Big Bear Today Magazine May 2022

Page 16—May 2022
THE BACK PAGE
Thrills galore at Speedway, Ropes Course
t age 15 AJ Wayne wasn’t old
enough to drive but he already had
a license. To race, in fact, at Big ABear Speedway, where he registered the
track’s second fastest time of the day.
Better yet, his clocking of 25.77 at Big
Bear Speedway was faster than dad Matt’s
time of 26.02. Allowing the unlicensed
driver bragging rights, at least for the day.
Feed your need for speed at Big Bear
Speedway, open weekends only beginning
May 14 then daily June 4, where racers
negotiate high-tech Sodi Karts around a
one-fifth mile Grand Prix-style track. Tires
squealing in the turns, engines roaring,
push the karts to the limit in a real Go-Pro
experience while hitting speeds up to 30
mph. Tecpro barriers used in Formula 1 and
circuits around the world line the track to
make the experience even more authentic.
These aren’t your parent’s go-karts
from yesteryear; Sodi’s RT8 is a fully featured
vehicle with self-adjusting hydraulic
brakes and vacuum fuel pumps that
come straight from the automotive industry.
The karts handle like race cars and the
Honda Whisper Motors generate amazing
power, enough to lay rubber through turns
though virtually impossible to roll.
The racing experience at Big Bear’s
fastest attraction begins with first time
guests viewing a short safety video. Then
they’re issued Big Bear Speedway licenses—complete
with picture—good for
one year and assigned a heat number.
After donning head socks and helmets
adorned with visors and hearing
last minute instructions, the pit
crew waves drivers onto the track
in staggered starts, no more than
11 cars per heat. First lap is not
timed so racers can get a feel for
the kart and track. Timing starts
with the second lap and drivers get
about seven to nine laps or more
depending on how fast they go. At
the end of the heat drivers are
waved in to the pit area where they
get a printout of their time and the
six fastest times in the heat.
Initial Big Bear Speedway
membership is $20 (double kart
Big Bear Today
Hit speeds up to 30 mph on the Grand Prix-style track at Big Bear Speedway
$25) which includes license valid for one
year, one race and mandatory head sock
worn under the helmet. Subsequent visits
cost $15 per race or buy credits in advance
which are stored on your license for a year
and save up to 30%.
For thrills above ground there’s adjacent
Big Bear Ropes Course, open weekends
till June 4, then daily. Explore a 6,400
ft. mix of suspension bridges, ropes, spinning
log, curved bars and more that has
proven wildly popular since the state-ofthe-art
ropes course, only one in Big Bear,
opened two years ago. Two stories high,
the mix of obstacles and challenges is sure
to bring out the Ninja warrior in all of us
as guests ranging from small children to
adults climb, trek, stretch and balance their
way through.
Unlike Ninjas, guests are wearing
five-point, full-body safety harnesses that
are tethered into the structure, so there’s
zero chance of falling as they navigate a
variety of rope challenges. Many of the
more than 30 elements on the towering
course are exposed to nothing but air.
There’s curved bars that adventurers
wind their way around and swinging steps.
Along with a variety of suspension bridges,
some with wide-open gaps and others with
merely dangling ropes to grasp onto. Even
an 80-foot descent on the Sky Rail zipline
with automatic braking. Each session is
$12. Operators are on the course at all times
for participants who need assistance.
Maximum weight 300 lbs.
Check out the expanded lodge with
3,000 sq. ft. of seating and snack bar with
burgers and more..
Big Bear Speedway/Ropes Course is
at 42825 Big Bear Blvd. (909) 585-0075.
• 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! •
FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 •
Ride Our
Double
Water
Slide
New!
Water Slide
Season Passes!
$75 Anytime,
$60 Sun-Fri
(non-holiday)
Water Slide Rides • $25 All Day • 10 Rides ... $15
• Single Ride ... $2
Summer is
NEW!!
Soaring Eagle Ride
Great at Alpine Slide!
Your Alpine Slide experience begins
with a scenic chairlift ride above the
beautiful Big Bear Lake. Then, with
you controlling the speed, your toboggan
plummets back down the mountain creating a thrill you’ll want to relive
again and again!
Now Open!
• Miniature Golf • Go Karts
• Video Game Room • Delicious Snack Bar
Parents!... Sun On Our Spacious Deck While The Kids Play!
Year-Round Family Fun
With 300 Clear Days A Year!
Cool
Summer Spot
Check website for current operating hours
www.AlpineSlideBigBear.com
FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626
FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 • FAMILY FUN! • 909.866.4626 •