Squaw Valley

One of North America and the world’s major resorts, Squaw Valley‘s history as a ski resort dates back to the late 1940’s when the resort’s first chairlift was installed. A little over a decade later the resort’s meteoric rise saw it hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics. With more than 30 lifts, including North America’s first Funitel, serving 4000 skiable acres, Squaw is now a world class resort. In 2012, Squaw Valley joined forces with neighbouring resort Alpine Meadows, giving skiers access to 6,200 acres of skiing, 42 lifts and over 270 trails. The resort averages over 11 metres of snow each season and has a vibrant community feel all year round, with many events taking place across both summer and winter months.

Squaw Valley’s history does go back a little further than the start of the ski industry in the area of course. The Washoe Native Americans were the original inhabitants, then the town of Claraville grew up in the 1860s where today the entrance to Squaw Valley stands. The valley’s popularity then was the result of silver being discovered in the area. The town’s population peaked at 1000 residents and, whilst ranchers, shepherds, miners and trappers came and went, it wasn’t until the Squaw Valley Development Corporation was established in 1948 that the area really took off.