The longest season in Squaw Valley history ended Saturday. Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows announced today that the Lake Tahoe ski resort is officially closed after offering skiing and riding for a record 200 days during the 2016-17 season.
Winter and summer blended together this season at Squaw Valley, resulting in an historic winter with operations until July 15, its latest closing ever.
The 200 days of operations is nearly a month more than the average of 174 days.
“This season was one we will not soon forget,”
said Andy Wirth, president and CEO of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows.
“Mother Nature dealt out her fair share of challenges, with snow totals, wind speeds and overall volatility of weather the likes of which have never been seen in the Sierra Nevada since ski areas have been in operation. However, the monumental snowpack brought the historic opportunity to operate well into summer.”
Squaw Valley accumulated 728 inches of snow –
equaling more than 60 feet – the fifth highest total in North America. Ten Atmospheric River weather events hit the resort, where the average season sees two to four. January 2017 broke the resort’s record for most snow in one month with 282 inches, snowing 23 feet in 23 consecutive days. “Januburied” was followed by the snowiest February ever with another 196 inches.
“The spring skiing capital evolved into the summer skiing capital, and skiers and riders from across the country were enjoying the sun and snow right up to July 15,” Wirth said. “With unseasonably warm temperatures in the region, the snowpack has seen a rapid rate of melt, primarily in the key areas of lift loading and unloading zones. While teams have been working around the clock to maintain
the snow surface, there is not sufficient snowpack for a safe, consistent slope, forcing the resort to conclude operations.”
Squaw was the only ski resort in the Lake Tahoe (California) region to remain open in July. The resort, located in Truckee off Highway 89, initially closed during the week and extended weekend hours to 2 p.m. Two big bowl areas – Shirley Lake and Gold Coast – were open for Fourth of July weekend skiing and riding.
Here’s a look at the Top-10 snow totals for North American resorts.
Mt. Baker, Washington:
866 inches
Sugar Bowl Resort, Lake Tahoe:
795 inches
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, Nevada (near Lake Tahoe):
768 inches
Boreal Mountain, Lake Tahoe:
751 inches
Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe:
728 inches
Alpine Meadows, Lake Tahoe:
710 inches
Northstar California, Lake Tahoe:
709 inches
Kirkwood, Lake Tahoe:
702 inches
Brighton, Utah:
674 inches
Heavenly, Lake Tahoe:
659 inches
