The wind was howling Saturday and lifts on the upper mountain of Squaw Valley were shut down.
However, that didn’t stop many skiers and snowboarders, who were anxious to make some early-season turns despite the challenging conditions.
Ray Johnston made the three-hour-plus drive from Sausalito for a half day of skiing. Even though the terrain was limited, he had no regrets.
“This is great. It’s just fun being on skis for the first time this season,” Johnson said. “The snow is better than I expected. My goal is to get in 10 runs.”
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows has been open since mid-November. Squaw has the most terrain thus far among the Tahoe ski resorts, operating 18 lifts with access to 28 trails.
But that was not the case Saturday with the strong winds impacting the famed Olympic ski resort. The Funitel was running, but only giving skiers and riders just one choice, a trip down the Mountain Run. On the lower mountain, both the Red Dog and Squaw Creek lifts were running.
A year ago, Squaw Valley enjoyed its longest season in resort history, running lifts nearly two weeks after the Fourth of July before finally closing July 15. The 200 days of operations was nearly a month more than the average of 174 days.
“Last season was one we will not soon forget,” said Andy Wirth, president and CEO of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. “Mother Nature dealt out her fair share of challenges, with snow totals, wind speeds and overall volatility of weather the likes of which have never been seen in the Sierra Nevada since ski areas have been in operation. However, the monumental snowpack brought the historic opportunity to operate well into summer.”
Squaw Valley accumulated 728 inches of snow – equaling more than 60 feet – the fifth highest total in North America. Ten Atmospheric River weather events hit the resort, where the average season sees two to four. January 2017 broke the resort’s record for most snow in one month with 282 inches, snowing 23 feet in 23 consecutive days.
For the 2017-18 season, the biggest news comes at High Camp at Squaw. High Camp has undergone a major overhaul for the season with new carpeting, updated accents and reconstruction of the Observation deck.
High Camp’s Terrace Restaurant & Bar has been completely renovated with simplified decor. The restaurant is expected to reopen for the 2017 holiday season. High Camp Marketplace will also open this year, and will feature healthy grab-and-go meals, snacks, coffee, wine and beer.
The resort’s Poolside Cafe at High Camp has been renamed Granite Bistro. The bistro is scheduled to open by Dec. 20.
The biggest change at Alpine is the Alpine Meadows Lodge has been renovated this season.
Following last season’s huge amount of snow, Squaw has added new snow removal machines to increase its ability to clear roads and parking lots. The resort has also added new snowmaking hydrants and snowmaking equipment.
Resort openings: With the season-opener Friday for both Homewood Mountain and Granlibakken, there are now 12 Lake Tahoe ski resorts open. Only Soda Springs and Donner Ski Ranch remain closed for skiing and riding.
Projected Lake Tahoe ski resort openings
- Mt Rose: Open
- Boreal Mountain: Open
- Heavenly Mountain: Open
- Squaw Alpine: Open
- Kirkwood Mountain: Open
- Northstar California: Open
- Sugar Bowl: Open
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: Open
- Tahoe Donner downhill: Open
- Diamond Peak: Open
- Homewood Mountain: Open
- Granlibakken: Open
- Donner Ski Ranch: TBA
- Soda Springs: TBA
