Squaw Valley, CA Conditions Report: Excellent Mini-Powder Day w/ Headwall & Granite Chief Peak

Miles Clark | | Post Tag for Conditions ReportConditions Report
Granite Chief, Glory Rock, and the lunar landscape today. image: snowbrains
Granite Chief, Glory Rock, and the lunar landscape today. image: snowbrains

I woke up in Tahoe City, CA in a cold, dense fog.

By the time I arrived at Squaw at 9am, the sun had torn through the clouds revealing a gorgeous alpine scene.

The Reverse Traverse and the Headwall terrain opened for the first time this season.  Granite Chief Peak also opened for the first time this season…  Both locations held fresh, untouched snow about 1-5″ deep.

Headwall ramp looking buried today.
Headwall ramp looking buried today.

The Headwall terrain was creamy, crunchy, occasionally icy, and fun.  

Granite Chief Peak was stellar.  Powder.  Big arcing turns, steeps, and airs.

The Funnel off Emigrant was open as well.

Hogsback, Headwall today.
Hog’s back, Headwall today.

Squaw has quite a bit open right now with these chairs and zones open:

  • Red Dog
  • Squaw Creek
  • Funitel
  • Tram
  • Gold Coast
  • Big Blue
  • Shirley Lake
  • Granite Chief
  • Emigrant (The Funnel)
  • Reverse Traverse (Headwall terrain)
  • Granite Chief Peak
  • Palisades (National)
Granite Chief Peak today.
Granite Chief Peak today.

A storm is forecast to roll into Tahoe with big snow and big wind the next two days.

Major Storm to Impact Every Western State This Christmas | Up to 3-FEET of Snow Forecast

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Tahoe that is calling for 12-24″ of snowfall Friday and Saturday.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 2 FEET ABOVE 7000 FEET, WITH LOCALLY
  HIGHER AMOUNTS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST. 8 TO 16 INCHES AT
  LAKE LEVEL.
  - NOAA Reno, NV today

Right now, it appears that Christmas day with be THE DAY…

SNOW NUMBERS:

image: squaw, today
image: squaw, today

FORECAST:

Squaw Valley forecast. image: noaa, today
Squaw Valley forecast. image: noaa, today

PHOTO TOUR:

Siberia today.
Siberia today.
The Plake Line off Granite Chief Peak today.
The Plake Line off Granite Chief Peak today.
Granite Chief peak today.
Granite Chief peak today.
Funnel was open today.
Funnel was open today.
Mainline Pocket still hasn't opened this season.
Mainline Pocket still hasn’t opened this season.
Big Blue today.
Big Blue today.
KT-22 & Lake Tahoe today.
KT-22 & Lake Tahoe today.
img_1262-min
Glory Rock today
img_1266-min
View from Granite Chief Peak today
Granite Chief Peak today.
Granite Chief Peak today.
Shirely Chutes today.
Shirely Chutes today.
Granite Chief Peak today.
Granite Chief Peak today.
Headwall today.
Headwall today.

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