First All Mountain Ski Day at Squaw Valley!

Dear Silicon Valley Ski Friends,

I hope you are getting ready for some away time to the high sierras after handling the Economy, Silicon Valley and all your daily activities! It's a winter wonderland here...I'm writing you from Truckee, CA. I skied at Squaw Valley today with my Truckee neighbors, the first day the upper mountain opened, after the storm of the last few days which brought over 3 feet of new snow! The Funitel, Tram and many lifts, about 12, including Shirley Lake are all open. Expert Granite Chief and Solitude have, yet, to open, probably after the next storms that will arrive tomorrow afternoon. Coverage is great.

www.squaw.com

Here is a list that may help you get ready for your first ski day...
1. I learned that it's good to use summer wax when you put your skis away at the end of the season. Mine were very dry and I stopped at the Squaw Ski Shop in the Village to get some quick $5 hot wax. The snow is very dry...not wet Sierra Cement at all. The wax really helps you out there.
2. I was lucky to get a free day pass today! I stood in a line at Special tickets, near the TRAM, to get my resident $5 weekday card which will get me discounts all season on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. BTW, anyone can get this card, they don't ask for ID. And, because they didn't have it available, yet, I got a comp, since I waited so long...good service.
3. Squaw has a NEW lift ticket system! No more wires and sticky tickets to put on your clothing. Everything is electronic now...put your magnetic pass, the size of a business card, in your pocket and pass through the installed turnstiles at the Funitel without taking it out. No need to stop for a paper punch. Just be sure you don't put your pass in the same pocket as your cell phone because it can get de-magnetized. This really speeds things up.
4. Remember to keep your ski boots and clothes in a warm place the night before. My toes were cold and I had a difficult time getting my boots on for the first time this season. So, I stopped at the Olympic House and used their electric heat warmers for just 25 cents! That worked and I enjoyed the rest of my day comfortably.
5. The guys at Surefoot at the end of the Village near the convention center parking lot are great, especially Tim and his nice dog, a friendly Rottweiler. They helped me make my boots more comfortable. They offer orthotics for your ski boot foot beds, probably a good investment...I'm thinking about it.
6. A new restaurant is going in where Balboa Cafe left across from ticket sales and near Starbucks in the village. "22" is a fancy bistro, named for the famed KT22 lift. It will be quite elegant I heard from the ski instructors.

Well, hope you get to come up. I love Squaw :-)! Northstar is good skiing, too, but, not convenient. It's nice to be able to just walk to a close lift or Funitel right from the parking lot at Squaw and be at the summit within minutes. I timed my trip to the summit at Northstar last season and it took over 30 minutes, with parking, getting on the shuttle, walking and going up stairs to the gondola, then taking 2 more lifts to get to the top. :(

Last recommendation, if you can make it, weekday skiing is the best for getting around all the terrain easier. Fridays are nice, then, you can catch the night life part of the weekend.
And, make a stop to Bar of America at the Truckee Railroad crossing in Old Town for live music, good food, libations and a happy hour. This is a hangout and weekend watering hold for locals and visitors alike!

Merry Christmas everyone!