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Bear Valley Ski-O

Date: (Sun.) Mar. 1, 2009
Location: near Arnold, CA
Event Director: - 650.793.8764
Course Setters: Neil Hunt, Julie Raymond
Type: Ski-O; Point-to-point ski-O event with five courses (White, Orange, Green, Red, and Blue) of standard lengths

Please note that fees and time limits apply, unless otherwise mentioned below. Events are typically not canceled due to bad weather.


NOTE: Also see the Event Director's Notes.

Saturday, February 28, 7:49 AM update:

The weather couldn't be better today for skiing. Tomorrow will be overcast, which could keep the snow nice and firm for some fast skiing, at least for anyone but late starters. The courses are great. Come up if you can, even if just for the event day. If you are looking for a place to stay, the Meadowmont in Auburn is very affordable with a great pub across the street. See you tomorrow. Tony Pinkham


The final 2009 ski-orienteering event for BAOC will be at Bear Valley Cross Country. The courses were designed by Neil Hunt and Julie Raymond, but Tony Pinkham will be setting the controls and running the event while Neil and Julie race for the U.S. Ski-Orienteering team in the World Championships in Japan.

This event has White, Orange, Green, Red, and Blue courses in point-to-point format. Course specifications will be provided about a week before the event.

Off-trail skiing is permitted at Bear Valley. In fact, you will probably find that there are some mapped secondary trails that you will need to take for better route choices or to find controls. You can make your own trails so long as you do not go over private land that is marked out of bounds on your map or with signs.

Bear Valley does have some one-way trails. The courses are designed to utilize those trails in the direction intended, but if you find you want to go the wrong way on a one-way trail, either take another route or go off-trail. The one-way directions are marked on your map. If they are not marked on your map, they are two-way trails for this event.

We will be using E-punch at this event, so either bring your SI card finger stick or rent one at the event for $3.

Registration is at the event from 9:00 AM to 12 Noon, and starts are from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. You can take as long as you like on your course, but you must finish by 2:30 PM.

When you register, you will also be buying your trail pass (if you need one) at a discounted rate. It is important that you get your trail pass from us if you want to pay less for your pass. If you need to rent skis, go to the cross-country office/store, but buy your trail pass at our registration desk. Registration is handled at the starts, which are located at the trail head.

If you can help set things up for the event on the event day, please let know.

Driving Directions

Take Highway 5 or 99 to Highway 4, and then drive east about 70 miles, through Angel's Camp and Arnold, to Bear Valley Cross Country Ski Resort. Bear Valley is 120 miles from Livermore and Sacramento.

At Bear Valley Cross Country, turn left and drive between two large wooden bear statues. Proceed about 300' to a large parking lot on the right.

Walk back to the highway and cross it to the trail head, where you will register and buy your trail passes.