Here is the Squaw page and check out the trail map.

We used to love to see the skating rink in the side of the parking lot (now gone) where the US first upset the big bad Russian Ice Hockey team - back during the 1960 Olypics - 20 years before the guys did it again in the 1980 Olympics.

http://www.squaw.com/

And for some info on the great 1960 win: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hoc...inter_Olympics

Granite Chief if the area I was thinking of - and they have also expanded to the other side (Snow King?) - which you first see as you drive in the valley to Squaw. Never skied that newest area - but it might have some nice cruising runs also. Back in the day - I think Red Dog was the furthest you could go in that direction.

And if you want some challenge - go up KT 22 - so named because an Olympic skier had to take 22 kick turns on her way down waaaay back when. It's off that KT 22 chair that you can get to Chute 75 (if it's still there, but be on the very top of your game if you try that narrow, steep Double Diamond chute. The only other chute I ever skied like that was up at Whistler - and fortunately - it had nice snow that day - not real icy.

Here are some pics for KT 22 - and Headwall is also fun/challenging, much easier after a fresh drop of powder.

http://www.google.com/search?q=kt+22...w=1253&bih=658

If this map page comes through - it shows the ins and outs of the KT 22 chair. http://www.google.com/imgres?q=kt+22...&tx=124&ty=107

Also - if you have a chance - pay your respects to Alpine Meadows. I remember once skiing there with a gal I was dating - who was from NY - and at the next table during lunch was the actor John Saxon - and she was going all ga ga over him. :) Well, he is/was a good looking dude - I have to admit.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=kt+22...Bg&tx=75&ty=82

You can see beautiful Lake Tahoe from both the top of Squaw and also - perhaps even some better views from the top of Alpine, which is closer to the lake.

And for the young gals who may not remember John Saxon - here are some pics and he was looking sharp that day - sporting a turtle neck over some powder pants. One piece outfits were not in vogue back then, but love them now.

http://www.google.com/search?q=john+...w=1253&bih=658

I know your husband has his mind made up :( but do try one more time. You will be in the VERY worst of the commute most of the way and won't get to Tahoe until well after dark. You'll miss all the pretty scenery on the way up and be TOTALLY exhausted after flying for hours and dealing w/ US immigration and sorting out the car. And if you stop for dinner you won't get to Tahoe until likely 10PM. NOT the way I'd personally want to start a holiday.

Whereas if you start out <u>any</u> time on Saturday morning you will be rested, have a lovely drive, be able to see all the amazing Sierra scenery including Donner Lake.

Tomsd may pooh pooh all this and cheer on your husband, but he honestly doesn't know beans about this.

I may be beating my head against a wall here but I can't in good conscience leave it w/o one more shot.

Tomsd,

Are you suggesting Headwall and KT-22 for intermediate skiers?

janisj: Now you need to give it up girl. Geesh.

And have you ever gone the back way through Walnut Creek/the East Bay - on up via 880 over the Martinez bridge to just before Fairfield. That is the way I would go from the Airport on Friday afternoon.

I think you have to go south a bit from the Airport - and then take the San Mateo Bridge across the south bay - and then up 880 a short way - and cross over on 580 to 680 - and then toward/through Walnut Creek - and on up to I 80 - coming out just before Fairfield. The freeway signs are well marked, and instead of Lake Tahoe - you might look for Sacramento when you get up to Walnut Creek, but just stay on 680 and you will be fine. I think going that way will be about half as bad as going up 101 through SF and over the Bay Bridge to catch 80 and all that heavy traffic by Bezerkeley. :)

Also for the travelers. If you are staying at/near King's Beach - you are closer to South Shore - maybe a little over a half an hour - and would recommend you ski Heavenly Valley for a day/half day - and maybe go up Kingsberry grade to start on the Nevada side. There is less congestion and great skiing on the Nevada side (try the Olympic Downhill)- and then you could take the trail at the top to get over to do Ridge Run on the upper California side for a super view of Lake Tahoe.

Heavenly is the largest ski area in Tahoe - with really two mountains - the Nevada and the Cal sides.

see: http://www.skiheavenly.com/plan-your...6260&cdid=5058

And Donner Lake is pretty - stayed at a ski cabin once there, but you can also see it on your way out.

Michael: Good point - and my bad - as I guess I missed that they were intermediate, or have forgotten that in all these posts. :)

You can take the chair next to KT 22 - forget the name - and go part way up - and get an idea of that part of the mountain, assuming it has good cover now.

And beyond Headwall, what is the lift that goes all the way to the top edge? There are usually a few groomed runs down the top from there, right?

And doesn't the Granite Peak have some nice cruising areas? And on top - they have more snow.

Tomsd: "<i>Now you need to give it up girl. Geesh.</i>

. . . I'm not the one who has <u>Thirty-four</u> posts on this thread (many w/ faulty info).

"<i>And have you ever gone the back way through Walnut Creek/the East Bay - on up via 880 over the Martinez bridge to just before Fairfield.</i>"

The San Mateo Bridge and 680 are just as bad.

"<i>If you are staying at/near King's Beach - you are closer to South Shore - maybe a little over a half an hour</i>" Huh??

After I say this, I'll give up - the San Mateo Bridge/880 option is no better than the 101/80 option.

My Dearest Janis: Tell me - how many times have you gone over the San Mateo Bridge and up through Martinez? Just a rough idea pleez.

And I hope you don't have 34 posts here - all saying the same thing: Beward of the dreaded Tahoe "commute" on Friday afternoon.

And as I recall - I have made it to South Shore from Kings Beach in little over half an hour -but I make good time. :)

Same Q to SF7. :)

BTW - I have driven the 880/580/680 corridor lately - as recently as a couple of months ago, and they do get some rush hour traffic - but it moved - crawled in a few places.

Not apparently as bad though as the dreaded I 80 parking lot? :)

Johnny Mosley..gold medal winner Moguls in 1998 Olympics...was interviewed this morning by our local paper. The last storm we had a few days ago put a nice base down so the skiing has definitely improved. There is another storm, hopefully, over the weekend.

Yes, it's been a very dry year. Hopefully the weather will stay cold so the snow will stay.

<i>And as I recall - I have made it to South Shore from Kings Beach in little over half an hour -but I make good time.</i>

But would Brits unfamiliar with the road?

Well, to be safe - figure 45 minutes to an hour if there is a slow car in front of you for a bit of the way, but I usually pass them. It's really only one road - pretty much following the lake - and it pretty well marked when you come to intersections. I would say from Kings Beach - you could be up at the top of Kingsberry grade/Heavenly Nevada side (which you reach as you come into South Shore from around the Nevada side) - and putting on your gear in an hour pretty conservatively. :)