Once, we were skiers. Skiing on wooden skis with metal edges that were screwed into the base. The length of a person’s skis were measured by the length of a person’s arm reaching for the sky. Grooming was not an option. We skied on the snow that mother nature dropped from the sky. Sometimes rocks poked through a thin layer of snow and the bottoms of our skis sported deep gauges at the end of the day. Other times, the snow was wet and deep, and we fought our way down the slope on our long, thin, wooded skis. When moguls formed they often remained, growing in size, until the next storm buried them.
Many lifts were rope tow or a Poma style lifts. A few were single chair lifts. Only a few people could ride to the top at a time. This helped keep slopes from getting overcrowded. Of course, the lines at the base were often long, but I do not remember complaining.
I skied opening day at Alpine Meadows in Dec. 1961. I am not sure if it was opening day, or other days that season, but the line for the double chair known as Chair 1 (Summit Chair today) reached up the hill to the second or third tower. Of course, we never made as many trips to the top of the lift as we do today. I remember my father stating that we had to stay out until we had at least 10 runs completed for the day. Less than 10 runs would not count as a ski day, no matter the weather. It usually took all day to make 10 runs no matter the resort we were enjoying.
Our clothing was not anything close to the clothing we wear today. Today it is possible to ski in the rain for the entire day and not return to the locker room frozen or soaking wet. When I started skiing, waterproof clothing did not exist. I remember being so cold that I was not sure I would ever warm again.
When I think about my first days, or years, of skiing, I wonder if change is all that bad. I am on the side of the fence that thinks our overcrowded slopes will just become more overcrowded until it is too risky to even attempt to ski in a resort. I thought the development of a new ski area, and associated residential properties, was exciting when Alpine Meadows was first proposed. I did not fear the development would negatively effect the environment or overcrowd the mountain.
Perhaps now that I am older than I was when Alpine Meadows was just a drawing on a piece of paper, I fear further development in the area. Perhaps I am wrong, but it just seems as if further development, especially in the neighboring valley, will just further degrade my memories of skiing as it was years ago. Overcrowding of the slopes detracts from the spiritual experience of becoming one with the mountain.
I remember standing at the top of KT22 before the Alpine Meadows Ski area existed, on the deck of the old Cornice Restaurant, looking out over a beautiful scene where man had not put his hand yet. We were being educated about a proposed development John Reily was planning in the valley adjacent to Squaw Valley. This was to be a new ski area to be known as Alpine Meadows. Later, we were taken on a tour of the valley via snowcat. If I remember correctly only two small cabins existed at the time.
It was a beautiful pristine forested valley. At the end of the tour through the tree laden valley floor we arrived at the proposed base of the future ski area. Open bowls filled the site in front of us. We were told of a small development that would be available to those that purchased stock in the new company. My parents purchased a few shares of stock with the hope of eventually building a second home in the promised Bear Creek Subdivision. In addition to obtaining a leasehold lot where they could construct a second home (the property was owned by the Southern Pacific Co.), our family received season passes.
I remember my family being so excited to be part of this new ski area. A lodge, ski lifts, and subdivisions would be constructed allowing us to have a second home in the woods just a mile from the base of Alpine Meadows. I wonder how the locals reacted at the time. Were they also excited, or were they pulling their hair out because they did not want changes to their environment? I do not remember opposition to the development of this pristine valley, but I was only 12 at the time.
I do not remember complaining as new equipment was developed by ski manufacturing companies. Skis that made it easier to ski allowing us to ski faster in all types of snow. Clothing that actually kept us warm and dry in all types of weather.
I do not remember opposing new lift construction that opened more terrain. We did not complain when the Scott Chair or the Sherwood Chair opened areas previously only available to those that venture off the beaten path. Generally these equipment improvements and expansions of the skiable terrain were met with excitement. Now, we scratch our heads wondering when the tipping point will arrive. Many of us think it has already arrived.
I do remember that we were very upset when snowboarding arrived. We did not want snowboarding allowed on our mountain. Of course, time has moved along and it is now part of the sport of sliding on snow. A number of us still do not like have snowboarding on the mountain because the board is ridden differently than a ski. It uses the slope differently, and often is in conflict with the way a skier uses the mountain.
Change arrives and generally we embraced it. Changes at Alpine Meadows were embraced because they did not seem to change the fabric of the original dream. Alpine Meadows was a place for skiers who loved to ski. It was funded and developed by real skiers as place for a spiritual connection to the mountains we love. It was, and I hope it will be in the future, a place where people respect the environment and treat it as if it were family.
The hardest thing is to know when to fear change and when to embrace it. At times our mountain community feels overcrowded. I fear more development will only lead to further overcrowding of the outdoor environment we love so much, changing it from a spiritual moment in time, to a moment in time where experiencing the offerings of a village become more important than the mountain.
