18+ ADULT ALL-INCLUSIVE WINTER GATHERING - Bear Valley
Northern California
FRIDAY, MAR 12 - SUNDAY, MAR15, 2026
HOST: BLAISE ROSENTHAL (5.0), AND SPECIAL GUESTS
About: Gatherings are organized independently by snowboarders trusted by HCSC. #HCSCxBLAISEBOOTCAMP
Blaise Boot Camp™
Bear Valley Gathering 2026
OVERVIEW
Join Blaise and an all-star cast of coaches and special guests for a truly unique event. We’ll ride Bear Valley, a special spot in the Sierras that Blaise grew up riding. This place is incredible, off the beaten path, and offers a range of terrain and beautiful vistas that make it truly special. We’ll ride it all, the steeps, the trees, extensive groomers, and fun terrain park. And we’ll even check out a few secret runs that only the locals know about. Aside from its average 400 annual inches of snowfall each year, Bear Valley is known for its hospitality and small-town feel. Each season, the Bear Valley team works closely with our eager crew to share in the experience of this amazing mountain and ensure that guests have an incredible time. Spots are limited, so book now before they sell out. We look forward to riding with you!
Join us for a snowboarding adventure like no other -- an experience that blends epic riding, a private tour, stunning scenery, and the perfect mix of shredding and exploration. This is more than a trip; it’s a journey you’ll remember forever.
PRICE + STAY-OVER OPTIONS
Your all-inclusive adventure awaits! Includes: 3 days of food & lodging, lift tickets, activities, après, sponsored pop-ups, boot fitting, premium guiding/coaching, and special guests.
$2,399 USD: All-inclusive shared double queen
$2,699 USD: All-inclusive single queen
EXTEND YOUR ADVENTURE - STAY OVER OPTIONS
Want more time at Bear Valley with the crew? Take advantage of our optional stay-overs and keep the fun going! Each stay-over includes:
Single queen hotel room
Lift ticket for the day
Resort guiding/coaching
Meals, après, and other activities are not included
Early Arrival – Ride and Stay the Day Before
Arrive Wednesday, March 11 and ride on Thursday, March 12
Check in at Bear Valley Lodge between 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., meet the group, and ride Bear Valley on Thursday!
Price: $559 USD
Late Departure - Ride and Stay the Days After
Stay on Sunday, March 15 and ride on Monday, March 16 and/or Tuesday, March 17
Price: $559 USD per Day
On your last day (depending on your stay), be sure to check out of your room before hopping on the shuttle to the resort in the morning!
Note: These stay-over add-ons are perfect for riders who want extra mountain time without meals or activities included.
RETURNING BLAISE BOOT CAMP™ CAMPER DISCOUNT
Have you joined us for a Blaise Boot Camp™ before? As a thank you, returning campers receive $150 off their registration. Contact us to get your exclusive registration code.
DEPOSIT - SECURE YOUR SPOT TODAY!
Reserve your spot with just a $500 deposit at registration, and pay the remaining balance at least 60 days before the trip kicks off.
lock down your sPOT WITH A DEPOSIT today!
What’s the Experience Like? Our Mission
Welcome to our 5th edition of Blaise Boot Camp™ Gatherings at Bear Valley, California! This event Is a blast, involving a fun group that includes our team, special guests, and Bear Valley’s generous and fun mountain community.
This “camp” isn’t just about guiding/coaching, it’s a fully immersive experience, an opportunity to ride, hang, and bond with a crew of other shred-minded people. On slope we focus on session-based learning, with every rider having the opportunity to learn from our excellent team, as well as from one another. It's a great opportunity to have a good time, push yourself just a little, develop your skills a bit, and get familiar with a very special place.
Together we will celebrate our passion for riding, and our collective snowboard culture through après engagements, culinary experiences, and presentations by our special guests.
Are You Ready? Ability Level
Able to ride intermediate runs (blue squares). You don’t have to go BIG to join in the fun or be adept going switch or have ever jibbed something. Let’s ride, explore, connect -- and make this the trip you’ll talk about forever.
