Squaw Valley - World Snowboard Guide

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Squaw Valley is full-on and has been snowboard-friendly for many years. Squaw is a total snowboarder’s resort in every sense and is one of the best known in the Tahoe area. With its European-alpine feel, and its history in hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw is well used to looking after its visitors, with a substantial mountain on which to do so. 4000 acres of open bowl riding, 6 peaks, 30 lifts, a total capacity of 49,500 people per hour, 3 fun-parks and a halfpipe, combined with an average of 450 inches of snow a year (with massive amounts of snowmaking too), makes Squaw a great riders’ hangout.

Countless snowboard action videos feature the slopes of Squaw and it’s easy to see why. Located a stone’s throw from its neighbour Alpine Meadows, Squaw has heaps of terrain for all styles of rider to conquer - steeps, trees, long chutes, as well as easy flats for novices. Like many of the resorts in the Tahoe region, Squaw serves the weekend city dweller. Don’t despair though as the slopes can still be fairly quiet during the week-days leaving plenty of powder and open runs to shred.

New for season

2005/6: Beginner double chairlift at the Papoose Learning Area, a second magic carpet transport lift for the Squaw Kids Childrens Center

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Resort Statistics

Resort Type: Alpine
Winter: Nov to May
Summer: None

Lifts

Total Lifts: 33
Cable cars: 1
Gondolas: 2
Chair lifts: 25
Drag lifts: 4
Other lifts: 1 Magic carpet
Max people per hour: 49,500
Board Leashes required: Yes

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 100
Total ride area: 4000 acres
Longest run: 3.2miles (4.8km)

Top lift: 2758m
Vertical drop: 869m
First lift: 1890m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 25%
Red runs: 45%
Black runs: 30%

Lift Passes

Lift Passes:
1 Day pass - $64 with 1 day and afternoon pass you get free night boarding
1/2 day $50
Night pass - $25
2 Day pass - $113
5 of 7 Days pass - $267
Season pass - $1,495
Lift times:8.30am to 9.00pm

Snowfall

Average annual snowfall: 11m
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 20%

Facilities

Snowboard Schools: group $43/2hr
private $90/hr
Snowboard Hire: board and boots $37/day
5 days/$148
Night Riding: : 3.2 mile Mountain Run open and terrain park open every night until 9pm. Free for day pass holders