Want to Avoid Crowds? Try Skiing at Bear Valley
February 28, 2009 by Lake Tahoe Vacation Tips
Filed under About Lake Tahoe
You’ve heard about the skiing at Lake Tahoe or Mammoth, but one of the best ski or snowboard experiences you’ll ever have awaits you at Bear Valley, where the crowds are few, but the thrills are many.
While not on a par with Squaw Valley or Heavenly or other major California ski resorts, the Bear Valley ski area is still a prime candidate for a weekend or even an extended skiing vacation. As we discovered in early February, Bear Valley offers a surprisingly complete ski vacation experience – no frills, to be sure, but still rewarding and well worth the trip deep into the Sierra Nevada range.
If designer clothing stores, zillion-dollar condos, and Hollywood-style glitz are part of your criteria for a ski vacation, this ski area might not be the best choice. If wide-open ski runs, no lift lines and plenty of groomed snow are more important to you, then by all means give Bear Valley a try.
Coming originally from the Pacific Northwest, we could not help but compare Bear Valley to one of our favorite ski areas in Washington state – a place called Mission Ridge in a town named Wenatchee. The population in that part of the state is sparse compared with the big ski areas near Seattle, so Mission Ridge is able to offer wide-open skiing runs most days of the week.
Similarly, Bear Valley is less accessible than the many larger ski areas in the Lake Tahoe area. Bay area and Sacramento residents can drive Interstate 80 to the Tahoe area and find a selection of ski resorts a short distance off the interstate. To reach this ski area, you have to drive two-lane roads through the foothills and mountains for close to 100 miles.
But when you get there, most skiers and snowboarders will find it’s worth it. Our mid-week skiing was some of the best we’ve experienced – plenty of wide-open, groomed terrain perfect for intermediates and serviced by a number of lifts where there seemed to never be lines. It was ski down the run, get right on the chair and do it all again and again until just a few hours into our day we were growing exhausted. We probably skied in four hours what it would take us a full day to do at a resort with moderate lift lines.
There are no gondolas or high-speed quad chairlifts at Bear Valley, although there are 10 lifts altogether, mostly doubles and triples. About 1280 acres are available for skiing and snowboarding; some 100 acres are in an area where they can make snow – although at 7,750 feet, it’s likely Mother Nature will supply all the snow you need.
We mentioned the intermediate skiing because that’s our favorite – but rest assured this ski area has many black diamond or expert ski runs for those looking for more of a challenge. The day lodge is situated mid-mountain with lifts going both up the mountain to 8495 feet, and coming to the lodge from the lower part of the mountain. Most of the expert runs are located on the lower mountain.
The area’s day lodge also was wide open and easy to navigate. Instead of masses of people waiting in line to get their food and find a place to sit, we stepped right up and got our cooked-to-order Philly cheesesteak sandwiches in just a few minutes. And there was no shortage of menu options – lots of different types of food from sandwiches to Asian cuisine, from soups and salads to major meals.
But the Bear Valley experience is much more than a daytrip – or at least it should be given the time it takes to get to the ski area. For our trip we booked lodging at the Bear Valley Lodge, one of just a few hotel-type facilities near the mountain. Located about three miles from the mountain, the Bear Valley Lodge seems to be the hub of activity in the area and proved to be a good choice for accommodations. While showing some of its age – it was built in the 60′s – the lodge proved to be a comfortable, convenient base of operations. A ski shuttle bus will take you to the mountain, and you can even ski all the way back to the lodge.
When we say comfortable, we are not comparing the lodge to the high-end condos you find at most major ski resorts. The rooms at Bear Valley Lodge are more like a motel unit with two double beds a bath area and a TV/entertainment area that included HBO. But small touches – such as the bay window looking out onto the snowy landscape or the pine furniture – helped to make this feel much cozier than a motel room.
The four floors of rooms at the Bear Valley Lodge look out onto the Cathedral Lounge, a large open space in the middle of the lodge that offers guests a place to sit and read and enjoy the fire in the massive stone fireplace. Photos are mounted along the walls depicting the history of the lodge and Bear Valley ski area. Celebrities such as Spider Savich, Claudine Longet, Merv Griffin and several others are shown skiing or otherwise enjoying Bear Valley.
Adjacent to the lounge are several shops including an old-fashioned general store – with a deli to get quick sandwiches and soups – and a surprisingly complete ski shop with all of the latest ski equipment, clothing and accessories. But keep in mind this is not the type of resort where you can spend hours shopping when you’re not on the slopes; your down time here most likely will be spent in front of the fire reading a good book.
During our brief stay we dined in the lodge’s Grizzly Lounge – mainly because the other lodge restaurant, the Creekside Dining Room, was closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The lounge food was good and included a few menu items from the Creekside. We did learn that the Creekside has recently employed a well-educated and accomplished chef that has proven both creative and popular with guests – so we were disappointed we didn’t get a chance to sample the Creekside cuisine.
We also enjoyed a meal down at BaseCamp, a lodge that is just a short walk from the Bear Valley Lodge and the only other hotel-style lodging this close to the ski area. We enjoyed our meal at BaseCamp where we got to know an English waitress who had come to Bear Valley simply because the skiing is so good. The BaseCamp, incidentally, offers the lowest cost rooms in the area with “bathroom down the hall.”
There are also condo and cabin rentals available in the Bear Valley area, as well as the Tamarack Lodge further west on Highway 4. Prices in general will be less at BaseCamp, moderate at the Bear Valley Lodge and Tamarack, and more when you rent an entire vacation home.
While in the area, there are several small towns and attractions that are worth a stop if you have the time. To reach Bear Valley in winter, you’ll be traveling through the historical town of Angel’s Camp and then a similar but smaller Gold Rush town called Murphys.
But our suggestion would be to allow plenty of time for skiing. You’ll want to ski or board Bear Valley just as long as the weather – and your legs – will hold out.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: Bear Valley Ski Resort is on Highway 4, about 52 miles from the foothills town of Angel’s Camp, and 130 miles from Sacramento.
WHAT: Bear Valley is a throwback to skiing in the ’60′s and ’70′s – no high-speed quads or gondolas but lots of wide open groomed terrain in a gorgeous setting.
WHEN: Winter always means where is lots of snow for skiing as well as many other snow sports; the area also is a popular summer recreation area with numerous lakes, hiking trails and a pristine forest.
WHY: It’s refreshing to ski where there are no lift lines and little pretense – most of the “beautiful people” went to Colorado; the home-growns stayed here. Economically, this ski vacation is quite affordable.
HOW: For more information on Bear Valley Ski Resort, phone (209) 753-2301 or visit www.bearvalley.com. For more information on Bear Valley Lodge, phone (209) 753-2325 or visit www.bearvalleylodge.com.
Thanks to Cary Ordway for contributing this article to our Lake Tahoe blog:
While not on a par with Squaw Valley or Heavenly or other major California ski resorts, the Bear Valley ski area is still a prime candidate for a weekend or even an extended skiing vacation. As we discovered in early February, Bear Valley offers a surprisingly complete ski vacation experience – no frills, to be sure, but still rewarding and well worth the trip deep into the Sierra Nevada range.
If designer clothing stores, zillion-dollar condos, and Hollywood-style glitz are part of your criteria for a ski vacation, this ski area might not be the best choice. If wide-open ski runs, no lift lines and plenty of groomed snow are more important to you, then by all means give Bear Valley a try.
Coming originally from the Pacific Northwest, we could not help but compare Bear Valley to one of our favorite ski areas in Washington state – a place called Mission Ridge in a town named Wenatchee. The population in that part of the state is sparse compared with the big ski areas near Seattle, so Mission Ridge is able to offer wide-open skiing runs most days of the week.
