Squaw Vally Ski Area Description:
Squaw Valley is one of the best-known ski resorts in the United States, not least for hosting the 1960 olympics and serving as the breeding grounds for extreme skiing. Squaw Valley is located in eastern California just over 10 miles from the Nevada border and just a few miles from the north shore of Lake Tahoe. The nearest towns are Truckee and Tahoe City.
Encompassing 3600 acres of boardable terrain served by 30 lifts spread across six peaks, Squaw Valley is a complex mountain with an enormous variety of terrain.
The beginner's area is uniquely located near the top, rather than the bottom, of the mountain. For this reason Squaw Valley has an aerial tram that runs to the well-equipped High Camp Lodge, which is able to carry beginners and non-skiing visitors (such as parents) to and from the beginner's area.
Although Squaw Valley and the village at the base of the mountain offer many facilities for families, with some of the best known extreme in-bounds runs in the United States, Squaw Valley is a hill enjoyed most by daredevils and experts.
Squaw Valley is also an excellent mountain for jibbers. With six parks containing features of various sizes designed by the internationally renowned Snow Park Technologies, there is something for park-lovers of all abilities.
Squaw Vally Ski Area Location/Directions:
Located near the north shore of Lake Tahoe in eastern California, Squaw Valley is 42 miles from Reno, where the nearest airport is located, 96 miles from Sacramento, and 196 miles from San Francisco.
The easiest way to get to Squaw Valley from the Reno/Tahoe Airport is the North Lake Tahoe Express shuttle, which can be reached at (530) 581-3922. Of course car rentals and taxis and limousines are also available.
Highway conditions can be found on the California Department of Transportation website and on their information hotline at 1-800-427-7623
Squaw Vally Ski Area Statistics:
- Trails: 170+
- Bowls: 6
- Beginner Terrain: 25%
- Intermediate Terrain: 45%
- Expert Terrain: 30%
- Longest Run: 3.2 miles (5.15 kilometres)
- Lifts: 30
- Uphill Capacity: 49,000 people per hour
- Acres: 3600
- Mountains: 6
- Snowmaking Coverage: 600 acres
- Summit Elevation: 9,050 feet (2,758 meters)
- Base Elevation: 6200 feet (1,889 meters)
- Vertical Drop: 2,850 feet (869 meters)
- Superpipe: Yes
- Terrain Parks: 5
- Average Snowfall: 450 inches (1,143 centimeters)
- Night Skiing: Yes
Squaw Vally Ski Area Reservations:
Squaw Valley has numerous lift ticket options and deals, and all tickets are also valid at Squaw's sister resort, Alpine Meadows. Day passes can be purchased online with a small discount when bought three days in advance.
Squaw Valley also offers a Tahoe Super 4 Pack, which offers a discount for purchasing for days worth of tickets, a corporate rate, free lift tickets for people who've just flown in with the presentation of a same-day boarding pass, and free passes (with some restrictions) for active military personnel.
Squaw Valley also works with the discount online lift ticket vendor Liftopia, who often sells deeply discounted passes.
Squaw Vally Ski Area Accommodations:
Accommodations for skiers visiting Squaw Valley are available in the village at the base of the mountain, and in nearby Tahoe City and Truckee.
Squaw Vally Ski Area Alternative Activities:
Squaw Valley is chock full of off-hill activities for visitors. A scenic tram ride to high camp is a relaxing way to spend a few hours. At high camp there are several activities such as hot tubbing and swimming at certain times of year, as well as ice skating with a beautiful lake view. The base area also has a climbing wall, and snowmobiling, dogsledding, snow tubing, and snowshoeing can all be done nearby.
Squaw Vally Ski Area Conditions and Weather: