Read skier and snowboarder-submitted reviews on Bear Valley that rank the ski resort and mountain town on a scale of one to five stars for attributes such as terrain, nightlife and family friendliness. See how Bear Valley stacks up in the reviews, on and off the slopes, from skiing and family activities to the après scene. Read up on pros, cons and other comments in reviews left by fellow skiers and riders. Don't forget to submit your own Bear Valley review! Scroll to the bottom of this page to let other travelers know about your skiing and resort experience.
Reviews for Bear Valley
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A ski resort's overall star rating displayed here is not calculated based on a simple average but takes several factors, including the age of a review, into account.
Very poorly run resort, was once a hometown favorite but has become a travesty of miss management by corporate hacks. They are always the firs mountain in the area to close because of weather while others are operating. Chairs will frequently stop operating leaving you stranded on the backside for hours. Unless you only ski on sunny days when weather and good skiing are far from present go elsewhere. Today for example, they are again closed, however every single other resort in the area is operating and raving about how good the skiing is. ... Full Review
Sam Cremin
I have enjoyed bringing my family there for decades. The kids liked it there as kids and they still do. ... Full Review
G Shaver
Great place for a day trip. Pros: Won't break the bank, making it friendly for families, great beginners area, good intermediate terrain, the crowds aren't bad, the lifts keep things moving, relaxed staff, good vibe. Cons: It's not massive like Squaw or Heavenly, the expert terrain is farther down the mountain, meaning in lean snow years it won't be open, and it's not South Lake Tahoe for apres ski dining and partying. ... Full Review
Eric Stone
Great mid-size resort, with both great beginner and advanced skiing.
Always nice folks on all the runs, and working the lifts.
Not your big-time resort, which is exactly its appeal. Couldn’t ask for a nice, funner place to go ski. We love it here!!... Full Review
tom tankersley
I have very fond memories of Bear Valley. The hill is just that, a hill (upper half) but they do have great tree skiing on the back side and a fantastic mogul run under the chair right down the middle of "Bear Chair" Also the lower part of the mountain is my all-time favorite on a cold powder day or spring slush. So why the low rating? The bottom of the hill is almost never open ( low elevation/ global warming) as well as never been groomed, and the price jumped from $60 to $120! What a JOKE. If you are going to spend that kind of money head to a real resort. Also, runs are short but rarely a crowd. ... Full Review
Bill F
I chose you resort because it said on your website that the beginner hills were groomed, $178 later there was no grooming I could see (12-26-20) It would have been fine except I was with a beginner and wanted them to have some groomers to start on. I checked your site at 715am before I left and it said you groomed and it still does. This is the first and last time this year you get my money. It's the little things that mater.... Full Review
Elizabeth undefined
We have been going here for years and it is where our kids learned to ski starting at age 3. They are 9 & 11 and still going strong. It isn’t Aspen or one of the Vail resorts so if you are looking for that experience don’t come here. If you want a great place to relax and enjoy the mountain in a friendly, safe, easy going way without judgement and expectation, this is the place for you. The snow is usually good, the mountain is well maintained and they do it for a reasonable price. ... Full Review
Keli K
Incredible mountain that still has the small town feel, even though it's got a decent amount of vertical and terrain, especially when the lower mountain is open. On The Snow NEEDS TO UPDATE THE LOCATION OF THIS RESORT, AS THEY HAVE IT CONFUSED WITH BEAR MOUNTAIN!!!!!! FIX THIS PLEASE!!!!... Full Review
slucas
Amazing slopes, great snow, family friendly... Full Review
Jim undefined
Compared to other west slope Sierra Nevada resorts, Bear Valley offers better skiing conditions year in and year out on the upper mountain since its lodge and parking area is at 7500 ft and the resort has snowmaking capability. Big years open the lower mountain making it possible to ski from the ridgelines at 8800 ft down to the mid to low 6000 ft elevation at the bottom of the bowls. The parking lot can use some work. The holy grail for improvement would be lift or gondola access from the village. Locals like easy access - the drive up CA State Route 4 is among the best in the Sierras with little to no traffic trouble on getaway weekends compared to Tahoe. The corridor between Murphys and Dorrington offer dining and apres options without a crowded or pretentious resort vibe. Terrain favors the intermediate to advanced skier with a good amount of steeps, bumps, and ungroomed terrain mixed in. Three beginner slopes are located near the lodge. They’ve done a good job building terrain (park) features into different sections of the resort. Don’t pay attention to On The Snow’s directions on how to get there - they’ve confused Bear Valley with Bear Mountain in Southern CA.... Full Review
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