Similarly, Bear Valley is less accessible than the many larger ski areas in the Lake Tahoe area. Bay area and Sacramento residents can drive Interstate 80 to the Tahoe area and find a selection of ski resorts a short distance off the interstate. To reach this ski area, you have to drive two-lane roads through the foothills and mountains for close to 100 miles.
But when you get there, most skiers and snowboarders will find it’s worth it. Our mid-week skiing was some of the best we’ve experienced – plenty of wide-open, groomed terrain perfect for intermediates and serviced by a number of lifts where there seemed to never be lines. It was ski down the run, get right on the chair and do it all again and again until just a few hours into our day we were growing exhausted. We probably skied in four hours what it would take us a full day to do at a resort with moderate lift lines.
There are no gondolas or high-speed quad chairlifts at Bear Valley, although there are 10 lifts altogether, mostly doubles and triples. About 1280 acres are available for skiing and snowboarding; some 100 acres are in an area where they can make snow – although at 7,750 feet, it’s likely Mother Nature will supply all the snow you need.
We mentioned the intermediate skiing because that’s our favorite – but rest assured this ski area has many black diamond or expert ski runs for those looking for more of a challenge. The day lodge is situated mid-mountain with lifts going both up the mountain to 8495 feet, and coming to the lodge from the lower part of the mountain. Most of the expert runs are located on the lower mountain.
The area’s day lodge also was wide open and easy to navigate. Instead of masses of people waiting in line to get their food and find a place to sit, we stepped right up and got our cooked-to-order Philly cheesesteak sandwiches in just a few minutes. And there was no shortage of menu options – lots of different types of food from sandwiches to Asian cuisine, from soups and salads to major meals.
But the Bear Valley experience is much more than a daytrip – or at least it should be given the time it takes to get to the ski area. For our trip we booked lodging at the Bear Valley Lodge, one of just a few hotel-type facilities near the mountain. Located about three miles from the mountain, the Bear Valley Lodge seems to be the hub of activity in the area and proved to be a good choice for accommodations. While showing some of its age – it was built in the 60′s – the lodge proved to be a comfortable, convenient base of operations. A ski shuttle bus will take you to the mountain, and you can even ski all the way back to the lodge.
When we say comfortable, we are not comparing the lodge to the high-end condos you find at most major ski resorts. The rooms at Bear Valley Lodge are more like a motel unit with two double beds a bath area and a TV/entertainment area that included HBO. But small touches – such as the bay window looking out onto the snowy landscape or the pine furniture – helped to make this feel much cozier than a motel room.
The four floors of rooms at the Bear Valley Lodge look out onto the Cathedral Lounge, a large open space in the middle of the lodge that offers guests a place to sit and read and enjoy the fire in the massive stone fireplace. Photos are mounted along the walls depicting the history of the lodge and Bear Valley ski area. Celebrities such as Spider Savich, Claudine Longet, Merv Griffin and several others are shown skiing or otherwise enjoying Bear Valley.
Adjacent to the lounge are several shops including an old-fashioned general store – with a deli to get quick sandwiches and soups – and a surprisingly complete ski shop with all of the latest ski equipment, clothing and accessories. But keep in mind this is not the type of resort where you can spend hours shopping when you’re not on the slopes; your down time here most likely will be spent in front of the fire reading a good book.
During our brief stay we dined in the lodge’s Grizzly Lounge – mainly because the other lodge restaurant, the Creekside Dining Room, was closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The lounge food was good and included a few menu items from the Creekside. We did learn that the Creekside has recently employed a well-educated and accomplished chef that has proven both creative and popular with guests – so we were disappointed we didn’t get a chance to sample the Creekside cuisine.
We also enjoyed a meal down at BaseCamp, a lodge that is just a short walk from the Bear Valley Lodge and the only other hotel-style lodging this close to the ski area. We enjoyed our meal at BaseCamp where we got to know an English waitress who had come to Bear Valley simply because the skiing is so good. The BaseCamp, incidentally, offers the lowest cost rooms in the area with “bathroom down the hall.”
