The more than 670 inches of snow that has accumulated this winter in Squaw Valley and the Lake Tahoe region is hard to imagine -- but it is equivalent to a five-and-a-half story building. And more is on the way. Reportedly some homes across the Lake Tahoe region are nearly buried. So what does that look like anyway? We found one view...
From the San Francisco area, Squaw Valley is a popular day trip -- a drive of 2.5-3 hours, and everyone is taking advantage of it. Rainstorms having been bugging us for weeks, actually months, in the Bay Area; that translates to tons of snowstorms in the Sierra mountains. The auto tire chain rules are strict, and blizzards fueled by high winds can throttle the mountain passes, and I hear from friends that the chain enforcers are truly weary.
Two Christmases ago my son and I spent Christmas at Squaw Valley's vintage Olympic Village Inn -- remodeled since the 1960 Olympics and comfortable though not lavish. On an impulse we found a one-night, two-day package available and spent Christmas Day and the day after on the slopes. We left a sunny Bay Area, encountered the predictable fog in the Sacramento area, and by the time we traveled up the mountain and down into the valley (elevation 6200 feet), it was clear with a temperature hovering around freezing. Not bad. But up on the slopes at elevations between 8200 and 8900 feet it was a different story -- an awesome view from the top of the world across the Sierra one day and a frightening black sky of snow blowing in on the second. Though not much of a skiier myself, I go along for the thrill and the sights that nature delivers.
What I also like about Squaw Valley is that you can eat relatively healthily -- this is California, after all. So it's not all junk and fat foods. For skiers looking for a hearty lunch, I recommend Soupa and Fireside Pizza in the Olympic Village, and for an upscale dinner, the PlumpJack Cafe (California's lieutenant governor and former San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom is an investor). At Plumpjack (the company also includes a Napa Valley vineyard), the menu offers seasonal regional foods and premier wines and beers (along with the rest of the bar) in a stylish resort ambiance at fine but not over the top prices. Let's face it, a workout on the slopes during the day deserves a splurge evening with the pretty people.
Here are other good spots to check out and some good end of season deals. With more than 50 feet of snow, Squaw Valley confidently predicts skiing through April and is offering some great deals if booked by March 31. And that's no April Fool's joke!
