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It has been a tough ski season out West. Below-average snowfall, warm temperatures, thin coverage, and bare spots have plagued most of the region’s ski resorts, with some not even opening at all this year. So far, 11 California ski resorts have closed for the season, and many others have announced earlier-than-usual closing dates. Palisades Tahoe closed a full month ahead of schedule after its snowpack fell to just 20% of average.
Against that backdrop, Bear Valley Mountain Resort is still open.
The resort has been closed since Monday to preserve its snowpack, but will reopen Thursday through Sunday, with lifts operating from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Due to sustained warm temperatures and significant loss of snow cover on the backside of the mountain, Bear Valley will operate on the frontside only from Thursday, March 26, through Sunday, March 29. Running lifts will include Mokelumne Express, Cub, Koala, Panda Carpet, and Cub Carpet, with operating hours from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Operations beyond Sunday, March 29, will be determined by weather and snow conditions. It is not a full mountain experience, but it is skiing in California in late March, and right now, that is no small thing.
- Related: Bear Valley, CA, Hosts 10th Annual Nickolay Dodov Slopestyle, Eyes $10,000 Fundraising Goal
Bear Valley is located a little over three hours south of Lake Tahoe and two and a half hours east of Sacramento, making it a reasonable drive from the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Mono County, or Tahoe itself. For those willing to make the trip, it remains one of Northern California’s most underrated ski destinations. The resort offers 1,680 skiable acres, 1,900 feet of vertical drop, and terrain suited to all ability levels, from beginner runs near the main lodge to the expert chutes and cliffs of Grizzly Bowl’s 300 acres of steep, largely ungroomed terrain.
What has always set Bear Valley apart from the larger Lake Tahoe resorts is the absence of crowds. Lift lines are rare, wide-open runs are the norm, and it is not uncommon to find untouched snow on the mountain days after a storm. That uncrowded character also tends to help preserve the snowpack, a meaningful advantage in a season like this one.
The views at Bear Valley are top-notch, with 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains, including Mokelumne Peak, the Dardanelles, and Kirkwood Mountain Resort. The resort’s remoteness adds to the feeling of being truly out in nature and the vastness of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
There are four distinct ski areas at the resort: Frontside, Bear West, Lower Mountain, and Village side. All four are unique and have their own character. The Frontside is located near the main lodge and parking area, and features beginner terrain as well as some intermediate and advanced trails. Bear West is geared towards intermediate skiers and snowboarders with longer trails and gladed runs. The Lower Mountain comprises Snow Valley and the Grizzly Bowl and features expert terrain with chutes, ridges, and cliffs. It is 300 acres of steep, some ungroomed terrain that draws some of the best skiers and snowboarders on the mountain. The Village side is wide open, very uncrowded, and best for someone who wants to traverse the slopes without being surrounded by people. The area also has no lifts and requires a bus to return, which may be why not many people go there. However, if you want to hit the backcountry and grab fresh, untouched terrain, then this is the place to go.
Day passes start at $129 for adults, which is notably less expensive than many alternatives in Tahoe. For those looking beyond this weekend, the $579 adult season pass covers the remainder of this spring and all of the 2026-27 season with no blackout dates. The $679 Cali Pass offers unlimited access at Bear Valley, Dodge Ridge, China Peak, and Mountain High, along with three days at 14 Powder Alliance resorts.
With the season winding down across the West, options are narrowing quickly. For skiers and snowboarders still looking to get a final day on snow this season, Bear Valley Mountain Resort is one of the few remaining places in California to do it.
Mountain Stats:
- 9 Lifts
- 75 Trails
- 1,680 Acres
- 1,900 Vertical
- 359 inches of Annual Snowfall
