BEAR VALLEY, CA--(Marketwire - November 13, 2008) - Bear Valley Mountain, the Central Sierra's
premier family skiing and riding location, today announced upgrades and new
product plans for the 2008-09 season. Continuing with the theme "You Belong
at Bear," opening day guests will be greeted with significant improvements
to the 9-lift, 1,280-acre resort that will enhance the family experience
for skiers and riders of all ages and skill levels. Among the improvements
added during the off-season were expanded facilities that streamline the
rental, lift ticket and lesson purchasing process, a $100,000 investment in
terrain parks with new features, snowcat access to pristine chutes and
bowls, improved snow-making capabilities and new family-oriented activities
and programs.
Improved facilities and new family programs aren't the only reason you
belong at Bear. Bear Valley is conveniently located at the east end of
well-maintained National Scenic Byway Highway 4, making it the
closest-to-home resort for enthusiasts from the Central Valley to the
Coast. With just one tank of gas and about three hours of drive time,
skiers and riders can enjoy Bear Valley's awesome terrain, from the
smoothest of cruisers to the steepest of chutes.
"Our team spent the off-season upgrading and expanding our facilities,
adding more programs for the family, completing slope maintenance
improvements and making a significant investment in our terrain parks. The
changes will make the skiing and riding experience more enjoyable for every
member of the family by providing a wider selection of services and
activities to skiers and riders of all ages and skill levels," said Bear
Valley Resorts CEO Martin Wegenstein. "Family-focused additions, easy
access from all points of Northern California and an intimate sense of
belonging are why I like to say, 'Gemuetlichkeit,' when I describe Bear
Valley." (Gemuetlichkeit [ge-moot-li-kite] is a German word meaning a place
of belonging.)
This season, the added conveniences and programs designed to entertain the
whole family include:
-- New Snow Sports Learning Center -- Enjoy a quick and easy one-stop
location for lessons, rental equipment, lift tickets, and age-appropriate
ski and snow play programs.
-- Snow Play program -- Take advantage of fun activities and an
introduction to snow sports for kids ages 3 to 6; half-day and all-day
options available.
-- New Backcountry Snowcat Tours-- This option pairs awesome snow
conditions with advanced skiers and riders for an unparalleled experience
of Sierra Powder and spring skiing on pristine backcountry terrain.
-- Increased snow-making fleet -- State-of-the-art SMI snow-making guns
offer energy-efficient, high-flow technology capable of covering more than
100-acres of terrain.
-- Remodeled Childcare Area -- An attractive center for parents and
childcare providers offers a comfortable place to entertain and care for
the little tykes who aren't quite ready to hit the slopes.
-- Mountain/Meadow Combo Season Pass -- This pass gives you access to
unlimited downhill or cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails any day of
the season!
-- Lesson Reservation Center -- Staffed seven days a week, the new call
center allows families to speak with a live lesson specialist and book
lessons in advance.
-- Terrain Park Features -- Investing nearly $100,000 in terrain park
enhancements, including a dedicated terrain park cat and crew to build two
brand new parks, introducing a variety of new features for riders of all
levels.
-- Visual Communications -- New plasma television screens throughout the
lodge provide guests with a 360-degree view of Bear Valley's services,
activities and events through informative and fun content to make the Bear
Valley experience even more enjoyable.
-- Sound System -- Now guests can listen to a new sound system around the
lodge to enjoy their favorite tunes as they savor the Sierras.
Remodeled Lower Level Creates Family Lesson and Rental centers
To better accommodate families, Bear Valley has remodeled the entire guest
area of the lower lodge to provide streamlined access to rental equipment,
lift tickets, lessons and age-specific child activities. The new design
creates two major new facilities: the Rental Center and the Snow Sports
Learning Center. While both centers house ski rentals, snowboard rentals
and tickets for the whole family, each location specializes in a particular
area:
-- The Rental Center combines ski and snowboard rentals with tickets and
group lessons, but can also outfit enthusiasts with state-of-the-art demo
equipment.
-- The Snow Sports Learning Center offers both ski and snowboard rentals
and is focused on servicing guests of all ages that would like to add a
lesson to their day, including private, group lessons or snow play.
"The goal of the new Rental and Snow Sports Learning centers is to make the
preparation process fast and easy for guests with one-stop shops where they
can stay together as they get ready to enjoy a wide range of mountain
activities," said Bear Valley Mountain's General Manager, Jim Gentling.
"Guests asked us to consolidate these services and we're excited to deliver
on that request with not one, but two all-in-one centers. No matter which
area you start in, the new design and process will allow families to stay
together while quickly getting through the preparation process."
Snow Play Program
Cubs between the ages of 3 and 6 who are not quite ready for the slopes can
participate in the Snow Play program, which introduces kids to the fun of
snow sports in a safe and active environment. Program leaders keep the kids
busy both in the playroom and outdoors in a private area on the snow where
they get to experience the excitement of playing in the snow while being
gently introduced to ski equipment, safety and having fun with kids their
own age. Lunch and snacks are included.
"Our guests are excited to have their little ones introduced to the fun of
snow sports while the older kids and adults are enjoying the slopes," said
Mike Young, Bear Valley Mountain's director of snow sports programs. "Our
Snow Play program provides activities that keep kids active in a supervised
environment. The excellent instructor-to-child ratio ensures that all
participants get the attention they deserve and need."
