The Squaw Valley, USA Thread

[thetrailboss]

So it looks like Squaw is having a hard time opening as well...only Red Dog is open: http://unofficialnetworks.com/fast-firm-fun-squaw-valley-weekend-56147/

And it looks like AM and Squaw are considering connecting the two via BC access (NOT through Whitewolf). Read more here: http://unofficialnetworks.com/squaw-lauches-study-backcountry-access-squaw-alpine-55975/

 

[thetrailboss]

And Unofficial Networks, citing Huffington Post, says that California and Nevada are making a joint bid for another Tahoe Olympics:

http://unofficialnetworks.com/2022-olympics-lake-tahoe-nevada-agrees-california-bid-56833/

I wonder if they would use Squaw again?

 

[Smellytele]

Okay I have 10 years to save for it

 

[Philpug]

Northstar is skiing quite well, conditions are in mid season form...for the east. This time of year, I will take it.

 

[thetrailboss]

As discussed in this thread and on Unofficial Networks, Squaw is releasing a new trail map with actual trail names and new items marked. It created a stir. I just looked at it and I really don't see anything ground shattering. If anything it is worse than the previous versions, especially with the lack of detail in some areas (like Shirley Lake).

 

[thetrailboss]

The latest from Unofficial Networks: Squaw in talks with White Wolf to merge and allow for direct connection to Alpine Meadows. They also provide details about the legal fight that took place...and in which it was determined that White Wolf/Caldwell actually owned the upper third of KT-22 and Olympic Lady and not Squaw! :lol:

Caldwell says that he has been touring areas on KSL's dime to get ideas for developing White Wolf. Interesting......

 

[jerryg]

And Unofficial Networks, citing Huffington Post, says that California and Nevada are making a joint bid for another Tahoe Olympics:

http://unofficialnetworks.com/2022-olympics-lake-tahoe-nevada-agrees-california-bid-56833/

I wonder if they would use Squaw again?

The Reno-Tahoe idea has been floated for several years and a few years ago they began to get backers and began formulating a plan. Squaw would be one of the resorts used, as would Norhtstar and Heavenly.
There are some problems with the bid. The biggest is getting from Reno to the basin. The roads are narrow and windy and not ready for the type of traffic that the games would generate. While the problem can be solves, environmentalists are not happy about 4 lane highways.
The other major problem is a venue for the men's downhill. Squaw's Olympic course is no longer acceptable as it doesn't have the vertical needed per FIS regulations. Heavenly also used to host WC downhills, (And is forth in all-time WC visits up to 1986) but when it did, the course extended down towards the Carson Valley in Nevada. This included a lift that ran from the base of the end of the course and connected to the Stagecoach pod. The 10-year plan for the resort does call for bring the Wells Fargo lift pod back, which would add vertical to that part of the mountain and could possibly be used for such a course. The main reason this left and accompanied trails were abandoned was because they are southeast facing, didn't have snowmaking, and extended before the magical 7000 dependable snowline for that part of the resort. Once the WC stopped coming to the resort, the area was no longer feasible, but if you've got skins and are feeling adventurous, it's cool to ski down to the old lift and trail pod and skin back up. You can also ski another thousand vertical feet from there, to the valley floor, but there has to be a lot of snow and is highly unadvised without someone who really knows the area.

 

[Philpug]

Ain't happening. The area cannot handle the traffic. There would be more press for a 202X Olympics than they're were at the last Olympics here.

 

[thetrailboss]

Will the Keep Tahoe Blue organization even consider allowing any needed development?

 

[jerryg]

Will the Keep Tahoe Blue organization even consider allowing any needed development?

That depends on what impact any construction would have on the lake itself. Pollution concern has been raised, but the biggest gripe I've heard has to do with upgrading the roads. Many people don't want highways going to north and south lake and without them, it's not a feasible plan.

 

[thetrailboss]

JMA got out of AM at the right time. Their massive, $500 million expansion at Homewood has received final approval. If you are in Tahoe, ski it this season before it gets the massive makeover that is long overdue for some of the resort.

BREAKING NEWS

NEWS ARCHIVE
HOMEWOOD GETS NOD FOR BIG EXPANSION
December 16, 2011
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SAM Magazine--December 16, 2011--Homewood Mountain Resort, Calif., got approval of its redevelopment plan by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) on December 14. Homewood, which is owned by JMA Ventures, a minority investor in Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley, will undergo a transformation to an "upscale boutique resort" with a five-star hotel, ski chalets and an alpine village, reported the Sacramento Bee.

