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California ski resorts: Bear Valley Mountain offers advanced skiers a First Tracks tour on New Year’s Day

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Los Angeles Times Daily Travel & Deal blogger

Top skiers and boarders can be first on the powder in the new year at Bear Valley Mountain. The ski resort east of Sacramento in the central Sierra offers a special First Tracks tour at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

“First Tracks on the mountain takes you to a place untouched by skis,” said Rosie Sundell, marketing director.

You’ll be in good company. Chief Operating Officer Jim Gentling, ski instructors and ski patrol members escort participants to out-of-the-way areas within the resort’s 1,680 acres. “They always manage to find places they’ve never been,” Sundell says.

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Conditions should be great. Resorts from Mammoth to Tahoe have reveled in lots of early-season and record-setting snow. As of Wednesday, Bear Valley was showing a 95-inch snow base at mid-mountain, 44 inches having fallen in the last seven days.

The First Tracks tour, now in its third year, is for “high intermediate and advanced skiers” as well as experienced snowboarders, Sundell said. The cost is $82 for a combined lift ticket and First Tracks ticket; season pass holders pay $20.

Reservations are recommended because space on the tour is limited. Call (209) 753-2301 or e-mail fun@bearvalley.com to make a reservation.

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