Andy
My name is Mark and I approve of this post.
Love this article and it explains why wallet capture offends the lovers of the mountains and sliding on snow.
I got the best of it working at AM from 1970 to 2019.
I agree eith everything you said. I also grew up at Alpinei n the 60’s. I’m turning 77 in a few weeks. Sounds like we sre about the same age. Hard to handle the crowds now days and especially the drive from the bay area. Remember well the old wooden skies and hand over the top to get the
correct length. Still use my 1984 205 Atomic Arc
I love this article!
Wow, did you touch a deep, very old nerve, Andy. I started on the South Side at The Ranch at age 3 (1956). We would leave our “afterski boots” in the lodge along with our sack lunches, and both would be there when they were needed again. Bobby Sprock would be behind the counter selling $4 kids tickets and $6 adult tix, while Vern scurried around outside making sure the lifts were running and folks were having a good time.
During a storm, wet, wool mittens hung in front of the blazing fire in the stone fireplace, as the smell of that wet wool filled the room.
We worked hard to get better on skis that reached our wrist of our outstretched arm. Once we conquered the rope tows, we graduated to the detachable poma life that would catapult us into the air, and if we could hang on thru the launch zone, it took us 1/2 mile up to the top. The Face (didn’t all areas have a Face?) was next to a 1-3 foot berm depending on the last storm, that opened up into a twinkling, untracked powder field that only 2 or 3 ski patrol or instructors knew how to navigate. And yes, your dad was right; anything less than 10 runs was not a full ski day.
Rico
I remember that poma lift and the one at Squaw that took us up Exibition.
Both lifted me up off the ground for a significant amount of time, but it was kind of fun.
Andy
Lol, it really was.
The Jigback lift looks the one that went up the headway at Siberia Bowl, Square Valley, circa 1961.
The jig back lift was at Squaw Valley and took you to the top of the head wall.
Love this memory.
“Less than 10 runs would not count as a ski day, no matter the weather. It usually took all day to make 10 runs no matter the resort we were enjoying.” – some sage advice there! – thanks for this post – I first skied Alpine in the early 1970’s with Mogul Ski Club.
I hope that many of us still have or will have a deep “spiritual connection to the mountains we love”. I know I sure have and always had and always will.
I wasn’t there to experience that opening of those beautiful pristine slopes even though I’m your age. Its a cherished memory for you. I wonder what the cherished memory of the generation experiencing todays growth and expansion will be. Will they lament the changes they see? What will be their looking back wishing for “the old days”
Such a beautiful reflection Andy….thanks so much! And I so enjoy the accompanying pics!
The next generation will long for the old days when they could drive to the ski area and park without a season parking pass, when they didn’t have to enter a lottery to get a season pass, and when they didn’t have to pay extra to get in the “powder tracks” line.
A great magazine covering ski history is called (not so ironically) “Skiing History” – and you will get it by joining the “International Skiing History Association”, which is dedicated to preserving the heritage of skiers and skiing . https://www.skiinghistory.org
Note: That site appears to be down at the minute, but Google confirms the link. Remind me to look later!
50 years skiing at alpine, and still in awe of our majestic cathedral, yes change happens, but never affects my spiritual uplifting I get from hiking the high traverse,on a sun blasted, cold winter morning. Hallelujah!
After the 1960 Olympics, Osvaldo and I also gazed down from the Cornice restaurant atop KT, then skied down into the valley. After fondue and a sales pitch from John Reily, rode the snowcat out. Got married, bought a lot, built a house (see Sunset Magazine 1965), raised kids. Osvaldo coached Lake Tahoe Ski Team. Built a ski shop (Casa Andina)
The rest is history, and I wrote a book about it:
Tales from Two Valleys – Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. (2025 edition: Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows)
That’s a wonderful book – and a “must read” for locals and anyone that has skied SV/AM over the years. I have given it as a gift to several of my skiing friends. Thanks for writing it and for all of the research that went into it.
If you have not read the book, get it.
The book is really wonderful in.It is a great lesson in the history of both resorts.
Andy
Love Andy’s post and all the comments! We are relative newbies, first skied Alpine sometime in the early 1980’s, bought a cabin here 25 years ago (with Andy’s help). Kids grew up skiing here…one in the Adaptive Program (now Achieve Tahoe) which definitely deserves a shout-out! The other, as of this year a National Patroller with two daughters who will be skiing every weekend! We are now retired and living the dream in Alpine Meadows!
I too learned to ski on wooden skis with cable bindings etc., but in Switzerland, with my Grandad who was a founder member of the British Ski Club, who took the whole family skiing every year in Lenzerheide!
