The 2009-2010 season marks the mountain’s 60th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the Olympic Games. In celebration, Squaw is pulling out all the stops with new ski and snowboard programs and commemorative events like “Ski with Jonny Days.” Mountain guests can enjoy a run with mountain host and 1998 Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley. Squaw also spent more than $5 million in resort improvements over summer 2009, including a massive remodel of the mid-mountain restaurants and a renovation that took the High Camp chairlift from a double to a triple.
Squaw Valley measures 4,000 skiable acres spread over six peaks at a base elevation of 6,200 feet. The summit peaks at 9,050 feet for a vertical rise of 2,850 feet. The world’s most advanced lift system offers access to Squaw’s 170 trails, on which skiers and riders will find steep chutes, wide, impeccably groomed boulevards, open glades and deep powder pockets. Extreme riders will also find terrain parks filled with rails, jumps and even half-pipes. Twenty-five percent of the mountain’s trails rank as beginner, 45 percent qualify as intermediate and 30 percent are designated as advanced. The trails are just the beginning of the experience at Squaw. The mountain is known for its endless amenities at the spectacular base lodge and village and at High Camp, which is accessed by the resort’s aerial cable car. From the swimming lagoon and spa to the Olympic Ice Pavilion to the Olympic Museum and so much more, there’s as much to experience off the slopes as on. Squaw Valley USA offers a fantastic ski school with lessons, clinics and specialty programs, as well as first-rate rental equipment. The Children’s Center offers both lessons and daycare for pint-sized skiers and snowboarders.
As befitting a world-class destination resort, Squaw Valley has earned numerous awards and accolades from various Web sites and publications, including second best Overall Ski Resort by Mens Journal, fifth best Overall Resort and Elite Skiing by Forbes Traveler and “Best of the Best” by ESPN Sports Traveler and away.com.