Bear Valley Cross Country
Hwy 4 / Bear Valley · near Bear Valley / Arnold · Sierra Nevada / Yosemite
Nordic & Snowshoe
At a glance
- Best season
- Dec–Mar; dependable central-Sierra snow (~7,000 ft)
What is here
- Activities
- classic · skate · snowshoe
- Setting
- forest
- Amenities
- Large uncrowded groomed network · Classic & skate trails · Forest & meadow terrain · Rentals, lessons & lodge
- Best for
- Uncrowded groomed skiing
- Features
- Big central-Sierra XC center · Away from Tahoe crowds · Groomed classic & skate · Rentals & lessons
Worth knowing
- Hazards
- High elevation & sun · Cold, storms on Hwy 4 · Weather-dependent grooming · Layers, water
- Good for a first timer
- Yes
Guides, rentals and operators
- Rentals
- Yes
Nordic & Snowshoe detail
- Venue
- xc-center
- Ability
- intermediate
- Snow
- 4
- Trail notes
- A big, uncrowded groomed Nordic center high on Highway 4 in the central Sierra — extensive classic and skate trails through forest and meadow, far from the Tahoe crowds
- Terrain note
- ~7,000–7,800 ft; large groomed network; dependable snow
- Intl tip
- One of California's largest, most peaceful groomed cross-country areas, high on Hwy 4 in the central Sierra — a great alternative to the busy Tahoe centers. Extensive trails groomed for classic and skate roll through forest and meadow with far fewer crowds: gentle beginner loops, long intermediate tours, distance for strong skiers, plus snowshoe trails, a lodge, rentals, and lessons. Dependable snow at ~7,000 ft; expect cold mornings, strong UV, and storms that can complicate Hwy 4. Check conditions, dress in layers. Refreshingly uncrowded.
The guide
Bear Valley, perched high on Highway 4 in the central Sierra between the Gold Country and the crest, is home to one of Californ…
In the Guidebook
Everything above is yours for free. The written guide to Bear Valley Cross Country — what it is actually like, and what we would tell a friend before they went — comes with the Guidebook.
Getting there
- Coordinates
- 38.47, -120.04