WANT THE FULL SCOOP?
We’ve got all the exciting details waiting for you. Shoot us an email at info@blaisebootcamp.com if you have questions.
What to Expect
Bear is a well-kept secret, and Blaise knows it better than most. We’ll be flowing top-to-bottom until the last chair loads, exploring and interpreting all the natural terrain this humble mountain has to offer—seeking out untouched pow stashes, hunting down odd leftovers, banking turns on technical snake runs, hitting silly side features and jibs, and playing in the park. Blaise loves to chase weird lines and push beyond the boundaries, so riding with him at his home resort in late winter/early spring conditions will be a blast.
“I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about my experience @blaisebootcamp and the delta between community in theory and community in practice … It exists as a hollow space, where the beauty of the human experience withers and dies, strangled by expectations and reciprocity. The authentic space of community in practice is one of shared love, pain, joy, exhilaration, frustration, motivation, fear, and passion, all without pretense or judgement. While snowboarding is the glue that bound our group together, it was everything else that will keep me coming back. I will never miss one.” — @howdyitsdavid.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Lift tickets: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Accommodations: Bear Valley Lodge – single or double queen occupancy Thursday thru Saturday nights (*single rooms and/or add on stay-overs are available at discounted rates w/ advance registration)
Breakfast: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Lunch: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Dinners: Thursday, Friday & Saturday
Welcome swag pack
Receive a group session recap video along with a shared file of camper photos
Professional filmer/photographer. We capture all the action! Individual photo and video packages are available for an additional cost
Hosts and special guests:
Help with your total gear set up
Double check your stance
Pointers on waxing & sharpening
Riding pointers & tips
Keep it fun and crew motivated and creative on & off the snow
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Airfare or transportation to/from Bear Valley Lodge
Equipment
Travel insurance
Bar tab & room incidentals
Blaise Boot Camp™ is an exclusive experience designed specifically for registered campers. Family members, spouses, and children are not included in camp activities or accommodations, and additional travelers cannot be accommodated unless they are registered. This way, every camper can fully enjoy and benefit from the experience. We’re happy to explore options with you and kindly ask that you discuss them with us before registering.
SNOW CONDITIONS
March in Bear Valley offers everything from perfect bluebird powder days to whatever the season brings. These trips cover the full spectrum: sunny skies with surfy snow, greybird flat-light days, and fresh snow laying down new accumulations.
TRAVEL SCHEDULE
Arrival: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Roll into Bear Valley Lodge between 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., check in, and kick off the adventure by meeting the group!
Departure: Sunday, March 15, 2026
Say your goodbyes after an unforgettable few days of fun, friends, and memories.
Don’t forget to check out of your room before hopping on the shuttle to the resort in the morning!
Optional stay-overs are available.
Note on Weather + Flexibility:
We ride with the rhythm of the snow! The order and timing of activities may switch around to make sure you get the best experience possible. Once you're in Slovenia, we may need to shake things up based on weather/snowfall, local happenings, or other fun factors. But don’t worry - we’ll keep you in the loop with any changes as the tour unfolds!
YOUR HOSTS
BLAISE ROSENTHAL
With a timeless style and an unmatched love for snowboarding, Blaise Rosenthal sets the pace at every one of our events. And though he’s been shredding since ‘89, and had a storied professional career, there’s not a jaded bone in this guy’s body. He’ll be the first one on the hill, the last one off it, and he’s always stoked to ride. no matter what the conditions or terrain, he’ll be riding hard all day long, doing everything he can to keep you as stoked as he is. In fact, the concept behind these camps came from seeing how Blaise interacts with a diverse group of riders. A subtle nudge here, a suggestion there, Blaise is constantly looking for opportunities to gently push every member of the crew to be their best and expand their sense of their own potential. Whether you want to get better at snowboarding, or just have a great time doing it, you couldn’t ask for a better guide.
