A “March miracle” snowstorm that brought a healthy base to local resorts could mean an extended season through April, welcome news for skiers, snowboarders and snow players hoping to enjoy the spring season on the slopes.

“That’s the plan,” said Big Bear Mountain Resort spokesman Justin Kanton. “As of now, thanks to some storms we’ve seen so far this month, that should give us the push we need to stay open through April.”

Kanton warned, though, that warm weather could quickly change the plans.

“We’ll just have to take it as it comes,” he said. “It can dump three feet on you and it can all melt in a week.”

For the entire month of March, there was about 50 inches of snowfall, while the season total is at about 80 inches, Kanton said.

It was more snow than the worst season on record, the 2017-18 season when there were just 39 inches, he said.

Conditions are holding up well across all three of Big Bear Mountain Resort’s properties – Bear Mountain, Snow Summit and Snow Valley – since last week’s storm that brought about 3 feet of snowfall.

“These are probably the best conditions for the season, to date,” Kanton said. “Hopefully we’ll get another shot of snow or two before the season ends.”

Even if the snow starts to melt, at the minimum one of the three resorts will stay open through April, he said. The operations teams will do regular assessments, he added.

There are several spring events on the horizon, including the “Bear Break,” with a pond skim and a retro fashion contest, free to enter for participants.

Southern California’s largest snow-tubing park, Big Bear Snow Play, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is expected to remain open through Easter weekend in April. Big Bear Snow Play has also expanded its glow-tubing night sessions for spring break, and will be open daily from Friday, March 28, to April 5, from 5 to 9 p.m.

The recent snow will make for extra chilly lake conditions for those who are taking the Polar Plunge at noon on March 29. The event is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics Southern California athletes.

The lake’s water temperature is expected to stay in the mid-30s for the event dubbed “Freezin for a Reason.”

Funds are raised to help support year-round sports training, leadership programs, athletic competitions, and health initiatives for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the Inland Empire Region of Special Olympics Southern California.

Individuals who take the Polar Plunge challenge are asked to raise at least $50 through pledges from family, friends and co-workers. More information: sosc.org/bigbearplunge

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