Fun Terrain for Everyone!

Squaw Valley USA's 4,000 acres of incredible terrain is spread across six magnificent Sierra Peaks. With a resort so spacious many skiers and snowboarders that have never been here before often wonder where to begin.

Here's a general guide to Squaw's most popular terrain and answers to many of our most asked questions.

First of all, where are all the trails?

Squaw Valley is unique among American ski resorts as we offer thousands of acres of open bowl skiing rather than traditional ski trails. Guests are encouraged to use the chairlifts as a reference. Lifts are rated beginner, intermediate and advanced based on the type of terrain that they access.

Squaw Valley offers 25% beginner, 45% intermediate, and 30% expert terrain which includes 16 open bowls and 100+ runs. With 33 lifts to choose from, there is enough variety to keep every skier and snowboarder happy.

Want to see the map? Click here to view some maps.

With all this terrain, grooming is one of our biggest priorities. Learn more about our grooming capabilities, click here.

Beginners

Whether you have never stepped a pair of boots into a ski or snowboard binding, or you have tried skiing or snowboarding just a few times, Squaw Valley has a very special experience in store for you.

What are the main areas for beginners?

Squaw Valley has two main beginner areas. The largest area of gentle slopes is located on the resort’s upper mountain, adjacent to High Camp and is accessed by the scenic aerial Cable Car.

This beginner area features five beginner chairlifts in a wide open, gently sloping bowl overlooking Lake Tahoe.

Squaw Valley USA’s newest beginner terrain, The Papoose Learning Area, is located on the lower mountain adjacent to the Far East Center (complete with a rental shop, retail store, lockers, ticket sales and rest rooms) and is serviced by two new surface lifts.

This area is ideal for those that may be intimidated by the upper mountain experience and is an excellent option when inclement weather and wind affects visibility and operations on the upper mountain. This area features two new surface lifts and is conveniently located

As a beginner will I be confined to one or more specific areas or can I easily enjoy a whole ski area experience?

Most of Squaw Valley USA’s beginner terrain is uniquely located on the upper mountain offering beginners the same exciting mountain experience as more advanced skiers and snowboarders. You are afforded the same spectacular panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra and will understand from the beginning the freedom and exhilaration of being 8200’ in the mountains.

Are there any special beginner packages?

Squaw Valley offers a First Time Adventure Package which includes rental equipment (ski or snowboard) a beginner lesson and a beginner lift ticket. In addition, we offer a special Papoose Beginner Package as well. Click here for prices and more information.

Intermediates

Approximately 45% of Squaw Valley's terrain is suitable for intermediates, and on a mountain with 4,000 acres this means there is unlimited variety for intermediate skiers and riders.

What is the longest run? 3.2 miles – The Mountain Run

What classic ski itineraries would you recommend for an intermediate skier?

From the Base Area, ride Red Dog and Squaw Creek for some warm up cruisers. Then begin working your way up the mountain via the Funitel or Squaw One Express to el. 8200’. From there intermediate guests can access the wide-open bowls of Gold Coast and move on to Shirley Lake's popular groomed boulevards. The Mountain Run offers a 3.2-mile cruiser from the upper mountain all the way down to the Base Village.

What is the most challenging run for intermediates and why?

As intermediate skiers and snowboarders continue to improve their skills and have mastered the itinerary listed above, they can test their ability on the upper mountain’s Siberia Bowl, considered an advanced intermediate area of terrain.

Advanced & Expert

Squaw Valley has been considered the birthplace of the American Extreme Skiing Movement and has been the playground of incredible athletes since Squaw's modest beginning. From Sandy Poulsen's 22 kick turns in the 1940s (inspiring the name KT-22) and the Olympians who descended on the valley for the VIII Winter Olympic Games in 1960, to Joe Auckenthaller's first decent of Chute 75, the infamous Chinese Downhill races of the 70s, Greg Beck's rock launch for the film Daydreams, thrill seekers like Scot Schmidt and Steve McKinney in the 80s, and the dozens of freeskiers and riders of today like Jonny Moseley, Shane McConkey, Brad Holmes, Jeremy Jones, CR Johnson, Jenn Berg and Jessica Sobolowski, Squaw has always attracted the best of the best.

