"Conquer the Bear"

Post by Angela

I did it, I registered for Conquer the Bear last night!  I am very excited as this will be an exciting new challenge for me!  If you want to find out more about Conquer the Bear go to the Open Air Big Bear website or read my newsletter article about Conquer the Bear below!  Check out Mountain Fitness Center if you are looking for a training program, or if you just want to get in shape!

Chamber Staff Member Decides to “Conquer the Bear”


They call it “A challenge like no other.” Over the span of eight months, challengers take on a wild and fun adventure that will both grow and challenge their mental strength and physical abilities. Perhaps this is the reason that I have decided to throw my hat in the ring, and attempt to Conquer the Bear.


This year Open Air Big Bear has expanded its ultimate mountain challenge to entice athletes and outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels. I will be competing in the Conquer the Bear, and for those requiring more of a challenge will compete in Conquer the Bear Elite. To compete in the “Elite” category, participants will have to partake in the most difficult version of each course.


Conquer the Bear consists of four unique mountain challenges for outdoor enthusiasts to sink their teeth into. Challenges include “Snowshoe the Bear,” coming up on February 6th, “Team Big Bear Mountain Bike Race,” on June 20th, “Paddlefest” on July 11th, and “Endure the Bear”, a mountain trail run on September 11th. While I am an avid hiker, I have not dabbled much in the way of paddling, other then canoeing at camp as a child, I have never cycled on a mountain trail, and I don’t normally run the trails I am hiking. The challenges Conquer the Bear provides will definitely test my limits, provide me with some new mountain adventures to partake in throughout the year, and will most likely get me in the best shape of my life!


How am I going to prepare myself for these rigorous challenges? Mountain Fitness Center, of course! Reigning Conquer the Bear champions Heather and Ted Devito of Mountain Fitness Center have put together a new training program called “Mountain Sports Academy.” The academy will provide a weekly training schedule, outings before each challenge to better hone skills, and workshops on gear, nutrition and race tips. The “Mountain Sports Academy,” will whip me into shape and will keep me accountable, which is something I need! “We are going to teach you how to use a training schedule, help you understand how much mileage you should be doing, and help you with challenges you may face,” said Ted Devito.


Conquer the Bear is not only going to help me personally get in shape, it is going to help out our local economy. Last year the Open Air Big Bear events drew more than 2500 athletes, and each event had a finish festival that attracted visitors and spectators, with the economic impact totaling over half a million dollars.


Come join me and Conquer the Bear this year; it is bound to be an adventure! If I can’t inspire you, Ted Devito can. In referring to the starting line of each race, Ted said this “every person around me is here for one reason; they all want to finish this challenge, and reach their own goals, and the energy of being caught up in that is amazing.”