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Major city · United States

Bear Valley

Go for 1–2 nights if you ski or ride; skip as a summer base unless you want a quiet Highway 4 stop between Arnold and Markleeville.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Bear Valley is a small Sierra community in Alpine County, about 121 residents, built around one ski resort on Highway 4. There is one road in and out, a handful of beds and restaurants, and no town centre to wander. You come for the mountain, not the village: a day on the slopes, a summer ride or hike, or a night on the drive over Ebbetts Pass.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
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More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Dec–Mar for skiing; Jul–Sep for hiking, biking and the lake
avoid Nov and Apr–May (thin or closed snow, mud season); check SR 4 for winter closures
Airports
SMF · RNO
Nights
1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bear Valley911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Bear Valley, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$4–7
  • Sit-down mealDinner main, Creekside Dining Room$25–45
  • Street or quick mealBreakfast or lunch plate$12–22
  • BeerDraught beer at the bar$7–10
  • Budget bedVillage rental house (up to 6), a night, per roomUS$250
  • Mid-range bedBear Valley Lodge room, a night, per roomUS$180
  • High-end bedBear Valley Lodge room, a night, per roomUS$275

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Bear Valley Mountain ResortHighway 4 and Ebbetts PassBear Valley Music Festival (August)Lake Alpine
Airports
SMF Sacramento International (About 2.5–3 h by car via SR 49 and SR 4; the usual gateway) · RNO Reno–Tahoe International (About 2.5–3 h via SR 88/SR 89 and Markleeville; check SR 4 over Ebbetts Pass, closed in winter)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    5°C (41°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    6°C (43°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    9°C (48°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

  5. May

    Avoid

    18°C (64°F)

  6. Jun

    not flagged

    24°C (75°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    18°C (64°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    10°C (50°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    5°C (41°F)

Best: Jul–Sep, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–May, Nov. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Bear Valley: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

5°C (41°F)

−7°C (19°F)

8 rd

Feb

6°C (43°F)

−7°C (19°F)

8 rd

Mar

9°C (48°F)

−4°C (25°F)

8 rd

Apr

13°C (55°F)

−1°C (30°F)

6 rd

May

18°C (64°F)

3°C (37°F)

4 rd

Jun

24°C (75°F)

7°C (45°F)

2 rd

Jul

28°C (82°F)

10°C (50°F)

1 rd

Aug

28°C (82°F)

10°C (50°F)

1 rd

Sep

24°C (75°F)

7°C (45°F)

2 rd

Oct

18°C (64°F)

2°C (36°F)

4 rd

Nov

10°C (50°F)

−3°C (27°F)

6 rd

Dec

5°C (41°F)

−7°C (19°F)

8 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

You need a car. SR 4 is the only road in, from Angels Camp and Arnold to the west and Markleeville to the east. In the village you park and walk; the resort base is a short drive or shuttle ride from the lodge. Winter storms close or chain-control SR 4 — carry chains and check Caltrans before you set off.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Lake Alpine

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Drive west on SR 4, about 20–25 min

Summer swimming, kayak rental and a short shoreline walk; the resort restaurant serves breakfast to dinner in season.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

go

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

Drive west on SR 4 through Arnold, about 1 h

Giant sequoia groves and easy trails; a half day.

Markleeville

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

Drive east on SR 4, about 45 min when the pass is open

Seasonal: Ebbetts Pass closes with snow, so this is a summer-only run.

Kirkwood, California

caution

Door to door: About 2 h

Drive via SR 4 and SR 88, about 1.5–2 h

Another ski hill, not a quick hop; only worth it with a car and a full day.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Bear Valley village (3 Bear Valley Rd)

The lodge, Creekside Dining Room and the bar are all here; walk to the lifts.

Lake Alpine

Cabins and tent cabins about 20–25 min west on SR 4; quieter, no lift access.

Arnold and Camp Connell

Down the hill, 45–60 min west; more beds, shops and restaurants if the village is full.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$90–150 excl. bed
Mid
$150–260 excl. bed
High
$260+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Bear Valley Lodge room1 × 2 nights × US$180US$360
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$170US$680
Lift ticket, one day2 × US$130US$260
Chains or cables1 × US$80US$80
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$25US$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$143
Trip total≈ US$393 per person per day, bed includedUS$1,573

Summer from about $85; winter and holidays higher (check)

2026 estimate in US dollars; lift tickets, gear and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$4–7
Breakfast or lunch plate$12–22
Dinner main, Creekside Dining Room$25–45
Draught beer at the bar$7–10
Lift ticket, one day$90–170 (check)
Petrol, per gallonMountain stations run higher.$4.50–5.50

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Low crime, high-consequence terrain: the real risks are winter driving on SR 4, avalanche and tree-well terrain off-piste, and altitude on your first day. Tell someone your plan; phone signal is unreliable.
  • SR 4 over Ebbetts Pass is closed by snow in winter; the east approach from Markleeville is seasonal.
  • Winter driving means chain controls: carry chains or cables that fit your tyres.
  • Cell coverage is patchy in the canyon and around Lake Alpine.
  • Book ski weekends and August festival dates early; beds in the village are few.
  • Altitude is around 2,100 m (7,000 ft) at the resort: pace the first day and drink water.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Caltrans road conditions
1-800-427-7623

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Bear ValleyBear Valley

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To 3 Bear Valley Rd, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Caltrans road conditions1-800-427-7623

Embassy

No consulates in Alpine County; nearest consulates-general are in San Francisco, embassies in Washington, DC.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • SMF → Bear Valley by car: about 2.5–3 h, 200 km (124 mi)
  • RNO → Bear Valley by car: about 2.5–3 h via Markleeville, summer only
  • Arnold → Bear Valley: about 45–60 min on SR 4

Say or show

  • Chain control ahead? — Where are the chains required?
  • Is SR 4 open over Ebbetts Pass? — Is the pass open?
  • One adult lift ticket, please — One lift ticket, please
  • Do you take card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest petrol?
  • Thanks — Thank you

Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bear Valley. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Dec–Mar for skiing; Jul–Sep for hiking, biking and the lake · avoid Nov and Apr–May (thin or closed snow, mud season); check SR 4 for winter closures · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for SMF and RNO: last legal departure times, chain-control rules, winter overnight rung.
  2. Walking cluster for the village: lodge, Creekside, Grizzly Lounge, Headwaters, lift base.
  3. Place pages with verified season dates and cutoffs (resort, Lake Alpine, Calaveras Big Trees) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Storm and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources