Play Outside\/Relax Inside at Our Modern Retreat, Ursa Major
About this house rental
Situated in Bear Valley, this lovely house for $282 per night is a fantastic option for your next break. Welcome to the best-kept secret in the Bay Area! Bear Valley has all the natural beauty and great skiing as Tahoe -- but without the painful traffic, crowds, and prices! It's only 3-ish hours due east from the Bay Area, on scenic, well-maintained (and plowed) Hwy 4. MUST-READ FOR WINTER ACCESS: When the snow starts piling up in Bear Valley, THE VILLAGE ROADS ARE CLOSED to cars, and instead groomed for skiing and snowmobiling. It makes getting to our house a bit of an adventure! Feel free to discuss with us before booking if this is a concern. We are close to parking -- a 10-minute walk -- and have a cargo sled you can use to pull your stuff, OR you can hire the local "snowmobile taxi" guy to get you in and out for a flat price OR you brave folks can rent your own snowmobile. BONUS: Intermediate/advanced skiiers/snowboarders can ski home down the back side of the mountain to our front door via the Lunch Run or Home Run. PETS: Up to two well-behaved dogs allowed for no additional fee. FEES NIGHTLY RATE / ADDITIONAL GUESTS: The house can comfortably accommodate 6 adults in the three small bedrooms plus 3 kids/teens in the twin-over-full bunk bed in the loft. Our nightly rate is therefore based on six guests, with additional people $25/night (VRBO calculates this for you). We do this to keep the house (semi) affordable for single families, rather than pricing it higher by default so that it attracts only only multi-families or large groups, who tend to incur much more wear and tear on the house. However, there is also a fold-out couch on the mezzanine in case you really need to bring that 10th person, or just want to spread out. (NOTE: both of the full bathrooms are on the second floor; the third-floor bedroom and bunk bed are reached by a spiral staircase.) HOUSEKEEPING: Our amazing cleaners charge us a flat fee of $225 winter or summer, which we ask you to pay. (Think about it: they have to take the laundry in and out on a snowmobile!) WINTER RATES: As of Nov. 1, we charge $325/night in winter (Dec-April) to cover the astronomical cost of electric heat plus firewood. $299 in summer. ABOUT THE HOUSE Our house is very well set up for two families with children of any age. There's a pac n'play (with sheets), a booster seat with tray, and a selection of kids' books. We have an a smart TV with an AppleTV box running with all the various streaming services plus some games. Quality linens are provided, as are all basic necessities, lots of games (and snow and pool gear), and DVDs. There is also a smart TV in one bedroom with a DVD player if you want to close the kids in there to watch old-school. The kitchen and dining room open to the living room so that cooks don't miss the fun. We named the house for the big bear medallion on the front and because the night sky here is so clear you can see this constellation clearly. Ursa Major is only 1,600 square feet but we think it feels bigger, thanks to an intelligent open design spread over three levels. Our house was designed by architects Ehrlich, Heft & Rominger; Jack Rominger built his own design award–winning house here in Bear Valley and designed several other houses here as well. His subsequent firm Ehrlich Rominger became well-known for innovative buildings in Silicon Valley for Varian, Fairchild Semiconductor, etc. In summer, Bear Valley ranges from 50 degrees at night to a comfortable, never too hot 85 degrees midday. In winter, temperatures can drop to the teens. The woodstove in the living room easily heats the whole house, with the help of the 24-foot, three-story ceiling, but a new mini-split heat pump is available to keep you from getting cold. SLEEPING There are three small bedrooms total, plus extra beds on the open mezzanines. Second floor (there are two full bathrooms on second floor, one with stall shower and one with tub): • Bedroom #1 has a king bed and room (barely) for a twin foam pad next to it if necessary (we have one that can tuck under king bed) • Bedroom #2 has a full bed, a TV (with Internet-streaming-service DVD player), and no room except maybe for a dog bed or a pac 'n 'play (which we have) — this room can be closed off with its own bathroom for an en suite. • Open mezzanine with full-size foldout couch and wooden privacy screen 3rd floor (up spiral staircase, no bathroom): • Bedroom #3 has