Matt
We learned a lot about Squaw Valley from our interviews with locals. Of course, a lot of people talked about the amazing terrain and snow, but we already knew about those.
What we didn’t already know, though, was the best places to go when the snow is deep, and where to get a good california roll when the hill closes.
Now we do know, and so will you. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Squaw Vally.
I’ve wanted to visit Squaw Valley — the birthplace of extreme skiing and backdrop for many of the ski movies I watched as a child — since I was young. I was thrilled when we arrived there in early January.
Unfortunately, they hadn’t had much snow since Christmas, and the crowds of holidaymakers that visit the hill and left little behind. So, the first two days were less than ideal for sampling extreme terrain that the locals rave about.
On the night of the second day, however, it snowed nearly a foot. So, on the third day we did a bit of hiking and put in some of the best turns of the season.
All’s well that ends well, especially when you walk away with photos like these!
**Special thanks to Bryon of Exploring Elements for the photos of me (the snowboarder in the blue jacket). You can find all of Bryon’s photos here.
We asked interviewed locals and visitors as Squaw Valley to find out what they think about the mountain. A lot of people talked about the big mountain terrain, exposed cliffs, and steep pitches. There were several mentions of the terrain park (which is pretty epic) and the chill vibe of the community. We kind of … Read more
I have to admit, I’m a bit biased because I had such a fantastic time at Grand Targhee. Emilie and I met some fantastic people there. Our hosts, local ski pros Max and Gary Mackenzie, and their friends were super hospitable and easy to work with. The snow was great. The food was good. And the people (it’s our job to interview strangers on the hill, so we meet a lot of people) were the friendliest we’ve met on the tour.
That’s all fine and dandy, you might say, but how does it stack up to bigger, better-known hills like Jackson Hole and Squaw Valley?
Here’s how it compares.
In our quest to visit some of the best ski resorts in the western U.S. to decipher which will provide the best vacation experience for skiers and snowboarders like you, we’ve learned a lot. We’ve been interviewing locals, taking photos of local skiers and boarders tearing up their hometown hill, and then stuffing all the information we gather into these multi-media micro guides. The video contains the core information, which is expanded on below with a written summary and location addresses and maps.
Snowmobiling is big business in the United States, with $23 billion being spent on the sport annually. Wyoming is a mecca for enthusiasts and first-timers alike. There are numeroustour operators in Jackson who offer snowmobile tours that range from a few hours to several days. The most enjoyable one-day tour for beginners is likely the popular Granite Springs Hot … Read more
After our time at Jackson Hole, Emilie and I headed to Grand Targhee.
Grand Targhee has amazing snow. The hill receives more than 500 inches of dry, light, Teton snow every year. If you don’t believe me, just ask a local.
I met up with a few local pros: snowboarder Amber Nelson and free skiers (and brothers) Gary and Max Mackenzie. They were awesome. They showed me the hill, took me hiking to some awesome hard-to-reach spots, and did some amazing riding for me to shoot. They even shot a few photos of me riding.
It was an epic two days. Good snow and great people. This is one hill I’ll be returning to soon.
