Bear Valley Mountain Resort is basking in prime winter conditions this January 11, 2026. Bear Valley Mountain Resort is a ski resort located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California.
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Humidity
With an overnight low of 18.3°F, skiers and snowboarders can expect the snow to stay light and powdery throughout the day. The snowpack depth sits at an impressive 40 inches—about 10% above average—offering excellent coverage across the mountain. With a Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) of 10.8, the base is holding strong, ensuring smooth glides and solid landings for all snow enthusiasts. No new snowfall is forecasted today, but clear skies and cold temperatures mean the groomers have done their magic, creating perfect corduroy runs to kick off the weekend.
Exciting developments surround Bear Valley beyond the slopes. The resort recently came under new ownership, joining a growing network of California mountain destinations—promising potential future upgrades. Despite a mild start to the season across the Sierra, Bear Valley is outperforming expectations, joining other top California resorts that are off to a solid start thanks to early-season storms. Visitors can expect not only fantastic skiing but also a vibrant après-ski scene and winter activities as highlighted in regional guides. With conditions this good, now is the time to carve your mark on Bear Valley’s pristine terrain.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) shows how much water the snow holds. This is ideal for year-to-year tracking of real snowfall and water resources. Measurements from Blue Lakes.
Snowpack depth measures how much snow has accumulated in the area. This is a key indicator of powder quality, trail coverage, and how epic your runs are going to be this season at Bear Valley Mountain Resort.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Bear Valley Mountain Resort impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
Bear Valley Mountain Resort is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. The resort features various mountain aspects, including:
1. The Mokelumne Peak: This peak stands at an elevation of 9,332 feet and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valley.
2. Mount Reba: At an elevation of 8,600 feet, Mount Reba is a popular spot for skiing and snowboarding at the resort.
3. The Sierra Buttes: The Sierra Buttes are a prominent feature of the Sierra Nevada range and can be seen from various vantage points at Bear Valley Mountain Resort.
4. The Ebbetts Pass: This mountain pass is located near the resort and offers access to scenic hiking trails and backcountry skiing options.
Overall, Bear Valley Mountain Resort is surrounded by stunning mountain ranges and offers a variety of terrain for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
It boasts a diverse range of terrain across 1,680 skiable acres and is particularly known for its powder skiing. The best trails are considered to be Grizzly Bowl and Mokelumne, which offer challenging terrain for advanced skiers. An interesting fact about the resort is that it was originally founded in 1967 by a group of San Francisco businessmen who wanted to create a ski resort accessible to the Bay Area. For beginners, the Cub Meadow trail is recommended. The Sky High Pizza and Pub is a popular apres ski spot, known for its wood-fired pizza and selection of craft beer.
Night Skiing | No |
Lift Count | 10 Lifts |
Hourly Lift Capacity | 12000 per hour |
Base Elevation | 2012 Meters |
Terrain Park | Yes |
Acreage | 1280 Acres |
Established | 1967 |
Run Count | 67 Trails |
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, mostly sunny, with a high near 40. north northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
California ski conditions remain stable with no new snow reported across most mountain regions over the past 24 hours and no accumulation forecast for the next five days. The Sierra Nevada resorts, including Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Palisades Tahoe, are seeing consistent snowpack depths—Heavenly Valley holds at 35", Echo Peak at 43", and Palisades Tahoe near 52". The deepest snow is ... Read more