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HomeSkiHometown Mountain Shoutout: The Soul Cleaning Winter Wonderland of Bear Valley, CA

Hometown Mountain Shoutout: The Soul Cleaning Winter Wonderland of Bear Valley, CA

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Big Storm at Bear Valley brought 40 inches of new snow. Standing at the top of Grizzly Bowl.
A Powder Day at Grizzly Bowl | Picture: Jack Bynum

Searching for a down-to-earth and tranquil mountain? Nestled amidst the great thing about California’s huge Sierra Nevada mountains, Bear Valley Resort beckons outside fanatics with a year-round haven. From its famend downhill snowboarding and snowboarding terrain to its charming small-town village ambiance, this resort guarantees an unforgettable expertise. Simply two hours from the larger Sacramento space and three hours for these coming from the Bay Space, Bear Valley is the proper vacation spot for a day or weekend journey. The mountain presents just below 1,700 acres of terrain to discover, six lifts, and a big selection of beginning-to-expert runs to hone your expertise. 

 

Bear Valley is the primary place I ever strapped right into a board, and I’ve by no means seemed again. In 2019, certainly one of my greatest mates, Nolan Breault, received me hooked on snowboarding and confirmed me the unreal magnificence Bear Valley needed to supply. The Breault household has been native to Bear Valley since 1990. You may catch us on the mountain no less than 30+ instances in the course of the winter, nonetheless discovering new runs and park options to discover and conquer. Bear Valley is a hidden gem, and when I’ve children and a household, I can’t wait to share the pure magnificence with them.

 

Bear Valley village runs, near the Mayan Cliffs, steep descent into Bear Valley's backsideBear Valley village runs, near the Mayan Cliffs, steep descent into Bear Valley's backside
The Bliss of Bear Valley’s Broad-Open Bottom Unfold | Picture: Jack Bynum

The First Powder Day of the 12 months

It’s an early 6 a.m. morning, however we don’t care, since two ft of recent snow has fallen, and the vibes are excessive. We begin by stretching, making some waffles for the highway, and listening to Bob Marley, Rebelution, and Barely Stoopid all the best way as much as the mountain. We arrive at Bear Valley. Nolan, Dean, and I need to be the primary tracks on the hill so we waste no time getting the gear on and ready within the rustic lodge till 8:30 a.m. when the primary lifts spin. Cruising off the raise, we admire the mountain and level out all of the traces we need to hit this yr. Then, instantly begin flying down the bottom, smiling all the best way down. It’s the beginning of one other nice yr at Bear Valley.

Unveiling the Untamed Aspect of Bear Valley’s Bottom Village Terrain

Bear Valley’s bottom is a playground for skilled skiers and snowboarders. This space boasts steeper pitches, difficult chutes, and wide-open bowls that take a look at your stability and reward you with untracked powder stashes. The views are spectacular from the height, and whenever you trip right down to the bottom of the village you’re immersed with lovely cabins and may even run into some good folks with snowmobiles who supply to present you a trip to the lodge… I name it the Boulevard of Goals.

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Steep Descents and Powder Stashes at Grizzly Bowl | Credit score: Bear Valley FB

Grizzly Bowl — The place Legends are Born

Skilled skiers and snowboarders in search of epic descents shouldn’t miss the well-known Grizzly Bowls at Bear Valley Resort. This north-facing space boasts a dramatic 1,900-foot vertical drop. I recognize the north-facing facet as a result of it permits untouched snow to linger longer, making a dream state of affairs for the primary tracks. The Grizzly Bowl presents breathtaking panoramic vistas of the Sierra Nevada, providing a second to soak in the great thing about your environment. Your first time driving down Grizz is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise. The pace and freedom are simply one thing that phrases can’t describe however simply one thing that may open up your world and be one with the snow gods.

On common Bear Valley will see 359 inches of annual snowfall, rating it within the prime 10 in California. Bear Valley is such a sought-after resort due to the variability it presents. Round 25% of the mountain is beginner-friendly and an ideal place to study and at last tackle that new pastime that you simply had been at all times inquisitive about. Bear Valley will rapidly flip into your go-to spot for something within the snow for a lot of causes. Near the highest of that record could be the brief raise traces, the place in a six-hour day of driving it’s possible you’ll spend at most 25 minutes complete in line. The below-average raise tickets at round $130 for a weekday convey lots of newcomers to expertise the great thing about Bear, and the comfy lodge and resort are there for the weekend journey lodging the place lifelong recollections are made.

The Lifts at Bear Valley ResortThe Lifts at Bear Valley Resort
Bear Valley’s Raise Map | Credit score: Bear Valley FB

 



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