Arnold is a popular vacation destination for many San Francisco Bay Area families in the winter months since it is only about a two-hour drive from the coast to reach the snow. The small mountain town offers a home base for people exploring the snowy offerings of nearby Bear Valley but wanting to stay outside of the skiing hub.
A good midway point between the city and the snow, Arnold offers many option for families with young children to explore snow activities.
Here is why I think it is the perfect basecamp for winter exploration in the Sierras:
Arnold and the surrounding area of Calaveras County are located on the stolen and occupied lands of the Northern Miwok
Getting there
- Arnold, California is about a two hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area, a twenty-minute drive from Murphys, and a 50 minute drive from Bear Valley
- After you pass Murphys, be sure to visit Red Apple on your way to Arnold to grab a freshly baked pie
- Stop by the Big Trees Market and Deli to stock up on grocery items on your way to your cabin
- If you plan to drive to Bear Valley from Arnold, be sure to bring snow chains for your tires
What to pack
- Warm clothes for snow (mittens, beanies, waterproof pants and jackets, snow boots, layers)
- Snacks
- BYO or rent ski/snowboarding gear and sleds
Top 6 reasons why Arnold is the best place to stay with your family for a winter skiing or sledding adventure
The town of Arnold is closer than Tahoe and has everything you need
Arnold is a small mountain town with all the amenities of a larger ski hub. There are plenty of places to eat, shop, and rent gear:
- Grab groceries at Big Trees Market and Deli
- Get lunch and a beer at Snowshoe Brewery
- Rent snow gear at Sierra Nevada Trading Company
Want more? Drive twenty minutes west to taste wine and enjoy good food in the neighboring town of Murphys
Calaveras Big Trees State Park is located in Arnold, the largest mountain town close to Bear Valley along Highway 86. Take your family to:
- Hike the North Grove Trail
- Climb the Discover Tree
- Enjoy a hot coco in the warming hut
- Go sledding
Drive east of the Big Trees Market to find a sign for the Arnold Rim Trail.
- Hike the North Grove Trail
- Climb the Discover Tree
- Enjoy a hot coco in the warming hut
- Go sledding
Take Ski lessons and skiing at Bear Valley Resort
Bear Valley Resort offers something for everyone.
Bear Valley Resort holds half-day (1 hour and 45 minute) and full-day (4 hour) lessons for kids ages 4-12. The full day lesson fee ($195 for kids ages 4-7, $218 for kids ages 8-12) includes rentals, a lift ticket, and a bag lunch, while the half day lesson price only includes instruction.
Our kindergartener took ski lessons at Bear Valley and loved it. She was super confident after the first full-day session and asked to go the next day! Lessons fill up quickly so make sure to book ahead.
If your family is ready to ski, take a shuttle to one of the nine lifts at Bear Valley Resort. Make sure to check the website to see which lifts and trails are open at the time of your visit.
The trails range from easy to difficult. Click here to see the trail map.
Take advantage of the free shuttle service to transport you between ski runs.
Lift tickets range from $25/$30 for kids under 5 to $135/$155 for adults on off peak/peak days. Purchase your lift tickets in advance here.
Try sledding & cross-country skiing at Bear Valley Adventure Co.
Bear Valley Adventure Co. boasts about having 65 kilometers of groomed trails for your cross-country adventures. Best part is the Reba’s Meadow Cafe just a 350 meter ski from the trailhead that sells hot coco and snacks.
Arrive early to sign up for a one hour lesson that includes ski rentals. Or, take your kids yourselves along the mostly flat and easy trail to the café.
Click here for a trail map. Trail passes range from $15/$25 for children ages 5-8 to $40/$55 for adults ages 18-59 on off peak/peak days. Buy your pass at the Bear Valley Adventure Co. store near the gas station.
Bear Valley Adventure Co. offers separate groomed runs for sleds and tubes. Each requires a little bit of snow walking to reach the top of the hill to begin your ride.
We chose to rent two tubes for four kids, and ended up dragging the little ones up the snow hill in the tube. They basically got a free ride up and down, and mama got a free workout.
Sleds cost $15/$25 and tubes cost $25/$35 on off peak/peak days. Sled and tube rentals are first come, first served. Also, Bear Valley Adventure Co. only allows tubes or sleds rented from their facility on the slopes.
Get there early to get your first pick!
Lodging Options - Arnold
Many families that travel to Bear Valley for skiing stay in an Airbnb in Arnold, a 50 minute drive west from the ski resort. This was our first choice when we visited the area because we love the convenience of having our own kitchen and multiple beds.
Arnold is at high enough elevation that it experiences a lot of snow fall in winter. We spent many afternoons sledding, building snow people, and throwing snow balls in the area around our cabin.
For many years, Arnold has been a refuge from city living for my family.
The drive is not too long.
The kids love the freedom of being outdoors.
My husband loves the brewery.
And I love the sequoia trees!
Honestly, what isn’t there to love?
I hope your family finds something to live in Arnold, California this year. And when you do, be sure to tell me about it in the comments below.
Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.
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