A rare item on the menu this Fourth of July weekend in Lake Tahoe: Skiing. Yes, that’s right Squaw Valley is open today until Tuesday for both skiing and snowboarding.
The usual snow attire is different when you are skiing in July. Expect to see people in swim suits, shorts and nothing heavier than a light long-sleeve shirt, which is more for warding off the sun then a fashion statement. Make sure to lather up with sunscreen because the temperatures will gradually hit the low 80s and the sun is super intense.
Anticipating more skiers and snowboarders visiting for the Fourth of July holiday (July 1-4), Squaw Valley ski resort has extended its hours from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Squaw Valley is the only ski resort in the Lake Tahoe region to remain open. The resort, located in Truckee off Highway 89, also extended its hours this weekend to 2 p.m. The hours will be in effect for Squaw’s Freedom Fest, which takes place July 1-4.
The festival atmosphere will be complimented by free live music, parties, fireworks and more. For a complete schedule of events, click here.
Two big bowl areas – Shirley Lake and Gold Coast – are open through Tuesday. This weekend, the lifts operating are the Aerial Tram, Funitel, Gold Coast Express, Shirley Lake Express and Big Blue Express.
After July 4, Squaw says it will continue operations indefinitely on Saturdays only. It plans to operate as long as the snow lasts. Weather and conditions permitting, the resort will run lifts from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Squaw plans to operate the Shirley Lake Express chair on Saturdays for 2017-18 Tahoe Super Passholders. Discounted daily lift tickets ($69) will be available.
The last snowfall at Squaw took place June 11 when the resort received 2-4 inches during a low-pressure system where it snowed pretty heavy on a Sunday evening.
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows has received more than 725 inches of snow this season, second only to 810 inches in 2010-11, when the KT-22 lift at Squaw operated through May 8.
“We are in the business of skiing and engaging creative solutions to take advantage of this historic snow year. It’s an irresistible proposition,” said Andy Wirth, president and CEO of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. “To many of our guests, the idea of summer skiing and riding is a novelty. But with the season we’ve had we can provide a surface for skiing and riding that guests will want to enjoy not just once, but weekend after weekend.”
Winter and summer are blending together as Squaw Valley emerges from a historic winter. There were 10 Atmospheric River weather events that hit Squaw this season. The average season sees two to four.
For more information, visit www.squawalpine.com or call 800 403-0206.
