Before the pandemic lockdown in 2020, the hubby and I took the little guy to Bear Valley to let him experience skiing for the very first time.  Since then, he’s been itching to go back.  While we didn’t get a chance to return last year due to Covid-19, we knew we wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to go in 2022.  So, in late-January, our little family decided to pack up and head to the Arnold for a long weekend of fresh mountain air, relaxation, and adventures.  We were only there for four days, but I thought I would recap our trip for you along with some photos! 

Why we chose Arnold

Located at the western end of the Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway, Arnold is appealing because it’s a little off the grid.  Surrounded by wonderful natural attractions such as Big Trees State Park, Lake Alpine and Bear Valley Ski Resort, the city has a no-frills, low-key vibe and is a wonderful home base for families looking to unwind and decompress. In other words, it’s a great place to reconnect with nature and take you back to simpler time.  

Where we stayed

For this trip, we stayed at my husband’s family cabin in Arnold, and it had everything we needed for a comfortable stay – comfy bed, an outdoor deck, dining, living and full kitchen.  It was more than enough space for us to spread out and relax.  Additionally, there’s a large fireplace inside.  We built a fire every day we were there and enjoyed the soothing crackling sound.  Apart from cozy cabin ambiance, the setting is so serene.  Though, there were a handful of other cabins in our view, it was very quiet and peaceful.  In fact, we felt so far away from all the hustle and bustle.  

What we did

Day 1

We left our home on a Thursday afternoon to kick off the travel and the drive took about 3 hours.  We were fortunate that the roads were clear of any traffic or accidents so getting to Arnold was a breeze! 

As soon as we arrived at the cabin, we unloaded the car, put on a fire, and made ourselves at home.  Later, we headed outside for a walk to enjoy the remaining few hours of daylight.  The weather was nice and crisp.  There were also patches of snow on the ground which only meant one thing – a snowball fight! 

Sweatshirt | Leggings | Sneakers | Sunglasses

Once we were done with our silly shenanigans, we walked back to the cabin.  It was time for some food and warmth.  So, while the hubby cooked, the little guy and I, worked on assembling and decorating this Oreo Train Decorating Kit.  My dad had given it to us during the Christmas holiday, but I saved it specifically for this trip and it was the perfect activity to keep the little one occupied.  The kit comes with everything you need and was simple to put together. 

Ta-da! 

Dinner afterwards was a giant pot of spaghetti and meatballs! The hubby did a fabulous job, and it was scrumptious.  We demolished our servings within minutes and the little guy even asked for seconds – that’s a miracle! If you have a picky eater, then you can relate. 

Soon after, we made our way to bed since we wanted an early start the next morning.  

Day 2

The following day was dedicated to skiing so, we headed to Bear Valley for the day.  Since the hubby and little guy were renting gear, we left in time to arrive by 9 am.  The drive from Arnold is about 40-minutes and a scenic one at that.  

Unfortunately, our excitement was short-lived, and we didn’t get to wander beyond the check-in counter.  The weather wasn’t on our side and the lifts were closed due to heavy gusty winds.  So, we spent some time waiting for news of opening.  After about an hour, it looked like the resort wasn’t going to open, so we collectively decided to leave and try again either Saturday or Sunday.  Needless to say, the little one was disappointed.  To turn our day around, we decided to visit and explore downtown Murphys instead.  If you aren’t familiar with Murphys, it’s a small town just before Arnold and about a 16-minute drive.  

Sweater | Jeans | Rain boots | Sunglasses

Once we got to Murphys, we walked around the shops and spent a good portion of our Friday afternoon here. 

Sweater | Jeans | Rain boots | Beanie | Sunglasses

Lunch was at Alchemy and it was so hard to decide on a meal.  Everything looked fantastic! Eventually, we decided to order a starter and had the elote corn bites.  So good! Then, the little guy ordered their kid’s hamburger while the hubby and I decided to split the A Burger and BBQ chicken sandwich.  Not only was the food incredible, but the atmosphere and service were great.  We all left so full and happy.  It is the perfect family friendly lunch or dinner spot and I highly recommend! 

Post-lunch, we headed back to our cabin.  We spent the rest of the day alternating sitting by the fireplace chatting or playing board games in the dining room.  

Day 3

The next day, the gust had died down a little, but it was still windy most of Saturday.  So, we decided to forego skiing and spent most of our time inside.  We played games, cooked lunch together which was a big plate of chicken & apple smoked sausage and soaked in time with each other.  I even snuck in an hour-long nap, and it was glorious! Hence, the lack of pictures.  

Day 4

On our last day in Arnold, we finally struck gold with a gorgeous blue-sky day and no wind in sight! So, we packed all our bags, got the cabin ready to be left and headed back to Bear Valley.  While it did take some time to go through the sign up, getting equipment and setting up, it was uncrowded and went by quickly.  

Snowsuit | Gloves | Beanie | Sunglasses

Once we were outside in the snow, the little guy was happy to finally start skiing.  

Of course, little man fell a couple of times.  He has not skied in almost two years, but the hubby was so encouraging and got him to keep going.  Not long after, he loved going on the ski lift and was a pro by the end of the day.  In fact, they skied nearly all day without breaking and the little guy asked to do it again and again.  Safe to say, he had the time of his life! 

As for me, I don’t ski or snowboard, but I was happy taking photos of my little one smiling from ear to ear and hanging out in the lounge.  You are surrounded by mountains every way you look, and the views are incredible – yes, please!

When the hubby and little guy were finished, we drove back to the cabin for a quick pit stop and to pick up the rest of our things.  Then, we started our 3-hour trek back home.   

Final Thoughts

It was a short stay, but we had a blast during our weekend in Arnold! There’s nothing better than spending time with my two favorite people, relaxing and having fun in the snow.  We can’t wait to do it all over again next year!

What are your favorite winter activities? What’s next on your travel bucket list? 

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out my travel page for more tips and vacation ideas!

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