Over 10 Feet of Snow this December

It took some time to get things rolling this winter but Mother Nature came through big time in the month of December delivering over 10 feet of snow. Squaw is almost 100% open (still waiting for Silverado) and are running 30 lifts. The conditions are excellent as we head into 2009.

Happy New Year and we hope to see you in Squaw Valley soon!

KT-22 is Open!

Skiers and riders are enjoying turns on KT-22. Recent snow has opened up additional terrain on both lower and upper mountain. Squaw has 21 lifts spinning today and there are some great stashes of light fluffy snow. The recent wind has blown some snow around so look to see where that snow is landing to find the stashes. There is plenty of beginner and intermediate terrain open and the kids are out there with smiles on their faces. Night operations begin on Christmas Day which offers skiing and riding on the 3.2 mile long Mountain Run. Below are some pics of KT-22.

More Snow on the Way!

The Tahoe community was eagerly anticipating the arrival of winter and some snow. Now we are preparing to get buried! With 3 feet from this last round of storms and 18-24 inches expected by Friday night, things are looking really good. Even better, a big, wet storm is on its way Sunday. Below is an excerpt from the Weather Discussions on www.noaa.gov regarding the long term forecast (Sun - Wed). It sound like this weather pattern is going to continue through Christmas Day at least. Book your reservations today before the holidays are all filled up.

From WWW.NOAA.GOV:
....OTHERWISE SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BRING ANOTHER ROUND OF HEAVY PRECIPITATION TO THE SIERRA...NORTHEAST CALIFORNIA AND NORTHWEST NEVADA. LOWER VALLEYS OF WESTERN NEVADA MAY SEE A PERIOD OF RAIN LATE SUNDAY BEFORE CHANGING OVER TO SNOW OVERNIGHT. WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES WILL LIKELY BE REQUIRED ONCE AGAIN AS THIS SYSTEM APPEARS EVEN WETTER THAN ITS PREDECESSORS.

Squaw Gets Over 3 Feet of Fresh!

A huge storm hit the Tahoe region over the last few days and more snow is in the forecast. Upper mountain lifts will be opening tomorrow (12/17). Below are some pics of the storm.

Wax Up Those Boards!

Photo by Scott Gaffney

It has been a slow start to the winter but the weather pattern is changing today and snow is on the way. There has been an inversion layer (warmer at higher elevations than lower elevations) and snowmaking was not possible up top. That has all changed, snowmaking has been in full force for the last few days and a huge drop in in temps is expected starting today. The weather forecast for the weekend and next week is looking really good for some of the white stuff. Conditions should be good for the holidays.

Squaw is running the Cable Car daily with ice skating available at the Olympic Ice Pavilion. The new mid station at Exhibition was open last weekend and will be open this weekend as well. There is also plenty of snow at the tubing hill by the Papoose chair and snow tubing is open on the weekends as well. There are lots of events lined up for the holidays this year as part of the Squawlidays Celebrations. Take a look at our Events Calendar for a full list of special events including Santa in the Village, the Torch Light Parade, and New Year's Eve celebrations.

To get help us get all get pumped to hit the slopes, send us your favorite Squaw Photos or Videos. You can send them in via EMAIL.

The Winner of the Greatest Stay Contest is Gabie Benson!

Congratulations Gabie on your prize of a 5 Night Stay here at The Village at Squaw Valley USA!

It was tough deciding on the winner with so many incredible entries about vastly different experiences. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest and keep an eye out for our next contest.......

Here is the winning entry:

It's really fitting that I found this contest on the same week my husband and I are celebrating our 1 year anniversary and our week long retreat to Squaw Valley. I always new Lake Tahoe was the ideal honeymoon location for us. My husband loves nature, good food, and the great outdoors. I wanted to find a place where we could peacefully relax in a beautiful atmosphere, but find an exciting night life. I knew the combination of the majestic views and the nearby casinos would please both of us. And, after a long 13 month engagement and all the stress of wedding planning, Squaw Valley was just what we needed.

I couldn't have asked for a more prefect week in Squaw Valley. I often woke up early for a stroll through the Village to enjoy the crisp chill of the morning and a cup of Starbucks. Dave would prepare breakfast for us in the in-suite kitchen and plan out our day. Lunch in Tahoe City? A hike around Emerald Bay? Cruise on a sailboat? Win big in Reno? Get stuck in a snow storm? We did it all. We made candles at Waxen Mood. We drank Irish beers at Auld Dubliner and had pizza at Fireside…twice. We spent our gambling winnings on fleece jackets to keep us warm and became the chocolate shops best customers. We took advantage of everything Squaw Valley and Lake Tahoe had to offer.

A year later, photos of those beautiful views we enjoyed from our balcony in the Village hang in our living room. We are reminded every day of that very special trip. Dave and I plan to return to Lake Tahoe again. Until then, the Village at Squaw Valley will always be close to our hearts!

