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 NEW Electric EGB2 mirror extra lens mens wide angle ski snowboard goggles 2012 $77.99 Time Remaining: 24d 18h 10m Buy It Now for only: $77.99 |
 Head MOJO 18 X Wide 97 ski bindings White Multi $19.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 25m |
 Salomon B90 Wide Ski Brakes $23.95 Time Remaining: 23d 3h 27m Buy It Now for only: $23.95 |
 Head Mojo 12 Wide Ski Bindings2012 97mm MSRP 240 New in Box $139.99 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 34m Buy It Now for only: $139.99 |
 2011 Coreupt Candid Pow 186 Skis W Coreupt DLD 15 Wide Bindings $299.99 Time Remaining: 5d 5h 59m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 |
 Look PX 12 Wide Ski Binding With 100mm Brake 2012 $199.95 Time Remaining: 25d 20h 11m Buy It Now for only: $199.95 |
 NEW Roxy Look Nx 10 Jib Wide freestyle ski bindings 10 $94.99 Time Remaining: 2d 7h Buy It Now for only: $94.99 |
 2011 Coreupt Born To Drop 187 Skis W Coreupt PX 15 XXL Wide Bindings $399.99 Time Remaining: 5h Buy It Now for only: $399.99 |
 New Lange Mens RS 110 Wide Ski Boots 2012 $325.00 Time Remaining: 20d 17h 44m Buy It Now for only: $325.00 |
 Look Px Racing 15 Fs Wide Ski Bindings Brushed Black 100mm $212.95 Time Remaining: 21d 7h 16m Buy It Now for only: $212.95 |
 1pcs Wind Stopper Face Mask For Bike Bicyle Cycling Motor Sports Ski Snowboard $3.99 Time Remaining: 13d 14h 24m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 |
 New Look PX10 Wide Ski Bindings 2012 Size 100mm $125.00 Time Remaining: 20d 17h 44m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 |
 VINTAGE WOODEN SKIS MAPLE LUND 6548 POINTY TIPS 74 1 2 length 3 wide $149.95 Time Remaining: 25d 1h 39m Buy It Now for only: $149.95 |
 Head Mojo 12 Wide Ski Bindings Matt Black Silver $179.95 Time Remaining: 21d 8h 36m Buy It Now for only: $179.95 |
 2011 Coreupt Adrien Coirier 191 Skis W Coreupt PX 15 Wide Bindings $299.99 Time Remaining: 27d 1h 50m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 |
 2011 Atomic Patent 184 Skis With Head Mojo 15 97mm Wide Bindings $299.99 Time Remaining: 20d 5h 4m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 |
 Roxy Abracadabra 115cm 08 09 Skis w Roxy T4 Girl Wide $149.99 Time Remaining: 7d 4h 15m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
 Rossignol SAS2 140 Wide Ski Bindings $198.95 Time Remaining: 14d 6h 11m Buy It Now for only: $198.95 |
 Tyrolia Peak 12 Wide Ski Bindings 97mm Mens Sz 97mm $150.95 Time Remaining: 18d 3h 57m Buy It Now for only: $150.95 |
 LANGE RS 110 WIDE SKI BOOTS SPEED BLUE Size 285 2012 MSRP 650 $375.00 Time Remaining: 11d 21h 7m Buy It Now for only: $375.00 |
 Alfa XC Ski Boots NNN size 38 rare wide damaged but good $4.45 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 5m Buy It Now for only: $4.45 |
 NIB SNOW Boards Ski BLADES MINI SKIS Bindings 99 cm Atlantis Streak Wide Blem $99.99 Time Remaining: 9d 19h 6m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 Dynastar PX Racing 15 Wide Ski Bindings 100mm $212.95 Time Remaining: 2d 4h 16m Buy It Now for only: $212.95 |
 ROSSIGNOL SAS2 200 WIDE XXL Ski Bindings NIB P9230 $399.00 Time Remaining: 15d 1h 56m Buy It Now for only: $399.00 |
 SKIS Atomic Atlas Powder Woodcore Wide Big Mountain Flat Ski 182cm 2012 $520.00 Time Remaining: 5d 17h 2m Buy It Now for only: $520.00 |
 Rossignol Kira Womens Ski Boots Black Assorted Sizes Wide Big Discount $179.00 Time Remaining: 9d 2h 14m Buy It Now for only: $179.00 |
 Dynastar 6th Sense Big 186cm 2010 Skis w PX 12 Jib Wide $399.99 Time Remaining: 25d 10h 45m Buy It Now for only: $399.99 |
 Dynastar 6th Sense Distorter 173cm 09 10 Skis w PX Racing 15 Wide $369.99 Time Remaining: 15d 20h 28m Buy It Now for only: $369.99 |
 Head MOJO 15 Wide 97 ski bindings White Multi $20.00 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 25m |
 Roll of UVEX Elastic 99 Yards x 1 1 2 Wide Skiing Snowboard Goggles Eyewear $19.95 Time Remaining: 22d 18h 59m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 NEW G3 Alpinist Climbing Skins 130mm Wide Size Medium 170 180cm ski AT randonee $139.95 Time Remaining: 17d 16h 41m Buy It Now for only: $139.95 |