There are also condo and cabin rentals available in the Bear Valley area, as well as the Tamarack Lodge further west on Highway 4. Prices in general will be less at BaseCamp, moderate at the Bear Valley Lodge and Tamarack, and more when you rent an entire vacation home.
While in the area, there are several small towns and attractions that are worth a stop if you have the time. To reach Bear Valley in winter, you’ll be traveling through the historical town of Angel’s Camp and then a similar but smaller Gold Rush town called Murphys.
But our suggestion would be to allow plenty of time for skiing. You’ll want to ski or board Bear Valley just as long as the weather – and your legs – will hold out.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: Bear Valley Ski Resort is on Highway 4, about 52 miles from the foothills town of Angel’s Camp, and 130 miles from Sacramento.
WHAT: Bear Valley is a throwback to skiing in the ’60′s and ’70′s – no high-speed quads or gondolas but lots of wide open groomed terrain in a gorgeous setting.
WHEN: Winter always means where is lots of snow for skiing as well as many other snow sports; the area also is a popular summer recreation area with numerous lakes, hiking trails and a pristine forest.
WHY: It’s refreshing to ski where there are no lift lines and little pretense – most of the “beautiful people” went to Colorado; the home-growns stayed here. Economically, this ski vacation is quite affordable.
HOW: For more information on Bear Valley Ski Resort, phone (209) 753-2301 or visit www.bearvalley.com. For more information on Bear Valley Lodge, phone (209) 753-2325 or visit www.bearvalleylodge.com.
Thanks to Cary Ordway for contributing this article to our Lake Tahoe blog:
Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, which publishes websites focused on regional getaway travel. Among the sites currently offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com , covering California spa vacations and other Golden State destinations, and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com , covering Washington vacation ideas as well as other Pacific Northwest travel destinations.
What can you tell me about summer in Lake Tahoe from May-October? Yes I know?
February 28, 2009 by Lake Tahoe Vacation Tips
Filed under Summers In Lake Tahoe
Can you answer Susanna Kaysen’s question about Lake Tahoe?:
this is NOT the Lake Tahoe/Reno category so I posted in the city closest. If you have been there or have any info: please respond. I am working @ Incline Village this summer for IV-GID & I hope it’s not all work & no play lol. TYVM
Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals
this is NOT the Lake Tahoe/Reno category so I posted in the city closest. If you have been there or have any info: please respond. I am working @ Incline Village this summer for IV-GID & I hope it’s not all work & no play lol. TYVM
Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals
How long is drive from Berkeley to Squaw Valley?
February 28, 2009 by Lake Tahoe Vacation Tips
Filed under Lake Tahoe Answers
Can you answer Rasta723′s question about Lake Tahoe?:
I’m interested in visiting Berkeley, CA and then heading up to Squaw Valley near Lake Tahoe for vacation. Any idea what the driving time would be between these locations (mid-March)? Many thanks for any info you can provide!
Google Maps estimates 3 hours, but I was wondering what the traffic is typically like in mid-March (off season?)
Cabins For Rent Lake Tahoe
I’m interested in visiting Berkeley, CA and then heading up to Squaw Valley near Lake Tahoe for vacation. Any idea what the driving time would be between these locations (mid-March)? Many thanks for any info you can provide!
Google Maps estimates 3 hours, but I was wondering what the traffic is typically like in mid-March (off season?)
Cabins For Rent Lake Tahoe
Vacation In Tahoe – Have Some Fun!
February 28, 2009 by Lake Tahoe Vacation Tips
Filed under About Lake Tahoe
When people think about Tahoe vacations, they are usually thinking about a skiing trip. That is because Tahoe is a great place to ski for people at all skill levels. From the beginner to the expert, you can find ski slopes that seem to have been made just for you at the hot spots for Tahoe vacations. However, Tahoe vacations offer a much more.
