Bear Valley

Conveniently located on National Scenic Byway Highway 4 in the central Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, Bear Valley Mountain is the premier year-round family skiing and boarding location. The area boasts 1,680 acres of varied terrain, more than 59 runs, 2 terrain parks, 1,900 vertical feet, and 30 feet of average annual snowfall.

Bear Valley Mountain’s Terrain Parks are built for all ages with combinations of boxes, rails, jumps and original features. Kodiak Park is an intermediate terrain park located on the Upper Mountain off the Super Cub Lift. If you are not ready Kodiak then check out the Cub Park off the Cub Lift.

Bear Valley Facts

• Open daily 9:00 – 4pm Weekend hours 8:30 – 4pm
• 59 trails: 6 beginner, 23 intermediate, 28 advanced
• 10 lifts (1 high-speed quad, 2 triple chairs, 6 double chairs, 1 carpet lift)

The Snow-Play program for 3-6 year olds introduces kids to the fun of snow sports in a safe and active environment. Program leaders keep the kids busy both in the playroom and outdoors in a private area on the snow where they get to experience the excitement of playing in the snow while being gently introduced to ski equipment, safety and having fun with kids their own age. Half-day and all-day options available. More information is available at www.bearvalley.com or call (209) 753-2301.

For current conditions information, check our Daily Snow Report listing for Bear Valley.

For rentals and other costs visit their web site.

During the Summer Bear Valley has and Adventure Park with a Rock wall, bungee trampoline, a challenge course, a pool and aerial suspension bridge.

History

According to information from the Ebbetts Pass Historical Association, Bruce Orvis (1927-2010) acquired 400 acres of Forest Service land in 1963 through a land exchange to start a winter sports complex. Orvis put together a ski package for Mt. Reba under a Forest Service permit, and helped convince the state to extend Highway 4 so that there is access to Bear Valley.

The Bear Valley Lodge and other amenities were built in the mid-sixties, and in the winter of 1967, the ski resort fired up its lifts for the first time. By 1968 there were 125 winter-summer homes and thousands of skiers were visiting on the weekends. In 2023 California Mountain Resort Company, who has owned Dodge Ridge since 2021 purchased Bear Valley.

There are several large parks in the Mother Lode listed below and information about many nice smaller ones can be found in our Community Guide too. Near Toulumne’s Main Library in Sonora is the Heaven for Kids Park with play equipment and a skate park. There are also several local ranches to explore as detailed here.
More about activities at several of these places can be found in the recreation guide and include:backpacking, biking, fishing, and some extreme whitewater rafting.

These larger local parks offer the community and visitors lot to enjoy and explore.