UPDATED: Squaw Valley CEO, Andy Wirth, confirmed many rumors this morning, addressing Squaw Valley Passholders suspicions that Squaw Valley USA and Alpine Meadows will be “combining operations” for the 2011/2012 season!!
“Today we are excited to announce something that season passholders have long dreamed about. Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are combining operations. Now, with the 2011-12 season pass you purchased for Squaw Valley, you can also ski and ride Alpine Meadows, ” Andy said in the email.
He added, “it was on a spectacular California bluebird day when I happened to be riding a chairlift with Todd Chapman, President and CEO of JMA (the owners of Alpine Meadows). We were talking about what an amazing winter we were all enjoying and lamenting that we didn’t have more time to get out and enjoy the snow.
As the chairlift ride came to an end the talk turned to the obvious concerning our two mountain resorts. In the end, this was an effort forged in a passion for the mountains, snow, skiing, and riding. I’m honored to lead the new company that has been formed as its President and CEO.”
A press release issued by Squaw Valley says that the Squaw/Alpine (what do you even call it?!) will have combined operations owned and operated by the new company Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, LLC of which Andy will be the CEO and KSL the majority holder. The statement adds that Squaw Valley season passholder will see their passes work at both mountains and the deal DOES NOT include Homewood, and presumably, the Kirkwood/Alpine pass.
As you know KSL has committted $50 million in improvements to Squaw and Squaw’s statement makes it clear that “customers can also anticipate that Alpine Meadows will see a substantial investment in the guest experience.”
ORIGINAL: SOME MAJOR MAJOR NEWS TODAY AND THIS WEEKEND CONCERNING SQUAW VALLEY / ALPINE MEADOWS DEAL!!
Sources close to the matter tells us that the merger of Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley USA is DONE and Alpine Meadows employees already know! We don’t have much on the deal, but our sources have confirmed that Squaw Valley USA/KSL is in fact now the proud owner of neighboring Alpine Meadows. We also hear Squaw is planned to make a public announcement within a day.
SQUAW PASSHOLDERS – Check your email for a message from Andy!!! (Because we think that’s how we will find out)
We’ll post more updates as they come in or leave what you know in the comments.
does this mean our passes will work there too?? haha
How does Homewood figure into it ?
Alpine+Squaw pass?
White Wolf?
What are they gonna do with it. Maybe build the chair off the top of KT.
White Wolf has NOTHING to do with this………………..yet.
Worst news I’ve heard in a while. KSL will ruin Alpine. And prices will go up for everybody.
+1
WOW. First “mega resort” in USofA?
Ever heard of Snowbird/Alta?
bigsky / moonlight?
Size matter. Do the math.
I guess you have never been to Vail.
I like all these comments –AltaBird, BigLightBasin & vast Vail were all bigger sooner. True. But, I prefer skiing Squawpine. Anyway, compared to the true mega-resorts, these are all still mini-megas. Let’s see Homewood>Sugarbowl connect the new acquisitions. Or, lift access Wolverine Cirque all the way to BCC. Then, the US would have a mega-resort to acclaim!
Come on. Vail is flat
I think this is awesome news. What a rocking mega resort this will be. Very stoked
Bull Shit!!!!!!!!!
best username evar!
The US ski industry has been trying to replicate European ski villages for years. Hopefully KSL takes this opportunity to replicate their boundaries (or lack of…)
is this for real this time?
Hey Jeremy Benson! Can’t believe you call yourself a reporter. We are so much better at reporting then you!
http://espn.go.com/action/freeskiing/news/story?id=6658134
Except that’s from 3 months ago……
I am no legal mastermind but I am fairly sure it take 3 months or so to go from ‘letter of intent’ to Done Deal with a multi million dollar deal such as this.
Haha! Lovin it, ESPN has been such a bunch of jackoffasaurs as of late on anything they don’t get the scoop on. This just goes back and validates Miles’s piece from 3 MONTHS AGO! Keep up the good work Unofficial.
