California

Video Review: Squaw Valley

An in-depth video review of Squaw Valley Resort, a ski area located in Olympic Valley, California, near Lake Tahoe.

Alterra Capital Plan Confirms Squaw/Alpine Gondola and Major Steamboat Projects for 2021-22

Earlier this week, Alterra announced $207 million in major capital investments for its Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Steamboat, Deer Valley, and Mammoth resorts.

Squaw Alpine’s Gondola Looks to Be on Track for Winter 2022. Here Are Our Initial Thoughts on the Project.

Alterra has released several details that offer clues about what to expect for the new Squaw Alpine gondola. Based on what we know so far, we’ve compiled a list of potential pros and cons that the project may bring.

Last Day to Purchase 2021-22 Mountain Collective Pass With Early-Bird Discount and Third Bonus Day

Today is the last day Mountain Collective is offering its 2021-22 passes at the lowest rate and with a bonus third day at one selected resort. This year’s prices go up nearly four months earlier than 2020-21 passes, which did not increase in price until September 1.

Mammoth Rock Avoidance Challenge: Dropout Chutes

Is it possible to get down Mammoth’s double-black Dropout Chutes during the peak season without hitting a single rock? Our ranker-in-chief Sam finds out.

Heavenly Town Overview: South Lake Tahoe

An overview of the aprés ski scene in South Lake Tahoe, the town right at the bottom of Heavenly Mountain Resort. In addition to an extensive bar and restaurant scene, the town uniquely boasts beaches and casinos.

Mount Shasta Ski Park

The only decently-sized California ski area north of Tahoe offers limited lift lines and stunning views of the Southern Cascades, but it’s hurt by uncompetitive infrastructure and a bizarrely-integrated recent expansion.

Dodge Ridge

The closest ski area to the Bay Area offers lower traffic than Tahoe, but it’s hurt by limited snowmaking and outdated lift infrastructure.

Homewood

While this Tahoe hill can’t hold its own overall against the destination resorts, it boasts an astonishing, one-of-a-kind mountain aesthetic.

China Peak

While it’s no substitute for a true destination ski resort, this Central California mountain offers admirable terrain variety within a convenient driving distance of Fresno.

Sugar Bowl

This California resort can’t match the acreage and vertical drop of competing Tahoe mountains, but it stands out with trails for all ability levels and an extremely demanding expert footprint.

Bear Valley

This Northern California resort has interesting terrain for skiers and riders of all ability levels as well as a unique and isolated feel, but it lacks the infrastructure to fully compete with the best resorts in the state.

Northstar

This family-friendly resort offers excellent grooming and a top-tier terrain park, but expert and above-treeline terrain is lacking.

Sierra-at-Tahoe

While it can’t boast the same crazy lake views, striking terrain, or expansive base village as some other Tahoe areas, this moderately-sized resort offers reasonable prices and a local feel.

Kirkwood

This relatively undeveloped mountain isn’t for everyone, but its striking aesthetic, local feel, and extreme terrain are tough to match.

Heavenly

This Lake Tahoe area offers some of the most beautiful slopes we’ve seen anywhere. A few logistical problems diminish the resort’s size advantage.

Mammoth

This massive resort offers a highly competitive experience only hours from Southern California, although variable weather patterns may not make it the best place to fly to.

Palisades Tahoe

Two of Tahoe’s best ski areas have now been linked as one continuous lift-served destination, but the resort still functions as two separate mountains in many ways.