Winter Sports on the Byway

Skiing at Bear Valley Mountain Resort, photo courtesy of the Calaveras Visitors Bureau, Jason B. Smith Photographer

It’s midsection closed by heavy snow from November to May, the byway becomes a mecca for winter sports enthusiasts to enjoy crosscountry and downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding, and snowmobiling.

Two California SNO-Parks, one at Spicer Reservoir Road and one at the winter closure point west of Lake Alpine, provide access to groomed winter sports trails, while U.S. Forest Service roads and trails provide almost unlimited back country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities for the more experienced and adventurous.

Bear Valley offers exceptional downhill and cross-country skiing at its two developed ski resorts, Bear Valley Mountain Resort and Bear Valley Cross Country. Calaveras Big Trees State Park is also a popular cross country skiing and snowshoeing destination.

California Sno-Park

There are two popular California SnoParks off the Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway, Spicer and Lake Alpine. A SNO-Park permit is required for each vehicle parked at a SNO-Park site from November 1 through May 30 of each year. Permits come in two types:

Day Permits: Valid for a single day
Season permits: Full SNO-Park season

Visit the California State Parks website for more information