Bear Valley
1,680 acres, 1,900 ft vertical, 30 ft annual snowfall. Cali Pass access between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, California.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
21 Nov 2026
Closes
29 Mar 2027
Days open
128
Annual snow
359in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Bear Valley operates across 1,680 acres between a base elevation of 6,600 feet and a summit at 8,500 feet, delivering 1,900 feet of vertical drop across 75 runs. The terrain splits 11 per cent beginner, 40 per cent intermediate, 45 per cent advanced and 4 per cent expert, with the Grizzly Bowl providing the steepest pitches at the lower mountain. The resort averages 30 feet of annual snowfall and supplements natural accumulation with 100 acres of snowmaking concentrated on the upper mountain. Bear Valley joined the Cali Pass network in November 2023 under California Mountain Resorts Company ownership.
Terrain divides into four distinct zones accessed from a mid-mountain base area. The front side hosts beginner progression zones and shorter advanced runs fanning from the Mokelumne Express, whilst Bear West extends intermediate groomers and tree runs beneath the Polar Express. The Grizzly Bowl opens conditionally to expert terrain including chutes and cliff bands, and the Village Side offers ungroomed descents requiring a shuttle return. Runs like Mokelumne and Snow Valley define the intermediate experience, whilst West Ridge and Fools Bowl challenge advanced skiers when conditions permit.
The base lodge anchors all operations with food service, rentals and two bars, including Monte Wolfe Saloon with slope-facing deck seating. Lift queues remain minimal outside holiday weekends, with the Grizzly chair rarely seeing waits despite serving the resort's most technical terrain. The resort operates a NASTAR race course nearly every weekend and maintains two terrain parks with progressive features. Bear Valley attracts a local following from Northern and Central California seeking an alternative to Tahoe crowding.
Cali Pass holders access Bear Valley plus Dodge Ridge, China Peak and Mountain High with three days each at 19 Powder Alliance resorts worldwide. The 2025-26 season ran from 6 December through 29 March with peak operations in January and February. Adult day tickets range from 69 to 89 US dollars depending on dates, with Bear Valley season passes starting at 429 US dollars. The resort suits intermediate families and advanced skiers willing to time visits around Grizzly Bowl openings, though limited vertical on upper lifts means two to three days exhaust the accessible terrain for most visitors.
1,900ft
Vertical
75
Runs
1,680 acres
Skiable
359in
Annual snow
The Terrain
75 runs across 1,680 acres skiable
Bear Valley covers 1,680 acres (680 hectares) in the central Sierra Nevada, dropping 1,900 ft (579 m) from an 8,500 ft (2,591 m) summit to a 6,600 ft (2,012 m) base across 75 runs. Advanced skiing leads the split at 45%, with 40% intermediate, 11% beginner and 4% expert, so this is a mountain for confident riders more than first-timers. Two high-speed quads, the Mokelumne Express and the Polar Express, move skiers around the mountain, and Bear Valley is one of two California resorts that run a NASTAR course nearly every weekend of the winter.
The terrain splits into distinct zones. The Mokelumne Express is a high-speed quad that carries skiers from the base bowl up the front side, while Bear West offers intermediate groomers and tree runs beneath the Polar Express, a high-speed quad serving the back of the mountain. Grizzly Bowl holds the steepest skiing, with black diamond runs, short pitches, steep chutes and a few cliff bands, and it opens conditionally, so check its status after storms. Two terrain parks, Forest Park and Kodiak, and a NASTAR course running nearly every weekend round out the options. Bear Valley suits families, solid intermediates and advanced skiers who want Sierra snow away from the Tahoe resorts.
Terrain split
75
runs
75 runs across 4 grades
Beginner8 runs · 11%
Intermediate30 runs · 40%
Advanced34 runs · 45%
Expert3 runs · 4%
Time it right
When to visit Bear Valley
The 2025-26 season opened 6 December 2025 and closed 29 March 2026, delivering a 114-day operating window. Typical seasons run mid-November through mid-April depending on early and late-season snowfall, with January through March providing the most reliable coverage. The resort operates Tuesday through Saturday 9.00am to 4.00pm and Sundays 10.00am to 3.00pm during midweek periods, extending to daily operations during holiday weeks. Lift operating hours shift to 9.30am starts on non-holiday weekdays.
