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Squaw/Alpine prepping for $8M in upgrades for ski season

Staff report
A young snowboarder seen last winter at Squaw Valley. The resort, along with sister mountain Alpine Meadows, is putting millions of dollars in upgrades in this winter, some of which is aimed at new youth programs.
Courtesy Matt Palmer / Squaw Valley |

OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. — Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are investing nearly $8 million in capital improvements for the 2013-14 winter season as part of year three of the resorts’ five-year, $70 million renaissance designed to improve all facets of the resort experience.

The investment for the first two years of the renaissance totaled $38 million and brought new chairlifts, expanded kids’ activities, new restaurants, redesigned terrain parks and the world’s first ski-in/ski-out Starbucks to the resorts.

This year, Squaw and Wanderlust have partnered to open the new Wanderlust Yoga Studio, offering classes seven days a week. The studio also will offer workshops that incorporate Squaw’s landscape, including pairing yoga classes with hiking and paddleboarding in the summer and skiing and riding in the winter.



The slope-side condominium suites at The Village at Squaw Valley received $1.2 million in renovations in summer 2013. Each bedroom in every rental unit at the village has been upgraded with new mattresses and triple-sheet bedding. Many units have also received new furniture, carpet, additional flat screen TVs and air conditioning.

Squaw and Alpine have purchased two fully outfitted food trucks to serve fresh, new dining options this winter. The trucks — named “Mtn Roots” — will offer a mix of regionally and sustainably sourced food, both in quick bites and for sit-down meals, through rotating menus.



Many of the sustainable menu offerings will be created in partnership with the Tahoe Food Hub, a local nonprofit committed to increasing availability of nutritious, ecologically grown food by connecting small-scale, regional food producers with schools, restaurants and businesses. Learn more at http://www.tahoefood hub.org.

Alpine Meadows’ mid-mountain lodge, The Chalet, will be transformed into a Bavarian-style beer garden this winter. The Chalet and the new Sierra Beer Garden will offer an array of leading Californian beers, as well as sandwiches and sausage plates. The fully-renovated Chalet will be open for Christmas 2013.

This winter, Squaw also is offering a new program called Teaching Tykes, designed for parents who want tips on how to teach their little ones (ages 3-5) to ski or snowboard.

The snowboarding equivalent of Squaw’s long-acclaimed Mighty Mites program, the new Mighty Riders program will be offered for riders aged 7-13.

Also, the new Snow Rangers program at Alpine will offer winter adventures and on-mountain training such as backcountry touring, snow science, avalanche awareness, snow camping and more for past ski team members ages 12-18.

The resorts are investing nearly $3.5 million in snowmaking and grooming fleet upgrades for 2013-14 to ensure adequate conditions, regardless of Mother Nature’s plans.

Other upgrades involved with the $8 million being spent this winter include four new electric car-charging stations at Squaw next to Cornice Cantina; new menu items at KT Base Bar and Plaza Bar; and new terrain park features.

To learn more, visit the resorts’ websites at http://www.squaw.com and http://www.skialpine.com.

Information for this article was provided by Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows.


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