The Lake Chalet

Only Bear Valley rental cabin with a lake + beachfront location. Perfect for summer/water fun.

In winter, never touch your car and enjoy ski in-out access to the resort (conditions/skill level permitting).

Designed by SF Bay Bridge architect Don McDonald, the Lake Chalet is ideal for relaxation and outdoor adventures for up to three families (eg 6 adults + 6 kids).

Discover our 2-level cozy cabin: 3 bedrooms, large loft, two bathrooms, rustic-modern interior & amenities, decks, views!

LAKE and BEACH

The cabin is located just above a small beach that is great for relaxation and play. During summer popular water activities include: swimming, fishing, boating (non-motorized), paddle board (SUP), etc.

SKI IN - SKI OUT

In the winter, never touch your car and enjoy ski in-out access to Bear Valley resort. You can ski down from the cabin to a free 10-minute bus shuttle that runs every hour, on the hour. You can also ski from the resort directly to the cabin via the intermediate “Lunch Run” trail. (Please independently confirm this trail is open and that trail conditions match your skiing level.)

There are some other runs like Home Run, Apple Bonkers, etc that get you from the resort to the north side of Bear Valley Lake. However, unlike Lunch Run these routes may be more advanced and require some hiking / uphill skiing to get back to the cabin (cabin is located on the southwest corner of the lake).

Please see the “Other details” section for a discussion of winter parking and our snowmobile rental (search for the cabin name on day trail) and “side-by-side” taxi access to the cabin.

SLEEPING

This cabin was designed to comfortably accommodate three families with children. The cabin is approximately 2,000 sq. feet and total sleeping capacity is twelve (12) people.

The three (3) downstairs bedrooms offer privacy and feature two king size beds and on queen, respectively. The mattresses are all new and high quality (eg Purple (king), Tempur-Pedic (king), Stearns & Foster (queen)). The three downstairs bedrooms can suitably accommodate six (6) adults in total.

The upstairs sleeping loft can easily accommodate at least six (6) children (or adults) on two queen size mattresses and two single beds. Loft mattresses are also new and high quality (Avocado, etc.) The loft is accessible via dual ladders on both sides of the wood stove.

In terms of ladder loft-access & safety, we generally recommend keeping the trap door above the floor furnace closed and just using the other ladder closer to the entrance. Trap doors can be closed above both ladders for added safety. We and other families have been comfortable with three year-olds and up climbing unassisted up/down the ladder, and we have included a photo in the listing of our 3-year old at the top of the ladder. However, we understand other parents may feel differently. Please feel free to inquire if you have any questions.

BATHROOMS

Two (2) separate bathrooms, each featuring a toilet, sink, and shower.

KITCHEN and DINING

Kitchen includes the following:

Electrolux electric induction stovetop and oven, Asko dishwasher, Summit Pro full-size refrigerator, hand coffee grinder, French press, coffee machine, stovetop tea kettle, loose-leaf tea strainers, microwave, toaster, hand mixer/blender, ice cream making machine, etc. Off the kitchen are an Asko washer & dryer.

The lakeside deck features a Z Grills Smoke Beast 10502B Pellet Grill and BBQ tools.

The indoor dining table can accommodate ten (10) people. There are two breakfast bar stools and additional tables and seating on the outside deck.

EV CHARGING and BACKUP POWER

Wallbox Pulsar Plus Level 2 EV Charger - 48 Amp 240V. J1772 Plug natively supports non-Tesla/non-NACS plugs. We have a J1772-to-Tesla adapter but please also bring your own.

The cabin also has a Tesla Powerwall 3 whole-house backup battery that should be able to provide Internet/electrical for approximately 24-48 hours (depending on use) during a grid power outage.

STARLINK INTERNET and TVs

The cabin features high-speed/low latency Starlink satellite internet service, suitable for video work calls, gaming, TV streaming, etc.

We have two internet connected TVs. A 2025 LG 48" OLED 4k TV is located in the loft and you can use our existing Amazon Video and Plex app services, as well as sign into your own apps/accounts (eg Netflix). A 2025 LG 32" 4K TV is located in the bedroom off the lakeside deck.

WOOD STOVE and HEATING

We have a Vermont Castings enameled cast-iron wood stove, utilizing renewable and freely available firewood sourced from local fire risk mitigation efforts.

We also have central heating (propane floor furnace), as well as heating options available in each bedroom to ensure warm, comfy nights.

TENNIS and PICKLEBALL COURTS

Guests may use the Bear Valley tennis and pickleball courts after checking in with Bear Valley Adventure Company and completing the required waiver. Courts are community facilities, first-come/first-served, and subject to club rules. We provide pickleballs/paddles. High-altitude tennis balls can be purchased at BVAC.

Guests may use the Bear Valley tennis and pickleball courts after checking in with Bear Valley Adventure Company and completing the required waiver. Courts are community facilities, first-come/first-served, and subject to club rules. We provide pickleballs/paddles at the cabin, and some tennis racquets and high-altitude tennis balls. Alternatively, guests can bring or rent/purchase their own racquets and high-altitude tennis balls at the Bear Valley Adventure Company.

