North Lake Tahoe (Week of 12Apr09)

[Edd]

We stayed at Northstar because my GF works for the company that runs it. Also skied Alpine Meadows and Squaw. Northstar wasn't challenging but it is beautiful and a nice place to hang your hat. They appear to ignore catering to the day skier, though. Here come the pics:

Northstar day 1, spring snow.

This bump run killed me. I don't know if the altitude got to me or the chile and beers I had for lunch but I I had to bail like 3/4 of the way down.

Day 2, took the day off due to severe winds in the forecast and to drive around the lake and get a sense of the area. I won't post those pics but here's a couple of Northstar Village:

Day 3 more wind so we chilled at Northstar, enjoyed a bit of fresh on top of hard crust:

Day 4, Alpine Meadows. Spring conditions. A great place with big terrain and a small resort feel. This first pic was a sign hanging in the lodge:

A bit of dust on crust:

Backside on piste pics:

Conditions improved and I got adventurous:

Did this hike from the frontside 6-pack lift to head to the non-lift served backside. The hike made me cranky:

Until I looked at this:

Pick your line. It was sweet:

Under the backside lift:

 

[Edd]

Returned to the frontside:

Day 5, Squaw. This place is sick. Spring conditions, better than yesterday.

If memory serves, this first pic was the Hidden Bowl area

and I started wandering:

Can't even remember anymore. Went to the frontside and started doing sick lines. Everyone had big balls that day due to incredible conditions.

Summary: I love Tahoe, and that was just the north side. Like SLC, you'll drive yourself nuts trying to ski everything. I was more impressed with Squaw than I thought I would be. Alpine Meadows is great, but there's more turn earning there than at Squaw to access stunning terrain.

 

[gmcunni]

great report + pics. been to tahoe once, would love to get back there.

 

[Ballistic]

YES! I'll actually be at Squaw for the next couple of weekends! I cannot wait! It will be my first Tahoe skiing experience!