You’ve heard about the skiing at Lake Tahoe or Mammoth, but one of the best ski or snowboard experiences you’ll ever have awaits you at Bear Valley, where the crowds are few, but the thrills are many.

While not on a par with Squaw Valley or Heavenly or other major California ski resorts, the Bear Valley ski area is still a prime candidate for a weekend or even an extended skiing vacation. As we discovered in early February, Bear Valley offers a surprisingly complete ski vacation experience – no frills, to be sure, but still rewarding and well worth the trip deep into the Sierra Nevada range.

If designer clothing stores, zillion-dollar condos, and Hollywood-style glitz are part of your criteria for a ski vacation, this ski area might not be the best choice. If wide-open ski runs, no lift lines and plenty of groomed snow are more important to you, then by all means give Bear Valley a try.

Coming originally from the Pacific Northwest, we could not help but compare Bear Valley to one of our favorite ski areas in Washington state – a place called Mission Ridge in a town named Wenatchee. The population in that part of the state is sparse compared with the big ski areas near Seattle, so Mission Ridge is able to offer wide-open skiing runs most days of the week.

Similarly, Bear Valley is less accessible than the many larger ski areas in the Lake Tahoe area. Bay area and Sacramento residents can drive Interstate 80 to the Tahoe area and find a selection of ski resorts a short distance off the interstate. To reach this ski area, you have to drive two-lane roads through the foothills and mountains for close to 100 miles.

But when you get there, most skiers and snowboarders will find it’s worth it. Our mid-week skiing was some of the best we’ve experienced – plenty of wide-open, groomed terrain perfect for intermediates and serviced by a number of lifts where there seemed to never be lines. It was ski down the run, get right on the chair and do it all again and again until just a few hours into our day we were growing exhausted. We probably skied in four hours what it would take us a full day to do at a resort with moderate lift lines.

There are no gondolas or high-speed quad chairlifts at Bear Valley, although there are 10 lifts altogether, mostly doubles and triples. About 1280 acres are available for skiing and snowboarding; some 100 acres are in an area where they can make snow – although at 7,750 feet, it’s likely Mother Nature will supply all the snow you need.

We mentioned the intermediate skiing because that’s our favorite – but rest assured this ski area has many black diamond or expert ski runs for those looking for more of a challenge. The day lodge is situated mid-mountain with lifts going both up the mountain to 8495 feet, and coming to the lodge from the lower part of the mountain. Most of the expert runs are located on the lower mountain.

The area’s day lodge also was wide open and easy to navigate. Instead of masses of people waiting in line to get their food and find a place to sit, we stepped right up and got our cooked-to-order Philly cheesesteak sandwiches in just a few minutes. And there was no shortage of menu options – lots of different types of food from sandwiches to Asian cuisine, from soups and salads to major meals.

But the Bear Valley experience is much more than a daytrip – or at least it should be given the time it takes to get to the ski area. For our trip we booked lodging at the Bear Valley Lodge, one of just a few hotel-type facilities near the mountain. Located about three miles from the mountain, the Bear Valley Lodge seems to be the hub of activity in the area and proved to be a good choice for accommodations. While showing some of its age – it was built in the 60’s – the lodge proved to be a comfortable, convenient base of operations. A ski shuttle bus will take you to the mountain, and you can even ski all the way back to the lodge.

When we say comfortable, we are not comparing the lodge to the high-end condos you find at most major ski resorts. The rooms at Bear Valley Lodge are more like a motel unit with two double beds a bath area and a TV/entertainment area that included HBO. But small touches – such as the bay window looking out onto the snowy landscape or the pine furniture – helped to make this feel much cozier than a motel room.

The four floors of rooms at the Bear Valley Lodge look out onto the Cathedral Lounge, a large open space in the middle of the lodge that offers guests a place to sit and read and enjoy the fire in the massive stone fireplace. Photos are mounted along the walls depicting the history of the lodge and Bear Valley ski area. Celebrities such as Spider Savich, Claudine Longet, Merv Griffin and several others are shown skiing or otherwise enjoying Bear Valley.

Adjacent to the lounge are several shops including an old-fashioned general store – with a deli to get quick sandwiches and soups – and a surprisingly complete ski shop with all of the latest ski equipment, clothing and accessories. But keep in mind this is not the type of resort where you can spend hours shopping when you’re not on the slopes; your down time here most likely will be spent in front of the fire reading a good book.

During our brief stay we dined in the lodge’s Grizzly Lounge – mainly because the other lodge restaurant, the Creekside Dining Room, was closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The lounge food was good and included a few menu items from the Creekside. We did learn that the Creekside has recently employed a well-educated and accomplished chef that has proven both creative and popular with guests – so we were disappointed we didn’t get a chance to sample the Creekside cuisine.

We also enjoyed a meal down at BaseCamp, a lodge that is just a short walk from the Bear Valley Lodge and the only other hotel-style lodging this close to the ski area. We enjoyed our meal at BaseCamp where we got to know an English waitress who had come to Bear Valley simply because the skiing is so good. The BaseCamp, incidentally, offers the lowest cost rooms in the area with “bathroom down the hall.”

There are also condo and cabin rentals available in the Bear Valley area, as well as the Tamarack Lodge further west on Highway 4. Prices in general will be less at BaseCamp, moderate at the Bear Valley Lodge and Tamarack, and more when you rent an entire vacation home.

While in the area, there are several small towns and attractions that are worth a stop if you have the time. To reach Bear Valley in winter, you’ll be traveling through the historical town of Angel’s Camp and then a similar but smaller Gold Rush town called Murphys.

But our suggestion would be to allow plenty of time for skiing. You’ll want to ski or board Bear Valley just as long as the weather – and your legs – will hold out.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: Bear Valley Ski Resort is on Highway 4, about 52 miles from the foothills town of Angel’s Camp, and 130 miles from Sacramento.

WHAT: Bear Valley is a throwback to skiing in the ’60’s and ’70’s – no high-speed quads or gondolas but lots of wide open groomed terrain in a gorgeous setting.

WHEN: Winter always means where is lots of snow for skiing as well as many other snow sports; the area also is a popular summer recreation area with numerous lakes, hiking trails and a pristine forest.

WHY: It’s refreshing to ski where there are no lift lines and little pretense – most of the “beautiful people” went to Colorado; the home-growns stayed here. Economically, this ski vacation is quite affordable.

HOW: For more information on Bear Valley Ski Resort, phone (209) 753-2301 or visit www.bearvalley.com. For more information on Bear Valley Lodge, phone (209) 753-2325 or visit www.bearvalleylodge.com.

By: Cary Ordway

About the Author:

Many types of catered holidays can help you enjoy your time off, be together with your family, and have a wonderful time. Catered skiing holidays can be great fun for you and your loved ones. However, when you are going on catered skiing holidays, there are several things that you must plan for ahead of time. These things include flights to get you to your destination, the accommodation that you choose to stay in when you are there, and transportation such as rail services and car hire services. All these things are important items to consider as you begin planning your skiing holidays.

Choosing A Destination

The first thing to remember when you are planning skiing holidays is the importance of the destination. There are many great ski slopes all over Europe, and lots of these places offer anywhere from a weekend to a week or more of skiing fun. Many resorts provide skiing holidays in mountain areas that are some of the most beautiful in the world. However, there are several questions that you need to ask before you choose the best place for your skiing holidays.

The first things you need to focus on while choosing skiing holidays are how long you are going to be there, the number of people who are going, and their ages. These are probably the most important factors in deciding where to take your skiing holidays. The length of your skiing holiday will have a lot to do with the destination that you choose. If you are only going for the weekend or a couple of days, you can find a remote and beautiful place to go to for your skiing holiday. If your trip is short, your focus will be on skiing, and it won’t matter if there are not very many amenities or family things to do. The other attractions that might be in the area won’t be as important as the family ski resort itself. You want to choose a ski resort that will allow you to do as much skiing as possible in the short time you have for your holiday.

If your skiing holiday is going to be longer than a few days, the location and amenities of the place that you choose for these skiing holidays are both very important. When you are going to take a ski holiday that lasts longer than just a few days, the other things that you can find to do become much more vital to you. For a long trip, you will need other things to do, no matter how much you love skiing. You will need to make sure that you choose skiing holidays at places that have restaurants, shopping districts, entertainment, and other activities. These will allow you to take a break from skiing, and make your skiing holidays more enjoyable overall.