 New 2012 Lange RS 110 wide Ski Boots 275 $549.00 Time Remaining: 11d 18h 54m Buy It Now for only: $549.00 |
 2011 Volkl Kuro 175cm Skis w Marker Griffon 12 132mm wide brake Bindings $599.99 Time Remaining: 3d 23h 36m Buy It Now for only: $599.99 |
 Head Mojo 12 Wide Ski Bindings Matte Black Silver 97mm Mens Sz 97mm $150.95 Time Remaining: 17d 22h 41m Buy It Now for only: $150.95 |
 EDSBYN MADE IN SWEDEN SKIS 215 CM 82 3 4 INCHES LONG 2 INCHES WIDE WITH POLES $29.95 Time Remaining: 6d 3h 18m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
 New Dynastar Rossignol Racing Ski Bindings Wide Brakes 100mm Brake PX Axial 2012 $49.99 Time Remaining: 8d 7h 46m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 Roxy Abracadabra 125cm 08 09 Skis w Roxy T4 Girl Wide $149.99 Time Remaining: 12d 6h 10m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
 New 2012 Lange RS 110 wide Ski Boots 285 $549.00 Time Remaining: 11d 18h 54m Buy It Now for only: $549.00 |
 DOLOMITE WOMENS WIDE FIT SKI BOOTS EXPLORE S4 MODEL SIZE 85 MONDO SIZE 255 $24.99 Time Remaining: 4d 2h 8m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 VINTAGE WOODEN SKIS MAPLE marked 5 59 length 3 wide $149.95 Time Remaining: 25d 2h 56m Buy It Now for only: $149.95 |
 ATOMIC E ZONE WIDE FIT WOMENS SKI BOOTS WOMENS SIZE 8 MONDO SIZE 250 $24.99 Time Remaining: 4d 2h 8m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 2011 Dynastar Starlett 100cm Jr Skis w Roxy T4 Girl Wide White Bindings $129.99 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 53m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 Dynastar 6th Sense Distorter 179cm 09 10 Skis w PX Racing 15 Wide $369.99 Time Remaining: 20d 4h 7m Buy It Now for only: $369.99 |
 EVEREST Wide Cross Country NNN II Skis 190 cm $129.99 Time Remaining: 18d 20m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 Head Mojo 11 Wide Ski Bindings 88mm 88 mm White $107.39 Time Remaining: 2d 2h 15m Buy It Now for only: $107.39 |
 Tyrolia Peak 11 Wide Ski Bindings Solid Black 90mm Mens Sz 90mm $151.95 Time Remaining: 18d 1h 56m Buy It Now for only: $151.95 |
 EDSBYN MADE IN SWEDEN SKIS 195 CM 75 INCHES LONG 2 INCHES WIDE WITH POLES $29.95 Time Remaining: 6d 3h 18m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
 New 2012 Lange RS 110 wide Ski Boots 265 $549.00 Time Remaining: 11d 18h 53m Buy It Now for only: $549.00 |
 Polaris Ski Doo AC Snowmobile Chaincase Chain Linkbelt Silent 13 Wide 70 Links $69.97 Time Remaining: 24d 21h 59m Buy It Now for only: $69.97 |
 KARHU LL BEAN Wide Cross Country SNS Profil Skis 190 cm $129.99 Time Remaining: 17d 1h 46m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 2011 Dynastar Starlett 110cm Jr Skis w Roxy T4 Wide White Bindings $129.99 Time Remaining: 23d 18h 11m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 SKIS Atomic Atlas Powder Woodcore Wide Big Mountain Flat Ski 192cm 2012 $520.00 Time Remaining: 5d 17h 2m Buy It Now for only: $520.00 |
 2000 SKI DOO SKANDIC WIDE TRACK PARTS MANUAL $30.99 Time Remaining: 20d 7h 22m Buy It Now for only: $30.99 |
 NEW MARKER 70FREESTYLE ALPINE SKI BINDINGS SQUIRE WIDE BRAKE MEN WOMEN KID170Lb $114.90 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 28m Buy It Now for only: $114.90 |
 DYNASTAR 11 12 LEGEND PARADISE 161CM WOMENS WIDE TWIN TIP SKIS NEW W BINDINGS $499.00 Time Remaining: 16d 17h 27m Buy It Now for only: $499.00 |
 NEW MARKER 7 SKI BINDINGS FREESTYLE ALPINE PIPE PARK SQUIRE DUKE wide 90MM brake $115.00 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 28m Buy It Now for only: $115.00 |
 Head FREEFLEX PRO 14 Wide 88 ski bindings White $102.50 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 25m |
 1997 SKI DOO SKANDIC WIDE TRACK PARTS MANUAL $33.99 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 55m Buy It Now for only: $33.99 |
 SALOMON MYNX WITH S710 BINDINGS TWIN TIP SKI wide under FOOTpowder all mountain $380.00 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 2m Buy It Now for only: $380.00 |
 2012 Demo Dynastar 6th Sense Slicer Mens Skis w PX 12 Wide Bindings 175 cm $495.00 Time Remaining: 10d 21h 44m Buy It Now for only: $495.00 |
