Big Bear Lodges Sue Over Discount Deals

A group of Big Bear lodge owners filed a $10-million lawsuit in federal court against the two biggest ski resorts in Big Bear Valley, claiming they were unfairly locked out of discount ski packages. Fifteen lodge owners accused Snow Summit and Bear Mountain and the Big Bear Lake Resort Assn. of setting exorbitant fees to join the 200-member association, which offers discount lift tickets as part of tour packages. This is the third ski season in which Snow Summit has operated the discount system, said Snow Summit President Richard Kun, a director of the resort association, which promotes tourism in the area. “We think their claim is spurious. In principle we have a right to sell discount tickets to whomever we please,” Kun said. “We wish they were a part of it.”