originally posted on 1/8/2024
Photo: Jackie Edwards Collection. View full-sized image.
On a sunny Saturday, December 2, 16 members of the ACE Pacific Southwest region — several garbed in their best (or worst) holiday sweaters — gathered to celebrate a Big Beary Holiday at Magic Mountain in southern California. No, not that one — the one at Big Bear Lake, with the alpine slide and Mineshaft mountain coaster.
Once everyone’s waivers were signed, attendees took over the Mineshaft mountain coaster, which boasts a length of 5,280 feet (a full mile!) and two lift hills. Riders enjoyed the beautiful view of the lake from the top of the first lift as well as the coaster’s speedy and thrilling ending.
While not typically categorized as roller coasters, ACEers nonetheless rarely pass on an opportunity to enjoy alpine slides.
Photo: Jackie Edwards. View full-sized image.
Next, after a group photo, attendees rode chair lifts back up to the top of the park’s hill. There, they split over two alpine slide tracks and piloted their way down the hill, some traversing the quarter mile track gently and others pushing their speed and tempting fate to race down the hill. (Fortunately, there were no crashes, and all riders reached the bottom safe and sound.)
As attendees gathered at the bottom of the alpine slide to decide what to do next — perhaps some lunch or snow tubing? — a few ACEers began discussing the possibility of getting a rare credit or two at the nearby Live Oak Canyon Farm in Redlands, California, which is typically open only around Halloween and Christmas. About half of the group decided to pursue the credit(s) and meet back up at Live Oak. Others departed to continue their individual Saturday plans while some continued to play some more at Magic Mountain.
Some attendees made a detour to Live Oak with the hope of riding its two roller coasters, although only one was operational.
Photo: Jackie Edwards Collection. View full-sized image.
Those who traveled to Live Oak found Dragon Ride operating and delighting riders. (However, a sign reported that Spinning Coaster, the farm’s SBF Visa Spinning Coaster, was not available.) After buying tickets, the group of eager ACEers squeezed in so everyone could ride the coaster together and enjoyed multiple circuits around the track before the dragon finally came to a halt with a round of applause from its riders.
For those in attendance, it was a great way to kick off the holiday season with ACE friends and new credits!
— Vanessa Thomas, ACE Pacific Southwest Assistant Regional Representative
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