Squaw is by far the best mountain at Tahoe. Imagine 4000 acres of the Vail backbowls and that's pretty much Squaw. For some reason it seems to be largely a skier's mountain, but I think that's because of the lack of a good terrain park. Go to Northstar for that. Squaw is a mountain where you just pick a lift, get off, and go wherever your heart desires and your skill level allows! There are definitely amazing and challenging runs on lift-accessed terrain - KT-22, Silverado, Headwall, Granite Chief, not to mention the hike-to Palisades - a section I know I'll never ski - I know my limits!
The down side of Squaw is the tired but true accusation of poor and rude service. The on mountain facilities are really dated and it's impossible to get decent food the mountain. It's a mountain with so much promise that just doesn't deliver. That is, except for the skiing. Lift lines are relatively short and the skiing is amazing. I do wish they take a lesson or two from Northstar, but I'll keep going back. It's the best skiing in Tahoe, hands down.
Don't get me wrong, I love skiing period and am happy on any mountain. I love the local favorites Alpine and Mt. Rose - great atmosphere and awesome skiing. Heavenly is an unwieldy, disorganized, poorly laid out mountain with huge lift lines packed with way too many gamblers testing their poor mountain skills, but like Kirkwood and Sierra can be fun if you want a change of scenery. Sugarbowl and Northstar are both great places to warm up and get your ski legs back (Sugarbowl has also got some pretty challenging terrain) - and have the best terrain parks by far at Tahoe. Ski season doesn't start, though, until I'm at the top of Granite Chief and choosing my line down back at Squaw.
This is the best place in North America to ski. I visited South Lake Tahoe for the first time January 12-19 2008 with all my focus on skiing Heavenly. Upon arriving we decided to ski Sierra, Kirkwood, Squaw, and Alpine Meadows, and we liked Squaw so much that we had to ski it a second day. This resort has some of the best run I have ever seen and the views are incredible. If you are ever in the area this is a must to ski. I have already booked another trip back the first week of Febuary.
Anonymous - January 27th, 2008
1 of 1 people found this Resort Review helpful.
Overall
2 of 5
Family Friendly
1 of 5
Downhill Terrain
4 of 5
Terrain Park
n/a
Apres Ski
5 of 5
Squaw has great terrain (second only to Kirkwood in California) if you are an advanced skier. Intermediate runs are poor compared to other Tahoe resorts. The customer service is terrible, and the trail map is useless. If the scene matters most, then Squaw is the place.
Anonymous - January 5th, 2008
0 of 1 people found this Resort Review helpful.
Overall
5 of 5
Family Friendly
5 of 5
Downhill Terrain
5 of 5
Terrain Park
5 of 5
Apres Ski
5 of 5
Squaw Valley is one of the best resorts in the world. Theese past two years have been rough snow wise, but Squaw cannot control the weather. Despite little snow, Squaw still tries their hardest to open their diverse terrian which includes bunny slopes to some of the most difficult runs in tahoe. Having skiing their all my life, I know that Squaw is perfect for any skiers.
Anonymous - January 4th, 2008
1 of 1 people found this Resort Review helpful.
Overall
5 of 5
Family Friendly
3 of 5
Downhill Terrain
5 of 5
Terrain Park
4 of 5
Apres Ski
2 of 5
Squaw is simply the best resort at the Tahoe area, period. The only resort that gets a little bit close is Heavenly, but not that close. What’s so unique about this resort is it’s terrain with wide open bowls that you can’t really see anywhere in America and are a lot more common in Europe. In fact, they don’t even keep count of their trails, they only have an estimate, because once you are up on the mountain, you can go anywhere.
As one of the last big resorts that are still family owned, they invest a lot of money on their core business (lifts, machines, etc) rather than on other money making activities, and because of that, they have a great lift network, with some nice high output lifts, that makes the lines always reasonable , even on crowded powder days,
About their staff, as a former lift operator there, I have to agree that they are not the friendliest team in Tahoe, they just don’t think that that’s all that important. They’re very professional about their job, don’t make any mistakes about that but if you are looking for a nice, helpful, family friendly staff, you’d better go to Northstar, they have a great overall environment.
Après-Ski is really not their thing, as it is not the thing of any other sky area in north Lake Tahoe. A trip to South Lake Tahoe after the resort closes it1s always a good idea, if you are looking for some decent nightlife.
Anonymous - December 28th, 2007
0 of 2 people found this Resort Review helpful.
