The best thing about the merger between Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows could be the unprecedented expansion of backcountry territory between the two mountains, already a mega-resort at over 6,000 skiable acres. Always a distant hope among backcountry enthusiasts, this might become a real possibility. According to a press release issued by Squaw Valley on December 2, 2011 a pilot study will be conducted this winter to assess the feasibility of allowing backcountry access between Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows.
Andy Wirth, CEO of both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, said, “We will be working with closely with our partner, the United States Forest Service, to conduct the pilot study. With the safety of our guests and our team members as our primary concern, we will be doing our due diligence to determine whether or not backcountry access between Squaw and Alpine Meadows is a possibility.”
The land ownership issues are complex, as Squaw Valley is privately owned while Alpine Meadows is located on National Forest Service land under a long-term lease agreement. Further complicating the issue is a large chunk of land (460 acres), known as White Wolf Mountain, owned by private citizen Troy Caldwell, that sits squarely between the parking lot at Alpine and the KT-22 lift at Squaw. Caldwell has been installing his own private lift in phases, under a hard-fought permit that is limited to friends and family. Many have speculated that this key lift, yet to be completed, could become part of the ski area operations, but this possibility was not addressed in the press release.
The terrain between the two mountains is rugged, but that hasn’t stopped skiers and boarders from pushing the limits, and the boundary lines, for years, mostly without incident but occasionally resulting in tragedy. In 2001 two teens, expert skiers who were nationally ranked, skied down from the KT-22 lift to Alpine Meadows via the West Gully and were buried in an avalanche, killing both. It was a stark reminder of the dangers of skiing in avalanche prone areas that are not controlled by bombing nor patrolled by experienced ski patrollers.
The press release indicated that if the pilot study is successful, skiers and riders with specialized backcountry training and equipment will be able to access the wilderness land connecting Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. This probably means that skiers and riders would need to have some kind of backcountry training and carry specialized equipment such as avalanche beacons, probes and shovels. The pilot project will include route selection, potential issues relating to backcountry access during in-bounds closures, search and rescue issues, and interface with private land and wilderness areas. The goal of the pilot study will be to determine whether or not feasible locations for backcountry access gates exist – and if so, where the best locations would be in terms of topography and exposure. The pilot study will start this season when conditions warrant.
In the past, backcountry policies have differed significantly between the two mountains. Squaw Valley has maintained a strict closed boundary policy, only allowing limited access to the backcountry under controlled conditions, i.e. via Big Smoothie from the Granite Chief lift a few days every spring. Many passes have been pulled from Squaw Valley skiers and riders who flaunted the policy and ducked under the ropes. In contrast, Alpine Meadows, in keeping with the National Forest Service philosophy of allowing public access on public lands, has had an open boundary policy, allowing skiers and boarders liberal access to unpatrolled and uncontrolled terrain. After a fresh snowfall lines of people can be seen trudging over to Beaver and Estelle Bowls and Ward Peak to experience the exhilaration of making first tracks.
This pilot project is exciting news for backcountry enthusiasts, those who want to push the boundaries a bit and fans of the first-rate terrain of both mountains. Stay tuned for more information as the pilot progresses and, hopefully results in expanded access between the two mountains. In the meantime, in this first winter of merged operations, access between the two mountains will be provided via shuttle bus.
See related article: Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows to Join Forces
Information:
Squaw Valley USA
1960 Squaw Valley Road
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
Snow Phone 530-583-6955
www.squaw.com
Alpine Meadows
2600 Alpine Meadows Road
Tahoe City, CA 96145
Snow Phone 540-581-8374
www.skialpine.com
Getting There:
From San Francisco/Sacramento/Northern California:Squaw Valley USA is 96 miles from Sacramento, and 196 miles from San Francisco. It generally takes about 2 hours from Sacramento and about 4 hours from San Francisco depending on traffic and weather.
- Take Interstate 80 northeast into the Sierra Nevada.
- Exit at Truckee, onto Highway 89 SOUTH, towards Lake Tahoe/Tahoe City/Squaw Valley.
- Follow Highway 89 south 8 miles to the Squaw Valley Rd. Exit. Turn RIGHT and follow Squaw Valley Rd. to the base of the mountain.
- To reach Alpine Meadows, continue 1 more mile on Highway 89. Turn RIGHT and follow Alpine Meadows Rd. to the base of the mountain.
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