Skiing near Murphys CA

[Bakerdog]

So I am in Murphy's for a week this winter and looking for beta Looks like closest lift served is bear valley and then Kirkwood about 2 hours away.

Any info on ski options near Murphy's like info on the Bear or is there a ski bus to Kirkwood or BC options (preferably straight up straight down a la Teton pass) would be insanely welcomed.

[bobs]

There's good fun to be had at Bear, unless you're a cliff-band snob or something. Not top-tier or anything, but go and have fun, why not. Best powder day I ever had was at Bear Valley, and guess what, it didn't get tracked out by 10AM like at some CA resorts I could mention. There's quite a bit more to Kirkwood, so if you have a week to work with, go there too. I don't know of any ski buses in those parts. Good XC resort at Bear too, if you're into that.

There's tons more great backcountry out near and beyond Kirkwood. The whole Bear corridor is kind of limited for that, and much of what's there is more popular with snowmobilers. I suppose you could ski on and near Mt. Reba (near Bear), depending on the usual issues. Again, lots more great backcountry up between Kirkwood and the Carson Pass area and past that.

Murphey is supposed to be a bit of an upscale island in the funky foothills, with gourmet restaurants and wine and so on. I wouldn't know, as I've always either stayed with friends in Arnold or blown through, but I've heard. Have fun!

[JLB]

I live in Arnold and ski Bear Valley Resort weekly. Great area on a powder day, especially when the lower mountain is open. Very good backcountry skiing around Bear. I get out every week and rarely see anyone out there. Kirkwood is an excellent resort, but difficult to get to on a powder day. BC around Kirkwood is very good, but much more crowded than around BV.

[SoMuchBetterThanU]

BV is awesome.

[revloren]

So will Bear Valley Tele fest make a comeback this season? I was all set to go last year when they pulled the plug.

[JLB]

Revloren, I ran into a MAS guide out in the bc last year who said he was determined that there would be a telefest this year. Haven't seen anything posted though.

[SoMuchBetterThanU]

I've been told by a very reliable source (a friend of Aaron Johnson) that it will come back as the BV Freeheel Festival. All touring styles (AT, split board) will also be welcome. I assume there will be clinics d

[SoMuchBetterThanU]

For everyone. Stupid iPhone.

[Dostie]

Here's to the next BV Free Heel Festival. Hopefully there will be a rando race concurrently. And of course, a band on Saturday night.

[SoMuchBetterThanU]

The rando race didn't stop last season so I doubt if it'll stop this coming season.

[Greg]

I have not been to BV in about 20 years, but the BV of 20 years ago was awesome. My all time favorite ski area. Uncrowded. Affordable. Unreliable electricity in the village. XC skiing across the road. XCD touring everywhere. A bit of the HotTub Time Machine vibe, before there was a HotTub Time Machine vibe.

I still have a Tua t-shirt that I got at the Tele Festival. It is getting a little worn around the edges these days; sort of like me.

[Bakerdog]

Great to hear all that good stuff about BV sounds like a gem.

Time to prepare the quiver...