Today felt like the real Alpine Meadows. The Alpine Meadows I have known for so many years. A low-key, friendly, diverse ski resort. The resort was not overcrowded with skiers and riders flying down the slopes at dizzying speeds or attempting to fly by launching off a rocky cliff. Alpine Meadows was dotted with smiling faces just out enjoying a spectacular, peaceful day.
Winds at the ridge tops were light, the sky was an unblemished, silky blue, and the cool morning temperatures turned more spring-like as the day progressed. Winter snow still existed this morning on the north-facing groomed or skier-packed trails, but south-facing slopes softened into spring conditions by late morning. There were plenty of well-groomed slopes this morning, allowing skiers to make wide sweeping turns without being jolted by fields of moguls. Skier-packed runs such as D7, Palisades, and Red Ridge were filled with moguls and somewhat firm from the abuse they received over the weekend. However, they were to be avoided by hungry skiers and riders. I suggest warming up the quads on nicely groomed runs before jumping into the mogul fields.
Alpine Bowl, Wolverine, D8, Yellow Trail, Werner’s, Charity, and Dance Floor were delicious this morning. As the morning progressed, groomed snow on Robin Hood, Maid Marian, and the Sherwood Run turned to a soft spring condition. Sherwood Face and South Face put a smile on my face at the 11 o’clock hour. Scott’s Beam, Outer Limits, and Scott Ridge did not disappoint. Today was just a quiet, easy skiing and riding day at Alpine Meadows.
Sherwood Face
It was a pleasure skiing with Sol and Louis, who joined our regular crew for a few runs this morning. Originally from Argentina, Sol and Louis have lived in the Tahoe/Truckee area for many years.
Sol making nice turns on South Face in soft spring snow
The photo below is not something we see very often, if ever. Two lovely ladies visiting from China were enjoying the views of Lake Tahoe when I snapped a picture of them. One was skiing and the other boarding. They attracted a lot of attention.
These two ladies are visiting from China. They garnered a lot of attention at the top of Lakeview.
A few people have commented that they enjoy reading a little of the history of Alpine Meadows. I took the following from the internet. It describes who and when the development was envisioned and when it opened.
Founding and Early Years (1961–1981)
Alpine Meadows Ski Resort was developed in the late 1950s by a small group of investors led by John Reily, a San Francisco businessman and avid skier who identified the site’s potential as a more relaxed alternative to the nearby Squaw Valley resort. Preparatory work included building access roads and thinning trees to prepare the terrain for skiing. The resort opened to the public on December 28, 1961, initially featuring three fixed-grip chairlifts, with the first lift—known as Chair One—providing access to the summit of Ward Peak. Early operations emphasized a family-oriented atmosphere, attracting skiers seeking uncrowded slopes and a contrast to Squaw Valley’s competitive environment.
The vision was to create a family resort as an alternative to its more competitive
neighbor, named Squaw Valley at the time. A reader commented on my continued use of the word “Squaw Valley” since it has been changed to Olympic Valley. I agree that it should never be used as a derogatory or demeaning description of Native American women. My issue is that I have been referring to the ski area that is a neighbor to the Alpine Meadows Ski Area as Squaw Valley for over 75 years. I have never thought of the name as anything other than a reference to the ski area. I do my best to treat all people with the dignity they deserve. I will try to break my habit in the future and refer to the neighboring valley as something other than Squaw Valley.
Enjoy your day,
Andy
Hi,
First off, wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed your blog for many years. It’s been great to revisit all the old haunts through your eyes as it has been several centuries since I had skis on.
I grew up skiing Alpine and Squaw back in the sixties and was sad to see it go so commercial and corporate. It always be those names to me. Let me tell you that the snow is not nearly as good on Mauna Kea as on a sierra cement day 😂
Keep on skiing!
Aloha from Hawai’i
I shared with Andy today that it was Luis and Sol that first shared Andy’s Unofficial Alpine Meadows emails with me about 25 years ago. It has blossomed into something much more and a very nice friendship.
I came to Alpine Meadows because it offered much of the same terrain as the place next door, but with a very different vibe. I wish Alterra would figure out that there is more value in having two different but great mountains that have different cultures.
I’ll always have Alpine as my special place. Skiing with friends today made me really happy. Thanks Andy And Mark for your web
Andy & Mark,
Love your photos and reviews!
More than 30 years ago, we were looking for a ski place … I wanted us to have a condo because my husband worked so many hours at his work in high tech. I felt he should have no chores when we came up to ski.
After looking all over Tahoe/Donner, it came down to a choice between a Northstar condo or an Alpine Meadows one. I was leaning towards the Northstar one because they had a clubhouse with a hot tub.
My children said… Sure, buy the Northstar one, but we will ONLY want to ski at Alpine. They loved the laid-back atmosphere. And we have loved our unobstructed view of Squaw from our condo at Alpine Meadows. It’s gorgeous!
As Andy showed us our condo many years ago, it only seemed fitting for him to sell it for us now. All good things have to come to an end.
Thanks again, gentlemen. Cathie Perga
I know someone who skied Mauna Kea. My work boss dragged his skis all the way from Maryland and skied Hawaii ! Hotel would not store them after checkout for 3 days while he was underway. He laid the skis in a hallway deck on a nuclear attack sub. LoL
4 years later I saw a sailor on a aircraft carrier in Oahu wearing a T-shirt that said “ski Hawaii”.
I told him I knew someone who did just that. He gave me a look of udder disbelief.
Sitting at the chalet this morning. My wife made the comment that it was feeling like old alpine (not just the people). So other people are noticing it as well
Great to finally meet Andy on the chair yesterday (thanks for the unofficial stickers too-Patty delivered).
AM has been our mountain since we started sliding on snow around ’76. Now our third generation has begun as well. We do everything we can to keep it a family kind of place.
Thanks for the UnOfficial Alpine blog. Awesome that you did the work to bring the lift and terrain status report info to the database on your page.
After a lifetime of skiing AM, I took several years off to ski Northstar out of annoyance with Alterra making it an annex of the valley next door. I tried Alpine again last season and was pleased to find that everything I always loved about the place is still great. I even appreciate the gondola for the view of terrain I had never seen with snow on it. I am back at Alpine this year and enjoying everything about it.
Thanks for blogging about this special place.
I lived half way up the Alpibe Meadows canyon in 1980 through 1984. Season pass, worked in Tahoe City. Roomate Bill worked for Chuba real estate across from Ruver Rock.
Was there during the avalanche. Friends on ski patrol. Good snow, less crowded than Squaw. Backside Trail head to KT-22 across from my house.
Great memories from 1986 to December, 1994 , the Golden Era of skiing. Living/surviving at Alpine Meadows Condos with help from friends that I still ski with , but now Greg comes up to stay in my beautiful home in the Mt.Hood National Forest and ski Timberline Lodge.