Central California

[skier666]

If its open by Easter weekend, I'd fancy a Leavitt jaunt....but that's if my wife takes the kids to Florida

[Ottime]

^^^^ that sounds nice. I'll be hiding eggs in the back yard instead.

[~mikey b]

I think my source may not be so good.

my source is good - word on the highway (through the truck window) is that they are almost to the top - should be there Tuesday - plan is to get the road open by noon on Friday for Easter weekend - 4' along the road up high - get it while you can - I should have a definitive update Thursday afternoon

plan was to go to KW or BV or both but maybe better to just go to the Pass and camp and rage and ski with Krystal Kartwright and young Owen

[TBS]

plan was to go to KW or BV or both but maybe better to just go to the Pass and camp and rage and ski with Krystal Kartwright and young Owen

Or start your trip to Central OR earller...

[Ottime]

Dammit. I might need to carve out time Saturday for a day trip. I could use a good tour.

[~mikey b]

Or start your trip to Central OR earller...

That's a whole other trip. Solo. No family.


All are welcome here.

[~mikey b]

BV is on spring hours. Lift operation times for Monday April 14th thru Friday April 18th will be from 9am to 2:30pm. Polar Express is broken and will not reopen this season. Pooh closes at 2pm. Koala is open from 12-2:30pm. Normal lift times will be in effect for the closing weekend of April19th/20th.

I missed skiing this weekend due to a major tendonitis flare up in my right elbow and associated ulnar nerve compromise. Not fun. Feeling much better. BV tomorrow.

[CaliKid]

my source is good - word on the highway (through the truck window) is that they are almost to the top - should be there Tuesday - plan is to get the road open by noon on Friday for Easter weekend - 4' along the road up high - get it while you can - I should have a definitive update Thursday afternoon

Thanks for the pass update Mike. Probably try to make it over there on Sat if it opens.

[~mikey b]

Bear Valley Mtn Co-Op

Posted: Tuesday, April 15, 2014 6:00 am | Updated: 8:18 am, Tue Apr 15, 2014.

By Alicia Castro, Calaveras Enterprise

he Bear Valley Mountain Cooperative is now open for business.

The community cooperative hosted two informational meetings near the resort Saturday, April 12, when it announced the co-op is now accepting membership sign-ups and is also in the process of negotiating with the resort’s current ownership group.

“It’s an important nearby recreation destination,” said Steve Troyer, president of the co-op’s interim board. “Hopefully, folks will join us in investing in this business to make it successful.”

Until now, the cooperative has asked interested parties to register their intent to become shareholders. It garnered more than 500 responses from interested potential owners.

Now that the co-op’s legal requirements are complete, it can now begin collecting money and turning that expressed interest into actual membership, Troyer said.

“This is a key milestone, as it allows us to begin raising capital in support of our mission to preserve the unique characteristics of Bear Valley Mountain through community leadership and ownership,” he said.

Bear Valley Mountain Resort was purchased in 2005 with plans to revitalize the resort’s assets, which included a plan to install a chairlift connecting the ski area with the village. The plans are still in place, but the partnership since decided to put the mountain up for sale.

The co-op hopes to carry out those plans with individuals and businesses taking control of the resort. As it stands, membership shares are $2,500 each, which provides the owner with the right to vote, receive member benefits and voice opinions on how the mountain and village are operated.

The co-op currently has seven interim board members guiding the process, including Mike Wallenfels, who has owned a house in Bear Valley for four years. Since Saturday’s announcement, Wallenfels has already started transacting memberships.

“It’s very exciting to see how many people are coming in immediately to sign up for membership,” he said, adding that he could not yet disclose the current number of members signed up. “The momentum is starting, and we’ll be pushing the board out more to provide information that allows people to go in and make their own decisions about membership.”

The co-op is using Mad River Glen – a cooperative-owned resort in Vermont – as its guide for targeted membership acquisition, Wallenfels said.

Troyer said Mad River Glen initially acquired about 1,000 sign-ups in a nine-month period when it first started this alternative ownership model about 20 years ago. But Troyer believes Bear Valley may prove more immediately attractive to a greater number of shareholders.

“We’ve got a lot of community to pull from and we’ve got a bigger mountain,” Troyer said. “I think it’s very doable with the word spread.”

Troyer said the co-op hopes to line up 1,500 members, translating to $3.75 million, before the targeted purchase time this summer. The long-term membership goal is to gather up to 5,000 members for $12.5 million in capital.

Troyer said the interim board has been negotiating with the current ownership for about a week now, but no documents have been signed.

