Squaw Valley Ski Resort
About The Resort
Squaw Valley is one of the oldest and best known resorts in California. It’s reputation from hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics has boded well for the resort’s fame, in addition to it’s popular adventurous terrain. Many who love the steeps swear by Squaw Valley although this does come with a higher price tag than some of the other resorts in Lake Tahoe. The amenities are plentiful here, and there are some great views of the Sierra’s to be found. If you can bear the crowds, or get here mid week, Squaw should definitely be on your list of Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts.
Resort Daily Hours
Mon: 9AM – 4PM
Tues: 9AM – 4PM
Wed: 9AM – 4PM
Thurs: 9AM – 4PM
Fri: 9AM – 4PM
Night Hours: Yes, usually until 9PM depending on the day.
Lift Operations
Total # Lifts: 33
Surface Lift: 5
Double Chair: 9
Triple Chair: 8
Quad Chair: 1
High Speed Quad Chair: 4
High Speed Six Chair: 3
Gondola/Tram: 3
Trail Information
Beginner Trails: 25 percent
Intermediate Trails: 45 percent
Advanced Trails: 20 percent
Expert Trails: 10 percent
Longest Trail: 3.2 miles
Terrain Information
Accessible Terrain: 4000 acres
Elevation Info
Highest Elevation: 9050 ft
Total Vertical Drop: 2850 ft
Lowest Elevation: 6200 ft
Tree Skiing: Yes
Off-Piste Terrain: Yes
Freestyle Terrain and Jib Parks
Terrain Parks: 3
Half-pipes: 2
Notes: Freestyle riders will enjoy the well maintained features at Squaw’s terrain parks. There are two half pipes, including one built in the ground. Park riding is not as well known here in comparison to some of the other resorts in Tahoe, but skiers and boarders alike will find a good variety of options.
Misc Activities
Tubing: Available
Helicopter Ski: Not Available
Snowmobiling: Available
Snow Conditions
Snow-making Capacity: 600 acres
Seasonal Snowfall: 450 inches
Services
Squaw specializes in providing all the amenities that are expected in a high end resort. The base village has restaurants, ski repair and rentals, and more. Up the mountain one can find more restaurants and other options.
Services available away from the village can be found in Tahoe City and other nearby cities, including emergency and hospital services as well as all the tourist focused businesses one would expect to see at a popular destination such as this.
Lift Passes/Day
Adult: $83 +
Youth: $61 +
Child: $10 +
Private and Group Ski Schools
As Squaw Valley offers the full gamut of on mountain amenities, the same holds true for lessons and clinics. All skill levels will find an option tailored to their needs, and full rental services are available as well.
Car, Bus and Air Transportation
Via Air:
Closest large airport is Reno International (RNO). The shuttles from the airport to North Lake Tahoe
have a transfer time of about 1 hr.
Via Car:
From Reno, Highway 80 West towards Truckee. Then, Route 89 South and right onto the Squaw Valley
Rd. exit which leads to the resort. 1 hr travel time.
From San Francisco, highway 80 to Truckee, then Route 89 South. Take a right onto the Squaw Valley
Road exit, which will take you straight to the resort.
Via Bus:
You can hire a bus from Reno to North Lake Tahoe, which takes about 1 hr.
You can hire a bus from San Francisco to North Lake Tahoe, which takes about 5 hours to Tahoe City.
You can hire a snow bus from bay area cities round trip to Squaw Valley for day trips.
Accommodation Information
The village in Squaw Valley has a variety of lodging, albeit on the expensive side. Cheaper accommodation can be found nearby in Kings Beach, Tahoe City and other North Shore areas. For vacation rentals, check out these links:
Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals, South Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals and North Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals
Calendar
Typical Season Dates: Between November and May
Things To Do in Summer
Summer activities at Squaw include hiking (there are also guided hiking tours available), biking and a few summer festivals at the base and sometimes up the mountain.
Resort History
At it’s opening in 1948, the Squaw Valley Development Company started with one ski lift and accommodations for fifty people. The big break for the resort, as well as California skiing, came when Alex Cushing’s bid for the 1960 Olympic Winter Games won the bid. This brought worldwide attention to Lake Tahoe and 100,000 skiers to Squaw over the next winter. Ever since then, Squaw Valley has continued to expand, adding gondolas and trams, the latest in lift technology and a full service village at the base of the mountain.
Other
Snowboarding Access: Allowed
Snowboard Leashes: Required
Common misspellings: Squaw Valle, Squa Valley, Squawvalley, Sqauw Valley, Sqaw Valley, Squa Vallly, Squa Vally, Squaw-Valley, Squaw Vally, Squaw Vlley, Sqaw Valley
Contact Information
Squaw Valley
PO Box 2007
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
Phone: (530) 583-6985