One of Lake Tahoe’s most notable chair lifts – KT-22 at Squaw Valley – will celebrate its latest closing in resort history.
On Saturday (May 20), Squaw Valley ski resort is planning to keep the KT-22 chairlift open until 7 p.m. to celebrate the iconic lift’s latest closing in history.
The lift normally closes at 4 p.m. The additional three hours will allow skiers and snowboarders to take their final runs of the 2016-17 season until just before the sun sets over Lake Tahoe.
“KT-22 is anticipated to close on May 20 due to conditions, but we will continue to assess for the possibility of further operations as we are committed to offering terrain as long as conditions allow,” according to a message on Squaw Valley’s Facebook page.
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows has received 721 inches of snow so far this season, second only to 810 inches in 2010-11, when KT-22 operated through May 8.
A cold storm Tuesday was expected to drop a few inches at Squaw with the snow levels predicted to be as low as 6,500 feet.
KT-22 is known to locals as “The Mothership,” one of “The Best Ski Runs in America” in 2016. Adventure Journal included it on its list of “The 9 Best Chairlifts in North America” in 2012. It services 1,767 vertical feet.
KT-22’s expert terrain includes cliffs, chutes and steep pitches that motivate skiers and riders to challenge themselves and push the limits.
Squaw Valley will offer downhill access on the Fourth of July for the fourth time and has announced plans to stay open beyond the holiday for the first time in resort history. The operations will be limited to Saturdays on the Shirley Lake Express chairlift as conditions allow.
Mt. Rose ski resort in nearby Nevada is the only other Lake Tahoe ski resort operating. Mt. Rose will close on Memorial Day (May 29).
Closing dates for Lake Tahoe resorts
Homewood: April 16
Kirkwood Mountain: April 16
Tahoe Donner: April 16
Granlibakken: April 17
Soda Springs: April 23
Sierra-at-Tahoe: April 23
Diamond Peak: April 23
Northstar: April 23
Boreal Mountain: April 23
Heavenly Mountain: April 30
Sugar Bowl: May 7
Donner Ski Ranch: May 14
Alpine Meadows: May 14
Mt. Rose: May 29
Squaw Valley: TBA