a full bed and no room for anything else • Open mezzanine with bunk beds (twin over full). NOTE: Bear Valley has no grocery store and only 2 restaurants, so we end up cooking a lot when we're there -- the kitchen is small but fully equipped and functional. Dining room seats 10. WHAT TO DO IN SUMMER: Our house is a 10-minute walk from either the Bear Valley Lodge (with a pool available to guests for a small fee) or beautiful, private Bear Lake, with its sandy beach, swimming platform, and rope swing. Alpine Lake is a 15-minute drive. Our back yard is full of trees — we have a hammock you can lounge on amongst them in summer — and ends in a granite escarpment that kids love playing on in summer and sledding down in winter. There's mountain biking, hiking, fishing and rock climbing all around. AMENITIES • Books (kids and adult fiction) • Booster seat with removable tray • Coffee maker, bean grinder, French press, pour over • Dishwasher • Games (both board and AppleTV video games) • Kayak and SUP available for use at Bear Lake • Linens & towels, including beach towels • Microwave • Pac n’ play (with mattress pad and sheets) • Pots & pans • Shampoo, soap, toiletries if you forget yours • Sleds for borrowing • Sony Bluetooth speaker stereo • TV (no cable, Internet streaming services only plus lots of DVDs) • Walkie-talkies • Washer/dryer • Wifi • Wood stove & firewood We come up to Bear Valley at least once a month, so some of our personal items are stored there. You're welcome to use our extra ski helmets, bikes, kayak, life vests, beach chairs, and more. Follow @UrsaMajorBearValley on Instagram for more photos
Amenities
Pool
Pets allowed
Kitchen / Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony / Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Gym / Fitness Center
Ski in / Ski out
Family friendly
Map of Bear Valley, CA
Reviews
5.0/5.0
Outstanding(71 Reviews)
5.0
We loved our winter stay in Bear Valley Village. The access to the ski resort was so convenient. We planned by bringing up all of our meals as there are very few options for groceries and restaurants, but it was the perfect ski vacation for our family.
Bonnie was very helpful in communicating expectations and giving heads up about weather and road closures.
5.0
Really enjoyed our stay. The cabin is very cool. Easy check-in, fully stocked kitchen, comfortable beds, solid internet and very clean. Bonnie was also very helpful and communicative.
5.0
We’ve stayed in a lot of houses in Bear Valley and this is the best. Clean, in good repair, and conveniently located between the village and the lake. The home is a unique design. We were able to host friends indoors and outdoors on the two decks with comfort and ease. The house is well stocked and there are instructions about where everything is and how to use it. Bonnie is a responsive and clear communicator. She answered my questions promptly and with generous kindness. We will definitely stay here again.
5.0
Of all the houses that we have rented through the years at Bear Valley, our family unanimously agreed that this home rental was the best one to date. The owner was incredibly communicative. The amenities were outstanding. The house was well stocked in every respect. Its architectural style was first rate. Its location near the village was welcomed. Its position was such that we were surrounded by the forest. We had plenty of light given the many windows throughout the house. We can't say enough positives about the place but one thing we can say with certainty, we are most definitely looking forward to renting this property again.
5.0
Our family absolutely loved this cabin! It was perfect for our mountain getaway and family reunion down the road. We had everything we needed (and more)! Our host thought of everything! We can't wait to go back to this Bear Valley retreat!
5.0
Ursa Minor makes for a great getaway! The home is unique, with a fun multilevel layout. There's plenty of room to feel comfortable and rest well between activities. The home had all we needed and more we wish we would have used with more time.
Bonnie is a responsive host. She made sure we had what we needed and the house was warm when we got in, even with the snow outside in June! She let us know she was available if we needed anything else amd responded quickly when we had questions.
We had a short walk up to the little lake, still ice covered this June. What a sight! The Lodge is a 5 minute walk which was fantastic following a wedding reception held there.
