Squaw Valley Conditions Report: Calm before the Rain

Bevan Waite |

John skiing an untouched, spicy line at Squaw on Friday.

Squaw Valley was all time on Friday January 6th 2017.  For the first time this season they opened KT-22 arguably the sickest chair lift on the west coast.  It snowed heavy wet snow two days before, but got very cold Thursday night which seemed to suck a lot of the moisture out of the snow.

Tram face looking sweet from the Village
Tram face looking sweet from the Village

After a quick run down broken arrow, we went down to line up at KT-22, but the line was so long it didn’t seem worth the wait (thats saying something considering the awesomeness of KT).  we decided to ski the funnel a few times and then head down to Shirley/Granite.  While we were down by Shirley we got word Granite was opening in 2 hours and decided to wait there.  We were literally second in line.  It was rad.

2nd in line at Granite Chief!
2nd in line at Granite Chief!

Granite actually ended up opening about an hour after we heard the rumor.  Patrol did an amazing job at bombing the slopes so we could all enjoy the endless pow turns and playful features the Granite chair is known for.  It was the best snow on the mountain by far and perfect for sending and stomping.

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John about to send the Granite Chief diving board under the lift.

As the day died down, we meandered back to KT to ski it just cause we hadn’t had the chance to all day.  Even at the end of the day it was still pretty great skiing.  Can’t wait till it opens after the next storm!

KT and the fingers in the afternoon.
KT and the fingers in the afternoon.
090116_lion_king_rock_granite
John sending it off Pride Rock
South side of the tram face accessed from Broken Arrow of Big Blue.
South side of the tram face accessed from Broken Arrow of Big Blue.
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Finding a new air off Granite Chief.
South side of the tram face accessed from Broken Arrow of Big Blue.
South side of the tram face accessed from Broken Arrow of Big Blue.
Dead Mans
Dead Mans
Great fucking day.
Great fucking day.

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