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Tahoe - Squaw Alpine March 23-26

1K views 0 replies 1 participant last post by  jdang307 
#1 ·
What can I say, probably my best trip so far and that's only with one day of good snow, out of 3.

First day was Friday, flew in at 10 am, was at the slopes at 1pm getting our free half day and night pass at squaw (if you fly in any airport, you can board or ski free that day, if its a Friday you can go until 8pm). It had dumped 8 feet about 4 days prior. However, with it being spring by the time we got there it was ice and slush. A few soft spots, but overall, not the greatest conditions. Took the Funitel, then another lift to the top. Emigrant it was. Ice down to the funitel area where it got a little softer. was just warming up that day so nothing major, messed around with the mountain run, got bored and left (been up since the AM) at 4 because it got cold, the light went flat and the snow turned into slate.

Second day we go to Alpine where the snow was better. Not great, but much better. Had a blast. The off piste stuff off Roundhouse was no good, icy. But the runs off summit were ok. After a few beers we head up Hot Wheels, traverse over to Lake View and found the gold. In between Hot Wheels and the Scott chair was one of my favorite areas. All along that top ridge you can just choose where to drop in, in between trees, trails, black or blue, whatever. It was fun. Didn't make it to sherwood.

Third Day, it starts to snow in the morning but only a little bit. Our plan was, half a day at Squaw, half a day at Alpine. Get to Squaw and it looks terrible. Cold, windy, overcast and dark. My knee was tweaked from messing with my bindings (dumb idea) so I figure, it'll be an ok day just lounging around, maybe cruise with the wifey (she's 100% content with Mountain run all day, hey what can I do). We take the Tram up top and decide to hit the micro mini park (Belmont I think). I take the wifey through the park to get her used to the features. She doesn't do any jumps or anything but rides over it the very small features to the far (skier's) left. We then head up that green lift to get to the Granite Chief area and attack that whole side. That side was brutal with the rocks and little ledges, etc. Easy way down or advanced? We had some relative beginners with us but we went down advanced and everyone got better for it. I had to stop everyone though because I recognized the rocks right away so I warned them.

We just kept hitting this face until the day was over. man time flies when you're having fun and want a few more runs. I was getting sloppy with technique so I knew my day was over before I got hurt. My friends went up KT-22 and hated it. Went down some run labeled Expert and it was steep, iced over and moguled.

Doesn't sound exciting but it was fun, I progressed a lot on this trip and the terrain here. Wow. I think I hit maybe 30% of the terrain max. I didn't make it over to Red Dog at Squaw, Sherwood at Alpine and a whole lot in between. There is just so much to cover here a week with pow may do it.

Terrain wise I definitely preferred it to the Colorado resorts I've been to (Loveland and Breck, though to be fair neither was fully opened). But the snow in CO is lovely, even days after it snowed it was so soft still. I need to experience Tahoe with major dumpage. I might try and make a move to SF which I know is far from Tahoe but I need to be in a major city (law practice).

Up next, hopefully, Mammoth if it gets snow in a few weeks.
 
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