Our Chalet was hand-crafted in classic Swiss style by a family of professional cabinetmakers. Special touches are visible everywhere, from the two-inch-thick solid oak floors, to the custom benches and cabinets, to the hand-painted artwork on beams and railings. Although the home is less than 50 years old, its craftsmanship derives from centuries of European tradition.
The Chalet is surrounded by huge old-growth pine trees, on a private five-acre parcel adjacent to the National Forest. It is one of very few properties in Big Bear that is truly secluded from neighboring homes. The only sounds you are likely to hear are from birds, who come to drink the natural spring water that fills our pond. If you're looking for a relaxing retreat in the woods, in a home overflowing with warmth and tradition, this is the place.
Located at nearly 7,000 feet, this home is the perfect gateway to hiking, biking, horseback riding, sledding, snowshoeing, and more. Established paths begin at your back door. If you're feeling ambitious, the 2,663-mile Pacific Crest Trail passes nearby. ;)
Inside the Chalet, you will enjoy a spacious living room with wood-burning fireplace, an adjoining formal dining room, and a large deck with charcoal BBQ which overlooks the pond, tall poplars, a broad meadow, and towering pines. Weddings have been held in the meadow, which still shows evidence of its heritage as a summertime camp for Shoshone Indians.
For creative work, or just meditation, there's a den/office with two desks overlooking the forest.
The kitchen is roomy and equipped with full-size appliances (including modern refrigerator, stove, oven, and dishwasher) plus all the cooking gear (even a crockpot) you need to create memorable meals. If you don't see what you want, just talk to us!
The home features two large bedrooms, each of which holds a large bed for two. One bedroom is double the normal size, and also holds a bunk bed.
The living room offers a queen-size sofabed, and either living room or den/office can accommodate an airbed for two. For comfort, we suggest no more than eight adults.
Each bedroom has a full attached bathroom. Towels as well as bedding are provided.
The large hot tub sits 100 feet from the Chalet, at the edge of the forest, offering a commanding view of trees and sky.
Step out the back door and hike as far as you like.
We have a horseshoes course, simple archery set, and a telescope for stargazing. For small kids, there's a "fort," swings, a sandbox in a boat, and chickens to feed--always a big hit!
Welcome to the Chalet!
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Please note that during holidays, we usually have a three-night minimum.
Kids? Up to age 4, free. Age 5-15, 2 for 1. Age 16+, include in guest count.
We're 100% dog-friendly, as long as the pups reciprocate. The fee is $25 per pooch per day.
Check-in time is 4 p.m.; check-out is noon. If the calendar is open, you can add four hours before/after for a modest charge.
Verizon/Sprint phones work. No ATT/TMobile networks, but you can call/text by enabling wi-fi calling on your smartphone.
About the Town:
The nearest stores and restaurants are within five minutes by car. Big Bear Village is 10--15 minutes away, and offer scores of restaurants, boutiques, and galleries. There are also supermarkets, drug stores, and a hospital.
Also nearby are...
> Two ski and snowboard resorts, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, both 8 miles from the home. They offer 26 lifts and 55 runs, excellent lessons, family zones -- and also *serious* terrain parks. This is where Shaun White learned to fly!
> Big Bear's famous alpine lake, with fishing, kayaking, sailing, and other water sports.
> The U.S. Forest Service Discovery Center, which offers various nature programs.
> The truly remarkable Big Bear Alpine Zoo--one of only two alpine zoos in the U.S.--housing grizzlies, cougars, wolves, eagles, and much more.
> Big Bear Valley Museum. See such exhibits as a stamp mill, used to crush gold ore in the era when our property was homesteaded.
> For those who want a wilderness adventure, these mountains offer spectacular terrain, with scores of steep peaks stretching from the natural hot springs of Deep Creek to huge yucca forests.
> 11,503-foot Mt. San Gorgonio, named by Spanish missionaries , towers over America's first wilderness area. "Old Greyback" and 11 surrounding peaks over 10,000 feet are home to a rare herd of bighorn sheep.
> The headwaters of the Santa Ana and Mojave rivers offer premier wild trout streams, accessible only on foot.
> Hundreds of miles of dirt roads offer an easy drive to Pioneertown, or most radical 4WD trails imaginable (11 Difficults, six Most Difficults).
> We have a two-acre horse corral, free to guests.
It's all here, just two hours from Downtown L.A. Welcome!