Snowsure: 4.6
- Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing
- Is often closed due to a lack of snow
- Occasionally suffers from a lack of snow
- Rarely suffers from a lack of snow
- Palisades Tahoe is snowsure even in the poorest seasons
Visitor reviews for Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort
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(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
Latest
December 03, 2018
Squawheaded from
USA - California
Squawheaded from
USA - California
December 09, 2015
Rehntier from
USA - California
Rehntier from
USA - California
No question that Lake Tahoe has a lot going for it. Northern Lake Tahoe is beautiful, has a laid back vibe and, sporadically, gets epic snowfall (although, be warned, you can also go weeks or even months without a snowflake plus fresh snow turns to concrete pretty quickly here).
Squaw, unfortunately, is way overhyped and overpriced. While it definitely has some steep terrain, anyone who calls this a "big mountain" hasn't skied a big mountain:
- the overall ski area feels pretty small: small compared to Vail and downright tiny compared to most important European ski resorts.
- while some runs and chutes are definitely steep and expert-only, the vertical is way too low to make for a true Alpine feel: Yes, you can jump a cliff, but a "big mountain" to a free rider means 5,000 vertical, hidden itineraries, glaciers... Of course, we all know Squaw doesn't have any of this but what is it with all the hype?
- the lift system is incredibly outdated, there can be bad lift lines and the lift ticket pricing is outrageous! I haven't checked recently but am pretty sure you can ski Zermatt or Chamonix at a cheaper daily rate than Squaw Valley!
Tahoe at its best is beautiful, laid back and non-pretentious. Alpine Meadows used to be a great example: a small area, yes, but a great vibe, beautiful vistas, even an outdoor grill in the back bowl to soak in the sun rays between powder runs. Squaw, on the other hand, sacrificed some of those qualities in a misguided and unsuccessful effort to hype itself as more than it can ever be.
All this said: Skiing in California is a LOT of fun!
March 28, 2011
coldsmoker
coldsmoker
Amazing terrain at Squaw, and consistently large snow falls (save for January 2011!!).
Problem is though when they do get the snow, the mountain is slow getting terrain open, or the upper mountain will be on wind hold, often leaving 30 min+ waits at the bottom of the select few lifts that do open. This leaves you stuck in line with a bunch of rude, and aggressive locals who'll ski right over your skis or board to get one precious chair ahead of you in the line. When they finally do get Granite Chief/Headwall/ KT22 or whatever open on a powder day you will get a pretty sweet run in.....before you have to spend the rest of your morning in line again. If you can be bothered lining up again, by the time you get back to the top most of the decent lines will be tracked out.
Also due to the generally mild conditions the snow usually turns to crud within a day or two of a snow fall. What is not mentioned when they are broadcasting 10 feet of new snow is that several inches of rain also accompanied the storm.
We had season passes this season but I wouldn't bother going back to this place. Plenty of other places with great terrain if you are prepared to hunt it out, and without the crowds, hype and aggro....and where you can actually ski powder all day.
On a different note, can someone tell the 'Squaw Valley USA' marketing that no-one really cares any more that they hosted the Olympics way back when. It was over 50 years ago, get over it!
November 18, 2009
Butters from
USA - California
Butters from
USA - California
Everybody has their own reason to explain the magnetic draw of Squaw (Squaw Valley). Some locals spend their whole season on the notorious steeps of KT-22, the mother of all Tahoe expert runs, named for the number of kick turns it takes to get down from the top.
For others, Squaw’s allure is the powder-filled woods of Granite Chief, or the daredevil challenge of the mountain’s craggy outcrops and unforgiving moguls.
Squaw is not a place for skiers who shun crowds; on winter weekends, this is always the busiest resort on the North Shore. It helps if you know where to go. Beginners should head to the lifts at High Camp, with its large, open bowl and great views of Lake Tahoe. Lower on the mountain, the Papoose Learning Area is also a good place for novices to get a feel for the mountain. On the other end of the skills spectrum, the slopes of KT-22, Granite Chief, and Broken Arrow offer only expert terrain. Intermediates will do well in the Snow King, Shirley Lake, and Emigrant Peak areas.
Found a great article on Squaw Valley skiing. Check it out, might be useful for those who are information digging. skiresorts.com
February 06, 2009
Ski Llama from
USA - California
Ski Llama from
USA - California
Squaw Valley is a big mountain with big bowls and big cliffs. Lots of concrete and glass at the base area and mid mountain lodges.
Squaw Valley is an experts playground. There is more lift-accessible expert terrain at Squaw than any resort in Tahoe and most other resorts in the U.S. Squaw is on par with Jackson Hole and Mammoth in terms of terrain for the true experts.
The view of KT-22 and the Headwall at Squaw Valley is imposing as first viewed from the access road. There are lots of intermediate cruisers all over the mountain. And the mid-mountain plateau is a great area for learning.
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