Julia Mancuso’s Insider Guide to Squaw Valley, California
Favorite runs: KT-22 and Red Dog Ridge.
Best trees: Red Dog Ridge.
Best groomer: Night skiing on Mountain Run, a 3.2 mile-long groomer lit up by special lights.
Secret stash: That’s a secret! Hint: There’s some secret pow on Red Dog Ridge.
Best month to ski Squaw: March, when everyone is tired and ready for spring and it snows three feet.
Where to ski on a powder day: Ski KT-22 all day and hope the line isn’t too long. Or take some laps and then head up the mountain as things open up. Here’s a killer powder-day itinerary: KT-Headwall-Emigrant-Granite Chief-Silverado.
Best après: Chamois. Order pizza and beer.
Best breakfast: Cinnamon roll and coffee at Wildflour. (Since Mancuso is a Squaw local who has won an Olympic gold, she’s earned a lifetime cookie pass at Wildflour.)
Best hot tub: Take the Ariel Tram to this mountainside oasis, complete with Frisbee golf, a poolside bar and a hot tub.
Best off-mountain activity: Cross-country skiing in the Squaw Valley meadow.
Best ski shop: Willards.
If you are going to Squaw, don’t forget to bring: Fat skis, bigtruck hat and zinc.
