bear valley cross country and adventure company

My wife and I skied Bear Mountain cross country ski center today, on a shallow base, and enjoyed well groomed novice trails in the meadows and some intermediate higher woods terrain under delightfully warm partly sunny skies. The spring-like conditions meant bare spots and some exposed rocks, but the groomers had made the best of it to provide nice tracks for inline skiing and room for skate-skiing as well on the lower terrain. Unfortunately, my wife fell hard on her hip on a tricky downhill section up by the highest hut, and couldn't ski back out. The staff was very quickly responsive to a phone call and sent a wilderness responder promptly with a sled and snow machine to transport her back to the base. Their professional support made what could have been a lengthy ordeal into a smooth return to our car.

I've been cross-country skiing since 1979 at several resorts in California (and in Oregon and Idaho). In my opinion, Bear Valley Cross Country and Adventure Company has the best cross-country ski trails in California. There is a good mix of easy and expert trails through meadows, aspen forests, along creeks and along a ridge with views of the Sierra Mountains. The ski trails are consistently groomed well. Along with skiing, there's sledding and tubing. And when you need a break, there's an indoor/outdoor cafe that even serves beer and wine.The Company offers equipment for summer activities such as bicycling, mountain biking and kayaking. They also have trail maps of the surrounding area for mt. biking and hiking.To top it all off, the owners and staff are friendly and very knowledgeable.

FriendlyFamily-orientedFantastic bike mechanicFabulous scenery everywhere you goFarsighted: they have created guidebooks of local places of interest for bikers, hikers, and water enthusiastsFido oriented - there is a Winter trail for dog owners, free of snowmobiles, for pedestrian powered locomotionFitness focus: you can be a hard-core outdoor jock or a weekend warrior and BV Cross Country and Adventure Company can help you find a fun way to be fitFamily and friends have been patrons for years and these folks never fail to deliver! You can rent or buy the equipment you need of get advice about the best place to play for free.

My husband, 20 month old daughter, and I went to Bear Valley XC to get a cross country skiing lesson. We wanted to try XC skiing and hoped it was something we could do with our daughter since downhill skiing and snowboarding was out of the question. We called a few days ahead of time to schedule the lesson and were told no reservations were required and to be there by 10am there would be plenty of room for us. We were disappointed when we got there at 10am and were told that the ski lesson was full that morning. The owner, Paul, offered to take us out for an hour and we happily accepted. Paul was extremely friendly and helpful. He had us both skiing within an hour and loaned us a toddler sled for towing our daughter for free for the day. We had a wonderful time and have found a new sport that we can do with our daughter- thanks to Paul going out of his way to make sure we had a pleasurable experience. There were plenty of beginner trails to keep us busy all day. Trails were well maintained and not over crowded (it was a Friday) Atmosphere was very family friendly. The people at the Cafe and rental shop were inviting and helpful as well. We will definitely go back and will be getting a season pass next year. I also look forward to taking friends here for skiing and sledding (the sledding hill looked super fun) and checking out their Fat bikes when we have a baby sitter. This summer we will use them for our Kayak and mountain bike rental needs. So glad we have have this place close by.

Great place with manageable crowd for younger kids less than 10 yrs old. Relax and friendly and you dont feel the squeeze and rush of tahoe

I spent a weekend last March in a cabin near Arnold doing a team building retreat with a group I whitewater raft with. So, we went XC skiing at Bear Valley Saturday, and to Calaveras Big Trees State Park on Sunday, before heading back to the Bay Área. It was an AWESOME beautiful weekend from start to finish. Bear Valley XC was one of the most incredible facilities I hace ever XC at. Now, I admit, as primarily a downhill skiier, I enjoy Tahoe resorts, BUT, I will keep going back to Bear Valley XC, & would love to try the downhill resort as well. It is a COMPLETE 360' from Tahoe, and represents a much more rugged, rustic, authentic Sierra experience I think, and the área is WAY LESS congested and built up compared to say South Lake Tahoe & Heavenly for example. Arnold, in particular, is a charming town that really reminds me of soñé of the small towns back East in Vermont where I grew up skiing. Bear Valley & the surrounding área is a gem, go, you'll love it.!

Open to allowing guests to play during the fall and Winter believe it or not...Course is well designed and the trees and topography add to the challenge...

My husband and I have been xc skiing here at least a couple times a year for the past 4 years and we absolutely love it! There are lots of flat, green trails to learn on and to practice your skills. But there are also plenty of blues and blacks to challenge more advanced skiers. I have skied the same trails many times but haven't become bored with with them yet. There are bigger XC resorts near Tahoe but they don't have the same friendly, easy-going atmosphere that Bear Valley has. Also, it is an easier drive from San Francisco... less traffic and about half and hour closer.

Bear Valley Cross-Country has to be one of the best layed out and well run nordic ski areas in the U.S. and Canada. The trails are groomed each evening and the variety of trails is wonderful. The warming hut is a hit with everyone who stops by for a hot drink and a rest on the deck. The owners of Bear Valley Cross-Country sponsor a day every spring to benifit the local Habitat for Humaity affiliate which has become a tradition enjoyed by many.

I have been cross-country skiing here for years and love it! The only thing better than taking Equipe out to the hut on a clear day is swooping down from the hut at Bjornloppet when the snow is just right! The views are incredible and the Aspen Forest and Walden meadow are gorgeous. These resort is very accessible for new skiers. Lots of green trails to learn on and many of the blues have just enough up and down to make it fun but not to scary. There aren't many advanced trails but this place is really about the beautiful location anyway.My only complaint is that sometimes they are slow to get the trails groomed after a snow, but once they do, it's fantastic!

The sledding hill is overpriced for what it is. $10 per person, not per sled, for anyone participating. $2 access fee to accompany sledders. $40 for our family of four to go sledding is too much in my opinion, especially if you have young children like ours that get tired from repeatedly walking up the hill after a half hour. There wasn't any place close by for kids to rest, get warm, & have a hot chocolate. It's a long walk back across the hwy. to the office/store and the meadow cafe is an even longer walk.Employees are friendly & the Cross country skiing is OK, depending on your level and conditions. Finding a parking spot is not easy on weekends, be prepared to walk a long ways on holiday weekends.

Bear Valley Cross Country and Bear Valley Adventure Company (two names, same place) have been a favorite resource of ours for years. In the winter, the focus is on cross country skiing and snowshoeing. In the spring, summer and fall, on mountain biking, kayak/canoeing and other outdoor activities. You can buy or rent gear, ski on the winter trail network, bike in the summer and I gather they also are offering more and more services (such as guided outings).We've participated in a multi-year program with them that allows our kids to trade in their cross-country ski equipment every year or two until they are 16-18 or so years old.We've always seen the owners and employees be very friendly, supportive and helpful to everyone, offering thoughts on hiking trails to choose from for people who don't know the area, and similar acts of welcoming and encouragement to enjoy the nearby wilderness areas.