How to Go Skiing in Bear Valley, California

Located between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, Bear Valley Mountain Resort in California is open from mid-November to mid-April, with an average annual snowfall of 30 feet. This makes for excellent conditions, whether you ski or snowboard. The summit of Bear Valley Mountain is 8,500 feet. It has a vertical drop of 1,900 feet.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

Choose Your Lodging

1. Book lodging for your trip by calling [phone] or by clicking the "Lodging and Dining" link on the Bear Valley Web site (see Resources below).

2. Stay in Bear Valley Village, where you can book lodging in a bed and breakfast or private vacation home. This area offers a variety of accommodations.

3. Consider renting a condo before you book a block of hotel rooms for large group trips to Bear Valley. Many can accommodate up to eight and are often more economical.

4. Book a room off of Highway 4, where you'll find a selection of lodges, including some with historic ties to the foundation of the surrounding valley.

Arrange Your Transportation

1. Travel to Northern California to enjoy a ski trip in Bear Valley. You can fly into airports throughout the region, such as the San Francisco International or San Jose International airports, and then rent a car to drive to the resort.

2. Drive up to the resort using the directions located on the resort's Web site. You will be driving on Highway 4-an all-weather highway that offers convenient access to the resort year-round.

3. Know that participating sport shops offer bus trips to Bear Valley on select Sundays throughout the peak season. You will find a current schedule with contact information on the Bear Valley Web site.

Plan Your Ski Trip to Bear Valley

1. Find Bear Valley Village near historic Ebbets Pass. This California village's roots go back to the early 1800s, when trappers and prospectors were its primary visitors. The town capitalized on the golden opportunity of resort tourism in the mid-20th Century, when the Bear Valley ski resort opened as Mt. Reba in 1967.

2. Begin your day as early 9 a.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. on weekends. The resort operates up to 10 lifts to 67 trails located over 1,280 skiable acres.

3. Expect to find the trails at the intermediate level. Close to 33 trails are intermediate, with a few less at the advanced level and one-fourth appropriate for the beginner skier.

4. Purchase lift tickets at participating area vendors or at the ticket window of the resort on your day of skiing. You may buy season passes online through the resort's Web site.

5. Locate a current ski report on the Bear Valley Web site. You'll find it by clicking on the "Conditions" link listed within "The Mountain."

Tips & Warnings

• Book online for the most convenience.