Snow Valley Mountain Resort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Snow Valley Mountain Resort |
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| Location | Running Springs San Bernardino County, California |
| Nearest city | Running Springs, California |
| Coordinates | 34°13′24″N 117°02′15″W / 34.223375°N 117.037423°W |
| Vertical | 1,041 ft (317 m) |
| Top elevation | 7,841 ft (2,390 m) |
| Base elevation | 6,800 ft (2,100 m) |
| Skiable area | 240 acres (97 ha) |
| Runs | 29 total 14% easiest 45% More difficult 31% Most difficult 10% Experts only |
| Lift system | 12 lifts: 1 High Speed Six, 4 Double, 4 Triple, 2 conveyor |
| Lift capacity | Six Person Detachable - 2,600 riders per hour |
| Terrain parks | The Edge, East Bowl |
| Snowfall | 150 inches (380 cm) |
| Snowmaking | Yes |
| Night skiing | Yes |
| Website | https://bbmr.com |
Snow Valley Mountain Resort is a fun ski resort located in Running Springs, California. It is in the United States. Snow Valley has been open longer than any other ski resort in Southern California. It is also one of three ski resorts found in the San Bernardino National Forest.
Contents
A Look Back at Snow Valley's History
Snow Valley was first called "Fish Camp." This was because of a small pond in the area. In the 1920s, two brothers, the Swetkowich brothers, built a small resort and a place to cut wood.
How Snow Valley Got Its Name
In the 1930s, the Arrowhead Springs Corporation took over. They made the slopes ready for sledding and skiing. They gave the area the name Snow Valley. This resort was special because it had one of the first overhead cable ski lifts. In 1940, a famous ski jump champion named Johnny Elvrum bought the resort. He helped it grow even more.
New Owners and Growth
In 1974, W.R. Sauey became the owner of Snow Valley. His company, the Nordic Group, ran the resort for many years. More recently, in January 2023, Alterra Mountain Company bought Snow Valley. This company also owns other nearby resorts like Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. Snow Valley operates with a special permit from the United States Forest Service.
Ski Lifts: Your Ride to the Top
Ski lifts are like special elevators that take skiers and snowboarders up the mountain. Snow Valley has 12 different lifts to help you explore. These include one fast six-person lift, four double chairs, four triple chairs, and three moving carpets. Moving carpets are great for beginners!
Changes to the Lift System
At one point, Snow Valley had 14 lifts running. Three of those lifts have since closed. Chair 2 was updated for the 2023-2024 ski season. It now serves only the beginner area, making it easier for new skiers.
Exploring the Terrain
Snow Valley offers 240 acres of land where you can ski or snowboard. The paths you ride down are called "runs" or "trails." Most of the trails at Snow Valley are "groomed." This means machines smooth out the snow, making it easier to ride.
Ungroomed Adventures
Some areas, like "The Ladder" and parts of Slide Peak, are left "ungroomed." This means the snow is natural and bumpy, which can be a fun challenge for experienced riders. The main mountain has most of the trails and all the special areas for tricks, called terrain parks.
Peak 9 and Slide Peak: The Hidden Gems
Peak 9 is mostly used for a lift (chair 9) that takes skiers to and from Slide Peak. When there's enough snow, Peak 9 also has areas with bowls and trees to ski through. Slide Peak is often called the "Crown Jewel" of Snow Valley. It is known for its steep slopes. Famous skiers, like Warren Miller, loved to ski here.
When Are These Areas Open?
Peak 9 and Slide Peak are usually only open for about 4 to 6 weeks each season. This is because Southern California does not always get a lot of snow. Also, these areas do not have snowmaking machines due to older water pipes and limited water.