Bear Valley averages 30 feet of annual snowfall, with the 2025-26 season recording 679 centimetres through late March. The 8,500-foot summit elevation provides better snow reliability than the 6,600-foot base, where lower-mountain zones including Grizzly Bowl frequently remain closed until midseason. Snowmaking covers 100 acres concentrated on front-side terrain, supplementing natural accumulation during marginal periods. Current season base depths reached 264 centimetres in late March, though coverage varies significantly between upper and lower mountain zones.
January and February deliver peak powder conditions, with the snowiest week historically occurring in early March when the resort averages 77 centimetres of accumulation. Spring conditions develop through March as temperatures warm, particularly affecting low-elevation terrain. Midweek visits outside school holidays offer the quietest experience, whilst weekend crowds increase noticeably from the Bay Area and Central Valley. The Grizzly Bowl opens conditionally based on base depths, typically accessible 30 per cent of the season when adequate coverage permits.
Special events include NASTAR racing most weekends throughout winter and occasional torchlight parades with fireworks. The resort hosted a Boarding for Breast Cancer event in January 2025 with discounted tickets and fundraising activities. Summer grooming work focuses on expanding Grizzly Bowl accessibility and clearing lower-mountain growth. No night skiing operates, and the resort closes all lifts by 4.00pm daily during standard operations.
Season 2026 - 2027
21 Nov 2026
Opens
29 Mar 2027
Closes
128
Days open
359 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Bear Valley
Daily snow reports at Bear Valley go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
36 in
Snowiest day
18 Feb 2026
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
357 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Bear Valley, and where to stay
Bear Valley sits in Alpine County within Stanislaus National Forest at the headwaters of the Mokelumne River watershed in California's Central Sierra Nevada. The resort occupies a high alpine basin at 7,000 feet surrounded by peaks including Mokelumne Peak to the north and views toward the Dardanelles range to the southeast. Highway 4 dead-ends at the resort during winter when Ebbetts Pass remains closed, creating an isolated terminus location. The small Bear Valley Village adjacent to the ski area provides limited lodging and dining separate from lift-served terrain.
Angels Camp sits 60 kilometres west on Highway 4 at the junction with Highway 49, offering full services and gold rush history approximately one hour from the resort. The mountain town of Arnold provides closer access 45 minutes downhill with additional restaurant and lodging options for visitors. Murphys to the southwest features wine-tasting rooms and historic downtown architecture dating to the 1850s gold rush era. The resort positions itself between Lake Tahoe 50 kilometres north and Yosemite National Park 80 kilometres southeast, though winter road closures prevent through traffic.
Highway 4 provides the sole access route, climbing east from Angels Camp through Arnold and past Lake Alpine to reach Bear Valley without requiring mountain pass crossings. The drive from Sacramento takes approximately three hours covering 225 kilometres via Highway 99 and Highway 4. San Francisco Bay Area access runs three hours via Interstate 580 and Highway 4 through Stockton and Angels Camp. Highway 4 offers easier winter driving than Interstate 80 or Highway 50 to Tahoe resorts, with less traffic and lower avalanche closure frequency.
Stockton Metropolitan Airport sits 160 kilometres west, providing the closest commercial service with limited flight schedules. Sacramento International Airport lies 215 kilometres northwest, offering major carrier service approximately 3.5 hours by road. Reno-Tahoe International Airport sits 165 kilometres north but requires navigating around Lake Tahoe via either Highway 88 or Highway 50 and then south on Highway 4. No direct public transport operates to Bear Valley, making private vehicle or shuttle transfer necessary from all airports.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Bear Valley, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Bear Valley's ski season?
Bear Valley's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 21 through March 29. That window is roughly 128 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in California, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Bear Valley have?
Bear Valley lists about 1,680 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 75 named runs (680 hectares alongside 1,680 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Bear Valley?
Trail grading at Bear Valley breaks down roughly as 11% beginner, 40% intermediate, 45% advanced, 4% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Bear Valley have?
Bear Valley operates 10 lifts across 5 lift types. The fleet includes 4 double chairs, 2 triple chairs, 2 surface lifts, 1 6-person chair, and 1 quad chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Bear Valley?
Base elevation at Bear Valley is about 6,601 ft (2,012 m), with the summit around 8,501 ft (2,591 m), giving roughly 1,900 ft (579 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Bear Valley get each season?