Great Job Unofficial! Awesome to see Miles’ story from 3 MONTHS AGO
http://unofficialnetworks.com/2011/05/31/owners-squaw-alpine-sign-letter-intent-fights-break-squaw-alpine-skiers/
validated after that piece ESPN published from Jeremy.
GNAR points for Tim
This is awesome. It will obviously take some time interconnect the mountains but when it is done Squaw/Alpine will be on the best resorts in North America when it comes to terrain. Really only whistler blacomb out doing them. I am stoked. Hopefully squaw passes will be good at alpine
There goes the soul of Alpine. Crushing news. Not Good. Babylon.
Does this mean Alpine gets GNAR?
You don’t just automatically “get GNAR.” You’ve got to earn that shit. Get out there, and get GNAR, wherever you are!!!!
BTW, is this Shawn White? If so, why are you so angry today, lil’ Tomater? Also, you do get GNAR, so bring it over. Until then, invent your own game for Northstar…. perhaps SWAMP (Shawn White’s Assessment of Moves Performed). i.e. Drink a Triple Macchiato before making your own jewelry at Farrah Rale’s Bead and Design Studio + 500pts. Do all this then proclaim it to Justin Timberlake, who is on your gondola +1500pts, for example.
shit’s hilarious, dobbs
OMG…if this is for real…imagian the possibilites…bye bye Alpine meadows….Super Squaw is comin to town!!
We build Wal-Marts and bad attitudes and shit. And point out petty shit like spelling. Ours is like a contagion of capitalism and negativity that sucks at the soul of the sport we’re paid to say we love.
I’ll believe it when I see an official press release or receive an email from Andy Wirth.
Not sure if it’s true or not, by Tim’s pro call out of ESPN is solid.
Rockin news!
I flipped a flop, took a drop and ended up at Alpine??? Niiiiiiicccccceeeeee, I like you, high five !!!!
Squaw and Alpine are two incredible and unique resorts catering to two different types of skiers. Combining ruins their individuality and will alienate their clientele. This is a terrible move for Tahoe.
Jack – Unfortunately, you’re right. This begs an important question though: ‘Does KSL see more value with or without the purchase of Troy’s land?’ While geographically merging the two resorts sounds like the obvious choice, realistically, it may never happen. It could turn out that KSL believes keeping the two separate will be a more profitable venture. In either scenario, KSL will be making some BIG decisions in the years to come that will have drastic implications on the North Lake Tahoe community. I just hope most of the enjoyable aspects of each resort remains intact.
I said the same thing about the EU some 18 years ago. And, similarly, while there was no White Wolf, I remember thinking, “Well, what about Lichtenstein?” That’s where we came up with the idea of having beautiful postage stamps, and everybody’s been pretty happy until recently.
Anybody not from Squaw excited?
I’m from London, and I’m excited!!
Shit I am excited if my pass works at Squaw Alpine Homewood and Kirkwood, what a score.
Seriously, and think about Magic Kingdom and Bogus Basin. What if they’re bundled too? And they refund $50? That would be awesome!!!! So excited!!
Wow… I guess posting 2011 powder vids was getting boring. Will be interesting to see if it’s true.. (for the 3rd or 4th time… I lost track after the last “announcement”)
Benson, your a tool and now you look like a fool.
Of course no one was going to admit to a deal in the works 3 months ago.
nice job ESPN. solid pice of reporting there. HA!
Benson, I don’t think you’re a tool! I think you wrote a researched and journalistic piece that (I expect) turns out to be wrong in it’s presumption, but not in its divulgences, whereas UnSquaw has put out blurbs of the rumor mills many of us hear, and (I expect) has turned out to be right in there declarations. I wish this wasn’t perceived as Clark v. Benson, because I don’t think it is. I wish this was Mormons versus Sharks, because that way somebody would be a winner in the sub-story behind the story.