Skiers, snowshoers and snowboarders are likely to have an incredible time on Tahoe vacations. Even those who cannot ski will appreciate the beauty of this place.
If barreling down a mountain of snow does not excite you, then maybe you will find your place with the fishermen. Many people take Tahoe vacations just to fish. People will drive amazing distances because of the great fishing that the streams and lakes in this area have to offer. From October 1 to June 30, the streams that drain into Lake Tahoe and their tributaries are closed to fishing. However, many of the lakes, including Tahoe, stay open year round.
There are many kinds of fishermen that go on Tahoe vacations. Some like to troll the lakes and streams, and some fly fish. Just make sure that you have any license that you are required to have, and follow the rules.
Golf has become more and more popular in recent years and many people hit the Tahoe vacation spots for the premier golf courses. Golf is a sport that is popular to a wide array of people. The sport does not restrict because of social class, race, age, or gender. More and more people are getting into it everyday. Even those who don not golf can appreciate the natural and man-made beauty of the greens. And there are many courses to choose from on your Tahoe vacations.
When you are going on Tahoe vacations, remember to bring the right gear including sun block. Whether you are going to ski, snowboard, fish, golf, or simply soak in the beauty that is Tahoe, take care of your skin while you are there. When there is snow on the ground, some people may not even think of the need for sunblock. This is a big mistake since suns rays can actually reflect off of the snow and ice creating an even more intense effect. When you are on the snow, make sure that you wear all protective gear included tinted goggles. The bright reflections off of the snow can also be bad for your eyes. With a bit of planning, you will have an incredible time on your trip, and you will likely find that Tahoe vacations and an annual event.
Thanks to Kenneth Scott for contributing this article to our Lake Tahoe blog:
Skiers, snowshoers and snowboarders are likely to have an incredible time on Tahoe vacations. Even those who cannot ski will appreciate the beauty of this place.
If barreling down a mountain of snow does not excite you, then maybe you will find your place with the fishermen. Many people take Tahoe vacations just to fish. People will drive amazing distances because of the great fishing that the streams and lakes in this area have to offer. From October 1 to June 30, the streams that drain into Lake Tahoe and their tributaries are closed to fishing. However, many of the lakes, including Tahoe, stay open year round.
There are many kinds of fishermen that go on Tahoe vacations. Some like to troll the lakes and streams, and some fly fish. Just make sure that you have any license that you are required to have, and follow the rules.
Golf has become more and more popular in recent years and many people hit the Tahoe vacation spots for the premier golf courses. Golf is a sport that is popular to a wide array of people. The sport does not restrict because of social class, race, age, or gender. More and more people are getting into it everyday. Even those who don not golf can appreciate the natural and man-made beauty of the greens. And there are many courses to choose from on your Tahoe vacations.
When you are going on Tahoe vacations, remember to bring the right gear including sun block. Whether you are going to ski, snowboard, fish, golf, or simply soak in the beauty that is Tahoe, take care of your skin while you are there. When there is snow on the ground, some people may not even think of the need for sunblock. This is a big mistake since suns rays can actually reflect off of the snow and ice creating an even more intense effect. When you are on the snow, make sure that you wear all protective gear included tinted goggles. The bright reflections off of the snow can also be bad for your eyes. With a bit of planning, you will have an incredible time on your trip, and you will likely find that Tahoe vacations and an annual event.
Thanks to Kenneth Scott for contributing this article to our Lake Tahoe blog:
To find more tips on fun vacations at Lake Tahoe visit http://vacation-secrets.com
What are popular things to do in Lake Tahoe during Summer months?
February 27, 2009 by Lake Tahoe Vacation Tips
Filed under Summers In Lake Tahoe
Can you answer fytnessfryk’s question about Lake Tahoe?:
Recommendations for Horseback riding as well as Rafting would be appreciated.
South Lake Tahoe Lodging
Recommendations for Horseback riding as well as Rafting would be appreciated.
South Lake Tahoe Lodging
