Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

The tried-and-tested Squaw Valley versus Alpine Meadows debate is no more. Since 2011, they've been the same resort and the Ikon Pass works at both destinations. Perhaps it was a match made in ski heaven combining Squaw’s legendary, challenging terrain, such as The slot and North Bowl (off KT-22) and lively après-ski with Alpine’s less pretentious vine and wide-open back bowls, like Estelle and Beaver.

Either way, this resort is in the running for a true skier’s mountain, some shredders happily call it their favorite place on earth and will argue that you haven’t even begun to shred Tahoe until you’ve skied here.

If blue blood lineage applies to ski resorts too, Squaw Valley can definitely make claim to it with its Olympic heritage, hosting the Winter Games back in 1960. Together, Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows boast world-class skiing, a total of 6,000 acres and 42 lifts. All on one ticket.

Did we mention a tiny bit of powder as well? The resort gets 450 inches on average and can get incredible powder days. And sometimes, it shuts down the lift system. That comes with the territory. But you’ll consistently find reliable, good snow in Squaw’s Tower 16, a steep pitch.

Expert skiers can literally pick and choose, from the long, steep verticals off KT-22 (no better place to be early in the morning to chase fresh powder) to the sharp terrain and variety of bowls off the Headwall chair, which involves hiking. Alpine’s high-speed quad Treeline Cirque takes skiers to the top of Sherwood Cliffs in five minutes. Ouch. The Summit Chair, at an elevation of 8,637 feet, offers features made and designed by Mother Nature, bowls and tree skiing in three different directions. In addition, the Alpine side features the Pacific Crest Bowls, which leads to several gnarly cliffs and chutes. The Promised Land, with its old-growth three, is one big natural playground.

The resort is also easily accessible. You’re three hours (finger crossed, there’s no crazy traffic) by car from the San Francisco Bay Area. The Reno-Tahoe airport is even closer, only one hour.

Another convenience of Squaw and Alpine being linked, is that the resort offers a free shuttle, which takes skiers from the front door to the hill. To access it, use the Mountaineer app. Locals have been known to also grab a ride back from Alpine’s out-of-bounds Munchkins area to the lifts.