Innertubing at Snowdrift, Big Bear

It was 85 degrees at our house in Los Angeles in late January, so we headed for the San Bernadino Mountains for some fun in the snow. Our goal was to make snow angels, snowmen and snowballs. At more than 7,000 feet, the California sun had already melted the feet of snowfall that arrived in December on most of the mountain range. Luckily, there was just enough to make snow tubing a blast.

At Snow Drift Snow Tubing Park, 15 miles west of Big Bear City, we were able to slide the slopes in innertubes. Alex bravely moved from the bunny slope to the diamond hill after just a couple of trips down. And, while the staff is at Snow Drift is about as rude as the come (2 thumbs down), the slopes were slippery and that's all we needed for our burst of winter weather this year.

Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear, California

Boating on Big Bear Lake

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When our friends got married at Big Bear Lake in California this summer, Alex got the chance to enjoy the scenery of the lake and the surrounding woods. Just an hour or two from Los Angeles, the Big Bear area is best known for skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and jet skiing and boat tours in the summer. For a tamed down trip with a toddler, take a boat ride aboard Miss Liberty, a replica of the Mississippi River paddle boats of the 1800s, where your little one can wonder around, and even play captain for a few minutes. If a Pirate Ship suits your fancy instead, then the lake has that too -- with pirates aboard and a working cannon. Both boats dock and offer tours year-round from the Pine Knot Marina just north of the area the locals refer to as The Village. The boat tours give you some history of the region and the guides will point out the attractions of the lake including mansions, movie sets, and the Big Bear Solar Observatory.

By the way....we never did see any bears.