Bear Valley Ski Resort
Reaching heights of around 8500 feet, Bear Valley has some of the best skiing in California. Half the year, it's a place where pristine, white snow sits atop rugged, unforgiving Sierra Nevada Mountains and the other half, a wilderness playground of hiking trails, alpine lakes, and granite bouldering.
A Quiet up-and-comer
While ski resorts in Lake Tahoe get all the media attention, Bear Valley Ski Resort flies under the radar while growing its infrastructure. With the enhancements planned by California Mountain Resort Company, the future of this mountain could be bright.
THE HISTORY OF BEAR VALLEY SKI RESORT
In 1963, a group of skiers led by John Reveal and Jim Slevin discovered a small ski area near Bear Valley, California. The area had a few trails, a rope tow, and a small lodge. In 1967, the Bear Valley Ski Corporation was established, and construction began on a new ski resort. The new resort was designed to be a family-friendly destination, with a focus on beginner and intermediate skiers. The resort opened to the public in 1967, with two chairlifts, a handful of trails, and a small base lodge.
Over the next few years, Bear Valley Ski Resort continued to grow and expand. In 1970, the resort added a third chairlift, which opened up more advanced terrain for skiers. The resort also expanded its base lodge and added several new buildings, including a ski school, rental shop, and restaurant.
In 1981, the resort opened the Bear Valley Cross Country and Adventure Company, which offered cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and other winter activities. In 1991, the Bear Valley Ski Resort was sold to Dundee Realty Corporation, a Canadian company.Â
In 2014, the Bear Valley Ski Resort was sold again, this time to Skyline International Development, a real estate development company based in Canada.
In 2023, Invision Capital-backed California Mountain Resorts Company purchased Bear Valley Mountain Resort, the group behind Mountain High, Dodge Ridge and China Peak, and launched the Cali Pass – a four mountain all access pass across its 4 mountains.Â
CABINS NEAR BEAR VALLEY
KODA LOFT
Winter is coming to Arnold Haven with a Game of Thrones inspired Casita. It’s a work in progress, coming soon in 2024! Check back to see when it becomes available!
CHALET BRUIN
Chalet Bruin boasts lofted A-frame ceilings, dual stone fireplaces and a full kitchen. A wrap-around deck claims both sunrise and sunset views, plus a 7-person hot tub, an alpine bocce ball court, a library of board games, and a wet bar keeps boredom at bay.
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WINTER ACTIVITIES
Skiing/Snowboarding
Bear Valley boasts a diverse range of ski slopes suitable for all skill levels. Whether you're a novice or an expert, you'll find terrain that matches your abilities. The resort offers ski and snowboard lessons for beginners and terrain parks for freestyle enthusiasts.
Cross Country Skiing
If you prefer Nordic skiing, Bear Valley offers excellent cross-country skiing opportunities. Glide through well-maintained trails, taking in the serenity of the snowy forest.
Tube Park
For a fun-filled family activity, try tubing at Bear Valley Snowpark. Glide down groomed tubing lanes and enjoy the thrill of speeding downhill.
Snowshoeing
Explore the pristine wilderness around Bear Valley on snowshoes. Guided tours are available for those new to snowshoeing, providing a safe and enjoyable experience.
Snowmobiling
Bear Valley Snowmobile provides snowmobile rentals for visitors eager to explore the snow-covered wilderness surrounding the resort. These snowmobiles are well-maintained and come in various models suitable for riders of different skill levels.
BEAR VALLEY SOUVENIRS
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Mountain Biking
The resort offers a wide range of mountain biking trails suitable for riders of all levels, from beginners to advanced. You can explore gentle scenic paths or challenge yourself on more technical routes. For adrenaline junkies, Bear Valley boasts exciting downhill trails with jumps, berms, and technical features. These trails cater to experienced riders looking for a heart-pounding experience.
Rock Climbing
Bear Valley offers a mix of climbing options, including bouldering and sport climbing. Bouldering enthusiasts can test their skills on the resort's granite boulders, while sport climbers can tackle challenging routes with bolted anchors. You'll find a range of routes that cater to different abilities and preferences. Whether you're a beginner looking for easy, well-marked paths or an experienced climber seeking challenging ascents, Bear Valley has something for everyone.
Hiking
Hiking at Bear Valley offers a diverse range of terrain, from gentle paths through alpine meadows to more challenging routes that ascend to high mountain peaks. You can choose hikes that cater to your fitness level and preferences. Bear Valley provides trail maps and information at the resort, ensuring that you have the necessary guidance and resources to plan your hikes.
Frisbee Golf
The course at Bear Valley offers a mix of challenging and more accessible holes. Players can test their skills with long-distance throws, navigate through obstacles, and strategize to achieve the lowest score. If you don't have your own discs, Bear Valley Ski Resort provides disc golf equipment rentals, ensuring that you have access to the necessary discs for your game.
Music Festival
The Bear Valley Music Festival is an annual vibrant celebration of music that attracts both seasoned music enthusiasts and casual listeners. It features an eclectic lineup of musical performances spanning various genres, including classical, jazz, rock, and more.
RELATED QUESTIONS
In 2023, California Mountain Resorts Company purchased Bear Valley Mountain Resort, the group behind Mountain High, Dodge Ridge and China Peak, and launched the Cali Pass – a four mountain all access pass across its 4 mountains.Â
Bear Valley prides itself on being a family-friendly resort with a welcoming atmosphere. It offers various activities for families, including lessons for beginners and a tubing hill for children.
Natural snowfall average is 359″ (30 feet) annually.
Bear Valley Mountain Resort, CA, broke its 40-year snowfall record from 82/83 on March 24, 2023. The record sat at 639 inches, but was smashed with a new historical all-time high of 648 inches on March 24, 2023.
Reaching heights of around 8500 feet, Bear Valley has some of the best skiing in a state known for great skiing. It is so good, in fact, that the World Pro Ski Tour has been held here on multiple occasions.
The Sierra Nevada region of California does have black bears, but they tend to inhabit more remote and less developed areas of the mountains. If you’re visiting Bear Valley or other areas in the Sierra Nevada, it’s possible to encounter black bears in the wilderness, but bear sightings are relatively rare and typically not a cause for concern.
The snow season in Bear Valley typically begins in late November or December and continues through March or April. The peak snowfall months are often January and February.
Bear Valley Mountain Resort has a total of 9 lifts.