2007 Sierra Ski-O Week
Current Highway Conditions (http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo) Toll Free : 800 427-7623
Traveling to the 2007 Sierra Ski-Orienteering Week
Sacramento, Reno, Stockton, Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose all offer airports that you can use. The most convenient airport to arrive at and depart from is Sacramento, but sometimes the Sacramento prices are a bit high. The Reno airport has the best drive for departures, but the longest drive when you arrive. Stockton is close to Bear Valley, but quite far from the last venue.
You can use various web sites to book air travel, such as www.travelocity.com, www.excite.com, and www.itasoftware.com (combines flights for one or more airlines). Southwest Airlines is often not covered by any web site other than their own.
For car rentals, get something that can be used in the snow. 4-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles are often preferred, but cars with chains also work, and often provide the best traction when you need to stop. It might be cheapest to rent a car and buy chains at a local auto store. Bring a car that can operate in a snow storm.
When planning your car travel, be sure to check weather forecasts. Snow storms in the Sierras can be severe and sometimes close or congest highways, which can add many hours to your travel time. If you have the choice of driving in clear weather or in a storm, try adjusting your schedule for the clear weather to avoid a long slow drive.
Traveling From Bear Valley to the Lake Tahoe Area
Typically, the best route between Bear Valley and the northern Lake Tahoe area is to take Highway 4 to Highway 49 in Angels Camp, then travel north on Highway 49 to Auburn, then go east for about an hour to the Norden/Soda Springs/Sugar Bowl exit (Highway 4 east of Bear Valley is closed during the winter). In addition to Highway 49 being the quickest route, this highway also takes you by many of the California Gold Rush historical sites (which can make this a long but interesting trip with various stops to explore). If it is snowing, this is usually a safe route that avoids the snow, but in severe storms the snow level can come down to this highway (rarely happens). Allow 4 hours in good conditions to make this trip.