Planning your ski trip

Beginners’ choice BEAR MOUNTAIN 43101 Goldmine Drive, Big Bear Lake; (909) 866-5766, www.bearmountain.com. SNOW VALLEY 35100 California Highway 18, Running Springs; (909) 867-2751, www.snow-valley.com. SNOW SUMMIT 880 Summit Blvd., Big Bear Lake; (909) 866-5766, www.snowsummit.com. MT. BALDY SKI Mt. Baldy Road, Mt. Baldy; (866) 754-2253, www.skibaldy.com. MOUNTAIN HIGH 24510 California 2, Wrightwood; (888) 754-7878, www.mthigh.com. On travel.latimes.com For photos and tips for first-timers: latimes.com/skiresorts.