Industry News
Squaw Valley, CA was absolutely sick this year. Lines we never get to ski were in. Snowfall was abundant. The season went on forever. So. Damn. Fun.
Squaw averages 174-days of operation per year.
This year, Squaw was open for 200 days!
We were skiing a lot more than we weren’t skiing this year with only 165 days of Squaw not being open…
Squaw Valley 2016/17:
- 60 feet (728″) of snowfall
- The snowiest month on record (282″ of snow in January 2017!)
- The snowiest February on record at 196″
- 200 days of winter operation (November 23rd, 2016 – July 15th, 2018)
- One of only 3 times in history that Squaw has surpassed 600″ of annual snowfall (also in 2011 & ?)
- One of only 2 times in history that Squaw has surpassed 700″ of annual snowfall (also in 2011)
- 10 atmospheric rivers
SQUAW VALLEY | ALPINE MEADOWS CONCLUDES 2016-17 SKI & RIDE SEASON; JULY 15 MARKS LATEST CLOSING DATE IN RESORT’S HISTORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
• Squaw Valley extended operations beyond the Fourth of July for the first time ever
• Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows received 728 inches of cumulative snowfall, the second greatest on record
[Olympic Valley, Calif.] July 18, 2017 — Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is officially closed for skiing and riding after 200 days of operations during the 2016-17 season, nearly a month more than the average of 174 days. Winter and summer blended together in 2017 at Squaw Valley as the resort emerged from a historic winter with operations until July 15, its latest closing ever.
Seven hundred and twenty-eight inches of snow fell at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows this winter, equaling more than 60 feet. Ten Atmospheric River weather events hit the resort, where the average season sees two to four. January 2017 at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows broke the resort’s record for most snow in one month with 282 inches, snowing 23 feet in 23 consecutive days. “Januburied” was followed by the snowiest February ever with another 196 inches.
“This season was one we will not soon forget,” said Andy Wirth, president and CEO of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. “Mother Nature dealt out her fair share of challenges, with snow totals, wind speeds and overall volatility of weather the likes of which have never been seen in the Sierra Nevada since ski areas have been in operation. The monumental snowpack, however, brought the historic opportunity to operate well into summer. The spring skiing capital evolved into the summer skiing capital, and skiers and riders from across the country were enjoying the sun and snow right up to July 15. Our mountain operations team did a phenomenal job maintaining a fantastic snow surface, and we were able to offer beginner through advanced terrain, and even a large terrain park, right into July.”
With unseasonably warm temperatures in the region, the snowpack has seen a rapid rate of melt, primarily in the key areas of lift loading and unloading zones. While teams have been working around the clock to maintain the snow surface, there is not sufficient snowpack for a safe, consistent slope, forcing the resort to conclude operations.
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