Couldn’t agree more with J Dobbs. As is the case with ALL mergers and acquisitions, the official word doesn’t hit the street until the deal is consumated. Until that point, the media is free to speculate all they want. Thanks to both Unofficial and ESPN (cringe) for reporting on this issue during the last few months.
awesome news lets conect these mtns and open up the middle yehhhhhaaa so cool
OH NO, ALPINE MEADOWS IS RUINED!!! But Squaw just got HELLA better. Hey, Robb Gaffney we need a third Edition! Now GNAR is going to get blown out even more than it already is, naked lines at Alpine I can’t wait. And for everyone that thinks this sucks, get over it remember it’s a business, I hear So Cal is going to have a great winter for the next 100 years, go there. Embrace change it’s part of life.
source???
if it is actually true this time, big deal! yawn
Cool! Maybe Alpine Meadows road will be Free of Avalanche road control crew when I have to go to work now. Especially since the Alpine Patrol won’t have to go to squaw and ride up KT-22 just to bomb the road.
Hopefully not. Avy Road Control crew is there when there is Avy control needed, which happens when there is lots of new snow, which is one of my favorite times of year. And, as someone who will be skiing right next door to Alpine, I hope we all have more epic weather this winter.
man…if the unlimited college pass gets squaw added to it, i will shit a brick and cry tears of joy
lets pray!!
Herd it befor
Lovely. What’s next, the Olympics ?
yep probably so good for the north tahoe economy
Moody Blues’ reunion tour with Special Guest Rick Springfield at Squaw/Alpine next summer!!!! And, I heard they’re putting in a Chipotle and a Home Depot at Alpine’s Lodge! So stoked! Monorail!! Monorail!! MONO!!! (D’oh)
SQUAW PASSHOLDERS – Check your email for a message from Andy!!!
I’m a passholder, don’t see any email. Unless Squaw got my info wrong.
Not sure why anybody FROM Squaw would be excited. You thought it was crowded last season? Where you gonna park this year? How long will the KT line be on a storm day that shuts Alpine down? 90% of those devout Alpine lovers will soon discover what the fuss is all about and forget all about their former lover.
are you flippin kidding??!!!! Everyone from Alpine has ridden Squaw and we still stay at Alpine! We can go anywhere we want but Alpine has always been our love and will always stay our love. Half the time when Alpine shuts down…KT isn’t open.
You should come by my new Head Shop in the Squaw Village: Alpine HeadShop. “Don’t worry, we’ve got your papes, even if you don’t Alpine” is our motto. It’s great on days that KT isn’t running. In fact, just assume it’s not running, and come on in for a nice bowl of quinoa, and ride out the storm.
In the past 20 years, I believe that most people chose to buy Alpine passes over Squaw passes simply because they were priced hundreds of dollars less (not counting the recent “cheap pass” era). They would’ve preferred to be at Squaw, but couldn’t/wouldn’t spend the extra $$. Sure, there are the free heeling ridge hikers, but c’mon how many does that account for? The Alpine faithful should be rejoicing because there will be less people there and more at Squaw. So I see it as a plus for Alpine and a BIG minus for Squaw. Bet that 1 hr KT singles line will sadly be topped this winter.
Alpine sucks its all about squaw.
i really hope they don’t allow all of the stinky hippies from alpine to come over and traverse under all of my lines.
Alpine sucks and its all about squaw.
Totally. That’s what the other guy with your same name said 3 minutes before you.
maybe the nice people at alpine will come over here to squaw and help get rid of the ” im so cool ” attitude that is just a joke to watch at squaw. ive lived her since the mid 70s and skied 80 to 120 days every year, the attitude is what holds squaw back.
ps. i ski squaw only for kt and headwall a bit and alpine is just not my cup of tea.
I guess people confuse attitude towards people having fun sorry you dont get it
Alpine rules! Too many bro bras at Squaw
It keeps my boobs from flopping all around when I’m stopping the shit out of something, brah!
Stomping. Duh.
