Squaw Valley

A breathtaking valley with a lush meadow, meandering creek, and 9,000-foot granite peaks, Squaw Valley is a recreationist’s paradise. Squaw opened in 1949 with two rope tows and one double chairlift, but by the next decade had grown enough to convince the world that it could host the 1960 Winter Olympics, putting Squaw Valley, and Tahoe, on the map. Today, Squaw Valley, with 30 lifts and 4,000 acres of skiable terrain, is one of the top mountains in North America and a year-round destination. In the summer, the Village at Squaw Valley hosts not-to-be missed events such as the Brews, Jazz, & Funk Fest, Tuesday Bluesdays, and Wanderlust.

The next valley over is Alpine Meadows. Its ski area, Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, was founded in 1961 and offers 2,400 acres of skiing. Located on U.S. Forest Service land, in the summer the mountain offers great hiking and biking. Both Squaw and Alpine are located near the Truckee River, a perfect summer playground for swimming, fishing, or rafting.

With the exciting news this year that Alpine and Squaw have merged and are offering joint passes, it’s a great time to have a Squaw Valley vacation rental or ski lease in either valley and ski at both mountains.

Summer Activities

One of the best things about Squaw and Alpine in the summer is its proximity to the bike path, which follows the Truckee River to Tahoe City for five miles. Rent a bike at Squaw’s bike rental shop or at Factory Bikes at the entrance to Squaw Valley. Feeling like you don’t want to leave the valley? Try the Squaw Valley Adventure Center, which has a miniature golf course, climbing wall, and skyjump bungee trampoline in the village, as well as a ropes course across the street. For one of the area’s most beautiful hikes, walk the Shirley Canyon trail, which takes you past waterfalls and swimming holes all the way to High Camp; you can take the Cable Car down. Play a round of golf at the Resort at Squaw Creek’s 18-hole championship golf course, or head to Alpine Meadows Stables to explore Alpine’s beauty on horseback.

Winter Activities

On a bluebird powder day, there is no better place to be than in Squaw Valley or Alpine Meadows. Squaw, which is undergoing $50 million in on-mountain improvements, including new high-speed chairs, has terrain for all ability levels. If you are an intermediate, hit up Shirley Lake; for advanced skiers, it’s straight to KT-22 for you. Rent your ski and snowboard equipment accross the street from Inn Shop of Squaw Valley and walk to the lifts.

Besides skiing and riding, Squaw has lots of other winter activities: snowtubing at the base or ice skating, swimming and hot tubing up at High Camp. For something a little different, try a dog sled ride through the Squaw Valley Meadow with Wilderness Adventures. At Alpine Meadows, be sure you make your way to the top of Lakeview Chair for spectacular views of Lake Tahoe, then ski down to the Ice Bar to end your day with a beer.

Dining

The Village at Squaw Valley offers a wide variety of restaurants, from popular sushi joint Mamasake to family-friendly Fireside Pizza Co. to more upscale Bistro 22. For après-ski, Squaw can’t be beat. Grab a beer and a handroll for $5 at Mamasake, or walk over to the Cornice Cantina in the Far East Center for stunning views of Squaw Valley and a taco and margarita. Outside the village, Graham’s, housed in the valley’s first house, features California cuisine influenced by Mediterranean recipes. Pull up a chair at the bar at casual Sandy’s Pub in the Resort at Squaw Creek, or dine upstairs at Six Peaks Grille for a fine-dining experience.

In Alpine, the Crest Café is a great stop for a sandwich break after biking on the bike path, or to fuel up on a breakfast burrito before hitting the slopes.

Services

The nearest large grocery stores are in Tahoe City – Save Mart and Safeway. Alice’s Mountain Market in the Village at Squaw Valley is small but carries a full selection of groceries, including natural and organic. The Olympic Valley Post Office is at 1920 Squaw Valley Rd. Truckee Tahoe Medical Group has a clinic at the base of Squaw Valley. It’s open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the winter but closed in the summer. For the nearest banks, vets, and pharmacies, see North Shore Tahoe Guide.

Staff Suggestions

Summer: Float the nearby Truckee River, ending with lunch and drinks on the deck at River Ranch. Hike the Five Lakes Trail in Alpine Meadows, mountain bike the Western States Trail to Painted Rock for the best views of Squaw, Alpine and beyond. Check out Squaw’s village and ride the cable car for awesome views, mountain top pool, and dining.

Winter: Powder days at Squaw or Alpine; get there early. Après with the locals at Le Chamois, or check out Wild Winter Wednesdays at the River Ranch. Sushi at Mamasake, or fine dine at Graham’s.