Squaw Valley Ok for beginners?

tinabfla · 23-01-08, 05:43 PM

Hi All!
I am so thankfull for good advice! My boyfriend and I started skiiing again last year after about 8 or 9 years[/FONT], and just completely love, or love again, skiing! We are bitten by the bug and need some advise please!

Last year we skied Winter Park and stayed at the Iron Horse, a ski-in/ski-out hotel. We skied the greens, since it had been so many years since our last ski trip, and we skied the blues...had to take a blue run from the top of Mary Jane to get to where our hotel was located, so no choice, and we had no problem.

Back 8 or 9 years ago, we skied Heavenly Valley and loved it...great views of Lake Tahoe and good runs.This year, because of the memories of the Lake views, we're thinking Squaw Valley, but we don't feel experienced enough. Some tell me Squaw is for experienced... difficult blues and blacks, while others tell me not to worry, there's blues and greens. To add to our problem, we have friends who have only skied once (last year) and really have no experience but want to ski with us...total green runs for them...is Squaw Valley the wrong place to plan our trip? Or are there enough runs to keep us intermediates and beginners happy? We really like the idea of night skiing too.

Plus, does anyone know what level of experience is needed for runs that are open for night skiing? Can my beginner friends ski it?

Any suggestions?

Thanks so much for your help![/FONT]

Powderdog · 25-01-08, 03:49 PM

[QUOTE=[CENTER]tinabfla;2441]Hi All!
I am so thankfull for good advice! My boyfriend and I started skiiing again last year after about 8 or 9 years[/FONT], and just completely love, or love again, skiing! We are bitten by the bug and need some advise please!

Last year we skied Winter Park and stayed at the Iron Horse, a ski-in/ski-out hotel. We skied the greens, since it had been so many years since our last ski trip, and we skied the blues...had to take a blue run from the top of Mary Jane to get to where our hotel was located, so no choice, and we had no problem.

Back 8 or 9 years ago, we skied Heavenly Valley and loved it...great views of Lake Tahoe and good runs.This year, because of the memories of the Lake views, we're thinking Squaw Valley, but we don't feel experienced enough. Some tell me Squaw is for experienced... difficult blues and blacks, while others tell me not to worry, there's blues and greens. To add to our problem, we have friends who have only skied once (last year) and really have no experience but want to ski with us...total green runs for them...is Squaw Valley the wrong place to plan our trip? Or are there enough runs to keep us intermediates and beginners happy? We really like the idea of night skiing too.

Plus, does anyone know what level of experience is needed for runs that are open for night skiing? Can my beginner friends ski it?

Any suggestions?

Squaw has terain for all levels of skill so there wouldn't be any problem for a beginner; even at the upper mountain. However, it is a huge ski area with a huge parking lot and a huge ticket price and an atmosphere that I, for one (but not all), find to be a pain in the a__. I think that a lot of skiers ski there just for the bragging rights. If I were an intermediate or beginner, I wouldn't waste the time or money there. If you want a change from where you have skied, try Sugar Bowl or North Star. They are both beautiful ski areas. As for skill level for night skiing, I'm pretty sure it would be beginner/intermediate. I guess Squaw has night skiing and so does Boreal.
Ciao! Powderdog

scottp96145 · 17-02-08, 06:00 AM

If you are staying in the village, parking problem disappears. Plus you should be able to get discounted lift tickets either at the resort if you purchase a multi day ticket. Go on line and see what they offer (squaw.com/winter). You should also go online (google) to check out any other ways to get lift tix for squaw at reduced prices.

The mountain run at SV is open for night skiing and is rated blue. But there are plenty of green runs during the day up at elevation 8200 feet. If you are going for a week--check out their ski school, I know a few of the instructors there and they are awsome teachers.

North star is also a great resort--I love to ski there. You should also check them out.

