’t believe me, go to Julian after snow storm, mnts near Bakersfield/Fresno or hwy 2 near Mtn Wilson. Biggest difference is we have the ski resorts and lake which have been around long before 99% anyone who lives here now. Yes, tourist can be annoying but after picking up trash that some POS resident dumped in my neighborhood, there are many locals who lack respect for our homes.
FYI, chances are higher if you become the victim of a crime up here, it’s a local.

Re: Too many tourists
FF Mac, Fri Jan 18 2019, 02:06PM

I'm all for businesses doing well up here and all the tax income....I'm a career fireman so I get it.....however, there IS NO infrastructure for the onslaught of people coming up here now! I've been here for over 16 years and the last three years has been the worst! Its NOT ok when those so called "tax paid services" cannot get around town to respond to 911 calls or when we as regular locals cannot get around town to take care of the things we need to as residents. Anyone who thinks that this is just the way it is and we all need to "deal with it" has obviously not had to drive up and down the mountain on a regular basis like some of us have for work, medical, etc. The ones who don't care are the ones who are probably retired and don't have the responsibilities that most of us do living up here. I am not complaining.....I'm just making a point....we NEED to have the infrastructure in place BEFORE we market the hell out of our town to obtain more visitors PERIOD! I live right next to Bear Mtn Resort and I realize that I made this decision knowing that I'd have to deal with the traffic, the snowplayers, the idiots who don't care, but this problem is EVERYWHERE across the valley. I drive up and down the hill for work twice a week and its horrible most times even during the summer months trying to get home on the weekends. The city needs to get their heads out of their rears and do something about this......the worst part is now our new mayor Randall Putz is a complete moron and only cares for himself and his success....not ours as a community. I used to work for this idiot....believe me! I moved to the BBL valley for his company and a week later he laid off both me and my wife stating that he could not pay for us anymore even-though this guy was buying houses, motorcycles, toys, etc. weekly.....he does not care for you or this valley. SO in the end, we will not see ANYTHING change I assume.

Re: Too many tourists
yz4me, Sat Jan 19 2019, 07:32AM

What type of infrastructure do you suggest?

Re: Too many tourists
SSJ2012, Sat Jan 19 2019, 08:38PM

[Click Here]

So Big Bear Fire missed at least 4 medical calls. The blame game is BS. We all yell at the resorts and City Council. But seriously why doesn’t CHP and sheriff call for more assistance in getting more resources up here. At this point, people should be getting fired or replaced. I’m no expert, and maybe someone with knowledge can explain to me why the CHP and Sheriff can’t bring an additional 10 units each on weekends.

Re: Too many tourists
FF Mac, Sun Jan 20 2019, 11:59AM

yz4me wrote ...

What type of infrastructure do you suggest?


First of all, they need to make one of our three highways 4 lanes, a designated snowplay area somewhere with a HUGE parking lot area with trash bins/bathrooms, more CHP, more sheriff, more forest service officers and more code enforcement!

Re: Too many tourists
yz4me, Sun Jan 20 2019, 07:56PM

Sound easy enough at first. I’d guess getting the forest service to give up land for more highway space could be a challenge. What about “metering” cars at the bottom of the hill? like the “meter on” signs on freeway on ramps? It may not limit the total number of visitors,but would help regulate the flow. Icy conditions? Longer wait time at meter.

Re: Too many tourists
Delj, Sun Jan 20 2019, 08:21PM

I went dth on Saturday midday (38) and it was a solid & slow stream coming up. The Blvd/38 was a parking lot from Irwin Lake into BBL. Where are they parking?

Re: Too many tourists
cricket, Mon Jan 21 2019, 06:31AM

They are parking on residential streets and trespassing on our front yards and backyards to snow play! Many people will discover their perinneal plants destroyed come spring!

Re: Too many tourists
Hooky Bobber, Wed Jan 23 2019, 08:28AM

cricket wrote ...

They are parking on residential streets and trespassing on our front yards and backyards to snow play! Many people will discover their perinneal plants destroyed come spring!

They do make a mess, I planted 8 fruit trees across from my house last year thinking in 40 years someone would enjoy the orchard, they are all broken off at the ground. The renters have chopped out some brush to extend a sled run and removed rails from my split rail fence. They did make the area very colorful with bright plastic pieces. They must have seen the Rose Parade Float, "lets go to the mountains" then the tv news 4 feet of fresh snow"

Re: Too many tourists
ButlerPeakFire, Wed Jan 23 2019, 10:33AM

Seeing all the trash and sled pieces littered all over the mountain makes my physically ill. Really pisses me off that people come up here to enjoy the beauty of the mountain and the snow, but could care less how it looks when they leave. What a bunch of jerks.

Re: Too many tourists
SSJ2012, Wed Jan 23 2019, 11:53AM

ButlerPeakFire wrote ...

Seeing all the trash and sled pieces littered all over the mountain makes my physically ill. Really pisses me off that people come up here to enjoy the beauty of the mountain and the snow, but could care less how it looks when they leave. What a bunch of jerks.


I know, grabbed 6 boxes of trash bags from work, I'm going to head out this weekend and start cleaning it up.

Re: Too many tourists
ButlerPeakFire, Wed Jan 23 2019, 12:51PM

I try to do the same on the roads near my house in Lake Arrowhead. Pretty frustrating.

Re: Too many tourists
WaveSlider, Thu Jan 24 2019, 07:30AM

A good friend of mine started to pick up at least one piece of trash on the beach every morning we surfed. That led to the rest of the group picking up at least one piece of trash each time. That started around 4 years ago. Blows my mind people think it's ok to leave trash at these beautiful places!

Re: Too many tourists
Polar 🌌rbit, Thu Jan 24 2019, 08:26AM

Always carry a litter bag in your car. It doesn't take up much room, and if it gets full you can always throw it out the window. (The person who told me that attributed it to Steve Martin.)

Re: Too many tourists
Geezer, Sun Jan 27 2019, 08:55AM

[quote]
Always carry a litter bag in your car. It doesn't take up much room, and if it gets full you can always throw it out the window. (The person who told me that attributed it to Steve Martin.)
[/quote1548608020

Or use it empty to put over the head of one of the idiots doing this!

Re: Too many tourists
Tlingit, Sun Jan 27 2019, 04:01PM

My buddy and I years ago had a agreement with one of the parking attendants at one of the local lakes. We did a lot of bass fishing and noticed fast food bags, empty bait containers, water bottles etc. Charge to park was $10.00. Agreement was we pick up trash and pack it out as we fished the shore.. no charge to park if we had full trash bags. A perfect relationship. Albeit the demographics are way different, I wish we could find a way to fix this