The ages of the people going on your skiing holidays are also very important. If you are going on skiing holidays with your children, you need to choose places that have ski lessons for children, and fun activities for them as well. With your children along, you also want to research the safety of the ski resort even more thoroughly than you otherwise would. Remember again, that with children, you are going to want to pick your skiing holiday locations where there are lots of things for them to do besides skiing.

Getting There

Once you have chosen a place for your skiing holidays, you have to decide on the best way to get there. The travelling that is involved often costs more than the actual skiing. However, there are many deals on flights and packages to various destinations for skiing holidays, if you know where to look. If you can save money on airline flights, you will have more money to spend on your skiing holidays.

The accommodation that you choose is also an important part of planning family skiing holidays. Whether you stay on the actual site of the family resort, or somewhere near the slopes, you want to be able to get there easily each day to ski. Remember, if you are staying at the place where you are skiing, it might be more expensive. However, your ski slope fees will usually be included. If you find an accommodation that is much cheaper than the resort, but where skiing is nearby, you might find this to be less expensive, but you probably will have to pay for the ski slope fees.

There are other things to consider as you plan your skiing holidays. Things like rail services that can get you to your destination, and whether or not you want to do a car hire are all decisions that you have to make before you leave on your trip. You will find that if you take the time to plan your skiing holidays before you go, you will be able to relax and enjoy them much more.

By: Mandy Chagger

About the Author:

Located about two hours from Vancouver – Whistler is perhaps the first destination that comes into the mind when you are thinking of a wonderful ski holiday. Along with a range of other activities such as canoeing, kayaking, fishing, snowboarding, ice skating, swimming, snowmobiling, and rafting – Whistler offers excellent options for an enjoyable ski holiday.

With its majestic Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, each scaling a 7,000′, Whistler is the biggest as well as the most exceptional ski destinations in North America. Both of these mountains together provide more than 8000 acres of skiable terrain as well as over 200 marked trail in order to ski in.

Popular among the trails are the Lost Lake with more than 25 km of classic as well as groomed corduroy trails winding through some of the incredible golf courses in the area; the Davies Dervish – a thrilling double black diamond mogul run; and the seven mile long Burnt Stew.

Whistler Mountains are also home to some of the most advanced high speed lift systems, apart from three amazing glaciers and 12 superb alpine bowls, all of which collectively serve as a perfect base for a great skiing. In addition to skiing in Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, skiing in Whistler village – an alpine style center divided into five amazing areas – is also enthralling.

Perhaps for these reasons, Whistler has been chosen to host such international competitions as the 2010 Winter Olympics Games. In addition, many of the prestigious ski publications have rated Whistler as number one ski resort in North America.

Whistler provides excellent choices for all types of skiing such as alpine skiing, free ride skiing, cross country skiing, and free style skiing. Alpine skiing, or downhill skiing, involves sloping down the densely packed ski trails.

In free ride skiing, also known as off piste skiing, you float through the powdered snow as well as cut through the roughest conditions. However, it is recommended for skiers with advanced abilities. A subset of the Nordic skiing sport – cross country skiing is both easy and fun when compared to other skiing type. Free style skiing is mostly designed for a specific style of skiing.

For adventurers, this ski resort has fantastic options in the form of guided heli skiing and heli snowboarding. Heli skiing is usually performed on more than 14000 ft snow-covered peaks, which in turn is a great way to explore the unrivalled beauty of the high alpine terrain. As in the case of normal skiing, Whistler provides choices to enjoy different types of heli skiing including powder heli skiing, Big Mountain heli skiing, and mini golf heli skiing.

One of the prime specialties of this fabulous skiing destination is that it has superb alternatives to skiing freaks of all abilities, no matter you are a beginner or an old hand. A plethora of schools exclusively designed for skiing operate here to cater ski enthusiast of every level and need. This in turn allows you to ski through the enchanting forest and powdered snow in the area. Many of them offer specialist lessons such as bumps classes, women-only classes, and classes exclusively for off piste skiing.

Additionally, specialties cover skiing adventure programs, special programs for teens, and family zone. There are also ski schools providing specialized classes for kids aged between 3-4 years. Apart from these, a licensed facility functions here to provide skiing classes for kids aged 3 months to 36 months. In addition, these schools tailor the lessons according to the requirements of the skiers.

With these enjoyable skiing options amid dramatic scenery and spectacular views, it is no wonder why more than two million visitors from across the world flock to Whistler every year.