Skiers that are looking for steep terrain, tight chutes and an excellent variety of off-piste skiing will find their dream at Squaw Valley USA as many of the legends that have come before you. If you want the numbers...30% of the resort's slopes will tickle your adventure bone.

Where is best terrain for advanced and expert skiers & snowboarders?

Experts will delight on the world famous pitches of the KT-22 peak. This peak is often referred to as Squaw Valley’s crown jewel, and virtually every inch of KT-22’s terrain will thrill and challenge even the most seasoned skier and snowboarder. Other advanced terrain includes the wide open bowls of Headwall, the wide open tree skiing on Granite Chief, the rocky outcroppings of Broken Arrow and the glorious glades in Silverado Bowl.

Where is toughest skiing for those in search of – moguls, steep and deep, couloirs?

Moseley’s Run, land of monster bumps and jelly legs, is the flagship of KT’s fleet of double diamond terrain. Bumps on the steep slope stay cold, hard, and gullied into massive mounds storm-to-storm. If one wants to test endurance go no further. Skiers and snowboarders are confronted by a non-stop 2000 vertical feet decent down the slope’s steep fall line that will test the reality of their skills. Originally called the West Face (strange, because it doesn’t face west at all) it was renamed February 27, 1998 in recognition of Jonny Moseley’s life long commitment to Squaw Valley, freestyle skiing, and his winning the gold at the Olympics in Nagano.

Where is the best spot for powder skiing?

On a classic California, blue-bird powder day the line at KT-22 starts forming before the sun rises because the sensation of powering first tracks on the peak’s bevy of perfect pitches is truly the experience of a lifetime.

Those that don’t want to climb into the powder circus KT-22 creates can veer left to the Red Dog chairlift to discover the often-overlooked glory found in Poulsen’s Gully. Or ride the Funitel to the upper mountain where Headwall and Broken Arrow and Granite Chief await. The powder gets skied out fast at Squaw Valley so powder hounds should plan to get out early to make the most of the experience.

What classic ski itineraries would you recommend for an advanced skier or rider?

From the base area head straight for KT-22. Considered one of the greatest chairlifts in North America it rises 2000 vertical feet from the base directly to an expert skiers paradise. After a few non-stop adventures in powder heaven, move further up the mountain to the bowls, chutes and gullies of Headwall and Cornice II. Then head over to the Broken Arrow peak where it is easy to drop in and discover some of Squaw’s most sought after and secret pitches and powder stashes.

What inbounds and out of bounds rules apply at Squaw?

Squaw Valley USA also has a very strict boundary policy. The resort does not permit out of bounds skiing or riding. There is so much excellent terrain within the resort boundaries that you should find plenty of terrain to keep you smiling.

Terrain Parks & Halfpipes

While all 4,000 acres of Squaw Valley’s mountain can be considered one giant terrain fun park, Squaw Valley has three dedicated terrain parks and two halfpipes to keep huckers and jibbers happy.

The Belmont Park is designed specially for the novice with gentle rollers and small jumps.

Under the Riviera Lift is the Riviera/Central Park with huge tabletop jumps, a ¼ pipe, various rails and a 500’ long halfpipe with 12’ walls. The Riviera Park is open for both day and night boarding (night operations are 4-9pm, weather permitting) and loaded with a state-of-the-art sound system and a dedicated chair lift.

Between the Gold Coast and Siberia chairlifts is the Mainline Terrain Park and the 525’ Superpipe with 17’ walls. This area also features tabletops, rails, fun boxes, volcanoes, and other features depending on conditions. Check out the Corkscrew (Swirley) and the new Battleship Rail!

To learn more about the parks and pipes and to check out some photos, click here!

 

Now that you have the basics, use your sense of adventure to find all of the perfect pitches and secret stashes in between.