@blaiserosenthal
KELLIE WRIGHT WHITLOCK
As our Executive Director Kellie puts to use decades of experience working with @highcascade as a Coach and Adult Camp manager. Her dedication to perfection is applied to every Blaise Boot Camp™ event resulting in seamless schedules that ensure all of our guests have a great time, both collectively and with consideration of each rider’s individual needs. In addition to running Blaise Boot Camp™, Kellie has been involved in numerous nonprofit campaigns, with the project closest to her heart being the Rocker Memorial Skatepark in Truckee. As a founding member, Kellie played a crucial role in securing approval for this state-of-the-art 25,000 square foot skatepark by the Recreation and Park District. Kellie is also currently an active board member of the Boise Skateboard Association, tirelessly advocating for the construction of skateparks in Boise and nearby towns. Kellie's dedication to her skate and snow shred communities is driven by her love for the outdoors and her belief in the positive impact that shared outdoor spaces and experiences can have on our individual lives and our collective story.
@MUYKELLIENTE
KELLIE SPEHAR
Free-spirited, free-range, fun-to-be-around, sweet and humble as pie, patient beyond belief in helping even the most novice riders progress — Kellie is certified and qualified to host you at Bear Valley.
Idyllwild, California born and raised, she came up as a park kid on the So Cal slopes before heading north to live in Bend, Oregon, to teach at Hoodoo and train at Bachelor; taking her knowledge of transition, inherent jump sense, and feature-flavor learned over the years to new terrain … including her recent ventures into the world of backcountry riding.
While her style is pretty laid back, she has a depth of formal training and experience that allows her to decipher each rider’s small body movements and how they correlate to their movements on a snowboard. Simply put, if you’re just figuring out the shred game, Kellie is here to help you level up!
Dedicated to our community locally and at-large, we’re excited and honored to have her with us, and we look forward to her contribution to what is sure to be another awesome experience for one and all at BV for Blaise Boot Camp™ 2025.
@KELLIE_SPE
OLIVER DIXON
Freestyle wild man, one-foot master, excellent Hula Hooper, straight out of Detroit (Pine Knob local), Oliver might be the most unique human in snowboarding, having made it an art of his own, and if you haven’t yet gathered from all the descriptives here — he’s fun to be around. LET’S GO!
For his sensitive side, he’s a very giving coach with endless patience and really celebrates the victories and accomplishments of his riders. He brings an unmatched character and charisma to our trips.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
*Click to expand
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Thursday: 4 - 6 p.m. check-in, followed by welcome reception, casual catered dinner, and sponsored boot fitting and tuning clinic.
Friday: Breakfast, ride, lunch (vouchers), ride, culinary experience, pizza.
Saturday: Repeat: Breakfast, ride, lunch (vouchers), ride clinic, après, fancy dinner, shred talk.
Sunday: 3-Peat: Breakfast, ride, lunch (vouchers), ride, goodbyes (see you next gathering!)
Looking for more time in Bear Valley? You can add an optional stay-over.
Stay tuned – VIP guest appearances and activities will be revealed before camp begins.
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We ride with the rhythm of the snow! The order and timing of activities may switch around to make sure you get the best experience possible. Once you're in Bear Valley, we may need to shake things up based on weather/snowfall, local happenings, or other fun factors. But don’t worry - we’ll keep you in the loop with any changes as the tour unfolds!
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Bear Valley Resort is literally located at the end of the road (scenic Highway 4) in the heart of the Stanislaus National Forest, a zone known as the California Alps, situated between Tahoe (to the north) and Yosemite (to the south).
From the parking lot or the top of the Mokelumne Express chair, looking across the valley, you can see the backside of Kirkwood, just seven miles away as the raven flies. But direct access in winter via Tahoe is no go. You’ve got to come to this place from an alternate route.
