Place, Bear Valley Cross Country and Adventure Company
‪18 min walk‬
Lake Alpine
Place, Lake Alpine
‪10 min drive‬
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Place, Calaveras Big Trees State Park
‪43 min drive‬
Lake Tahoe, CA (TVL)
Airport, Lake Tahoe, CA (TVL)
‪105 min drive‬
Room options
About the neighborhood
Arnold
Located within a mile (2 km) of Bear Valley Cross Country and Adventure Company, this cabin is within 3 miles (5 km) of Bear Valley Ski. The cabin includes a kitchen, a fireplace, and a balcony.
Bear Valley Cross Country and Adventure Company - 18 min walk - 1.0 mile
Lake Alpine - 10 min drive - 5.2 miles
Bear Valley Ski - 10 min drive - 5.2 miles
Calaveras Big Trees State Park - 43 min drive - 26.8 miles
Sequoia Woods Country Club and Golf Course - 54 min drive - 33.0 miles
Getting around
Lake Tahoe, CA (TVL) - 122 min drive
Restaurants
‪Ebbetts Grill - ‬11 min drive
‪Kofi Haus - ‬12 min walk
‪Sky High Pizza & Pub - ‬16 min walk
‪Lake Alpine Lodge - ‬7 min drive
‪Reba's Toll House Cafe - ‬17 min walk
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
The only Bear Valley lakefront + beachfront cabin with ski in-out access
This is the only Bear Valley cabin for rent with a lakefront + beachfront location, making it perfect for summer/water fun.
WINTER ACCESS: When snow closes Bear Valley's village roads to vehicles, the final mile to The Lake Chalet is car-free. Guests park near Bear Valley Lodge and continue via a snowmobile taxi arranged in advance, or by skiing, pulling gear on a sled, or walking. Road status, snow conditions, and taxi availability vary. By booking a winter stay, you confirm everyone in your group understands and can manage this access.
Designed by San Francisco Bay Bridge architect Don McDonald, the Lake Chalet is ideal for relaxation and outdoor adventures for up to three families.
Come discover this charming, two-story cabin with three private bedrooms, a large sleeping loft, two bathrooms, a Vermont Castings wood stove, decks, a pellet grill, and lake views.
Know before you book: the cozy loft is accessed by a vertical ladder (please see the photo with our 3 yr old climbing it; best for kids/ladder-comfortable adults; not recommended for seniors or those with mobility concerns). Our scenic mountain neighborhood includes a steep driveway typical of the area; standard/AWD vehicles handle it well. We welcome dogs at the cabin, and around Bear Valley, but the community beach and lake have HOA rules that do not allow dogs on the sand or in the water (this is a community policy that applies to all homes on the lake).
LAKE and BEACH
During summer, swimming, fishing, paddleboarding, and non-motorized boating are popular. The cabin is located just above a small community beach. Bear Lake is open water with no lifeguard; depth, temperature, shoreline conditions, and weather can change. Children, non-advanced swimmers, and non-swimmers require active adult supervision. We do not provide boats, paddleboards, or life jackets.
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 feature two king size beds and one queen. The mattresses are new and high quality (eg Tempur-Pedic, Purple). The three downstairs bedrooms can suitably accommodate six (6) adults in total.
The upstairs sleeping loft can accommodate at least 6 children (or 5-6 adults) on two high-quality queen size mattresses, and two stackable Ikea single beds. The loft is accessible via dual ladders located on either side of the living room wood stove and feature trap doors that can be lowered for added safety.
BATHROOMS:
Two (2) separate bathrooms, each featuring a toilet, sink, and shower.
KITCHEN and DINING:
Kitchen includes the following features and appliances:
Electrolux electric induction stovetop and oven, full-size Summit refrigerator, Asko dishwasher, coffee machine and French press, microwave, toaster, mixer/blender, ice cream making machine, stovetop tea kettle, etc. Off the kitchen are an Asko washer & dryer.
