Bear Valley, CA – The northern Sierra’s Bear Valley Mountain has announced that it is opening the 2010-2011 season with 400 acres of new terrain, making it the seventh largest ski and snowboard resort in the state in terms of acreage.nThe new 400 acres of intermediate and advanced terrain are located on the sunny southern slope of the main ski area, accessible via the Kuma and Koala chairs, where skiers and riders will find challenging glades and chutes. Once at the bottom, a shuttle will drive them back to the chairlift at base lodge for another round. This is the only terrain expansion this winter at a California resort.
“Bear Valley continues its commitment to provide our guests with the best terrain, grooming and services in the Sierra. This season is no exception; we’ve pulled out all the stops to offer 400 new acres and 12 new trails that will provide intermediate and advanced skiers and riders with a new and exciting adventure,” said Jim Gentling, general manager of Bear Valley Mountain. “All summer long we’ve been busy getting Bear Valley ready for the winter, and our new acreage is going to make this one of our best seasons ever.”
The resort has decided to let its guests choose the name for the new acreage through an online contest. To enter, visit the contact section of the resort’s website www.bearvalley.com and fill out the form with suggestions. The winning entry will receive a 2010-2011 Bear Valley season pass. The contest deadline is Dec. 18
In other news from Bear Valley, the resort will host the second annual California Senior Winter Games, Mar. 11-13, 2011. Male and female sports enthusiasts 50 years old and up will have an opportunity to compete in this Olympic-style event that offers competition in downhill and cross-country skiing, boarding, snowshoeing and more. Competitors who want to hone their skills can begin practicing in one of the many clinics that will start at the resort in December.
Guests this season will also notice that the Village center and lodge have undergone a face lift with new exterior wood siding and upgrades to the entire block of rooms on the fourth floor of the Bear Valley Lodge. Each room will boast pillow top beds, down comforters, high thread count all-cotton sheets, new terrycloth towels, flat screen televisions and other luxury convenience items. The lodge will continue to serve guests complimentary continental breakfast daily.
Bear Valley has always offered helmets to kids 12 and under — free of charge — with their ski or snowboard lesson packages. New this year, in support of the spirit of a safer environment on the slopes, Bear Valley will require its staff to wear protective headgear whenever they head out to ski or snowboard. By enacting a staff-helmet safety policy, Bear Valley officials hope to set the standard and encourage all of its patrons and employees to reduce injuries.