The TRPA OKed the first phase of the $500 million project, which will begin in 2014, and paves the way for a 75-room hotel and a village, including an ice rink that becomes a miniature golf course in the summer, and retail outlets.

Eventually, the 1,200-acre resort will offer condominiums, housing, faster lifts, bike trails and boating facilities.

To mitigate environmental concerns, the resort will provide an erosion control plan to prevent sediment from entering the lake, as well as shuttle services to relieve traffic congestion.

 

[jerryg]

JMA got out of AM at the right time. Their massive, $500 million expansion at Homewood has received final approval. If you are in Tahoe, ski it this season before it gets the massive makeover that is long overdue for some of the resort.

The Homewood plans have been in the basin news for a long time and from when I've read, JMA has always seen Homewood as a four season destination investment more than a resort that they wanted to pour a ton of ski-related money into. One of Homewood;s two base areas is literally across the street from the lake and JMA is hedging summer tourism as it is only about 10 minutes from King's Beach/Tahoe City. What they could get from waterfront access is probably a big question, but I would guess they have some plan given the expansion amount. Summer is king in Tahoe. It's the busiest time from hotels, at least on the south shore and given Homewood's semi-limited ski-related expansion potential, faster lifts, building replacements, and some glam are the way to make money. It's a neat place to ski and some great views, but the terrain is rather limited, as is the vert, and the infrastructure is beat.

 

[thetrailboss]

Yeah...things are really sucking for Squaw so far this season. They are limping with two runs open off of Snow King (Red Dog and Squaw Creek chairs).

http://unofficialnetworks.com/squaw-bad-nbc-nightly-news-covered-bad-62177/

http://unofficialnetworks.com/rain-drops-drizzling-snow-squaw-valley-conditions-update-122811-62023/

 

[Edd]

Gawd, that's just not right.

 

[snoseek]

Heavenly and Northstar are taking this quite a bit better than Squaw. Stictly groomer skiing all around but multiple options and pods are skiing ok thanks to a East Coast like snowmaking system. Either way its a complete utter shitstorm this week with all the vacationers and all. I've been spending more time hiking than skiing and will patiently wait for winter to materialize. Storms that slam in off the pacific can change the entire direction of the season in just a few days, If you have a vacation booked here in the next few weeks then I feel for you.

 

[jerryg]

Heavenly and Northstar are taking this quite a bit better than Squaw. Stictly groomer skiing all around but multiple options and pods are skiing ok thanks to a East Coast like snowmaking system. Either way its a complete utter shitstorm this week with all the vacationers and all. I've been spending more time hiking than skiing and will patiently wait for winter to materialize. Storms that slam in off the pacific can change the entire direction of the season in just a few days, If you have a vacation booked here in the next few weeks then I feel for you.

While I don't arrive till Jan 28th, I may be bringing some hiking shoes and sadly no skins...

 

[thetrailboss]

So some news from Unofficial. Apparently the link between Squaw and Alpine Meadows is ready to go, but they have postponed the opening until tomorrow. That was quick. I guess White Wolf was able to agree to the deal pretty quickly:

http://unofficialnetworks.com/squawalpine-connect-postponed-91049/

http://unofficialnetworks.com/squawalpine-connect-open-time-tomorrow-90895/

And apparently, despite what Andy Wirth was saying earlier about this not being "that bad of a season," Unofficial is saying that the Granite Chief replacement lift is on hold because of lack of money.

http://unofficialnetworks.com/squaw...ment-high-camp-links-chairlifts-summer-90918/

 

[thetrailboss]

The other big news is that Squaw is going to improve their snowmaking....whatever that means. As folks on UN were asking, does this mean more terrain covered? I hope so because their snowmaking capabilities are really pathetic. I loved Squaw, but HATED the Mountain Run from Gold Coast to the base.

 

[thetrailboss]

Update from Unofficial....

Looks like KSL is still talking with White Wolf about merging and things are "on track."

http://unofficialnetworks.com/squaw...argest-ski-resort-update-troy-caldwell-95587/

 

[thetrailboss]

And Unofficial also has a trailer for the Squaw Valley Documentary Movie that looks pretty interesting...

http://unofficialnetworks.com/love-squaw-watch-squawthe-movie-95676/

Another clip: