Finding some soft turns on Siberia. Image: Jesse Thurber

Brought to you by Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

Report from Saturday, May 8, 2021

Squaw Valley USA is only open for one more week for skiing and riding, so get it before it’s gone!

May 16th is the last day of operations, while Alpine Meadows, CA, closed for the season on Sunday, May 9th.

We found the best skiing of the day off of Siberia or Shirley Lake Express, and there were lots of small moguls and banked slaloms all over the mountain.

Jesse ripping underneath the Palisades. Image: Galen Carrico

The highlight of the day was watching this skier absolutely tear down the Shirley Wiggle, bouncing his way down until he zoomed out of the bottom with cheers from all around.

Riding the white wave. Image: Galen Carrico

Soft snow was all over the mountain, but the shaded and North-facing slopes skied best.

Skiing and riding are now confined to the Upper Mountain, but the Mountain Run was skiable late into the afternoon and looks to be open this week as well.

Alyson taking some turns in Shirley Canyon. Image: Galen Carrico

There were lots of incredible outfits on Saturday, and if you’re skiing this late in the season, you are of the dedicated few.

We had lunch out on the deck with the Palisades and North Bowl in the background, and the sun was intense with a cool breeze.

Gotta love spring skiing outfits. Image: Galen Carrico

Everyone was having a great time shredding the soft snow in the May sun, and we hurried to get a few more runs before 3 pm.

With some upper mountain lifts still open (except for Headwall, Emigrant, and Granite Chief), Siberia and Shirley Lake offered up lots of terrain.

The Shirley Canyon watch party. Image: Galen Carrico

Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows (SVAM) received just over 300″ of snow this season, and the resorts were open from November until May for what was the longest ski season in the Lake Tahoe region.

I hope you can find time to get out there and enjoy California skiing at its finest.