Member Reviews: Squaw Valley USA

skiking4

Squaw- the Monster of Tahoe

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Featured Review
By skiking4

Pros: Amazing expert terrain, beginner terrain is high up on the mountain for good snow and views, good lift system, KT-22 = best lift ever

Cons: Intermediates might have trouble because the blue slopes are not well marked so it easy to end up on an advanced run, short(ish) beginner runs, pricey

Squaw is the Monster of Tahoe. The resort is 6 different mountains, all with many, many distinct above treeline bowls. Although the resort is a big pricey, it makes up in it's world-class terrain. Take the tram up to High Camp for a variety beginner runs with great views and good snow due to the high altitude. Even though the runs are a little short and somewhat flat, it is still a great learning area. The intermediate runs are in huge numbers. Shirley Lake provides the Tree Runs and Shirley Bowl, which are tree-lined slopes that vary in pitch and are immense. Gold Coast provides easier intermediate terrain, which can be accessed from the top of the Gold Coast Funitel, the only funitel...
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msprace

One of the Best

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Featured Review
By msprace

Pros: Great Terrain, Great Racing Runs, Great Facilities

Cons: Price, and too close to Reno

Squaw has something for everyone.   I never get bored at Squaw.  Great runs, surprisingly some of the best snow conditions from a consistency standpoint that I have ever had.  From the first time I raced at Squaw in 87', to the last time in 98' the racing facilities and staff working the events was amazing.   Friendly staff, sight of the 1960 Winter Olympics, and great terrain.   I go every couple of years, and don't waste my time at any of the other Tahoe Resorts anymore.
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andiforker

Best in Tahoe

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By andiforker

Pros: GREAT mountain, Close to 80/The Summit, Diversity of terrain, Awesome village at bottom of mountain

Cons: None

I have skied all of the mountains in Tahoe over the past 25 years and I never tire of Squaw. It has  terrain that challenges the very advanced skiers--that's a given. But what I really love about it is that it has a TON of challenging terrain for the intermediate - advanced skier, which is where most skiers classify, myself included.  I was at Squaw last weekend in the middle of a big storm. It was raining at the bottom of the mountain, but sure enough when I got off the gondola mid-mountain, it was pure snow. At the top it was a literal white out. That weekend I did some of the best skiing of my life in knee-high powder. The wind was pelting us on the front sie of the mountain, but on...
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Dan Gill

Went with a big group - all were satisfied

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By Dan Gill

Pros: Lots of runs to progress on

Cons: gets over-crowded

I had only skied once in my life (I was 10), then skied at Squaw as a beginner when I was 24. It's a completely reasonable drive from San Francisco. I got a lesson in the morning on some bunnies, then ended up skiing blue greens for the rest of the day after that.  There are a ton of blue and green runs so I was thoroughly entertained, but the mountain is so huge that the very advanced skiers I was with just did their own thing all day and had a blast as well.  I have been back since, still an intermediate, and messed around the terrain park a bit, but I don't know enough about terrain parks to leave a review for that. I'll definitely hit Squaw again.
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alexzn

Tahoe legend

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By alexzn

Pros: Legendary terrain, big mountain, nice views...

Cons: Need to be an expert to really enjoy it

Squaw's reputation is built on its expert terrain and for a good reason- if you ski Squaw, you can ski anywhere.  The mountian is huge and has tons of nooks and crannies that you learn only in several years of skiing there (and then yuo keep discovering new places long time after that).  Snow is Sierra sticky cement, which makes a lot of very steep runs actually skiable, which is one of the reasons why Squaw is a magnet for ski stars.  On a sunny powder day the mountian looks like a Warren Miller movie- skiers ripping huge air and huge turns everywhere (on a second thought, some of those guys ARE in the Warren Miller movies, so no wonder).  On the other side of the spectrum, the bunny...
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lola

great mountain

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By lola

Pros: amazing terrain

Cons: not much of a town around it

this is a great mountain.  it's so huge -- feels like the biggest in tahoe, to me -- so it's got almost any type of terrain imaginable.  it particularly has a lot of runs for the intermediate/advanced (myself included).  feels like you could ski all day and never repeat a run. only drawback is that there isn't much of a town around it, so if you make a trip out to tahoe you're likely going to stay at least a bit of a drive from the mountain.  last time we hit up squaw, we stayed a 15 min drive away (which feels like an eternity if you're a spoiled californian and are used to skiing mammoth, where there is lodging abound within a short shuttle ride away).  but i can live with the...
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veteran

Reno-Squaw shuttle $45 one way

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By veteran

Pros: easy peasy

Cons: none

The North Lake Tahoe Express shuttle from Reno Tahoe Airport to Squaw are excellent. After a very long trip from half a world away and a bit to drink in LA, I landed at Reno Airport at 6pm, was on the shuttle at 7pm (last ride for the day) to Squaw and it was $45. The guy even came outside to tell me the shuttle arrived. It was just so easy. I can highly recommend it. 
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DanLassen

Mother Church of the Sierra

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By DanLassen

Pros: History, steeps, variety, lift network

Cons: 140 miles away

I first skied Squaw in 1962 and haven't been there since 1989, but the season pass prices have gotten ridiculously cheap.  Prohibitively expensive by the day, it has now become a bargain if one commits to a season.  $429 for a Bronze pass, blacked out between Christmas and New Years, MLK and Presidents weekends, and Saturdays in Jan-Feb.  I DO NOT want to be anywhere near the place at those crowded times, and that limited pass costs just a bit more than four days at the daily rate.  Insane.   It is the Mother Church of the High Sierra ski resorts, hands down.  Heavenly and Mammoth may have big numbers, but Squaw has what is to me the perfect bunch of...
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jadedj

Massive Place

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By jadedj

Pros: Lots of terrain

Cons: Getting anywhere

I've skied here many times and for the money, I'd go next door to Alpine, just less pretension, less crowds, more skiing. 
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ExWanabe

Best terrain in CA

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By ExWanabe

Pros: Huge area, challenge and variety of terrain

Cons: Naviating across can take a few lifts

Squaw Valley is a huge resort with many different areas and terrain ranging from heart-stopping steeps to friendly intermediates and green slopes.  Skiers of all levels will find some part of the mountain they love.  Expert terrain includes bowl skiing, trees and cliffs.  Navigating the resort takes some getting used to, and there are many hidden areas for advanced and expert skiing.  The hot pool on top of the cable-car building is a great way to end the day, soaking with great views.  If you miss the last cable car down the mountain you have to ski down home run which can get a little crowded and dangerous with tired skiers.  Advanced skiers can bypass...
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