Guests have the entire cabin to themselves. Access to under the cabin/crawl space is restricted and reserved for utilities and owner storage.Entire house except under cabin crawl space, which is just for utilities and owner storage.

TENNIS and PICKLEBALL COURTS

Tennis/pickleball courts are not located on the property. Guests must check in with BVAC before play. Court availability, club events, and seasonal conditions may affect access.

LAKE/BEACH SAFETY & RULES

Please note: Bear Lake is open water and does not have a lifeguard. Depth, visibility, temperature, shoreline conditions, and weather can change. Children, non-advanced swimmers, and non-swimmers require active adult supervision near the lake and beach.

We do not provide boats, kayaks, paddleboards, or life jackets. Guests may bring their own equipment or rent separately from the local providers (eg Bear Valley Adventure Company). Please do not use residents’ boats, kayaks, paddleboards, paddles, or oars, even if they are unlocked.

WINTER ACCESS

**GUEST SNOWMOBILE: we’re making available a snowmobile for guest personal shuttle‑only use (village roads to/from the cabin). A fee and safety rules would apply. Interested? Search for the cabin name on DayTrail to learn more. Thanks**

WINTER ACCESS (please read for Nov–Apr stays)

Bear Valley winters are amazing—but access is different than most mountain towns.

• No drive-to-door: when enough snow falls, the roads beyond the Lodge that come to the cabins are closed to cars. You’ll park near the Village/Resort Lodge and reach the cabin by either renting our snowmobile taxi on DayTrail (search “Lake Chalet Bear Valley” on the site for more details) or by booking a snow taxi (more info on this option below).

• Distance: The cabin is about 1 mile up a gentle regularly groomed road from the Village Lodge (~15–20 min walk in normal groomed conditions). You can walk/ski/sled the closed roads but given the distance we strongly recommend using a snow vehicle to move luggage/groceries when checking in/out.

• Luggage plan: Most guests either rent our snowmobile or book 2 snow taxi rides (arrival + departure) to move luggage. We also have snow sleds 🛷 at the cabin available for hauling.

• Getting to the resort: There’s a free shuttle from the Village Lodge that typically runs hourly staying at 8am and drops at the resort entrance. During holidays/busy weekends, arrive 15–20 min early since it can fill up.

• Ski-back to the cabin (optional): When open and if your ability/conditions allow, you may be able to ski back via “Lunch Run” (intermediate); other routes can be more advanced and may involve a uphill hike. Please independently check trail status and evaluate your ability/comfort level.

Parking & plowing:
Free parking is available near the lodge. Please follow posted plow rules/signage and move your car during plow windows. (The plow update phone line is in our welcome guide.)

Snow Taxi note:
An enclosed/heated “side-by-side” taxi option may be available and the driver, Nate Freed. The side-by-side taxi may be able to drop near the cabin entrance weather/operations permitting—confirm directly with the operator as drop-off location can vary. Airbnb sometimes blocks us from posting phone numbers but you can search for "Nate Freed + BVRI" and to find Nate’s phone number on the BVRI website.

Longtime Bear Valley Snowmobile Taxi operator Don Hicks will often only take guests to the base of the driveway, leaving a steep and potentially challenging luggage haul in heavy snow conditions to the front door of the cabin.

SNOWSTORMS
Bear Valley can get significant snowfall. We coordinate grooming and try and assist guests with booking third party taxis/shoveling when we can, but travel may be slower and in rarer heavy storms you may need to do some shoveling yourself to access the entry, dig out a car, etc. If you need guaranteed, always drive-to-door access, this is not the best fit—and we’d rather you know about this possibility in advance than be unhappy.

Driveway Grooming:
We typically request driveway grooming when it’s needed for snow vehicle access for guest arrivals and departures (when conditions allow). During major storm cycles, grooming schedules can be delayed or limited due to weather, safety, and operator availability—so daily grooming is not guaranteed. If you would like additional grooming beyond our standard requests, it may be possible to arrange at the operator’s current rate (approximately ~$75 per groom when available)—please ask in advance (72 hours advance notice is requested by the grooming operator) and we’ll let you know what’s possible. Cost is pass‑through at the operator’s rate and payment is handled through Airbnb.

WINTER LAKE WARNING

Never walk, skate, sled, or play on lake ice. The lake level can drop below the ice as the reservoir water is consumed during the winter, creating hidden air gaps; ice may appear solid while unsupported.

CLEANING and LAST MINUTE CANCELING

The cabin is located in the least densely populated county in the state of California. During the winter in particular, cabin access can bring added challenges for all, including our wonderful house cleaning service.

In the case of a guest canceling their reservation a short time before check-in, please be aware that we may not always be able to refund cleaning fees.

There is also a detailed checkout list available in blue binder in the cabin that includes removing the trash, completely turning off the heat, emptying the dishwasher, returning furniture to original locations, etc. Thank you for your understanding and please let us know if you need more details.

We look forward to hosting your stay at the Lake Chalet and please be sure to message us if you have any questions. Thank you!