If this happens, this is INCREDIBLE, if they join the resorts with a lift in the Sun bowl, we will have the best mega resort in the WORLD, and, easy to get around. Alpine has limited parking and that cant change unless you blew up a mountain, this solves all that, this now could be the one-day greatest skiing experience of ALL time anywhere in the world, and Olympics 2022, BRING It ON!!
Blow up a mountain! Miss America pageant! Apple keynote speeches!! UN delegate!!!!
apparently alpine was bankrupt and jma just wants homewood to develop the property.
Bye, Bye Alpine. Hello, Squaw Valleys.:)
this sucks big dick!!!!!!! U people don’t get it…….
I wish Andy could type his emails faster
vixe!
Wonder if in heaven John Riley wishes somehow things were different. Ward Peak will for every be remembered.
check squaws page!
JMA unloaded it because it was a dumb deal to begin with. JMA has been defaulting on loans in SF (Ghiradelli Square) and just last week announced to partner up with the York family to buy Great America in Santa Clara with hopes that the Niners finally go south.
By “go south,” I presume you mean literally, not figuratively?
As in, “¡Vamos Los Cuarenta y Nueves!”
Bad news for now. Maybe good in the long term.
I have skied both Squaw and Alpine and have preferred Alpine. I have lots of friends who prefer Squaw.
While in the long-term, joining the resorts through the back side could open more terrain and create a new and more attractive destination.
The immediate impact is to dilute the character of each, distract each from immediate serivce improvements, and to increase the prices (significantly on the Alpine side).
At Day 1 of merger. Boo! Poorly handled by JMA and KSL.
Most people who ski at Alpine could care less about skiing Squaw. They choose to ski at Alpine because it’s NOT Squaw… ie less crowds, short hikes for fresh turns, absence of that touristy feel. I feel like the benefits to Squaw skiers of having “more” come at the cost of the unique setting and attitude of Alpine and its skiers. A couple people have commented saying that the merger sucks because now all the Alpine skiers will be making the lines worse at Squaw, but I feel like it’s going to be the exact opposite, and Alpine will lose the individuality that it once had. Sigh. Oh well, I’m over it, time to ski…
Who the “F” really cares? It won’t matter, Squaw v Alpine is stupid.
We were screwed originally by the cheap pass prices offered by former CEO and pres of Ski Corp, Nancy Cushing, it was her way to get Squaw’s Board of directors a.k.a. Alex’s children off her back about falling profits, it didn’t work, she got sued anyway and was forced to sell. How do I know, I personally know the attorney that represented Alexandra Cushing and disposed Nan during interrogatories leading up to the trial. They finallly settled out of court. Thus the current fiasco…
KSL and AWirth are corporate douchebags, they don’t understand the skier end of it and will realize all their efforts to increase profits from their perspective of having a mega resort in Tahoe will fail. Nobody had a positive experience standing in those heinous lines experienced at Squaw last year. What have they proposed to mitigate? Absolutely nothing. Guests will remember the negative experience of visiting Squaw and will not want to return.
So what are the metrics of purchasing Alpine? Capital operating loss offsets corporate profitability of Squaw gaining those who came over from alpine. Why increase overall operating costs of running another entity when alpine has been non profitable? Doesn’t make much sense.
Build a village at Alpine? Stupid, there are almost hundreds of distressed/reo properties currently in Squaw Village.
Flail on….
Troy Caldwell seems to take joy in telling hikers to get off his land. He apparently has nothing better to do during the summer. Squalpine doesn’t need him and his low-altitude south-facing slope. The shuttle bus will work just fine.
MONOrail! The ring came off my pudding can. Take my pen knife, my good man! MONORAIL!!!
Hey Skip, You do know that Troy owns the entire top of KT, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RIDGE, right?
I heard KSL bought the backcountry too.
Hopefully this transaction won’t bombard Alpine with all the kooks, meepers, and gerbles that infest Squaw. Regardless, the only thing that would make it all better is 4,000 more ft of elevation. Sierra cement sucks! My house sits higher than the peak of both. Have fun at the Mega-Meeper.
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