Palisades Tahoe

Squaw Valley

Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley regularly gets voted one of the best ski resorts in North America. With over 3,500 acres of skiable terrain spread across multiple peaks, there are suitable areas for all ability levels (25% beginner, 45% intermediate, 30% advanced).

Squaw averages an impressive 11.4 metres of snowfall annually. The snow tends to be a bit heavier and wetter as opposed to resorts in Utah or Colorado.

Whilst there is a decent amount of terrain for all ability levels, the advanced and experts in particular will love Squaw. Squaw is renowned for their epic cliffs, cornices and chutes. In particular head to Silverado, Headwall, KT22, Cornice Bowl, and Granite Chief areas.

Also be aware that on a powder day this resort is the place to be. This means the locals come out in force and you can encounter some pretty epic lines for the lifts but with good reason as you'll be in paradise once you're up there.

Alpine Meadows

Alpine Meadows Ski Resort enjoys the same snowfall stats as Squaw Valley Resort (11.4 metres annually). At this stage you'll have to drive or take the Squaw Alpine Shuttle to get between the 2 resorts (10.7km) until the planned base-to-base gondola is built.

There is terrain for all ability levels, and like Squaw there are some really challenging runs for advanced and expert riders (25% beginner, 40% intermediate, 35% advanced).

Alpine Meadows tends to favour skiers more than snowboarders due to a number of required long traverses.

And like their neighbour Squaw, Alpine Meadows can get very crowded on a powder day. Be prepared for some lines at the lifts as the locals descend on the mountain for some great pow pow!