Looking for a down-to-earth and tranquil mountain? Nestled amidst the beauty of California’s vast Sierra Nevada mountains, Bear Valley Resort beckons outdoor enthusiasts with a year-round haven. From its renowned downhill skiing and snowboarding terrain to its charming small-town village atmosphere, this resort promises an unforgettable experience. Just two hours from the greater Sacramento area and three hours for those coming from the Bay Area, Bear Valley is the perfect destination for a day or weekend trip. The mountain offers just under 1,700 acres of terrain to explore, six lifts, and a wide array of beginning-to-expert runs to hone your skills.
Bear Valley is the first place I ever strapped into a board, and I have never looked back. In 2019, one of my best friends, Nolan Breault, got me hooked on snowboarding and showed me the unreal beauty Bear Valley had to offer. The Breault family has been local to Bear Valley since 1990. You can catch us on the mountain at least 30+ times during the winter, still finding new runs and park features to explore and conquer. Bear Valley is a hidden gem, and when I have kids and a family, I can’t wait to share the natural beauty with them.
The First Powder Day of the Year
It’s an early 6 a.m. morning, but we don’t care, since two feet of new snow has fallen, and the vibes are high. We start by stretching, making some waffles for the road, and listening to Bob Marley, Rebelution, and Slightly Stoopid all the way up to the mountain. We arrive at Bear Valley. Nolan, Dean, and I want to be the first tracks on the hill so we waste no time getting the gear on and waiting in the rustic lodge until 8:30 a.m. when the first lifts spin. Cruising off the lift, we admire the mountain and point out all the lines we want to hit this year. Then, immediately start flying down the backside, smiling all the way down. It’s the start of another great year at Bear Valley.
Unveiling the Untamed Side of Bear Valley’s Backside Village Terrain
Bear Valley’s backside is a playground for expert skiers and snowboarders. This area boasts steeper pitches, challenging chutes, and wide-open bowls that test your balance and reward you with untracked powder stashes. The views are spectacular from the peak, and when you ride down to the base of the village you are immersed with beautiful cabins and might even run into some nice people with snowmobiles who offer to give you a ride to the lodge… I call it the Boulevard of Dreams.
Grizzly Bowl — Where Legends are Born
Experienced skiers and snowboarders seeking epic descents shouldn’t miss the famous Grizzly Bowls at Bear Valley Resort. This north-facing area boasts a dramatic 1,900-foot vertical drop. I appreciate the north-facing aspect because it allows untouched snow to linger longer, creating a dream scenario for the first tracks. The Grizzly Bowl offers breathtaking panoramic vistas of the Sierra Nevada, offering a moment to soak in the beauty of your surroundings. Your first time riding down Grizz is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The speed and freedom are just something that words can’t describe but just something that can open up your world and be one with the snow gods.
On average Bear Valley will see 359 inches of annual snowfall, ranking it in the top 10 in California. Bear Valley is such a sought-after resort because of the variety it offers. Around 25% of the mountain is beginner-friendly and a great place to learn and finally take on that new hobby that you were always curious about. Bear Valley will quickly turn into your go-to spot for anything in the snow for many reasons. Close to the top of that list would be the short lift lines, where in a six-hour day of riding you may spend at most 25 minutes total in line. The below-average lift tickets at around $130 for a weekday bring a lot of newcomers to experience the beauty of Bear, and the cozy lodge and resort are there for the weekend trip accommodations where lifelong memories are made.
Those pictures aren’t the backside. There are two expert runs on the backside, and they’re fairly easy – Oopla and Tigger’s (and all the stuff coming off of it). The picture is definitely bottom side.