23-01-08, 05:43 PM	#1
tinabfla I haven't picked a title Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1	Squaw Valley Ok for beginners? Hi All! I am so thankfull for good advice! My boyfriend and I started skiiing again last year after about 8 or 9 years[/FONT], and just completely love, or love again, skiing! We are bitten by the bug and need some advise please! Last year we skied Winter Park and stayed at the Iron Horse, a ski-in/ski-out hotel. We skied the greens, since it had been so many years since our last ski trip, and we skied the blues...had to take a blue run from the top of Mary Jane to get to where our hotel was located, so no choice, and we had no problem. Back 8 or 9 years ago, we skied Heavenly Valley and loved it...great views of Lake Tahoe and good runs.This year, because of the memories of the Lake views, we're thinking Squaw Valley, but we don't feel experienced enough. Some tell me Squaw is for experienced... difficult blues and blacks, while others tell me not to worry, there's blues and greens. To add to our problem, we have friends who have only skied once (last year) and really have no experience but want to ski with us...total green runs for them...is Squaw Valley the wrong place to plan our trip? Or are there enough runs to keep us intermediates and beginners happy? We really like the idea of night skiing too. Plus, does anyone know what level of experience is needed for runs that are open for night skiing? Can my beginner friends ski it? Any suggestions? Thanks so much for your help![/FONT] __________________

25-01-08, 03:49 PM	#2
Powderdog I haven't picked a title Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 10	Beginner/intermediate advice [QUOTE=[CENTER]tinabfla;2441]Hi All! I am so thankfull for good advice! My boyfriend and I started skiiing again last year after about 8 or 9 years[/FONT], and just completely love, or love again, skiing! We are bitten by the bug and need some advise please! Last year we skied Winter Park and stayed at the Iron Horse, a ski-in/ski-out hotel. We skied the greens, since it had been so many years since our last ski trip, and we skied the blues...had to take a blue run from the top of Mary Jane to get to where our hotel was located, so no choice, and we had no problem. Back 8 or 9 years ago, we skied Heavenly Valley and loved it...great views of Lake Tahoe and good runs.This year, because of the memories of the Lake views, we're thinking Squaw Valley, but we don't feel experienced enough. Some tell me Squaw is for experienced... difficult blues and blacks, while others tell me not to worry, there's blues and greens. To add to our problem, we have friends who have only skied once (last year) and really have no experience but want to ski with us...total green runs for them...is Squaw Valley the wrong place to plan our trip? Or are there enough runs to keep us intermediates and beginners happy? We really like the idea of night skiing too. Plus, does anyone know what level of experience is needed for runs that are open for night skiing? Can my beginner friends ski it? Any suggestions? Squaw has terain for all levels of skill so there wouldn't be any problem for a beginner; even at the upper mountain. However, it is a huge ski area with a huge parking lot and a huge ticket price and an atmosphere that I, for one (but not all), find to be a pain in the a__. I think that a lot of skiers ski there just for the bragging rights. If I were an intermediate or beginner, I wouldn't waste the time or money there. If you want a change from where you have skied, try Sugar Bowl or North Star. They are both beautiful ski areas. As for skill level for night skiing, I'm pretty sure it would be beginner/intermediate. I guess Squaw has night skiing and so does Boreal. Ciao! Powderdog __________________

17-02-08, 06:00 AM	#3
scottp96145 I haven't picked a title Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Alpine Meadows, Calif. Posts: 29	If you are staying in the village, parking problem disappears. Plus you should be able to get discounted lift tickets either at the resort if you purchase a multi day ticket. Go on line and see what they offer (squaw.com/winter). You should also go online (google) to check out any other ways to get lift tix for squaw at reduced prices. The mountain run at SV is open for night skiing and is rated blue. But there are plenty of green runs during the day up at elevation 8200 feet. If you are going for a week--check out their ski school, I know a few of the instructors there and they are awsome teachers. North star is also a great resort--I love to ski there. You should also check them out.