Bear Valley Ski Resort Guide
Bear Valley, United States
| Recommended For | Expert Skiers and Intermediates. |
|---|---|
| Highest Lift | 2,590m 8,497ft |
| Resort Height | 2,346m 7,697ft |
| Nearest Airports | Denver International and Colorado Springs |
Bear Valley
Bear Valley is a family-friendly ski resort in California's Sierra Nevada. It offers a variety of terrain for all skill levels, making it a perfect destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
Summary
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada, Bear Valley boasts over 1,600 acres of skiable terrain. With a summit elevation of 8,500 feet, the resort features diverse runs and stunning mountain views.
The ski area of Bear Valley is at an altitude of 2,346m 7,697ft .
Bear Valley has direct access to 67 marked pistes, served by a total of 10 ski lifts.
The ski resort itself is at 2,346m 7,697ft , so skiing or boarding back to the resort is usually possible. With ski lifts as high as 2,590m 8,497ft , skiing and snowboarding is assured throughout the season.
Notable Ski Runs
The most difficult run is the 'Uptight'.
Partner Offers
Snow and Weather
Bear Valley typically enjoys a reliable snow season with an average snow depth ranging from 5 to 10 feet. For the latest snow conditions and updates, check J2Ski for real-time information.
When will it snow in Bear Valley?
The next notable snow forecast is 3cm 1in , expected on 14 November.
See our long-range Snow Forecast for the latest update.
Snow this week
| We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow to 2,249m 7,379ft | Snow to base | Snow to base |
Ski Area Stats
Bear Valley Ski Area
| Black Pistes Expert Trails | 47 | |
|---|---|---|
| Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 15 | |
| Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 5 | |
| Cross Country Total Length | 165km 103 miles | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 10 | |
Bear Valley Altitudes
| Highest Lift | 2,590m 8,497ft |
|---|---|
| Resort Altitude (Bear Valley) | 2,346m 7,697ft |
| Lowest Piste | 2,010m 6,594ft |
| Max Vertical | 580m 1,903ft |
Skiing
Bear Valley features a range of ski areas, including the main Bear Mountain and the more advanced Red Mountain. Notable pistes include the popular Bear Bottom and the challenging Grizzly Bowl, accessible via lifts like the Bear Chair and the Grizzly Chair, ensuring a variety of options for all skiers.
Bear Valley offers good sking, particularly, for Expert and Intermediate skiers.
Ski Lessons in Bear Valley

To choose a Ski School, and book Group Ski Lessons or a Private Instructor, see Bear Valley Ski Schools and Bear Valley Ski Instructors.
Snowboarding
Snowboarders will enjoy the terrain parks at Bear Valley, including the Bear Valley Terrain Park, which offers features for all skill levels. The parks are well-maintained, providing a fun environment to practice tricks and jumps.
Location and Map
Where is Bear Valley?
This ski resort is in Honolulu County, California, United States.
Map
Tap
for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.
How to get there
By Air
The nearest airport to Bear Valley is Denver International, 55 minutes drive away.
Colorado Springs, Reno Tahoe, Modesto City, Vail/Eagle, Sacramento and Laramie airports are all within three hours drive.
Denver International is just one hours drive away, in good driving conditions, so you can be on the piste quickly.
To reach Bear Valley, take Highway 4 from Stockton or Angels Camp, which offers scenic views of the Sierra Nevada. The resort is approximately a 2.5-hour drive from major cities like San Francisco.
Infrastructure
Ski Lift Capacity
The 10 ski lifts are able to uplift 12,000 skiers and snowboarders every hour.
Season Dates
When is Bear Valley open?
We don't currently have confirmed season dates, but hope to soon.
NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.
Talking about Bear Valley
Mentions in recent J2Ski News Items and Snow Reports from our users...
Aprés Ski
After a day on the slopes, unwind at Bear Valley Lodge or the popular Bullwheel Tavern. Both venues offer a cozy atmosphere with hearty food and drinks, perfect for relaxing with friends.