Bonus- love the art!
5.0
The place is so spacious and comfortable, has a well-supplied kitchen, and plenty of indoor entertainment to rest up from the incredible mountain adventures that are readily accessible around Bear Valley!
5.0
Wonderful stay in the snow! We were up for the adventure and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The house was perfect for two families with children and provided all we needed for a comfortable stay. The owner was friendly, flexible and accommodating. We can't wait to come stay again.
5.0
We enjoyed our stay in Ursa Major.
Bonnie, the owner, was very helpful. The house had everything we needed and beyond. My granddaughters did not want to leave.
5.0
We had a big blizzard and multiple issues getting into cabin (chains broke, cars blocking roads) but Bonnie was very communicative the entire time and helpful! Cabin was great and has everything you need! Very great style and comfort and awesome fireplace.
5.0
Great stay. Bonnie is the best.......
5.0
Our little family of four had an amazing winter vacation while staying at Bonnie’s cabin. Her home was well equipped and very clean, comfortable and well taken care of. Linens were soft and clean. Beds were solid. She even shared her pantry, which we appreciated when in a pinch. The home offers plenty of space for playing games, cooking, alone time, and getting ready for a big day out in snowy paradise. Bonnie was very attentive and made the trip so easy. Don the snowmobile guy was great. Everyone we met at Bear Valley was truly happy, helpful and a joy to be around. Thank you for sharing your home. We will be back!
5.0
We really love the low key atmosphere of Bear Valley. Sure, the road is not plowed in the winter, but that's what makes it great! We skied (cross country gear) to and from the house no problem, and its a pretty easy hike too (about 15 minutes). That said we're both in pretty good shape and have been tour skiing for many years. We absolutely loved the modern vibe of the house, the artwork and books were so fun to linger over. We'll definitely be back!
5.0
WOW! What a wonderful winter wonderland we experienced on our latest trip to Bonnie's Bear Valley home. This was our third visit and we felt like we were back home as we walked in the front door. It was everything as we remembered; cozy, well stocked kitchen, and oh so comfortable. The wood burning stove worked great and Bonnie's instructions on how to operate it were right on point. Bonnie was always available if we had any questions. Mother Nature did not hold back on SNOW fall while we were there. We lost count on how many feet of snow we saw fall while we were there, but our best guess was 5-6 ft of snow. We enjoyed trying out our our new cross country skies and snow shoes while there. Thanks for another wonderful getaway to the snow!!
5.0
We had a wonderful vacation! Bonnie’s place is terrific! It’s very clean, organized and extremely comfortable and cozy! It’s very private but yet close enough to walk to/from the village. We will be back! Thanks Bonnie!
5.0
This cabin in the woods of the Bear Valley community has everything but still knows it’s a cabin in the woods. It has a great wood stove, an everything kitchen and a shower head more comforting than any high-end spa.
5.0
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Ursa Major. The cabin is thoughtfully designed, well stocked and very organized. It was the perfect base for day hikes and a very comfortable place to hang out. Bonnie is a welcoming host who made sure we enjoyed our stay.
5.0
We love Bear Valley and we love this house. It is super functional, cozy, and comfortable. The location is great tucked half way from Bear Lake and the Village. The owner Bonnie is great with communication and very accommodating. She’s wonderful to work with. Highly recommend this property.
5.0
Everything necessary was there
If I couldn't find something I just called and the Holst told me where to find it.
5.0
The property is clean and well equipped. The host Bonnie is a joy to work with. We had a wonderful week there and can't wait to go back again. If I could give more than 5 stars I would. This is truly an awesome place to stay. Everything is convenient to the location and the decks are great for just hanging out and doing nothing.
5.0
Ursa Major Awesome
The property is clean and well equipped. The host Bonnie is a joy to work with. We had a wonderful week there and can't wait to go back again. If I could give more than 5 stars I would. This is truly an awesome place to stay. Everything is convenient to the location and the decks are great for just hanging out and doing nothing.
5.0
Thanks Bonnie for another winter getaway to your perfect house in the mountains. It feels like home now after two stays:) It’s cozy, beautiful and you can tell it’s so well loved. We enjoyed a day of downhill skiing, a day of snow hiking around lake Alpine, and a day of cross country skiing at the awesome cross country ski area. Love your new decks! We really appreciate your well stocked kitchen and knowing you are always there if we have any questions 💕
Looking forward to our next visit!
Best
Theresa and Jim
5.0
Wonderful Winter Wonderland get a way!
Thanks Bonnie for another winter getaway to your perfect house in the mountains. It feels like home now after two stays:) It’s cozy, beautiful and you can tell it’s so well loved. We enjoyed a day of downhill skiing, a day of snow hiking around lake Alpine, and a day of cross country skiing at the awesome cross country ski area. Love your new decks! We really appreciate your well stocked kitchen and knowing you are always there if we have any questions 💕
Looking forward to our next visit!
Best
Theresa and Jim
5.0
We've stayed at Bonnie's place 3-4 times and loved it every time. It's our go-to-place in Bear Valley as you can tell how much time and love they put into their home. Bonnie of course is a delight to communicate with, accommodating and helpful. She goes out of her way. Thanks for letting us stay :)
5.0
Repeat Visitors
We've stayed at Bonnie's place 3-4 times and loved it every time. It's our go-to-place in Bear Valley as you can tell how much time and love they put into their home. Bonnie of course is a delight to communicate with, accommodating and helpful. She goes out of her way. Thanks for letting us stay :)
5.0
The Ursa Orvis house was a clean and well organized accommodation. The house was cozy and intimate with plenty of space and comfortable beds! Our youngest enjoyed the third floor loft bunk beds. It is located close to the village with an easy walk to get to parking and the ski shuttle. The Ursa Orvis hosts we great with communicating all the local information to make our stay one of the best winter vacations we have had!! We definitely hope to stay here again!!
5.0
Fabulous Winter Vacation
The Ursa Orvis house was a clean and well organized accommodation. The house was cozy and intimate with plenty of space and comfortable beds! Our youngest enjoyed the third floor loft bunk beds. It is located close to the village with an easy walk to get to parking and the ski shuttle. The Ursa Orvis hosts we great with communicating all the local information to make our stay one of the best winter vacations we have had!! We definitely hope to stay here again!!
5.0
Nice decor, clean, cozy and well stocked. We had everything we needed for a quick get away.
5.0
Cozy and comfortable
Nice decor, clean, cozy and well stocked. We had everything we needed for a quick get away.
5.0
family trip to attend a wedding
great home, great locations, easy communication exchanges with the host.
5.0
Perfect!
We love everything about this house! Bonnie is super sweet and great with providing info & communication. Everything we needed for an awesome family snow vacation is there: sleds, snowshoes, games, movies, snowball makers, extra ski gloves/goggles, and a well-stocked kitchen & pantry. I also love that everything is clean, functional, modern and tasteful. We had a bad experience last year with Bear Valley Rentals and are thrilled to have found this gem :)
5.0
We went up for a spring cross country ski trip. We had never stayed up in bear Valley with the snow, and we loved it! The house is beautiful, very well appointed, and artistic. It was a delightful place to stay and we hope to come back!
5.0
Lovely winter haven
We went up for a spring cross country ski trip. We had never stayed up in bear Valley with the snow, and we loved it! The house is beautiful, very well appointed, and artistic. It was a delightful place to stay and we hope to come back!
5.0
Great house in the snow!
This is the third time we've stayed at Bonnie's house because we enjoy our time there and in Bear Valley so much. The open layout of the house is great, and now that there is a new bathroom on the first floor it is even more convenient. The kids can sled and play in the snow right outside, and we enjoy a fair share of cooking and sipping hot cocoa while watching movies inside as well. Thanks again Bonnie!