Amidst this vast, secluded, alpine basin, sits a fully functional ski and snowboard resort boasting an average annual snowfall of 400” inches, 1,900’ vertical feet and over 1,680 acres of in-bounds rad-ness, as well as access to shuttle-served side country.
The scene is mellow here, yet just as frothy, holding a similar reverence for shred to those zones more known. Rockstar Damian Sanders and legend Dave Seoane both owned it back in the day, when and then the resort was called Mt. Reba Ski Bowl.
The Village berg, with a population of 150, is a mellow 10-minute drive away, where the Lodge is centrally focused and self-contained with three restaurants (two bars) on-site within its walls, plus general store for any food stuffs and necessities. This is a stepped-up version of “summit dwelling” with a few upgrades and niceties which make for a cozy and casual stay after a day of riding.
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When packing, think winter gear with a touch of spring flexibility. While we hope for perfect bluebird powder days, we ride whatever conditions the season brings. This trip covers the full spectrum: sunny skies with surfy snow, or greybird, flat-light days with fresh accumulations falling throughout. Use this foundational checklist to make sure you’re ready for everything the mountain has to offer:
Board, bindings, and boots
Outerwear: Shell jacket/puffy and pants/bibs, additionally: coaches jacket/hoodie (not required)
Helmet (encouraged, though optional)
Goggles w/ extra lenses, suggest: mirrored/reflective (sunny), rose (partly cloudy), yellow (storm day), pocket goggle squeegee, anti-fog cloth is also nice
Performance layers, socks, incl. face mask/balaclava, beanie
Backpack
Water bottle
Sunscreen & lip balm
A cozy/casual kit for après hang-out and dinners in the lodge, maybe even bring a pair of slippers to shuffle around in
Board shorts or swimsuit, depending (treat yourself to private outdoor ice baths or hot tubs, available at an additional cost through AlpenGlow Spa & Fitness)
Phone charger
Optional equipment ideas: Theragun, foam roller, a yoga mat to tend to, stretch out, and treat those tired muscles (treat yourself to a massage or infrared sauna, available at extra cost).
Lastly, if/when traveling into the mountains, being well-versed and safe on the road is of paramount importance. Accordingly, this video on basic Winter Driving Tips is some helpful reference.
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Q: May I Bring A Partner or Spouse Who Doesn’t Ski or Ride?
A: Blaise Boot Camp™, is an exclusive experience designed specifically for registered campers. Family members, spouses, and children are not included in camp activities or accommodations, and additional travelers cannot be accommodated unless they are registered. This way, every camper can fully enjoy and benefit from the experience. We kindly ask that you discuss this with us prior to registering.
Q: What If I Have Dietary Restrictions?
A: If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate them. Each restaurant and cafe will have vegetarian options available.
Q: What is a “Host”? I Thought HCSC Had “Coaches”?
A: Our Gatherings feature Hosts who are accomplished snowboarders with extensive knowledge and will get the whole crew pumped to ride! While these Hosts may also be able to help you with your riding technique, Gatherings like this do not serve to replace formal instruction. If you seek that formal instruction and want a world-famous HCSC coach, then come ride with us this summer at Mt. Hood!
Q: Want to Arrive Early or Stay Longer?
A: Explore our Optional Add On Stayovers. Take a look at the optional stayovers to enhance your trip experience.
Q: What Happens After I Register?
A: At least two weeks before the trip, we’ll send an email with all of the details, including a detailed itinerary and other trip information to ensure a smooth and well-organized experience.
Q: What are the major airports to fly into?
A: The closest airport is Sacramento (SMF) at 134 miles away—about a 2 hr 20 min to 3 hr drive. Next is Oakland (OAK) at 161 miles, roughly 2 hr 40 min to 3 hr 20 min, followed by San Jose (SJC) at 173 miles, approximately 2 hr 50 min to 3 hr 40 min.
Q: May I request a private room?
A: Yes. If available, you may request a private queen room at an additional rate.
Q: What if I have questions?
A: Contact us at info@blaisebootcamp.com.
