Winter 2009-10 North Tahoe's Biggest Ski Spots
Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows and Northstar Shine as Downhill Resorts
Oct 12, 2009
The largest concentration of Lake Tahoe Basin ski resorts – seven Alpine and three Nordic -- lie in the mountains northwest of the lake. Two of these downhill resorts – Northstar-at-Tahoe and Tahoe Donner -- also include cross country trails.
The three largest Alpine resorts on the north side of Lake Tahoe – Squaw Valley USA, Northstar-at-Tahoe and Alpine Meadows together cover 9,400 acres, more than a third of the total of all Tahoe Basin ski resorts.
Squaw Valley, USA Equals Complete Resort Experience
Squaw Valley USA is nestled among six Sierra peaks – Snow King (7,550 ft.), KT-22 (8,200 ft.), Squaw Peak (8,900 ft.), Emigrant (8,700 ft., Granite Chief (9,050 ft.) and Broken Arrow (8,020 ft.). Second largest of the Lake Tahoe ski resorts at 4,000 acres, the resort ‘s terrain is divided into 25% for beginners, 45% for intermediate and 30% for advanced skiers. Site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Summit height is 9,050’, while it’s 6,200 feet at the base. With more than 170 trails (the longest is 3.2 miles), Squaw’s variety of lifts ranges from a cable car and a gondola to four high-speed quads and more than 20 other lifts. In fact, Squaw is noted for having one of the most extensive lift networks in the world.
The 12,000-foot Squaw Kids Center offers all day and half day lessons for all levels of skiers from the age of 3 to 12. The all-day session, including lunch, costs $119 ($159 holiday periods). Squaw Valley’s European-style pedestrian village contains more than 40 shops, a full service Hawaiian-style spa, the 1960 Olympic Museum, more than four dozen restaurants, an ice skating rink and swimming pool. Projected opening day: 11/21/09.
Alpine Meadows’ Offers Mid-Size Resort Amenities
Alpine Meadows, a medium-sized ski area with 2,400 acres, is six miles north of Tahoe City and only a few miles from Squaw Valley. Elevation at the summit is 8,637 feet, 1802 feet higher than at the base. The longest run is 2.5 miles. Amenities include a rental and repair shop, day lodge with large sundeck, cafeteria, restaurant, deli, boulangerie and snack shop. Bonuses include seven powder bowls and spectacular mountaintop views of the lake.
The Munchkins Camp for three- and four-year-olds uses Burton Learn-to-Ride in teaching the basics. Grommet Camp is for five- and six-year-old snowboarders, while Ripper Camp is for skiers of the same ages. Coaching in both riding and skiing are offered at Mountaineer Camp for youngsters seven through twelve years. Projected opening day: 12/5/09.
Northstar-at-Tahoe is Popular Year Around
Northstar, billed as “one of the finest year-round resorts in North America,” is located between Truckee and Lake Tahoe. Its 3,000 acres contain lifts, trails and spaces for a variety of snow sports including telemark, alpine and cross-country skiing; snowboarding; snow shoeing and tubing. Sixty-two percent of the trails are classified as intermediate, with snowmaking involved in more than 50 percent of the trails. Minor’s Camp is Northstar’s child care facility for children 2 to 6 (parents are issued pagers). Mommy, Daddy and Me is a free seminar instructing parents how to teach their three-and four-year-olds to ski. The seminars are held every day except Saturdays and holidays. Ski School and private lessons are available for skiers of all ages. Opening day at Northstar is November 21.
Featuring on-site slope-side accommodations, the development’s Village at Northstar is designed for après-ski activities with free live music, entertainment and special events such as 3rd Annual Ultimate Boarder Championship (March 13-14, 2010). Old-style timbered buildings housing specialty shops, restaurants and other businesses at street level surround a 9,000 square-foot skating rink. A new slope- side Ritz Carlton hotel is scheduled to open at Northstar in December, 2009.
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