Snowcat Tours
This season, skiers and riders aching for affordable access to pristine
terrain and secret stashes now have a new option -- Bear Valley's new
Snowcat Tours program The 14-passenger snowcat will transport a select few
to untouched terrain offering access to the best untracked powder on the
mountain. This program is for advanced and expert skiers and riders only!
"Bear Valley Mountain has teamed up with Mountain Adventure Seminars to
launch a new backcountry program that will give advanced skiers and riders
access to the best snow conditions on the mountain as selected by our
guides and ski patrol teams," said Mattly Trent, Bear Valley Mountain's
director of snow safety. "This experience promises to be an unforgettable
ride and is guaranteed to be one of the best trips you'll have on a slope
this season."
During the season, the snowcat may run before, during and after regular
lift hours, taking skiers to different locations. Runs will vary depending
on snowfall and conditions.
In addition to providing backcountry access, the snowcat will also shuttle
guests to different spots on the mountain for activities like Easter Sunday
services atop Koala and to assist in other mountain operations.
Increased Snow-Making Fleet
Bear Valley Mountain added further upgrades to its winter arsenal in order
to produce more snow early in the season. The resort has enhanced its
snow-making fleet with 10 new SMI state-of-the-art, high-volume, Pole Cat
snow-making guns that specialize in producing larger quantities of snow at
warmer temperatures, enabling the resort to reduce the property's carbon
footprint. Bear Valley's highly efficient
snow-making guns are at different locations on the mountain, positioned to
cover up to 100 acres of skiable terrain. The primary runs the guns will
support include Mokolumne West, Ego Alley, Rodeo, Cub Meadow, Lodge Run,
Grouse Connection and West World.
"We would be thrilled to have Mother Nature give us a healthy and early
dumping of sweet Sierra powder and never have to start a single gun," said
Bear Valley Slope Operations Manager Dave Hager. "However, if needed, these
new top-performing guns combined with cool temperatures will ensure that
Bear Valley's loyal guests can access terrain while we wait for the
precipitation levels to increase."
Remodeled Childcare Area
The remodeled childcare area, located upstairs in the main lodge, provides
parents and childcare providers with a comfortable place to entertain and
take care of little ones in a safe and fun environment. Equipped with arts,
crafts, toys, games and a library of kids' books and movies, this area is a
great place to spend time with little ones. Parents desiring childcare can
bring their own sitters or connect with independent local sitters through
Bear Valley's main office.
Lesson Reservation Center
Bear Valley has added a new lesson reservation center to its
family-friendly lineup. The Bear Valley reservation center will be staffed
with live lesson reservation experts to help book ski and snowboarding
lessons in advance. Upon arrival, guests will enjoy a special express
window, where all lesson tickets, forms and lift tickets will be preprinted
and ready for pickup, ensuring the whole family enjoys the convenience of
advanced reservations.
Terrain Features
Under the direction of Bear Valley's new Director of Mountain Operations,
Jon Mahanna, and former pro freestyler Mike Schimke, skiers and riders will
find a new terrain park landscape at Bear Valley this season. The new
terrain park on Westworld is geared toward intermediate to advanced riders
and a new beginner progression park will be added near the base of the
mountain.
"We're focused on building a premier family resort and the parks are an
important element to ensure we provide an excellent experience for the
entire family, regardless of their age or ability," said Mahanna. "We're
investing $100,000 in our parks, including a dedicated terrain park cat, a
new crew, and an increased number of features."
The name of the new park on Westworld will be up for grabs as Bear Valley
opens the naming to guests in an online contest -- so get those creative
juices flowing!
Communications System
Since the new ownership took over Bear Valley in 2005, the improvements and
changes on the mountain and in the village have come fast and frequent.
This season, patrons visiting the main lodge area will benefit from new
plasma TVs that provide information on upcoming events and developments,
local services, weather conditions and informative tips to aide guests in
making the most of their visit to the Bear Valley area.
Since the new ownership took over Bear Valley in 2005, the improvements and
changes on the mountain and in the village have come fast and frequent.
This season, patrons visiting the main lodge area will benefit from new
plasma TVs that provide information on upcoming events and developments,
local services, weather conditions and informative tips to aide guests in
making the most of their visit to the Bear Valley area.
Sound System
Bear Valley visitors will enjoy listening to a variety of music genres
while relaxing and taking breaks around the main lodge. The new sound
system makes the musical listening experience better than ever.
2008-09 Hours
From opening day through the spring, Bear Valley's lifts will operate from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on
Saturdays and Sundays. Resort dining opens one hour before lift access and
lesson and rental services open 30 minutes prior to lift opening.
For general information about Bear Valley Mountain, call 209-753-2301 ext
0. For snow and weather information, select ext. 2. For more information on
the redevelopment plans for Bear Valley, visit
www.bearvalley.com.
About Bear Valley
Conveniently located on National Scenic Byway Highway 4 in the Central
Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, Bear Valley Mountain is the
premier year-round family skiing and boarding location. The area boasts
1,280 acres of varied terrain, more than 67 runs and two terrain parks,
1,900 vertical feet and 30 feet of average annual snowfall. More
information is available at
www.bearvalley.com.
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