For months now, I have wanted to go to Big Bear, CA. Many people have told me that it is wonderful, beautiful, has a great restaurant and cheap fuel. I have felt uncomfortable because the airport is at almost 7,000 feet and it is surrounded by mountains. Lower powered airplanes don't climb that fast at that altitude, so it can get a little hairy getting out of there, especially when it is warm.
I hadn't been flying for a few weeks, mostly because my wife gave birth to our fourth child at the end of January. I had some time this morning and the weather was perfect for a flight. I decided to take my son, Noah, and go to Big Bear. The only worry was the amount of snow that they received recently. The weather briefer told me there was a 6' berm around the airport. She was right! The accumulated snow around the runways from the plowing was higher than my plane at some spots. It was also really cold. When we got there it was around 32F, but it was sunny and clear.
Noah and I enjoyed a nice brunch at Barnstormers, a cafe at the airport. I would recommend the restaurant for any flier looking for a good on-field place to grab a $100 hamburger (or omelet). Noah got to through a few snowballs, which we don't get to do very often in Las Vegas.
Overall, it was a great trip, at just under 1.5hrs each way, it is a great destination for fliers from Las Vegas or Southern Cal.