“The process is going fairly smoothly. Nobody is en-trenched in any one point,” he said. “We hope to sign the term sheet this week.”

Earlier this year, a number of potential buyers came through town and checked out the mountain. But Troyer said he isn’t aware of other active offers on the table.

“Before we finalize an actual acquisition of the mountain and village, membership will approve the package,” Wallenfels said. “We’ll communicate and be transparent in the forward-looking business model.”

He said the co-op remains open to backing down for other buyers should they be the right fit for the area. And in that case, co-op members would have their shares fully refunded.

“It all depends on who might be coming in. We would make decisions along the way,” Wallenfels said. “We want to be one of the avenues available. To date, we’re focusing on this as if it will happen.”

He added there is “some urgency, primarily around the time between now and the time we need to start working on mountain improvements and getting going on working on the resort.”

There is work to be done, but key players in the cooperative are excited about the progress thus far and optimistic about the upcoming ski season, regardless of whose name is on the deed.

“I’m told it’s El Niño next season, so we’re looking forward to having a good season next year,” Troyer said.

More information can be found at bvmcoop.org or the co-op’s Facebook page, Bear Valley Resort Community Ownership: Imagine the Possibilities.

Contact Alicia Castro at alicia@calaverasenterprise.com.

© 2014 Calaveras Enterprise. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[~mikey b]

'nother post to let folks know that there is now some action on UnofficialBearValley from Shecky.


Phil “Powderbear” Davis on the West Ridge, circa 1968

[~mikey b]

Creamy dreamy snow today at Bear.

Sonora Pass opening tomorrow at noon.

[Vets]

Ebbetts Pass is opened AND Bear Valley was also opened today at the same time (even though it was their last day of the season.)
This was the first time I was able to drive past Topaz Lake, over Monitor Pass and then over Ebbetts Pass to ski Bear Valley. The 59 mile trip only took an hour and a half. (This is much better for me than the 185 mile, 3 hour and 40 minute drive in the winter due to closures.)
I hadn't skied Bear in well over 10 years. I remember it being great on powder days.
Today I found out that it is also great for spring skiing. The mountain has so many different exposures.
Here is a photo from today:

Pretty good coverage for closing day after a below average winter.

This trip also gave me the opportunity to recon Ebbetts Pass ski possibilities.

The "Saddle Chute" on the east side of Ebbetts Pass:

(It is the diagonal chute seen on looker's left)
Looking across Kinney Reservoir:

A closer look a the lines on looker's left:

A closer look at the lines on looker's right:


I definitely plan to return later this week and/or month.

[~mikey b]

I thought I spotted you. Never seen you ski in pants. Skiing was good. Young Owen 2nd place under 12 Slush Cup.

I might be able to join you this week. I'll be going to Sonora Pass for sure a day or two.

[hopelesslyadolescent]

Beautiful day in Underwood Valley today. Went in through Horse and Round Valley, easy skinning the whole way. Like skiing three inches of powder on a groomer, smooth, easy, consistent, and great fun. Got mushy in the pm, but should be back into the corn cycle tomorrow. Sat looking good.

[~mikey b]

Headed thataway tomorrow

[~mikey b]

Ended up just doing a few laps at the area.

Maybe we can hook up next week John

[hopelesslyadolescent]

How was the snow, Mike? I can't get away during the week next week, but I'm heading back to Underwood Sat morning with some friends if you'd like to join us. NWS says possibly 13" at 7000', should be good.

[~mikey b]

Snow was ok. Headed to Kirkwood Sat with the family. Have fun!

[hopelesslyadolescent]

Kirkwood should be very good, too. Another time then.

[hopelesslyadolescent]

Ebbett's Pass is open again. Anyone been over it? Anyone check out how far you can drive into Pacific Valley (Bull Run Peak) or Highlands Lakes (Hirem and Folgers)? Observations on lines at the pass, or Tryon Peak?

[~mikey b]

Summer Solstice / Owen's birthday party here Sat June 21.

All are welcome.

Keg of IPA. Piñata. BBQ.

[hopelesslyadolescent]

Friend reported Tryon was good skiing, but the approach was difficult. Folger looks very good, but the road is blocked by snow at Hwy 4. Pacific Valley road also blocked by snow by Hwy 4.

[MtnRA]

Please take our Bear Valley Stakeholder Survey

[~mikey b]

bump bump

[hopelesslyadolescent]

Skied Bull Run Peak over the weekend. Bootpacked from Mosquito Lakes, skinned the second half of the hike. Snow on the peak and down to the upper meadow was surprisingly deep and smooth. Snowed hard for the last hour and a half of the hike out. Beautiful day.