Accommodation is aplenty in this skiing destination, with a continuum of ski chalets to suit any taste and budget. There are also excellent ski resorts as well as hotels in the area. In order to make your ski holiday comfortable and pleasurable, many of them even provide packages covering everything from accommodation and food to ski equipments and service of expert staff. Also, many of them are located within the easy reach of the lifts. Some of them even offer discounts for some kind of packages. Above all, many of them provide choices to make bookings online.

By: Wolfgang Jaegel

About the Author:

If you are new to skiing, the whole idea of going on a ski holiday can be quite daunting. On a number of occasions I have seen people who have never skied before worry about things which just aren’t true. So, here I expose the top 10 ski myths:

1. A skiing holiday has to be expensive

Things have changed in the world of skiing – no longer is it an elite sport for the rich. It is quite possible to take a family of beginners skiing and for it not to break the bank. How?

- Go self catered. Self catered ski accommodation is often excellent and doesn’t cost very much per head. You can also choose to squeeze more people in on sofa beds to bring the price down even more. Don’t book via large tour operators – go directly to local estate agents or independent property suppliers.

- Drive. With four people in a car, and if travelling to areas in the Northern Alps, driving is a very cost effective way of getting to a ski resort. – Try and avoid the main school holidays (Christmas, New Year, Half Term) if at all possible.

- Keep an eye on when budget airlines release their flights and book early!

- You don’t need to go to the world’s biggest ski area if you are beginners. Go to a smaller resort where you will find everything in resort (lift pass, ski hire etc) to be a lot cheaper.

2. Skiing is dangerous

Although skiing does involve travelling downhill on planks of wood without any breaks, the vast majority of skiers who learn to ski with instructors and ski within their limits will have a happy lifetime of incident free skiing. Yes accidents do sometimes happen, but more often than not ski related accidents are less to do with the actual skiing and more to do with amounts of alcohol consumed and not taking care on icy surfaces etc. If you learn to ski properly, you will also learn to ski safely.

3. The weather is cold and horrible when skiing

Well, yes, the weather is usually cold. And sometimes it can be snowing. That is a fact about holidaying in the mountains in winter. However, when the sun comes out in the mountains there is nothing like it. Alpine sunshine, clear blue skies and temperatures of -5 degrees can certainly feel a lot warmer than a UK winter day when the temperature might be 10 degrees. That is why people come back from ski holidays with sun tans!

4. I won’t understand what the ski instructor tells me

Gone are the days when your only choice of ski instructor would be a moustachioed instructor who’s only English was “Bend ze Knees”. Now there are many progressive English speaking ski schools and independent instructors, indeed there are many excellent British instructors working out in the Alps.

5. If I don’t enjoy the skiing, my holiday will be rubbish

If for any reason you don’t get on with the skiing side of a skiing holiday, wintering in the Alps is still an excellent experience. Most resorts have plenty of non skiing activities on offer such as dog sledding, snow shoeing, thermal springs, ice diving, para gliding. Plus many alpine resorts are very picturesque and so sightseeing and shopping aren’t out of the question.

6. Because of global warming, there won’t be much snow

It is true that global warming was blamed for the bad winter of 06/07 in the European Alps. However, this was down mostly to lazy journalists not researching their facts properly. The bad winter that year was down to the weather, and not the climate. Plus, the skiing wasn’t actually bad – it just wasn’t as good as it could have been.

The last few years have seen some of the best winters for skiing on record. Global warming MAY start to affect European skiing over the next 50 years, but at the moment there is no real evidence that it has started.

7. It is a lot of hassle on a ski holiday

It doesn’t have to be any hassle. You can opt for a catered chalet holiday where all you need to do is get yourself to the airport. The rest is taken care of by the chalet hosts. You are picked up at the airport and taken to your chalet, they arrange your lift passes and ski hire, they cook for you, they clean for you and they take you to the slopes every day. Where is the hassle in that?

8. My kids will have problems in French speaking creche/ski schools

Like the point about ski instruction, things have changed a lot in the world of Alpine childcare. Creches and kids’ ski school usually have English speaking staff, and it is not unusual to find a number of British kids in classes during the school holidays. Teaching your kids to ski at a young age is one of the greatest gifts you can give them!

