What are these Colorado companies who own Squaw, Alpine, & Northstar (Vail & KSL) trying to do with North Lake Tahoe? Well, they’re trying to make it more like Colorado. Which, in essence, means they are trying to make it fancy, famous, and fashionable. For decades North Lake Tahoe has not been a major destination ski area for mid-westerners, east coasters, nor foreigners. Vail & KSL want to change that.
“Industry pundits long have said that if Squaw delivered the customer-focused experience of a place like Beaver Creek (or the new Northstar), it would compete with the best resorts in the world.” – by Susan Reifer, diablomagazine.com
It now appears that Northstar & Squaw (ie Vail & KSL) will be working together to make North Lake Tahoe world class.
“Now, Vail Resorts and Squaw Valley Ski Holdings intend to try to work together. “Raising the water will lift all the boats,” says one Northstar executive. “What’s good for the health of North Lake’s tourism is good for all of us,” says one from Squaw. In other words, while the notion of stealing business from each other may persist, the new vision is to improve business for the entire North Lake region.” – Susan Reifer, diablomagazine.com
Is your curiosity piqued, yet? It should be.
The above quotes and the below lists come courtesy of an interesting article by Susan Reifer in the east bay area’s Diablo Magazine.
It’s a good read: “Tahoe Times” by Susan Reifer
Where Squaw & Northstar’s $80 Million Is Going:
New at Squaw:
» Squaw Valley USA and adjacent Alpine Meadows have merged under single ownership. One lift pass accesses both ski areas and frequent shuttle service connects them.
» A full makeover of the KT Base Bar, with fire pits, cabanas, and an indoor/outdoor bar.
» A new mountain information system with real-time lift status updates, including lift opening times on powder days.
» Transformed terrain parks, with more and better boxes, rails, jumps, and hits.
» Naming, grading, and clear signage of trails, plus a new mountain trail map and daily grooming maps.
» Further face-lifts to Gold Coast, with a ski-up coffee shop, a new market and café, and a doubling of restroom capacity.
» The launch of Rocker@Squaw, a cool Squaw-themed lunch, après-ski, dinner, and late night spot, serving upscale comfort food.
» A new look and menu at Bar One, with a chef’s harvest table and wine and chocolate tastings.
» A bright and open day lodge on the base level of the Olympic House.
» A remodeled Squaw Kids facility.
» Three new magic carpets, plus special terrain features, at the Snowsports School.
» A new central sales center for lift tickets, lessons, and rentals.
» Lodging upgrades that include flat screens, sound machines, and humidifiers at the Village at Squaw.
New at Northstar:
» Zephyr Lodge, a new mountaintop day lodge and eatery.
» Promised Land Express, a new high-speed quad chairlift on Northstar’s Backside.
» Also on the Backside, two new intermediate “blue square” trails and additional snowmaking.
» 170 acres of newly opened “side country” terrain on Lookout Mountain (next to the Prosser Trail) and in Sawmill Glade (next to Logger’s Loop Trail, off the Vista Express chair).
» Guided tours of the new acreage as well as in the Sawtooth Ridge and White Rabbit areas.
» Snowcat skiing on Sawtooth Ridge.
» A 22-foot half-pipe designed by two-time snowboard Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White, who will make Northstar his home base for training throughout the 2011–2012 season.