It’s easy to call Lake Tahoe the last unforked pea on the plate of American snow riding. More and more Tahoe resorts might be mirroring the mainstream, painting a canvas of haves and haves more, but don’t kid yourself: No other resort destination in North America encompasses such a wide array of world class slopes, abundant snowfall, pristine vistas and sparkling amenities. Moreover, there are more chair lifts to ride in the Tahoe Basin than in the entire state of Colorado and four out of five days are sunny. Winter temperatures average around 29 degrees, and when it snows, which is often this early season, the flakes fall thick and fast, piling into soft mounds on the upper portion of discolored mountain peaks and setting the stage for exceptional skiing and snowboarding.

Palisades Tahoe USA
(530) 583-6985
Snow Phone - (530) 583-6955
www.squaw.com
4000 acres
 
If variety is the spice of life, then Palisades Tahoe may be the ultimate skier and snowboarder’s smorgasbord. Appetites are satisfied with jaw-dropping scenery, on-mountain eateries, museums, tubing, skating and swimming. Off-slope, Squaw’s base area offers climbing walls, shopping, nordic touring, snowshoeing, and a bevy of bars and restaurants. Oh, there’s skiing, too.
 
Squaw is big. Site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, the resort’s gargantuan geography makes first-time visitors feel as though they're looking through the wrong end of a telescope. Carved from six peaks spread over 4,000 acres and served by 30 lifts, the resort has always sung hosannas for the wild at heart. Its slopes remain a monument to free skiing adrenaline junkies attracted to the area's hair raising chutes, intense steeps, and gnarly rock faces, some the size of small office buildings.
 
Squaw's lift system is arguably the most advanced in the world. Containing North America's only Funitel and largest aerial cable car, three six-passenger detachable, and numerous detachable quads; seldom does anyone wait in a lift line. The Funitel, a $20 million revolutionary enclosed uphill transportation lift that runs on the ground and in the air, is the first of its kind in North America. It’s designed to ferry travelers up to the mid-mountain Gold Coast area through the heaviest of weather and Squaw’s notorious zephyr winds. It’s a bold investment, but a reflection of the resort’s commitment to lift engineering and a lift at long last to open the door to Upper Mountain lodging. It is also the gateway to some of North America’s toughest terrain.
 
Dropping into some runs such, as the Funnel’s “Elevator Shaft” is abrupt as dropping a quarter into a pay phone. Lose it here and the rest of the ride is a stomach-churning yard sale, especially when watched by the throngs being transported up the Shirley Lake Express. Accessed off the Emigrant Chair, the Funnel has a less intimidating line down, at least in big winters, if one stays to skier’s right, closer to the lone buttress and away from the Elevator’s - and harms- way.
 
Straight-lining the face of Headwall is a thigh-burner. If its steeps look too forbidding you can bail out by heading straight off the chair into the Chicken Bowl. Or you can test your mettle by descending into the North Bowl, a full-fare buffet that lets your mind and skis wander. Other wilds shots and sweat-induced plunges are discovered off the Granite Chief Chairlift, just past Shirley Lake. Roaming along the American River Traverse enthusiasts can choose from a menu of narrow romps and playful pitches.
 
Mogul worshipers congregate on Moseley’s Run off the lower mountain’s Kt-22 peak. A temple to monster bumps and jelly legs the smoking mogul run was renamed in honor of the Palisades Tahoe skier who captured the gold medal in freestyle skiing at the Winter Olympics in Nagano. The bumps on the steep slope stay cold, hard and gullied into massive mounds storm to storm.
 
Riders are drawn to Squaw’s two huge terrain parks and halfpipes on the upper mountain. Serpentine in design, the terrain gardens consist of wave hits, spines and radical tabletops, perfect for air-to fakie grommets wanting to burgerflip in the troughs.
 
While Squaw is an advanced paradise for the lunatic fringe, the sprawling resort also cradles the novice. Easy rolling shoulders and plateaus offer groomed slopes and calming views below mid-mountain High Camp. The result is that no matter what the ability, neophytes never feel relegated to a bunny slope next to the parking lot. Entry-level beginners travel to the top by way of the aerial cable car, drink in the same views as the more advanced, have fun, and feel like a participant.
 
Intermediates warm up in the well-groomed and bump- free Gold Coast bowl above Squaw's other huge mid-mountain day lodge. When the legs are ready, it's just up and over the ridge to the Shirley Lakes area where well manicured boulevards, tilted just enough, allow for ego boasting turns. On the lower mountain, Big Red at the base area transports guests to the top of Snow King Peak. Skiing east towards Tahoe, the Lakeview run winds its way down cakewalk cruisers to the Four-star Resort at Squaw Creek hotel where an outdoor barbecue and bar are complimented by live music and relaxing sun decks.
 
Palisades Tahoe's comprehensive day care center, Children's World might be the most complete children’s center in the country, offering families with young ones in tow a variety of programs. The unique 12,000 square foot facility allows kids to ramble and offers ski instruction for ages 4-12, equipment rental, and its own ski hill complete with a “Magic Carpet” conveyor. A toddler program for ages 2-3 provides a full day of licensed day care including lesson for 3-year-olds, snack, lunch, and equipment.
 
What’s New:  Palisades Tahoe welcomes Andy Wirth as Ski Corp’s new chief executive officer. He succeeds Nancy Cushing who remains Chairman of The Board.
 
On hill improvements include expanded night Terrain Park, a new conference center within the Olympic Village Inn, improved snowmaking, a remodeled Squaw Kid’s Children’s Center and a remodeled Bar One in the Olympic House.
 
Best Deal: Book three nights in the Village at Palisades Tahoe this winter and receive 4th night free.
 
Don’t Miss: Steep powder shots abound along Red Dog Ridge near Heidi’s and surrounding tree drops.
 
Best Place To Take A Screaming Pottie: If there is a predominant geological statement to Palisades Tahoe that immediately captures the eye it’s the Palisades above the Siberia Chair lift. These upper rock cliffs of over 9,000 feet elevation remain a monument to pinwheeling freakhuckers. Straight-lining its steeps and sweat-induced plunges is a forbidding thigh-burner. Lose it here and the result will make you feel like the Tin Man after a good thrashing by the flying monkeys.
 
Insider Tip: Each Friday throughout the winter season the Palisades Tahoe Ski Patrol offers free backcountry awareness and avalanche beacon/ transceiver classes to the public. Classes begin at 5 p.m. at the Palisades Tahoe Fire Department. The Palisades Tahoe classes are limited to 15 people and last two hours. Pro patrollers teach search strategies, techniques, and familiarization with the beacon, as well as accessing risks and precaution in the backcountry. Beacons are provided to attendees.

More of Tahoe Resorts: A-to-Z

Alpine Meadows
Boreal
Diamond Peak
Donner Ski Ranch
Granlibakken
Heavenly Mountain Resort
Homewood Mountain Resort
Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Mt. Rose
Northstar-at-Tahoe
Sierra-at-Tahoe
Soda Springs
Sugar Bowl
Squaw Valley USA
Tahoe Donner