Bear Valley averages about 359 inches (912 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Bear Valley lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$39 to US$89, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Bear Valley before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 2 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Bear Valley so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Bear Valley have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Bear Valley. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Bear Valley located?
Bear Valley sits in California, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Sierra Nevada Halloween Storm: Dodge Ridge Forecast to Lead With 19 Inches
Halloween weekend brings a wet, windy storm to the Sierra Nevada. Our five-day forecast has Dodge Ridge on top with 19 in, followed by Bear Valley at 15 in and Mammoth Mountain at 12 in, with most of it landing on Saturday. A winter weather advisory covers the Tahoe Basin and Mono County until 7 AM Sunday, gusts could reach 47 mph and the freezing level swings between 4,900 and 8,700 ft, so some bases will see rain. A dry spell follows from Monday.
31 Oct 2026
Lake Louise Opens Early on 1 November With Juniper Express and Easy Street
The Rockies get their first lift-served turns of the season early. Lake Louise opens Sunday 1 November, five days ahead of schedule, after a cold October and round-the-clock work from the snowmaking and mountain crews. Terrain is limited to Juniper Express Chair and Easy Street, with two small terrain parks and the beginner area for lessons. Opening-day tickets are over 60% off, with prices rising as more lifts open. First chair is at 9:30 am under the resort’s new lift hours.
31 Oct 2026
Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
A Tyrolean summit lift that has been carrying guests up the Kitzbüheler Horn since 1955 is on borrowed time. Its licence runs to 2045, but a new inspection rule has made refurbishment uneconomic, so Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel will spend around €15 million on a replacement on the same line. It should hold roughly 100 people and keep running in winds that would stop today’s lift. Building starts in autumn 2027, which makes this winter and next summer the last chances to ride the old one.
30 Oct 2026
What’s New in Japan Skiing This Winter: Niseko Gondola, a Private Resort and a Bigger Ikon Pass
Niseko Village is replacing a lift from the early 1980s with an eight-person gondola, Tsugaike gets a six-person chairlift, Madarao joins the Ikon Pass and Togari opens Asia’s first private ski resort. Here’s what is actually new in Japan skiing for 2026/27, plus what is still a year or two away.
30 Oct 2026
Wolf Creek Opens on Halloween Weekend as Colorado’s Early Season Gathers Pace
Colorado’s early-season dominoes keep falling. Arapahoe Basin opened on Wednesday, Keystone follows on Friday, and now Wolf Creek is joining in on Saturday 31 October, just in time for Halloween. A storm on 23 and 24 October left 20 inches of natural snow in the San Juans, and three lifts will turn from 9:00 am, covering about 30% of the mountain. Expect rocks, unmarked obstacles and open water, but also Local Appreciation lift tickets at $73 for adults.
30 Oct 2026
Keystone Resort Opens for 2026/27 With More Than Two Miles of Skiing
Keystone is next. After Arapahoe Basin claimed the first chairlift skiing of the season on Wednesday, Keystone opens on Friday 30 October at 9:00 am with more than two miles of snowmaking-built terrain on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, plus free donuts, coffee and a live DJ. Last year the order was reversed, when Keystone squeezed in a three-hour afternoon session to beat A-Basin by a day. Snowmaking has been running since 15 October.
29 Oct 2026
Beaver Creek Installs 16 Automated Snow Guns on Birds of Prey Ahead of Record World Cup
Beaver Creek is getting ready for the biggest Birds of Prey ever, and this time it is not leaving the snow to chance. Crews started making snow on 27 October with 16 newly installed automated guns on the lower third of the course, after last December’s warm spell forced a downhill off the schedule. Seven races across two weekends run from 3 to 13 December, the most the course has hosted since its 1997 debut, and the guns start themselves whenever the weather allows.
29 Oct 2026
Arapahoe Basin Opens First for North America’s 2026/27 Ski Season
Winter has officially started in North America, and it is one blue run long. On Wednesday 28 October, Arapahoe Basin fired up the Black Mountain Express at around 10:30 am after a surprise announcement just hours earlier, becoming the first major North American resort open for 2026/27. Cold nights, a dusting of natural snow and a lot of snowmaking made it happen in the resort’s 80th winter. More terrain is promised as the snow guns keep running.
28 Oct 2026