As dedicated skiers and boarders, we never want to see a good mountain shut down. With last year’s dismal season, there were two mountains teetering on the brink.
In June, Bear Valley laid off all of its staff and announced that plans for the resort were uncertain. Skier and rider days at Bear Valley were at about 57% of normal last season. If you have ever journied down to Bear Valley, on Highway 4 near Ebbetts Pass, you would notice that it’s pretty empty in a normal year. It must have been quite the ghost town last season.
Nonetheless, it’s still a great little mountain with some good sidecountry access that is easy to access from the Stockton area. It also supports a small but loyal local community of condo owners and assorted businesses that certainly would not survive a mountain closure. Last month, a local Alpine county website, ThePineTree.net, reported that Bear had until October 15th to submit an operation plan to the Forest Service.
Today, inside sources are reporting that a plan has been submitted and a decision has been made to operate Bear Valley this winter. There’s not much to go on other than a trusted source that works at a nearby ski area and frequents Bear Valley. We hope it all works out as some key managers and staff have already left.
When the snow flies and you’re looking for a different day of skiing and riding, take some time to head down to Bear Valley and let them know you appreciate their efforts. Now if we could just hear the same news about June Mountain….
Update: The Union Democrat is reporting this evening that Bear Valley will indeed open for the winter. You heard it here first. 🙂