Overall
5 of 5
Family Friendly
1 of 5
Downhill Terrain
3 of 5
Terrain Park
1 of 5
Apres Ski
1 of 5
I have been skiing Squaw for over 20 years (seems everyone here has). Many of the chair lifts can see most of the action so it is a great show off's mountain. I really believe this is the major attractions of the place. I know it is why I like it. Let's face it the lifties are rude, many of the skiiers are cocky jerks, the kids are a bunch of spoiled brats, on a good snow day the mountain is skiied off in 20-30 mins and the mountain facilities are disgusting.
Beyond the hero aspect of the place there are other good things. Short steep runs that get your adrenaline pumping but don't require endless stamina. There can be TONS of snow dropped in a short time frame and when it snows during the day the crowds lighten up and you can catch many good runs. The new village at the base (not that s...hole that has been there forever) is quite nice. Most of the cocky jerks know each other so there is a decent amount of comraderie. There is nothing like a ride up KT on a huge snow day watching endless dudes huck it off the fingers. The only ones that will contest this are the rich mom's from Marin that are doped out of their head on prozac.
Squaw rocks!
Anonymous - December 24th, 2007
1 of 1 people found this Resort Review helpful.
Overall
2 of 5
Family Friendly
1 of 5
Downhill Terrain
4 of 5
Terrain Park
n/a
Apres Ski
3 of 5
Squaw is a great mountain, and can be fantastic if the snow conditions are good. I started skiing there in 1968. Unfortnately they have a reputation for having terrible customer service. That reputation met up with itself this past Saturday. My daughter who is an accomlished skier wanted to try boarding. The lesson reservation system was a disaster. We were significantly overcharged. Then to make matters worse, she had her ticket clipped going up the tram at 8:30 am. Even though she is 15 with a youth ticket they accused her of being 19. Attempts to complain to management were unsucessful. It is too bad these places do not recognize they are in the service buisness. Thankfully we have a lot of other great altenatives in Tahoe.
Best mountain in Tahoe, hands down, no contest. Massive amount of terrain, variety of terrain: everything from the most extreme 'in-bounds off-piste' skiing (Palisades) to an extensive beginner program, and awesome powder. If you like to hike, the Granite Chief bowl (skiers left) has fantastic powder, The Palisades has epic chutes, and Broken Arrow peak has several lines for those who need to show off for the cable car. KT-22 has some of the most challenging runs anywhere. The mogul masochists can get their fix on the face of Headwall. The tree runs down to Shirley are fun to cruise when the wind keeps the top from openning up, but the hidden gem of the mountain is Granite Chief. While not as challenging as KT-22, Headwall, etc., it's tucked away location keeps the lift lines short on crouded days and it usually has the best snow when the wind keeps the other peaks closed. If you can't find something here to keep you happy, turn in your rental equipment, go home and promise to never come back. You are taking up space.
As for the new resort renovations, please stop. It's never going to be an alpine ski town in the Alps, or Vail, or Aspen, or whatever they are trying to make it. Squaw has the feel of a mountain near the California/Nevada border in Tahoe, which is okay because it is a mountain near the California/Nevada border in Tahoe. Tahoe has one of the most unique feels of any ski area in the world. The Alps are about the Apres-Ski, Colorado mega-resorts are about the 'scene' and being seen, and Tahoe is about the skiing. To quote a great man, "I yam what I yam, and that's all that I yam!" (Popeye)
There is no real Apres-Ski scene in North Lake Tahoe. Bring friends, and find a bar: Apres-Ski.
Top five ski resort, anywhere.
Anonymous - November 1st, 2007
0 of 1 people found this Resort Review helpful.
Overall
5 of 5
Family Friendly
5 of 5
Downhill Terrain
5 of 5
Terrain Park
4 of 5
Apres Ski
4 of 5
I have been skiing at Squaw Valley for over 20 years. There is terrain for every level of skier ... from beginner to extreme expert ... you just need to know where to look.
Caught Squaw 3 times last season...1st time was bad...Mt.Run was all ice and the ONLY runopen on blown snow...but last season was tough everywhere. In April I got there twice, just after small storms each time...much better, though I couldn't do Silverado and have yet to do Broken Arrow...but KT-22 was open the first time as was Headwall, so I got good double-blacks in. The later time I joined a skier to do what was there of the mountain (yes fellow boarders, skiers aren't evil...you can have a great time with a ski-buddy too), and had the best day I have had yet...Squaw is pricey, but you can still get discounts midweek with the Squaw card...
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