5.0
Cozy cabin
My family with three young children stayed here for a short ski trip. The cabin has what you need. WiFi, kitchen setup, heating, fireplace, snow play equipment. There are proper duvets on most of the beds which was appreciated. Most of the walls are still covered in plywood, which is a curiosity. Some decor is more modern than most cabins (think IKEA). We prefer this to the typical kitschy cabin decor. There is a hike to the cabin from where you park your car which can be difficult with young kids and groceries. The owners provide a cargo sled and a local will give you a snowmobile ride for a fee. This season the lodge shuttle service isn’t running due to COVID, so you will need to use your car. We would consider staying in this cabin again.
5.0
5 fabulous days — birthday getaway
What a nice “breath of fresh air “ to escape to this wonderful welcoming home in Bear Valley. Loved all the amenities...kitchen and bathrooms were well stocked with everything you need! The home is charming with the owners whimsical and fun artwork. So much light enters the home it is a very cheerful space to spend your time reading. I enjoyed reading about the history of BearValley and its ski resort. Didn’t realize the Suzie Chapstick commercials were filmed there!!Bonnie was extremely easy to work with and her instructions were perfect. We took advantage of all the winter sports available. Two days of downhill skiing with no lift lines, cross country skiing through beautiful trails, and snow shoeing at gorgeous Lake Alpine. Don the snow taxi guy made getting our belongings to the house a breeze. He was cheerful and punctual! We can’t wait to come back to Bonnie’s house💕
5.0
Wonderful Bear Valley Retreat
Our family loved this spacious Bear Valley cabin. The layout was wonderful for our family of four, with two teenage boys. We could relax together in the large living room or we could all go to our separate spaces across the three stories.
A lot of owners say that they're place is "well-equipped" but Ursa Major is by far the most organized and equipped rental that I've ever stayed in. Everything you could possibly need was made available, from kitchen appliances and food staples to games and snow shoes. Best of all, everything was labeled and easy to find. Bonnie's communication and directions were also top notch. She clearly cared that we had everything we needed and that there were no questions or concerns. I would highly recommend staying at Ursa Major to anyone that wants a mountain get away with all the modern conveniences.
5.0
Our family loved this spacious Bear Valley cabin. The layout was wonderful for our family of four, with two teenage boys. We could relax together in the large living room or we could all go to our separate spaces across the three stories. A lot of owners say that they're place is "well-equipped" but Ursa Major is by far the most organized and equipped rental that I've ever stayed in. Everything you could possibly need was made available, from kitchen appliances and food staples to games and snow shoes. Best of all, everything was labeled and easy to find. Bonnie's communication and directions were also top notch. She clearly cared that we had everything we needed and that there were no questions or concerns. I would highly recommend staying at Ursa Major to anyone that wants a mountain get away with all the modern conveniences.
5.0
Loved our repeat stay at this property. The owner was a joy to communicate with. Generous, flexible and organized. The property is great for adults, kids and pets. Close enough to walk to the lodge. Great in the winter and I’m sure the summers are awesome too. The kitchen and house are fully stocked with anything you need. Thank you for having us again Bonnie :)
5.0
Fantastic stay
Loved our repeat stay at this property. The owner was a joy to communicate with. Generous, flexible and organized. The property is great for adults, kids and pets. Close enough to walk to the lodge. Great in the winter and I’m sure the summers are awesome too. The kitchen and house are fully stocked with anything you need. Thank you for having us again Bonnie :)
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Bear Valley?
The average price for a rental in Bear Valley is $280 per night. This rental is $2 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Play Outside\/Relax Inside at Our Modern Retreat, Ursa Major. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Play Outside\/Relax Inside at Our Modern Retreat, Ursa Major. Enjoy the water!
Is Play Outside\/Relax Inside at Our Modern Retreat, Ursa Major pet friendly?
Yes! This house is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.
What amenities are available at Play Outside\/Relax Inside at Our Modern Retreat, Ursa Major?
We found 13 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, pets allowed, kitchen / kitchenette, internet / wifi, and fireplace.
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