 VINTAGE WOODEN SKIS HICKORY LUND 40 6023 81 length 3 wide $149.95 Time Remaining: 25d 1h 56m Buy It Now for only: $149.95 |
 Used Volkl AC50 Carving Skis with Marker Wide Ride Bindings 163 cm $549.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 46m Buy It Now for only: $549.99 |
 BULA THICK GREY YELLOW WIDE STRIPES SKI SNOWBOARD WINTER BEANIE HAT SCARF $29.99 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 44m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 NEW ROSSIGNOL 140 WIDE TWINTIP ALPINE FREESTYLE SKIS ADULT JUNIOR+MARKER BINDING $249.00 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 28m Buy It Now for only: $249.00 |
 Polaris Arctic Cat Ski Doo Snowmobile EPI Sprocket 14 Wide 21 T 13 Spline $34.95 Time Remaining: 24d 17h 37m Buy It Now for only: $34.95 |
 VINTAGE WOODEN SKIS 1960s RED LIFT MEERGANS BINDINGS 79 length 2 3 4 wide $149.95 Time Remaining: 25d 2h 5m Buy It Now for only: $149.95 |
 Volkl AC30 170cm with iPT Wide Ride bindings +FREE STUFF $619.00 Time Remaining: 4d 23h 59m Buy It Now for only: $619.00 |
 back country SNS Salomon Package ski boot binding pole metal edge fishscale wide $388.00 Time Remaining: 11d 23h 8m Buy It Now for only: $388.00 |
 Lange RS 130 Wide Race Ski Boot 11 12 275 $649.95 Time Remaining: 28d 23h 34m Buy It Now for only: $649.95 |
 100mm wide Gecko Glueless Climbing Skins fits 185 195 cm skis $134.97 Time Remaining: 2d 17h 12m Buy It Now for only: $134.97 |
 2010 Demo Volkl Aurora Skis w IPT 120 Wide Ride Binding 154cm $395.00 Time Remaining: 15d 21h 33m Buy It Now for only: $395.00 |
 Volkl AC30 163cm with iPT Wide Ride bindings +FREE STUFF $619.00 Time Remaining: 1d 11m Buy It Now for only: $619.00 |
 120mm wide Gecko Glueless Climbing Skins fits 169 cm 179 cm skis $127.97 Time Remaining: 2d 17h 12m Buy It Now for only: $127.97 |
 Used Volkl Unlimited AC30 Carving Skis w Marker iPT Wide Ride Bindings Woodcore $554.99 Time Remaining: 16d 2h 46m Buy It Now for only: $554.99 |
 Volkl AC30 170cm with iPT Wide Ride bindings +FREE STUFF $619.00 Time Remaining: 7d 20h 28m Buy It Now for only: $619.00 |
 Lange RS 130 Wide Race Ski Boot 11 12 295 $649.95 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 36m Buy It Now for only: $649.95 |
 Rossignol AXL 2 150 FREE Wide ISO DIN 8 15 $310.00 Time Remaining: 22d 6h 37m Buy It Now for only: $310.00 |
 BULA THICK IVORY PINK WIDE VARIEGATED SKI SNOWBOARD WINTER EAR FLAP HAT $24.99 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 1m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 ANTIQUE HICKORY SKIS POINTY TIPS 62 9558 82 1 2 length 3 wide $149.95 Time Remaining: 25d 2h 50m Buy It Now for only: $149.95 |
 VINTAGE WOODEN SKIS MAPLE SPAULDING BINDINGS 59 length 2 3 4 wide $149.95 Time Remaining: 25d 3h 3m Buy It Now for only: $149.95 |
 Roxy T4 Girl Wide Ski Bindings $79.98 Time Remaining: 4h 9m Buy It Now for only: $79.98 |
 2011 Volkl AC 50 Skis w IPT Wide Ride 120 Bindings 163 cm $675.00 Time Remaining: 21d 3h 31m Buy It Now for only: $675.00 |
 HEAD 2012 IPEAK 90 W MOJO 12 WIDE 97 BINDING 177 CM DEMO $619.00 Time Remaining: 22d 20h 24m Buy It Now for only: $619.00 |
Wide Ski
Want to Avoid Crowds? Try Skiing at Bear Valley
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.
About the Author
Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, which publishes websites focused on regional getaway travel. Among the sites currently offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com , covering California spa vacations and other Golden State destinations, and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com , covering Washington vacation ideas as well as other Pacific Northwest travel destinations.
Do Bulgarian Ski Resorts usually have ski boots for the wider calf? HELP!?
I wear a size 5 wide leg which I rent from the local ski club when I ski on their slopes as I don't have a pair of my own. I'm going to a Ski Resort in Pamporovo, Bulgaria in 3 weeks and i'm wondering if they'll have boots in my size? Do they usually? I'm starting to panic!
Yes they will give you a male pair they have wider fittings
Spanning The Globe