The review Squaw Valley was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Altitude difference
868 m (Valley 1890 m - Mountain 2758 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
30
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 2 ← 4
Slope offering, variety of runs
Run location
just above tree line, under tree line
you can reach all runs with modern chair lifts, mostly high speed but without covers, 2 gondolas up to High Camp and Gold Coast
Total capacity
46072 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
31.4 km Total
long season until May, main runs are with artificial snow, but for the other runs is natural snow needed
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
20 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is practically always open.
Season 2008/2009
150 Days open
150 Days when valley run open
The slope preparation is very good.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
ski resort at the north shore of Lake Tahoe, highway 80 exit Truckee, attention highway can be closed during snow fall, approx. 1 hour from Reno airport
Access via Freeway 80 Reno-Sacramento, Exit 89 River Road
Orientation (trail map, information boards, sign-postings)
Environmentally friendly ski operation
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
- No ski busses
- No scheduled busses
Mountain restaurants, ski huts, gastronomy
only at High Camp and Gold Coast, otherwise in the Village or in the Resort at Squaw Creek
2 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
in the village or in the Resort at Squaw Creek but sooner placid
Accommodation offering directly on the slopes and lifts
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are many accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Tips
Towns/villages
- Squaw Valley
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort)
Guest beds 3400
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
good for families, Squaw Kids, learning area next to Squaw Village, also children have to pay for lift tickets
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Special slopes for slower skiers / beginners
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
Advanced skiers, freeriders
a paradiese for advanced skier and rider. KT-22, Headwall, Silverado, Granite Chief
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- very many freeride / deep snow areas
- very many extremely difficult, steep and unprepared runs (Double Diamonds)
Slope offering advanced skiers
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
2 parks between High Camp and Gold Coast, all runs suitable for riders
Information for Snowboarders
- very many freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
Offering snow parks
Cross-country skiing and trails
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 18 km
18 km at the Squaw Creek
Conclusion
panoramic view, advanced terrain, wide runs, night skiing included in the day tickets, no deposit for lift tickets
no chair lifts with bubbles, no foot rests at the most ski lifts, no free tickets for children (until 12 years they pay 10 $/day)
Test Report issued on 2009-01-05
Highlights
Advanced skiers, freeriders
Top ski regions • Tips for the ski holiday