Squaw Valley

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In preparation for this weekend, I'm going to reminisce the ski resorts that I know the most about. We'll start with Squaw cause it's the big mama of them all. Home of the 1960 winter Olympics, Squaw is everything an American ski resort tend to be....huge, elitist, social, and overpriced. The slopes themselves are extensive and definitely fun, especially if you're a great skiier/boarder. There a lot of places to hike into (many of them far too advanced for yours truly) and lots of fun tree runs on which to risk your neck. The only problem actually ON the mountain is the crowds (I'm speaking from weekend experience. I, unfortunately, have a job that doesn't allow me to ski weekdays). Holy people, Batman! If you ski any runs that are blue or below, be prepared to spend the majority of your time dodging kiddies with their skis tied together and fat, old men in onesies (not that there's anything wrong with onesies). If the snow is decent and it's a weekend, be prepared for long lines everywhere...but there's also great people-watching, so you'll stay entertained. As a self-defined intermediate boarder, there are a lot of runs on this mountain that are beyond my skill level and/or not for boarders, but if you're a bomb skiier, SV is definitely the place for you.

It's also the place to see and be seen. Gold Coast is always hoppin' at lunch time (you're guaranteed to run into at least 8 people that you know...and may not necessarily want to see), and I can't even get into Le Chamois for apres ski right now...that's a whole post in itself. I think my very favorite thing about Squaw is going to the pool in the springtime. Yes, there's a pool on the mountain, and last time I was there, two of my girlfriends bought bathingsuits while on the mountain to lay out...on the mountain...surrounded by snow...in March. It was just that gorgeous. What ISN'T there to like about that?