The lakeside deck features a new Z Grills 2025 Smoke Beast 10502B Pellet Grill and BBQ tools.
The indoor dining table can accommodate ten (10) people. There is a breakfast bar and stools and additional table seating on the outside decks.
EV CHARGING, INTERNET, TV and BACKUP POWER
A Wallbox Pulsar Plus Level 2 EV charger provides a 48-amp, 240V J1772 connection. We keep a J1772-to-Tesla/NACS adapter at the cabin, but Tesla drivers should bring their own adapter as a backup.
The cabin features high-speed/low-latency Starlink satellite internet service, suitable for video work calls, gaming, TV streaming, etc. 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 outage. There is an additional Jackery Explorer 700 Plus Portable Power Station backup battery as well.
Two internet-connected LG TVs are available: a 48-inch OLED 4K TV in the loft and a 32-inch 4K TV in the bedroom off the lakeside deck. Guests may use the existing Amazon Prime Video and Plex services and sign into their own apps.
WOOD BURNING STOVE and HEATING
We have a Vermont Castings wood burning stove, which utilizes all the renewable and freely available firewood sourced from Bear Valley’s fire risk mitigation efforts. The wood stove is capable of generating sufficient warmth to heat the entire cabin throughout winter nights.
We also have central heating as well as heating options available in each bedroom to ensure a comfy night of sleep.
The cabin is heated and features a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and a balcony. There's space to spread out with 4 bedrooms and a dining area. Guests can enjoy a Smart TV and stay connected with free WiFi. Other standard amenities include a washing machine, a fireplace, and a sofa bed.
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
General
Bicycle parking
Bicycles
Eco-friendly cleaning products used
Eco-friendly toiletries
Electric car charging station
No plastic coffee stirrers
No plastic drinking straws
No plastic soft drink bottles
No plastic water bottles
Property located in a resort
Recycling
Reusable cups
Reusable tableware
Unit size: 2,000 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Check-out instructions
The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and return the keys
Turn furnace thermostat (on wall by kitchen) off. Close air/damper/ash drawer on wood burning stove. Unplug 3 space heaters. Turn off baseboard heaters in SE bedroom and dining room and wall heaters.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Rules
No outdoor fires or guest fire pits/devices (wood, charcoal, propane or gas). Only the host-provided pellet grill may be used for cooking.
Community beach and lake follow HOA rules: no dogs on sand or in water. Dogs welcome at the cabin and throughout the rest of Bear Valley
Loft accessed by vertical ladder; not recommended for seniors/guests with mobility concerns. Children must be supervised.
Pets
This property welcomes pets
Dogs only
2 total (999 lbs is the maximum weight per pet)
Service animals exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
Children allowed: ages 0-17
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 21
We should mention
Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:
This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business.
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit.
Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:
There are no elevators.
Frequently asked questions
What can I see around this cabin?
This cabin is located in Arnold within a short 17-minute walk of Bear Valley Cross Country and Adventure Company. You'll also find Lake Alpine and Balancing Rock within a short drive.
Is there parking available at The only Bear Valley lakefront + beachfront cabin with ski in-out access?
Yes, there is an electric car charging station and bicycle parking available.
Is this cabin associated with a casino?
No, this cabin is not connected to a casino.
Will I find an indoor pool at this cabin?
No, there is no indoor pool at this cabin.
What do couples enjoy most about The only Bear Valley lakefront + beachfront cabin with ski in-out access?
This beachfront cabin offers many amenities for couples such as a fireplace, a fireplace in some cabins, as well as ski-in/ski-out access.
Does The only Bear Valley lakefront + beachfront cabin with ski in-out access have a hot tub?
No, there isn't a spa tub at this cabin.
Does this cabin offer breakfast?
No, this cabin doesn't offer breakfast.
Will this cabin allow pets to stay for free?
Although dogs can't stay for free, they are welcome at this cabin.