David and Gabrielle Benson

The Greatest Stay Winner Update

Today is the final day of the Greatest Stay Contest. Thank you very much to everyone who submitted their stories and it was a pleasure reading them all. In fact, we need another day to go through them all and decide on the winner. Stay tuned for the winning entry.....

High Camp, Ices Skating, Squaw Kids and Snow Tubing are Open!

Squaw Valley USA has opened the scenic Cable Car for daily service bringing guests to High Camp where the Olympic Ice Pavilion is open for skating from 11AM-7PM. Snow tubing is open at the Papoose Learning Center from 10AM - 4PM. Squaw Kids is open for half day beginner lessons for children 3-12 years old. Call 530-452-7225 to book lessons. More news to come. Check out www.squaw.com for more up to date information regarding mountain operations.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Winter Update on Squaw Valley USA

Thanksgiving typically marks the beginning of the early ski season or pre-season. So what is happening here at Squaw Valley? Snowmaking has begun in the following areas, Papoose Learning Area by the snowtubing lift, Children's World, and Exhibition Lift. No lift opening information is available at this point from Squaw Valley but the temps are cold enough for overnight snowmaking to be possible. There is still natural snow from the last round of winter storms to hit Tahoe and there is some more snow in the 10 day forecast. Stay tuned for information about skiing and riding possibilities for Thanksgiving weekend.


The Village is a great place to be for Thanksgiving. 1 Bedroom condominium suites have full size kitchens with ovens, refrigerator and freezer, dishwashers and all the serving utensils you need to cook a Thanksgiving dinner for the entire family. 1 Bedroom suites begin at only $179/nt and longer stay discounts are available over that time. Restaurants in Squaw Valley and North Lake Tahoe will be offering special Thanksgiving dinner menus if you prefer to dine out. We hope to see you up here for the holidays.

Greatest Stay Contest Update

Greatest Stay Contest Update:
We have had some amazing entries already for the Greatest Stay Contest. Each entry is unique and it is great to hear about everyone's adventures. There is still time to get your entry in before the winner is announced on December 1st. Below are some lines from the entries we have received so far and some photos from our guests.

"I think we hit all of the Squaw eateries (some twice!) and of course Starbucks, and we also took some great walks along your cobblestones and breathed in the crisp cool air. When there was a short break in the weather we headed over to the Tahoe City beach and watched the kids play on the structures, but otherwise we just plain enjoyed the time with our friends. We watched movies, talked, laughed and basically just relaxed. It was a beautiful thing."

"I always new Lake Tahoe was the ideal honeymoon location for us. My husband loves nature, good food, and the great outdoors. I wanted to find a place where we could peacefully relax in a beautiful atmosphere, but find an exciting night life. I knew the combination of the majestic views and the nearby casinos would please both of us. And, after a long 13 month engagement and all the stress of wedding planning, Sqauw Valley was just what we needed. "

"We had the pleasure of staying at Squaw Valley on our first-ever trip to Lake Tahoe. We were in awe from the Olympic entrance through to the view from our balcony. I was raised at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, and never felt as close to nature and in such awe as when I visited Lake Tahoe. What a beautiful place!"

Gearing Up for The Winter

It's that time of year when you start thinking about skiing/riding again and hopes for a big winter are in the back of your mind. There are many things to think about before the snow starts flying. Do you have all the gear you need for next winter, what big events are coming to Squaw Valley this year, what's new in the Valley for 08-09, and what accomplishments will you make on the mountain this year. To get the wheels turning, we have some great information for you. The Village at Squaw Valley has been offering some great special rates through their website and through the monthly newsletter. Keep checking out the website for special deals throughout the year and sign up for the newsletter Here. You can also enter to Win a 5 Night Stay by entering in our Greatest Stay Contest. See the details below on this blog.

Great deals are available on last year's gear at all the Village shops and the new merchandise is coming in. Check out Tait's Board Shop, Granite Chief Sports, PlumpJack Sports, Gondola Sports, and Surefoot Custom Bootfitters.

You can find out more information about these shops on our website or click Here.

We are really excited about a huge event that will be the first of it's kind here in Squaw Valley. The Freeride World Tour will be making a stop in Squaw Valley February 27 - March 5, 2009. The most exciting news about this event is that it will be held on the Tram Face, an area that has never been open to the public or held a competition of this kind. Squaw Valley USA is the only North American stop on this tour. This will be an incredible event and keep an eye out for live music, parties and celebrations all week. More information is available Here.

What's new this year at Squaw?

Squaw Valley USA has installed a brand new electronic ticketing system that will make getting through the line and onto the chair even faster. We all know that waiting in lines is not something that Squaw Valley is known for but the new ticket system will speed things up even more.

Custom backcountry tours will now be available for groups to book. Certified backcountry guides will take groups of varying sizes and abilities to terrain that is not open to the public.