9. I don’t like mountain food

Nowadays, eating out in ski resorts isn’t all about cheese and ham (although there is plenty of that on offer for those who look forward to their annual fondue or raclette). Most resorts now sport a wide variety of restaurants – some with real cosmopolitan ambiance and menus. And if you don’t want to eat out every night, a trip to the local supermarket will reveal that the gap between French and British food shopping has narrowed considerably over the last few years.

10. I can’t take a baby skiing

Nearly all ski resorts have excellent creche/nanny facilities. And for those people who worry about the cold/altitude etc, don’t forget that babies are born in the mountains every year and they do OK!

Hopefully the above will help to dispel the main worries of a nervous first time skier. And if you never try it, you might never know what you are missing!

By: Edward Ockelton

About the Author:

Val d’Isère is one of the most exciting winter destinations in the Alps and offers visitors a combination of top class skiing, lively après ski and upmarket boutiques while still retaining an authentic Alpine village atmosphere. As a result, it has come to be recognised as one of the world’s top ski destinations and is a firm favourite with ski enthusiasts, families and thrill seekers alike. It has also become a popular destination for celebrities – Hugh Grant, Cameron Diaz, Bono and Kylie Minogue have all been spotted there in recent years!

Now in its sixth year, Highlife creates bespoke ski chalet holidays, catering superbly for singles, couples, groups or families. The Highlife concept and the reason that guests return again and again lies in the combination of exceptional service and excellent facilities that every Highlife holiday offers.

Signature finishing touches to Highlife’s award-winning programme include cosy log fires and super ski detox facilities with outdoor hot tubs, saunas and Jacuzzis. Every Highlife guest also savours delicious food & excellent wines as each stunning ski chalet comes with its own talented chef and hosts.

Simon Egan, co-founder and Director of Highlife says, “Our decision to expand to Val d’Isère has come about as a result of feedback from our customers, many of whom are keen to visit this fantastic resort. The skiing in Val d’Isère is among the best available anywhere in the world, so we are very excited to offer our guests the chance to experience it with Highlife.”

Highlife’s award-winning ski holidays are available at a lead-in price of €940 for a catered week in January 2008. This price includes direct scheduled Aer Lingus flights from Dublin, private transfers in 8-seater mini-coaches, chalet accommodation with ski detox facilities and delicious food & wine, a range of exciting ‘Snowtime’ programmes and excellent value for money. Generous child discounts are available throughout the season.

Full details on Highlife’s exclusive range of ski chalet holidays in France can be found at www.highlife.ie. The company can be contacted on +353 1 677 1100 and by email at info@highlife.ie

By: Highlife Ski & Snowboard

About the Author:

Highlife is delighted to offer you a unique opportunity which brings together world-class 3 Valleys skiing with a refreshing yoga programme. Combining the best of skiing in the magnificent French Alps with the effective and thoughtful courses of Irish company Sunrise Yoga, this excellent holiday is designed to be as flexible as its participants!

The exciting programme gives you the perfect mix of the finest skiing and the most relaxing yoga at Highlife’s Chalet Amelie in Méribel. Start each day with an invigorating morning yoga class, followed by a wholesome breakfast, which includes cereals, porridge, French pastries, smoothies, yoghurts, fresh fruit, juices, tea & coffee, and a range of hot options including a Chef’s Special every morning. You can relax over your breakfast indoors or enjoy the crisp morning mountain air with your muesli (breathing deeply!), out on your private sundeck.

To ensure you enjoy a great week on the slopes, ski lessons or exclusive ski guiding with experienced Highlife guides is arranged each day. A second restorative yoga class awaits on your return from the slopes to help ease any tired muscles, as will a wind down in your Jacuzzi. The evening continues with your private chef preparing a delicious three course meal which you can enjoy with a range of carefully selected French wines and, of course, Highlife chefs are happy to provide excellent vegetarian and vegan options.

Sunrise Yoga teacher Caragh Egan will lead the yoga classes, offering a very special holiday combination for yoga lovers and novices, as well as practiced skiers and beginners alike. So relax and ski, all you yogis and yoginis – whichever combination suits you, Highlife has the perfect holiday!

Full details on Highlife’s exclusive range of Ski Holidays in France can be found at www.highlife.ie. The company can be contacted on +353 1 677 1100 and by email at info@highlife.ie.

By: Highlife Ski & Snowboard

About the Author: