Recreation - Winter

Downhill Skiing     

Bear Valley Mountain Resort is California’s most centrally located mountain resort, situated on scenic and all-weather Highway 4 . The closest major ski resort to the Bay Area, Bear Valley’s central Sierra location and 8500′ summit provide some of the lightest and deepest snow conditions in all of California. Eleven lifts service Bear Valley’s 1,280 acres and breathtaking 1900′ vertical descent. Skiers and snowboarders will enjoy the diverse terrain, offering 60 different trails: 30% gentle beginner, 40% intermediate and 30% advanced.

Cross-Country Skiing

Bear Valley Cross Country offers one of the largest groomed trail systems in the country including 36 different trails with huts, picnic tables and ridges offering spectacular views. Equipment rental, lessons, restrooms, parking, food, snowshoe rentals, Sno-Park permits and children’s sledding hill are available through the cross country ski center.

The Calaveras Ranger District offers marked (but not groomed) trail networks at both Lake Alpine and Big Meadows during the winter months, as well as hundreds of miles of unmarked, ungroomed snow-covered Forest Service roads and trails. Cross country skiing is also available at Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

Snowmobiling  

 The Calaveras Ranger District offers 35 miles of groomed snowmobile trail, as well as many more miles of ungroomed trail and open cross country riding areas. Groomed trails are concentrated at the Lake Alpine and Spicer SNO-PARKS; an ungroomed trail network is available in the Black Springs/Cabbage Patch roads area. Snowmobiles are not allowed in Wilderness and other non-motorized areas. Please contact the Calaveras Ranger District for more information. Snowmobile rentals, service and sales are available in Bear Valley.

Sno-Parks

Two California SNO-PARKS are available for winter recreationists. The Lake Alpine SNO-PARK, located on Highway 4 one mile west of Lake Alpine, provides access to the groomed snowmobile trail along Highway 4 to Highland Lakes, as well as to a network of marked and unmarked cross country ski routes. The Spicer SNO-PARK, located on the Spicer Reservoir Road, provides access to a 15 mile network of groomed snowmobile trails to Spicer, Union, and Utica Reservoirs.

Permits are required to park at the SNO-PARKS and are available at most local sports shops and the Calaveras Ranger District Office.

Back Country

Guided day tours, overnight treks, and instruction in back country travel are offered by Mountain Adventure Seminars in Bear Valley.