Please may Alpine return to being the awesome “family” ski area we all remember, and most definitely retain its identity as Alpine Meadows!
1982 kathryn(tass) was a room mate on Trapper mcnut in AM . there was a 2 phone booth size shed in the front yard that had the adaptive stuff in it. A guy with one leg stayed with us. he had rode his bike across Canada. I first saw him limping around the kitchen. He said his leg was broken. it was gone . a high hip . he would put his ski in his pack and hike up the backside of olylady . Animal.!! best joke was the guy picked up a girl. he stashed his leg under the bed. when she hopped in he said I need to show you something. he put her had on the stump.
Edited to keep things just a bit more G rated. Sorry Casey!
I know the end of that joke
Andy: What a hoot!! When I tell people about the old leather boots, screw on metal edges, long skinny sinker ski’s , wet clothes, rope tows ( and gloves), T bars J bars no grooming they look at me with blank uncomprehending stares. One of my more embarrassing falls was speeding ( tough to turn those skis) straight down lower Exhibition only to crash and burn at the bottom in front of base lodge and all those people ( only a few by today’s standard) all due to the separation of three of said screw metal edges on inside of right ski. It also makes me grateful for the advances in our equipment and mountain maintenance or there would not be as many of us skiing in our 80’s. While those were the ” good old days” let’s stay hopeful for the “good new day’s” and ski for as many day’s as we have left. Note: A person willing to put in the effort for High T bowls and the like can still savor the essence of the cathedral like spiritual nature you are conveying. It is what makes Alpine so special. Thank you Andy.
I have yet to read a better post written about what gen’x, y’s and z’s er’s will never experience. It’s very unfortunate for them to say the least, personally, I feel blessed and lucky to have had the opportunity.
Thank you Andy, well done.
I remember those days growing up at Donner Lake and working at Alpine Meadows every winter while going to high school. I might have been the kid next to the ticket booth in freezing snow who threaded the copper wire through your ticket and into your clothing, and then “crimped” the lead piece at the end. We had Chairs 1, 2 and 3. It was a big deal when the opened Chair 4. Art Linkletter, who was one of the investors at Alpine, was always walking around saying hi to everyone. Wonderful memories. Thanks for your article.
By the way, at that time I had my wooden J. C. Higgins wooden skis with “suicide bindings.” When I got my 210 Head Masters, I thought I was on top of the world!
I came along after and learned to ski at AM in the early 80’s. Not so much had changed by then. Marginally better gear (I skied in jeans for years), pre the advent of the SUV (I remember my dad chaining up his Mercedes). Straight skis. Fireplaces were still the place to warm up and they burned wood. I still nostalgic about a real wood fire (our home has only propane).
I’m torn about growth here, but I’m thankful to be blessed in a way that allows me to raise my kids here. They LOVE to ski and be a part of this special community. I do, too.
My favorite days are silent days walking in the back country. I’m still awed by these mountains every time I set foot in them. No matter the “progress” this place is still special in all of the same ways. Just different.
The difference now is not just a ‘change happens’ sorry of things. Skiing has always a relatively expensive affair but back in the day there were Mom and Pop hills that a family could afford to go to. Not a premier Hill like Alpine or Squaw but, for instance, Homewood around the corner on the lake. It was known as a locals mountain where passes were affordable. They kept slow chairs while the Alpines and squaws went total high speed. Alas, it looks like the developers have finally won. After years of fighting against it, it looks like it is going completely private with access only given to those who buy a membership, that is, the rich who will now be able to enjoy the hill with no crowds. It appears this is happening all over the country as small Mom and pops are bought and turned into boutique hills where there’ll be someone to pick up your skis for you when you get to the bottom of the hill. A sport that was originally pretty democratic is now very quickly becoming only possible for the rich. The back country is still to date available but that’s not really an option for the relatively inexperienced working class family all thrown into the station wagon and looking for some fun, some safe fun, on the cheap.
Only solution seems like to make more mountains.
Sigh
Thank you for the post Andy. As another commentator said, it reaches back to a time that, in my case, our children never got to experience. I’ve not succeeded very well at explaining to them what they missed, the relatively free reign we had to enjoy ourselves with athleticism, the willingness to withstand modest discomforts (cold) while doing so, and freedom from constant and relentless wallet-capture pressures coming from all directions, and mostly from a hand-size computer everyone now has and no one turns off.
I’ve commented before here that my happiest Alpine Meadows memories are linked to the detachable Poma lift called Bog Poma, which, yes, would lift you in the air if the initial timing wasn’t right. I didn’t realize Squaw had one of those. We skied there on occasion, but I guess I missed out.