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Wintersports at Bear Valley
Details on the 2005-2006 Season available in Fall 2005
Downhill Skiing | Snowboarding | Cross-country Skiing | Snowplay
The vast Sierra wildlands surrounding Bear Valley are a cornucopia of outdoor adventures, from skiing or boarding down the flanks of Mount Reba or cross-country skiing through a high mountain meadow to taking a thrilling snowmobile tour to a remote mountain pass. Below is a capsule description of the many winter recreational activities that await in the spectacular Ebbetts Pass (elev. 8,730 feet) wilderness area surrounding Bear Valley, all easily accessible from State Highway 4, one of the most protected and highly maintained highways in the Sierra during the winter.
The opening of Bear Valley's downhill ski area, Mt. Reba, in the winter of 1967 was a defining moment for the beautiful alpine region slumbering between two world-famous Sierra Nevada destinations (Lake Tahoe to the north and Yosemite to the south) — a 1,300-acre enclave in the middle of National Forest land, along with the 800 acres of cross-country meadows and the Village below. Soon, Hollywood celebrities were racing sportswriters down Bear's slalom courses, local skiers were proudly displaying "Ski Bare" stickers on their bumpers, and one of the country's most hunky ski instructors, Peter Brinkman, was running the ski school. . In 1969, it was the site of the prestigious U.S. National Alpine Championships.
Today, Bear Valley Mountain Resort continues to put a smile on visitors' faces, offering downhill skiers, telemarkers, and boarders a first-class mountain experience. Above and below its mid-mountain day lodge (elevation: 7,750 feet) are 1,300 acres of skiable terrain, a total of 1,900 vertical feet, 10 lifts, and 4 terrain parks for boarders. Its 60 trails are rated 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 30% advanced. What all these statistics don't reveal is the stunning sweep of Sierra scenery that pops into view around trail bends or on the top of ridges.
At the base lodge, equipment rentals and lessons are available. Lodge food services include the Hungry Bear Food Court and Bakery, Monte Wolfe Saloon, Cub Café Espresso Bar, and the JB Barbecue on weekends. A free shuttle operates between the mountain and Bear Valley Village.
 Across the road from the entrance to Bear Valley is the entrance to one of the largest cross-country trails systems in the United States. Bear Valley Cross Country offers 65 kilometers of groomed Nordic trails crisscrossing 3,000 acres of gentle meadows and more rigorous ridges. Bloods Creek runs through the area, adding a touch of winter beauty and plenty of photo ops where the trails cross over its banks. It's the perfect place for families to get their snow legs, since there are plenty of trails for every level of skier, including telemarkers, who will also find the telemark welcome mat out at the downhill ski area. "Skinny ski" enthusiasts can grab a hot or cold lunch at the Warming Hut Café, warm up in 4 trailside huts, and take a lesson from any of the excellent instructors at Bear Valley Cross Country, (209) 753-2834, www.bearvalleyxc.com, which also offers equipment rentals in its retail store.
 With an average of 360 inches of snow per winter, the Bear Valley region is rolling in snowsports activity. Snow tubing is available at Bear Valley Mountain Resort, snowshoe rentals are available at Bear Valley Cross Country, and snowmobiling is available at several locations in the region. Lake Alpine SNO-PARK features a trail along Highway 4 to Highland Lakes, as well as a network of marked and unmarked snowmobile trails. The Spicer SNO-PARK, near Tamarack, has a 15-mile network of trails leading to Spicer, Union, and Utica reservoirs. The roads serving the residential area of Bear Valley Village are accessible only by snowmobile in the winter and offer a fun introduction to snowmobiling. Snowmobile rentals are available in Bear Valley Village at Bear Valley Snowmobile Rentals.
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Beat the banks, go direct.
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