Does The only Bear Valley lakefront + beachfront cabin with ski in-out access have connecting rooms available?
No, this cabin doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.
How close is the airport from this cabin?
The closest major airport to this cabin is Lake Tahoe, CA (TVL), which is about 29.2 mi away.
Are there rooms with balconies at The only Bear Valley lakefront + beachfront cabin with ski in-out access?
Yes, every cabin at The only Bear Valley lakefront + beachfront cabin with ski in-out access comes with a balcony and some offer beach and mountain views.
The only Bear Valley lakefront + beachfront cabin with ski in-out access Reviews
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Bear Valley is a special place. This house in the lake is the best. Right above the private beach and just a bit down from the rope swing. House was well equipped and the host was fantastic and very responsive. Highly recommend!
Very nice cabin with great views. Although the interior is somewhat dated, everything is clean and functional. The only thing to be aware of is that the hike up can be challenging in the snow, and the cost to get a ride up can be 60-80. Obviously this adds a bit of cost so we walked up most times. You could also ski down to the bus and then back to the house, which is the best method, but for our kids the blue run back to the village was still a bit hard. Just something to be aware of, and the special location mostly made up for it.
A wonderful winter vacation away from the Tahoe crowds. Our young (4 and 1) kids loved playing in the snow and sledding right outside the door, and we all enjoyed the stillness and pristine natural beauty. The cabin was warm and cozy with a fun loft, instant hot water in the shower, and sleds/games/puzzles to spare (and an infant backpack carrier...the one thing we had to eschew for space in packing the car!) The host was very responsive and helpful in ensuring we all had a great time. We'll be back!
The cabin's location is simply top notch being just steps away from Bear Lake in the "suburb" of Bear Valley. There are a couple amazing hikes one can do right out of the cabin without having to drive anywhere. Morning quiet time on the deck with the birds singing while drinking coffe e and journaling was splendid. We swam, SUPed, hiked, spent leisure time together, cooked, ate around the large dining room table, and laughed a lot at the perfect altitude to enjoy the Sierras.The cabin was large enough for all 8 adults and a 10 month old to happily coexist.The newly upgraded appliances were really appreciated.Looks like there may be some remodeling happening at the end of the galley kitchen that opens up the space and brings in more natural light. Love it!In general, the cabin was clean, but we chased a crawling toddler around on the floor and there was debris under furniture, benches, and around the fireplace. Bedding and towels were nice and abundant. Thank you!
Laurie B.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Marilyn F.
Aug 8, 2025
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
House is in a beautiful setting with a pretty view of the lake. Unfortunately it wasn’t up to the usual standard of cleanliness I have experienced in other rentals. One of the sliding doors was open when we got there. Lighting wasn’t good for reading in the bedrooms and there was no place to put your suitcase. The only tv was located in the loft. Access to the loft is limited. It says in description adults could use the loft but it’s accessed by ladders that go straight up and not suitable for adults, especially seniors. I appreciated that my dog was allowed but would have liked to know he was not welcome on the beach or in the water. Driveway was scary even with my all wheel drive vehicle. It is a good lake for paddle boarding, canoes, etc.
Bear Lake is really like On Golden Pond in the Sierra's. This home is archectecturally very interesting, and in a perfect spot for peace and quiet. It was built in the 1960's, and so some parts of the home could use a little updating (bathrooms need updating but kitchen is more than fine), but some parts of the home's design are timeless and very well done. We could have sat in the living room and looked at the fabulous view all day. Some warnings - 1) the driveway up to the property is incredibly steep and twisty - if the weather is wet or there is any snow, you may have a bit of a struggle to make it up. 2) the 'loft area' is perfect for young kids who have the energy and skills to climb up and down vertical ladders and narrow access spaces - but I assure you no adults will be doing this. The 3 bedrooms are perfect downstairs, though.
This is a fabulous location (might be one of the top 2-3 places on the lake) and a very interesting home. We would definitely stay there again, and look forward to visiting.