Sierra Watch Wins 11-Year Battle to Prevent Massive Palisades Tahoe, CA, Redevelopment A California court last week issued its Final Judgment in the long-running fight against massive development in Tahoe’s Olympic Valley. Related: Alterra Mountain Co. Remains Committed to Stalled Development of Palisades Tahoe, CA The court ordered all approvals of the project be rescinded, closing out a sweeping victory for Sierra Watch and the grassroots movement to protect the alpine valley […] Industry News SnowBrains | August 2, 2022 5 Comments
Alpenglow Expeditions Announces Plan for Online Avalanche Courses This Winter Recently, Olympic Valley-based guiding company, Alpenglow Expeditions announced their updated Covid-19 policy with regards to their AIARE 1 & 2 courses. In the past, AIARE (the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) courses have predominantly, if not entirely, consisted of in-person classes. Regardless of level, students have historically spent time in the classroom and the field. Obviously, due to […] Backcountry Spencer Cox | September 12, 2020 0 Comments
Squaw Valley, CA To Consider Changing Name Since “Squaw” Is a Racial Slur “The English word squaw is an ethnic and sexual slur,[1][2][3] historically used for Indigenous North American women.[4] Contemporary use of the term, especially by non-Natives, is considered offensive, derogatory, misogynist and racist.[1][2][3][4][5][6]” – Wikipedia According to Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows CEO of, Ron Cohen, Squaw Valley is considering changing its name due to the word “squaw” being a racial slur. We realize it is time to re-examine our use of the […] Industry News SnowBrains | June 22, 2020 27 Comments
Town Creation for Olympic [Squaw] Valley Update: Town Likely Financially Viable Incorporate Olympic Valley (IOV) is a movement that began in 2013. IOV’s goal is to make Olympic Valley (aka Squaw Valley) into a town that’s in control of its own direction and destiny. Currently, Olympic Valley is under the control of Placer County. “Incorporate Olympic Valley was formed in 2013 by Squaw Valley residents concerned about maintaining their mountain culture and […] Industry News SnowBrains | November 3, 2015 1 Comment
LAFCO Letter Says “No” To Squaw Being Excluded From Future Town of Olympic [Squaw] Valley The Local Agency Formation Commision (LAFCO) has said no to Squaw Valley CEO/President Andy Wirth’s request that Squaw Valley ski resort be left out of the potential new town of Olympic Valley. What LAFCO states here is that they are unable to address Wirth’s request before a hearing. “LAFCO may not significantly amend the boundaries of an incorporation prior to the hearing on the proposal, particularly if the amendment might not have been supported by the voters signing the petition.” – Kristina Berry, Executive Officer at LAFCO […] SnowBrains | May 19, 2014 1 Comment
“City House, Country House” | Can Mountain People Really Run Squaw Valley? In their most recent advertisement the ironically named, Squaw financed coalition, Save Olympic Valley (SOV) enlisted a pair of second home owners, San Francisco couple Terry and Heidi Deveau, to share their concerns with the incorporation efforts. “We’re concerned that Squaw does not have enough qualified people to run a town…” Yes, they decided to go there, It seems Andy Wirth and his friends don’t think that you are smart […] Featured Article Andy Hays | April 23, 2014 22 Comments
Robb Gaffney Responds to Squaw CEO’s Tough Talk on NPR Against Creating Town of Olympic Valley Andy Wirth has come out strongly against the incorporation of Olympic (Squaw) Valley in an NPR interview saying that: “there are so many mistruths and mischaracterizations being made that we had to step up.” “They are suggesting that they can improve services. They have yet to even prove that they can sustain existing services. In fact, we […] Industry News SnowBrains | April 15, 2014 47 Comments
“Will Squaw Valley Become a Town?” | SnowBrains Interview with Incorporate Olympic Valley A New Town of Squaw Valley? Snowbrain’s interview with Dr. Fred Ilfeld, founding member of Incorporate Olympic Valley SB: How did the idea of forming a new town of Squaw Valley come about? FI: One of our group was pondering how the huge changes proposed for the Village development might affect the Valley, when the image of the old classic […] SnowBrains | September 5, 2013 5 Comments
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