Outside Magazine, December 2011
Monday, November 07, 2011 10

Best Powder

Squaw Valley, California

By:
Squaw Valley

Squaw Valley    Photographer: Scott Markewitz/Aurora

After getting hammered with a record 811 inches of snow last season—241 in March alone—Squaw becomes even more powder-friendly this year: digital information boards will report when runs and lifts open (catch 50-degree Headwall right after the rope drops); on-mountain restaurant Funi’s will feature grab-and-go food; and a ski-rental fleet of ultrawide K2 Pon2oons will keep ­everyone floating high. Stay at the Village at Squaw Valley (doubles from $179; thevillage­atsquaw.com), which features cozy rooms with real fireplaces and is just steps from the resort. Smart Idea: In ­September, execs at Squaw and Alpine Meadows, which are separated by a single ridgeline, ­announced the smartest plan in skiing this year—a ­merger. Starting this year, you can ski “Squalpine” on one lift ticket.

More at Outside

Comments

10
Snowmass Ski

What am I? Chopped liver?

Flag This
Cameron

Good luck finding a room in The Village for $179! More like $379 for a studio during ski season.

Flag This
Jeff

I have had a season pass at Squaw for the past 4 years. Love the mountain; some of the best terrain I have skied. Also, it snows more here than any place I have been in the world! However, powder?? Snow, yes, but true powder rarely. The snow in the Sierras is HEAVY. Anyone who has skied both knows that Utah (Little Cottonwood Canyon) truly deserves this title.

Flag This
Jeff

I have had a season pass at Squaw for the past 4 years. Love the mountain; some of the best terrain I have skied. Also, it snows more here than any place I have been in the world! However, powder?? Snow, yes, but true powder rarely. The snow in the Sierras is HEAVY. Anyone who has skied both knows that Utah (Little Cottonwood Canyon) truly deserves this title.

Flag This
Teledave

How can this possibly be awarded to anywhere other than LCC/BCC areas in Utah? Tahoe gets a lot of snow, and sometimes they get some powpow, but for consistent powder nowhere beats Little/Big Cottonwood Canyons in Utah. NOWHERE.

Flag This
Shawn

Yep, I have to side with Jeff and Teledave -- the 'best powder' will again be had in the Cottonwoods of the Wasatch, as it is just about every year (9 out of 10, at least).

Flag This
Kevin

Alta is the undisputed KING of pow!!!

Flag This
Xstream

Nothing against little cottonwood canyon. I absolutely love that place. If you have the tools for sierra snow, it's unbeatable. A 6" storm can feel like 20" if you are doing it right and have the right sticks! Squaw is freaking rad and you can actually ski the steep stuff because of the maritime snow pack (usually), too much danger in LCC to ski the goods most of the time. Everyone complains about Sierra cement, but it is a blessing most of the time! Don't get me wrong, The Cottonwoods still are absolutely awesome, but most don't know just how sick the Sierra's are.

Flag This
Squaw Fan

Last season had so much powder and it was lighter than normal. I'm glad to see that Squaw Valley is getting recognition for powder. It deserves it. Alta doesn't allow snowboarders either which powder favors. Come and experience Squaw Valley with many new improvements, not the least of which is much better customer service.

Flag This
Squaw Fan

Last season had so much powder and it was lighter than normal. I'm glad to see that Squaw Valley is getting recognition for powder. It deserves it. Alta doesn't allow snowboarders either which powder favors. Come and experience Squaw Valley with many new improvements, not the least of which is much better customer service.

Flag This

Post Comment

Current Issue Outside Magazine

Subscribe and get a great deal! 2 FREE Buyer's Guides plus a FREE GoLite Sport Bottle. Monthly delivery of Outside - your ultimate resource for today's active lifestyle. All that and BIG SAVINGS!

Free Newsletter

Get our e-mail dispatch, with Outside articles & online exclusives, delivered to your inbox each week.

Ask a Question

Our gear experts await your outdoor-gear-related questions. Go ahead, ask them anything.

* We might edit your question for length or clarity. If it's not about gear, we'll just ignore it.