Parks and Pipes. Squaw Valley USA has completed it's in-ground Rivera Superpipe. Along with that improvement, Squaw has installed power to the Bellmont Night Park so jibbers can enjoy better lighting at night throughout the park.

To get the wheels spinning about the winter, below are some links to videos of great turns made right here in Squaw Valley. Enjoy.

The Fingers

The Palisades

Squaw Overview

First Powder Day of Winter 08

Oktoberfest: Saturday, September 27th, 2-6PM

The last big event for the summer season is the Oktoberfest celebration at The Village at Squaw Valley. This is the 7th Annual Oktoberfest and it is a great event with lots of entertaining games, contests and music.

The event will include a variety of entertainment for the entire family, including performances by Joe Smiell and his 20-piece Bavarian band on the main stage. The Alpentanzer Schuhplattler Austrian Dance Troop as well as the Almenrauch Schuhplattler will be another lively addition to the entertainment line-up.

The Village at Squaw Valley Oktoberfest also will provide plenty of interactive fun and prizes. Visitors can compete in the barrel-rolling race or try to earn the title of Tahoe’s best Stein Holder. Meanwhile, the Bratwurst Toss competition will test your meat throwing skills. Guests are encouraged to get into the spirit of the event by wearing traditional Lederhosen and Austrian clothing.

For more details, check out the Events Calendar.
Click HERE for a video about the event.

4th Annual Art Bark Festival

September 13 – 14, 2008 > Saturday & Sunday

11 AM - 5 PM
The summer time festival combines the love of art and wine with the love of animals, a truly unique event that draws from near and far.

BARK IF YOU LOVE ART! Tails by the Lake is hosting the 5th annual Art Bark Fest- Animal Art & Wine Festival at the Village at Squaw Valley, USA. Visit gorgeous Lake Tahoe and enjoy sipping fine wines and browsing fine art underneath the peaks of Squaw Valley. The Art Bark Fest was created to combine the love of art & wine with the love of animals and is one of the only animal themed fine arts and wine festival in the country. The artwork varies from the work of Cholla the horse that paints abstract watercolors to a jeweler who creates a 14K gold necklace from your own dog's nose imprint. The unique artists attending the event vary from fine jewelry to crystal sculptures to oils and watercolors. See all the unique animal themed artists & craftsman who have attended Art Bark Fest below or at this link - Art Bark Fest Artists. 10% of all artwork sales at the event goes to The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe so buy some great art at Art Bark Fest and help a great cause!

The Greatest Stay Contest

We want to hear about your Greatest Stay here at The Village at Squaw Valley. Send us your story, along with any photos or video footage, for a chance to win a prize of 5 Nights Complimentary Lodging in a 1 Bedroom Condominium Suite! Selected entries will be published on The Village at Squaw Valley Blog. Entries are limited to 1 entry per person, must be 300 words or less, and must match a valid past reservation.


Submit your story HERE.


The winner will be announced on December 1, 2008.



Contest Rules and Regulations:

• The contest is open to legal residents of the United States of America who are at least 21 years of age as of the date of their entry.


• Only 1 entry per person will be accepted.


• Email confirmation is required with proof of age prior to receipt of gift certificate.


• Employees and their immediate families are not eligible for this contest.


• All applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.


• Resort accommodation is not redeemable for cash or transferable.


• Free stays not valid over the following time periods: 12/26/08-1/3/09, 1/16/09-1/18/09, 2/13/09-2/21/09 and reservations are based on availability.

7th Annual Brews, Jazz and Funk Fest!

August 16 – 17, 2008 > Saturday & Sunday

2 - 8 PM

This Squaw Valley event will be music to the ears of anyone who enjoys good beer and wants to GET THEIR GROOVE ON!
Some of the most recognized jazz and funk favorites of this era will treat audiences to two-days of free live performances in what has become one of the most popular Squaw Valley events of the year.

Music on Saturday
6 pm - Papa Grows Funk
4 pm - Robert Walter Trio
2 pm - Anthony Smith's Trunk Fulla Funk
Music on Sunday
6 pm - Dirty Dozen Brass Band
4 pm - Henry Butler Quartet
2 pm - On the One
2nd Stage Live Music
3:30 pm and 5:30 pm (TBA)

Beer tickets will be on sale for $10 the day of the event. This price includes a commemorative mug, while they last and two beers. Additional beer tickets will also be available at $3 for 1 and $5 for 2. Proceeds from the beer tasting benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe, as well as the $5 recommended entry donation.
Last year, the event raised $28,000 for the non-profit. Dogs on a leash are welcome.

The 7th Annual Art, Wine, and Music Festival

The 7th Annual Art, Wine, and Music Festival comes to The Village at Squaw Valley July 19-20, Saturday and Sunday.

This two day celebration showcases the work of more than 40 juried fine artists, a benefit wine tasting each afternoon, and live musical performances on outdoor summer stages.

For more information Click Here