Cross Country Skiing
With its heavy snowfalls, the Ebbetts Pass area is a Nordic skiers paradise. Legendary Snowshoe Thompson forged cross country trails over the mountains here during the Gold Rush era. Today Nordic trails lead off in a multitude of directions.
For those who prefer groomed roads, Spicer Reservoir Road and Highway 4 above Lake Alpine are great destinations. You will share these routes with snowmobilers. If you prefer groomed ski trails, the Bear Valley Cross Country Ski Area has miles of groomed trails along with cozy warming huts.
For the more adventurous who don't mind breaking trail, there are miles of logging roads to be explored by cross country skiers and snowshoers. And skiing or snowshoeing through the North Grove at Calaveras Big Trees State Park in the winter is an experience you will never forget.
Groomed Roads and Sno-Parks
Sno-Parks are parking areas maintained in the winter to allow people to park safely and pursue winter activities such as cross-county skiing or snowmobiling. They have pit toilets available. To use a Sno-Park you must have a permit. purchase a day permit for $15 or an annual pass (Nov. 1 - May 30) for $40. They are good at any California Sno-Park.
Passes can be purchased at Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods in Arnold, Sierra Nevada Adventure Co. in Arnold. In Bear Valley purchase your pass at Bear Valley Cross Country or Bear Valley Snowmobile. Permits may also be purchased online for an additional $1.95 at Sno-Park Permits.
Sno-Park Permit Vendors
Overnight parking is allowed unless posted otherwise. Vehicles parked overnight need to be staked at all 4 corners with 1x2 inch by 8-foot poles to prevent accidental damage by snow removal equipment.
Spicer Reservoir Road Sno-Park and Ski Trails
The Sno-Park is on Spicer Road just a quarter mile from Highway 4. Suggested activities there are cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, dog sledding, snow play, and snowmobiling. The groomed route follows the roads to Union and Utica reservoirs, Summit and Elephant Rock lakes, or the Spicer Reservoir Power House. Very experienced cross country skiers or snowshoers may try the un-groomed route along Slick Rock Road to access Lake Alpine. For a map of the area, see
Spicer Meadow Reservoir Area
Lake Alpine Sno-Park and Ski Trails
The Lake Alpine Sno-Park is at the end of the plowed section of Highway 4 near Lake Alpine. Upgrades for 2016 include an unloading area for snowmobiles, new restrooms, and a new parking area. Suggested activities there are cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, dog sledding, snow play, and snowmobiling. The road is usually groomed up to Ebbetts Pass. This route is very popular with snowmobilers on weekends. The trip to Lake Alpine begins with a gradual downhill slope that might prove challenging to beginning skiers. Beyond Lake Alpine the road climbs for several miles up to Mosquito Lakes. Walking on frozen lakes is unsafe.
Bear Valley Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Bear Valley Cross Country, known as Bear Valley Adventure Company in the summer, maintains a trail system which spreads over 3,000 acres in the meadow and hills across the highway from Bear Valley Village. Trails are groomed for track and skate skiing and snowshoeing.
Bear Valley Cross Country Trail Map
Besides the trails, they have a rental and demo facility, trailside warming huts, a waxing hut, kids' trails, a groomed downhill practice hill and a sledding and tubing area.
Peak Days Dec. 21, 2024 – Jan. 4, 2025; Jan. 18-20, 2025; Feb. 15-22, 2025
Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
(209) 753-2834
Bear Valley Cross Country
Bear Valley Adventure Co. Trail Passes, Rentals, and Lessons
Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Rentals
Sierra Nevada Adventure Company
Located in Arnold, SNAC rents cross country skis and snowshoes.
2293 Hwy 4, Arnold, CA
(209) 795-9310
Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
Sierra Nevada Adventure Company Winter Rentals
Sierra Nevada Adventure Co. also has a ski shop that will tune up and wax your skis.
Break Your Own Cross Country Trail
With so many logging roads leading off Highway 4, it is easy to find a pristine route for your party to explore. There's nothing to match the quiet and beauty of the forest in winter. Below are a few suggested places, some where others have gone before you, others you will likely find untouched since the last snowfall.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Exploring the North Grove on cross country skis or snowshoes is a wonderful experience. The beauty of the giant Sequoias in winter draws many others, but if you go early or on a weekday, you may find you have the woods to yourself. Besides the North Grove, there is a 3.5-mile cross country ski trail that loops up to the scenic overlook and back. See Calaveras Big Trees State Park Winter Trails Map.
Forest Road 6N58
No signs mark the turnoff to Forest Road 6N58, but it is the beginning of several great cross country ski routes, some mostly level, others with gentle hills. To find this spot drive 2.8 miles east from Camp Connell (or 1 mile east of Meko Dr.) to an intersection with forest roads on either side of the highway.
Park in a plowed-out area on either side. Road 6N58 is on the north side. After 100 yards you reach a T intersection. Go right (northeast) for a nice, fairly level route that parallels the highway for .8 miles. The road divides there. Take the uphill route to the left all the way to the top of the old Cottage Springs Ski Area (another 1.5 miles).
Going left (west) at the T intersection near where your car is parked will take you along road 5N58 up a long, climbing route through the forest that goes forever. It's a great downhill run back. Or for an option, stay on the road that parallels the highway heading west. It goes for miles, some of it downhill, with connecting roads back to the highway near Meko Drive.
Across the highway on the south side is a similar pair of roads. Follow the road south 100 yards and then choose left or right. Right (west) works its way downhill toward Sourgrass. Left (east) is almost level (gentle hills) all the way to the edge of the great mud slide of 1997 (1 mile). There the road ends abruptly.
Black Springs, Poison Springs, Cabbage Patch
All of these areas are launching spots onto unplowed dirt or gravel roads that lead into the back country north of Highway 4. Parking is often the key. You must be able to park completely off the pavement. After recent heavy snows, the turnouts are likely not available, but if you give the plows a day or two, they will open up places where you can get off the road.
Grover Hot Springs State Park
On the east side of Ebbetts Pass, Grover Hot Springs State Park is a great area for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The hot springs pool is open during the winter for a good soak after a morning ski. Check current conditions after the recent Tamarack Fire because some parts of the park may be closed: Grover Hot Springs State Park.
Lake Alpine Nordic Ski Patrol
The Lake Alpine Nordic Ski Patrol covers ski trails in the backcountry east of Bear Valley and around Lake Alpine. They are members of the National Ski Patrol and work under a volunteer agreement with the U. S. Forest Service.
They serve snowshoers and cross country skiers as needed with emergency first aid, information, maps, trail marking and maintenance, and assistance to other emergency responders.
Lake Alpine Nordic Ski Patrol
Back Country Safety
- Check with the Forest Service before heading out to be sure conditions are safe on the route you will be using.
- Always carry emergency supplies and a cell phone.
- Let a responsible person know where you are going and when you will be returning.
- Travel with at least one other person.
The Sierra Avalanche Center provides information about avalanche conditions in the Sierra from Yuba Pass in the north to Ebbetts Pass in the south. Visit their website at Sierra Avalanche Center.
The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Carson Ranger District Winter Recreation Guide was designed mostly for snowmobilers, but the map and the safety information are valuable for cross country skiers and snowshoers as well.
Snow Reports
For the latest conditions at
Bear Valley Mountain Ski Area:
Bear Valley Mountain Snow Report
Bear Valley Base Cam
Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods Equipment Rentals
925 Highway 4, Arnold (209) 795-1686 Open Tuesday through Saturday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Sundays 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Closed Mondays.
Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods Winter Rentals
$ per day. Must be returned by close of business for the day of rental. There are no 24-hour rentals. However, snowshoes may be rented for multiple days.