Bear Valley (resort) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bear Valley |
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Bear Valley in 2007
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 Bear Valley
Location in California
Bear Valley
Location in the United States
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| Location | Alpine County, California, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Angels Camp |
| Coordinates | 38°29′31″N 120°02′38″W / 38.492°N 120.044°W |
| Vertical | 1,900 ft (580 m) |
| Top elevation | 8,500 ft (2,590 m) |
| Base elevation | 6,600 ft (2,010 m) |
| Skiable area | 1,280 acres (2.0 sq mi; 5.2 km2) |
| Runs | 67 total 25% beginner 40% intermediate 35% advanced |
| Lift system | 9 (1 high-speed quad, 2 triples, 5 doubles, 2 carpet lifts) |
| Snowfall | 359 inches (29.9 ft; 9.1 m) |
| Snowmaking | 100 acres (40 ha) |
| Website | bearvalley.com |
Bear Valley is a fun ski area in the western United States. It is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. You can find it on Highway 4. It's about three hours southeast of Sacramento. It's also about an hour from Angels Camp. Bear Valley is between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. The ski area and part of the village are currently owned by Skyline International.
Contents
Skiing and Snow Fun
Bear Valley has nine lifts that take you to over 75 ski runs. These runs cover a huge area of 1,680 skiable acres (2.6 sq mi; 6.8 km2) land. Before the 2010–11 winter, they opened up even more areas. This made Bear Valley the eighth largest ski area in California.
The resort is very good at making snow. They also know a lot about snow science. Because of this, Bear Valley could stay open even during very dry years. This was when many other California resorts had to close early.
Bear Valley is also famous for its racing history. It is one of only two resorts in California with a NASTAR course. This course is open almost every winter weekend. In 2015, a special pass called "The Forever Pass" was created. This pass lets you use both the downhill and cross-country ski areas.
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Bear Valley also has a large area for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. This system has 35 trails. They cover 3,000 acres (12 km2) of beautiful terrain. Paul and Diane Petersen own and run the cross-country area. Paul Petersen is a well-known expert in Nordic skiing. He even wrote a book about it!
Backcountry Adventures
For those who love adventure, the Bear Valley backcountry is amazing. You can explore it using alpine touring, telemark, or backcountry skis. Snowshoes are also a great way to see the area. Mountain Adventure Seminars is a local company. They offer lessons in telemark skiing and avalanche safety. They also guide mountaineering trips. You can even go on overnight tours. Bear Valley Mountain Resort also offers special tours. These tours use snow cats to take you to untouched ski areas.
Village Facilities
The village at the base of Bear Valley has many useful places. There is a hotel and a spa. You can also find cozy cabins to stay in. For food, there are two restaurants and two bars. There is also a pizza place. The main Lodge has a beautiful granite fireplace. Its design is very grand, like a cathedral. This makes it a popular spot for weddings and special events.
The village also has a US Post Office. There is a museum where you can learn about the area. You can buy supplies at the general store. If you want to ride a snowmobile, there's a rental center. The village also has important services. These include an Alpine County Sheriff's office and a fire station. There is also a county library and a public school for kids up to sixth grade. In the summer, a bus can take you to Lake Alpine. This is a popular spot for outdoor fun. In winter, a shuttle runs daily to the ski area.
Images for kids
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Easy green circle trail symbol
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Medium blue square trail symbol
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Hard black diamond trail symbol
