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Squaw Valley resort information & après-ski
Après-ski
Squaw Valley has a lively après-ski vibe, particularly straight after the lifts close. If you visit in springtime the party mood reaches a climax with pool parties on the snow at the resort’s high camp base, featuring live bands and DJs.
Throughout the season, popular venues include the recently-renovated Plaza Bar in the Olympic House, which has been the long standing après ski centre of the resort, and local’s favourite, the Loft Bar in Le Chamois (tel: +1 530 583 4505; www.squawchamois.com).
Inevitable Irish-themed pub, the Auld Dubliner (tel: +1 530 584 6041; www.aulddublinertahoe.com), has live music and DJs, but is trumped by Rocker@Squaw (+1 530 584 6080), which has the widest selection of draught beers in the valley.
Squaw Valley has expanded its dining options to offer a global mix of flavours. Those with private transport can widen their choice further by exploring the Lake Tahoe area.
In the resort, head to Cornice Cantina (tel: +1 530 452 4362; www.cornicecantina.com) for Mexican food (until 2000, after which is transforms in to a dance venue until 0200), Mamasake (tel: +1 530 584 0110; www.mamasake.com) for Californian-Asian fusion dishes, and the Fireside Pizza Company (tel: +1 530 584 6150; www.firesidepizza.com) for top-notch Italian grub.
If it’s just a quick grab-and-go bite to eat then Dave's Deli (tel: +1 530 581 1085; www.davesdelisquawvalley.com) has a good reputation and Dorinda's Cafe (tel: +1 775 432 2024; www.dorindaschocolates.com) serves homemade baked goods and locally-roasted coffee.
For local cuisine, try PlumpJack Café (tel: +1 530 583 1578; www.plumpjacksquawvalleyinn.com), which pairs farm-fresh meals with Californian wines, or the elk steak at Six Peaks Grill (tel: +1 530 581 6621).
Resort Information
There’s a good choice of things to do in Squaw Valley besides skiing and boarding. At the large High Camp area (accessed from the base by a cable car), there’s the Olympic Ice Pavilion (tel: +1 800 403 0206) for skating with spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada. There's also an equally well-located giant swimming pool and spa complex, as well as a museum dedicated to the 1960 Olympics.
Back down on the snow, there’s the choice of dog sledding with Alaskan huskies, snow tubing at SnoVentures, or cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at the Resort at Squaw Creek.
Older, more adventurous visitors can tackle the mini snowmobile course, which loops around in an oval shape in the SnoVentures Activity Zone, while little ones can learn to flip on the harnessed Sky Jump trampoline.
With its relaxed atmosphere and child-oriented attitude, Squaw Valley caters excellently for families, especially in the ski and snowboard school classes at the Squaw Kids Centre, which tailor classes for different age groups and abilities.
It’s here that you’ll find a special ski rental shop with equipment for children too. The slopes also have a separate ski hill complete with easy use drag and magic carpet lifts.
Squaw’s SnoVenture Activity zone is located at the base of the mountain and offers family snow tubing and mini-snowmobiles for kids aged six to 10. Here, a lodge with snacks, bathrooms and games keeps the little ones happy all day long.
Squaw Valley’s shopping opportunities are expanding rapidly in the base village. The new pedestrianised area houses ski and outdoor wear at Parallel Mountain Sports (tel: +1 530 452 4478) and the Squaw One Logo Company (tel: +1 530 584 6250), which sells Squaw Valley branded clothing. A more unusual option is Squaw Dogs (tel: +1 530 584 6562), which features a wide range of canine treats and accessories. Squaw Valley also has a speciality wine shop, various clothing boutiques and a photographer’s gallery.
Spend a day being pampered and spoiled at the wonderful Trilogy Spa (tel: +1 530 584 6125; www.trilogyspa.com), which offers a rich menu of signature beauty and sports treatments. Options include the traditional Lomi Pohaku hot stone massage and its Hawaiian equivalent.
Ranked as one of the best ski hotels in North America, The Resort at Squaw Creek is a luxury 405-room, full-service hotel and spa that recently underwent a US$50 million renovation – a hotel not to be missed if you can afford it.
CA 96146,
California
Originally athlete accommodation at the 1960 Olympics, the Village Inn has been fully modernised and is now a wonderful, European-looking hotel with a homely vibe. The hotel runs a free shuttle service to the lifts.
1909 Chamonix Place,
CA 96146,
Olympic Valley, CA,
California
This well-positioned, modern property offers ski-in/ski-out suites of various sizes and a popular health club with hot tub, swimming pool, sauna and steam room.
CA 96146,
California
Bang slap in the centre of the resort, The Village offers tastefully-styled rooms and generously-size condominiums, each with up to three bedrooms. It also has a fitness centre, superb spa and a games room for children.
CA 96146,
California
Offering possibly the most tastefully decorated rooms in Squaw, the Plumpjack is comfortable, well-located and offers ski-in/ski-out access. It also has an on-site fitness centre and outdoor hot tubs.
CA 96146,
California
This popular and affordable family-friendly accommodation is mainly timeshare lodgings, but has studios and condos available as holiday rentals too. It is located close to the lifts, next to the Squaw Kids Centre.
2000 Squaw Loop Road,
CA 96146,
California
Getting there and around
Nearest airport: Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO).
Distance to resort: 80km (50 miles).
Driving time: 60 minutes.
Nearest railway station: Truckee
Distance to resort: 11km (7 miles).
Driving time: 10 minutes.
Many of the facilities at the resort base are within a compact pedestrian area accessible on foot as well as by skis or board.
For those travelling from further out, most accommodation options run shuttle bus services, while free daily shuttles run from North Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe and Reno.
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