Squaw Valley

Reality at Squaw

This is a big resort with serious terrain. It's stretched out around the Squaw valley (hence the name) with significant distance from one end to the other. Now joined to Alpine Meadows although it's a shuttle bus to get there and back.  Not great for young children because beginner terrain is largely on plateau near top of mountain, which can be closed on account of wind - very limited beginner terrain down low. Lifts crisscross the mtn in an illogical fashion and too many of them are slow fixed grip without protection from wind. Lifts across mountain also mean you'll end up skiing across the fall line more than you might like. 

Limited on-mountain eating facilities. Finally, storms come through in cycle - couple of days of wind and snow, then sunny, then couple of days of wind and snow. Wind coming down the valley can close all lifts. Against all that, lots of lift capacity, lots of room, serious blue and black terrain.  Would love to see more glades in bounds as well as some wide open fall line runs.

Pleasant little village at bottom although limited grocery shopping and limited range of restaurants. If you're a diehard advanced skier, then drop in off KT22 chair for some cliff jumping. If you have children, go to Northstar.  

No Snow for you

Squaw is a great resort, even with no snow it is a great resort, only two runs man made snow but 3min 45sec top to bottom is fun not what we came for but make the most of it we did.

Because of the lack of people a group lesson became a private lesson. Very comfortable rooms, not too expensive market for cook in facilities, hot tub to remove the ache and pains. Squaw is now linked with alpine meadows for a bit of a change of scenery. A great place to be a great place to ski.

Squaw Valley - put it on the list

Squaw Valley skiing was fantastic;  diverse and intereting terrain, great lift service and no crowds during the week. 

Great steeps and challenges off Granite Chief and Headwall Express were our pick. We were lucky to arrive just after a record snow fall, so conditions were excellent. 

The quality of the snow was surprisingly good; better than what we expected for California. Accommdation very good, although we didn''t use facilities. 

Underground secure parking included in tarrif. Resort is big enough to provide what you need, but has small village feel. 

Visit Alpine Meadows and Northstar while you''re there - quite different and close by. 

it snows more at Squaw

Squaw Valley has the great and varied terrain, something for everyone especially accessible extreme terrain. KT-22 lifts you atop of world class terrain in a matter of minutes while many other high speed lifts transport you around the mountain. In the village there is a range of food and bars, including an english style pub, woodfire pizza, japanese and frog dogs (hot dogs in baguettes). This is an awesome resort, I had to stay for three months!