There are many changes happening at Lake Tahoe ski resorts with the recent merge of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. This was big news for Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows – combining their ski resorts! The company that has recently taken over Squaw Valley has big plans for the mountain. The new owners are “committing more than $50 million in capital improvements over the next three to five years.”

An article was published on November 28, 2011 by Andrew S. Ross of the SFGate entitled New Squaw Valley owners plan $50 million upgrades. Click on the link to view entire article.

New Squaw Valley owners plan $50 million upgrades

November 24, 2010|Andrew S. Ross

A Squaw Valley ski resort highlight: the 1960 Winter Olympics. Credit: Associated Press 1960

If you’re planning Thanksgiving holiday at Squaw Valley, you’ll be able to celebrate its 71st anniversary, and say hello to its new owners.

KSL Capital Partners, a private-equity firm in Denver has taken over the 4,000-acre resort founded by Alexander Cushing in 1949. It had stayed in the Cushing family ever since.

Terms of the acquisition, to be completed by the end of the year, were not disclosed. But in a letter to Squaw Valley regulars, Squaw Valley USA‘s current CEO, Andrew Wirth, said KSL, “with a respectful eye for the past,” is committing more than $50 million in capital improvements over the next three to five years. The acquisition is “part of a new era in Squaw Valley’s incredible history,” he said.

Lake Tahoe Backcountry Vertical Challenge

The Lake Tahoe Bonanza recently published an article about an upcoming local Lake Tahoe event entitled: Take the Lake Tahoe Backcountry Vertical Challenge. See how you can participate or support this upcoming local fundraiser!

Lake Tahoe Event: The Lake Tahoe Backcountry Vertical Challenge

Reason: Fundraiser to benefit the Sierra Avalanche Center

When: November 15, 2011 through April 30, 2012

What: The challenge is for the the entire Tahoe backcountry community to a cumulative goal of 15 million vertical feet of human-powered uphill travel!

More info: Call Alpenglow Sports at 530-583-6917 or email brendan@alpenglowsports.com

Exciting news for Lake Tahoe! The new Warren Miller movie features Lake Tahoe skiers!

This is Warren Miller’s 62nd film and is entitled “Like There’s No Tomorrow.” This film is exciting for Lake Tahoe because it features many local skiers and includes quite a bit of Lake Tahoe footage. Squaw Valley is featured with its popular run KT22. U.S. Ski Team members from Lake Tahoe are also in this film – Julia Mancuso and Daron Rahlves. This will be Daron Rahles’ 3rd video with Warren Miller. Also featured in the movie are locals JT Holmes and Michelle Parker.

For more information about the new Warren Miller film click on these links: Announcing Warren Miller’s 62nd Film and Lake Tahoe Skiers Featured in Film.

Click on this link to see the official movie trailer for Like There’s No Tomorrow.

Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows Combine Forces!

It’s official! Today it was announced that Squaw Valley USA and Alpine Meadows will be “combining operations” for the 2011/2012 ski season! Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are two of the favorite ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area. Now they are available to both be skied with one pass!

Details on the Merger

Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows will be owned and operated by a new company called Squaw Valley Ski Holdings LLC. There are no immediate plans to connect the two mountains but there will be a daily ski shuttle that will take skiers from one mountain to the next so they may conveniently ski at both.

One of the reasons for the merger is to increase the changes of Tahoe’s pursuit of the Winter Olympics in 2022. Squaw Valley CEO Andy Wirth says it’s too soon to tell if the merger will help Tahoe’s effort as of now.

This is big news for Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley because now as a combined resort they have over 6,000 acres of accessible terrain. Squaw has about 4,000 skiable acres, Alpine 2,000. In comparison, Vail has about 5,000; Mammoth 3,500; and Whistler-Blackcomb 8,100.

Tahoe Super Pass

The New Tahoe Super Pass gives skiers access to Squaw Valley AND Alpine Meadows. Skiers will have access to over 6,000 acres spread across eight Sierra Nevada mountain peaks. The pass starts at just $439. Skiers who have already purchased their season pass will have access to both mountains with their pass from either mountain.

Tahoe Super Pass-Ski Squaw & Alpine

Tahoe Super Pass on eBay

Frequently Asked Questions about the Super Pass

Read More about the Alpine Meadows/Squaw Valley Combined Operations

Ski Area Management – Squaw Valley & Alpine Meadows Join Forces

UnofficialNetworks.com -Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows Deal – It’s Done

UnofficialNetworks.com -Squaw Valley Announces Ski Merger

CBS Sacramento – Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are Joining Forces

AdventureJournal.com – Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows to Merge

How Will This Affect Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley Real Estate?

Now that skiers will have access to two of the best mountains with one ski pass, real estate values in both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are expected to rise.

It is also expected that the merger will boost tourism and make the area more attractive to skiers from around the country and around the globe.

Squaw Valley Homes for Sale

Alpine Meadows Homes for Sale

Now here’s the big question for YOU! How do YOU think this merger will affect the area? How do you think it’ll affect real estate values in both Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley? We’d love to hear your thoughts so please share!