Squaw does get a lot of powder. We even often get dry, “high quality” powder. But, I don’t think most skiers and riders would classify Squaw as being number 1 for powder…or would they?
It’s always subjective, isn’t it? Some prefer wetter snow because it sticks to everything and allows steeper, bigger lines to be skied. Some prefer dry snow because of the “I’m floating on a cloud,” effortless feeling.
Wet snow allows for spines and pillows to form. Dry snow provides magnificent faceshots and speed in deep snow.
It’s a tough one, they’re both are good, aren’t they? But, when you’re ranking resorts on powder, you can only pick one place, right? So, the no brainer is Alta or Snowbird where they get 500 inches of year of dry, perfect, “greatest snow on Earth” snow.
But, maybe Outside had some balls and went with Squaw because Squaw has both wet and dry snow and a lot of it. Last season, with 811 inches of snow, and a lot of that snow being dry, maybe Squaw was number 1 for powder…
Outside Magazine ranks Squaw #1 for Powder