 Poster: A snowHead
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Morning
I am new to this forum it was recommend to me by a sailing forum I frequent so be easy on me!
Bit of background, just returned to skiing after 20 years and as expected loved it and already have the next two trips planned. Ability wise, straight back up to speed and would put myself at intermediate (well that's what the instructor said anyhow!)
Buiness takes me to San Francisco at the beggning of Decemeber and I am looking to bolt on a skiing trip at the end to the Lake Tahoe area.
I have been advised that Squaw Valley seems to be a great place for intermediates and looking online it seems to tick all the boxes.
Firstly if this is the wrong forum for a US skiing question please advise me and kick me off elsewhere! but if it is, can anyone recommend a good place around the lakes both to ski and to stay? any advice would be appreciated, don't want to blow the budget but happy to pay for good service etc
The main thing is the timing, I am going in early December and I have seen and heard that skiing can be as early as Thanks Giving (late Nov) but on average is the snow ok that time of year? I am realistic but any views / opinions would be very welcome.
Thank you
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Snow depends on whether it has snowed significantly to date or you are relying on manmade. This is entirely variable by season. Although Squaw is brilliant I wouldn't say it is the best place for returning intermediates and I'd suggest Northstar or Sierra as alternates. Former is bigger, latter is a bit cheaper. Accomodation in South Lake Tahoe is a bit cheaper than the North Shore due to availability.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Agree with fatbob on the rating of Squaw. You'll get more out of it if you're prepared to tackle some steep stuff. Otherwise it's not exceptional. Ski at Heavenly for a day for the views and it's also worth making the trek down to Kirkwood. Don't overlook Mount Rose either. This is a fun resort when the snow's good. Sierra is one of the best resorts for intermediate grade skiing. Northstar gets called Flatstar by the locals for good reason. 
Tons of cheap lodging options around South Lake and as long as you're not arriving in peak holiday season, just rock up to the reception of a place that catches your eye.
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Apologies I forgot to mention that my wife, who will be coming with me, prefers a full day of gentle skiing, perhaps this is not the best place to ask that sort of advice but again if you can offer any then that would be great.
My main concern is can you actually ski there in Dec?, I know every year (day!) is different but a good broad range of replies will certainly help me make any further decisions.
Thanks again
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You can definitely ski in December - there is too much cash at stake not least in terms of future bookings later in the season to start the season with "0% open" messages. However you may be skiiing frontside on manmade snow if you are unlucky. Its a beautiful area and if there isn't "real" snow then hiking os probably still feasible etc. I'd say Mammoth being higher is probably a slightly better bet if you're concerned about the snow but if its an add-on to a business trip then its a bonus anyway?
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Many thanks fatbob, this is the kind of reassurance I want / need, mammoth is still an option and the plus side is I have a good few months to research and plan!
Cheers
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Many thanks fatbob, this is the kind of reassurance I want / need, mammoth is still an option and the plus side is I have a good few months to research and plan!
Cheers
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Hummer, beginning of December ain't exactly going to be busy. Book a rental 4WD, and decide where to stay/ski when you arrive in SFX depending on snow conditions. We did that for a trip in January this year - Tahoe has an awful lot of places to stay.
I doubt Squaw would be your best bet tho - it's a gnarly place indeed, with killer steeps interspersed with fairly average groomers, I reckoned
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I have been advised that Squaw Valley seems to be a great place for intermediates and looking online it seems to tick all the boxes.
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What are those "boxes" any way?
Hiring a car up to Tahoe is certainly one option. But then, so is hopping on a plane to whereever the snow is actually falling (like Utah or Colorado)...
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Thanks ABC but I am in San Francisco on business so options are fairly limited as I have to return to London via SFX, the drive does not bother me as it makes a nice change from the streets of London (ok some of it!).
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