Alpine Meadows absolutely has some amazing terrain, varied exposures and great views of Lake Tahoe. But so do several other resorts in the area. Alpine Meadows certainly does not have the largest number of lifts, nor the fastest lifts in Tahoe. In most years, the location along the Sierra Crests means that Alpine Meadows sees some of the biggest snow totals in Tahoe. But it’s not just those things that define Alpine Meadows. It’s the people.
Casual visitors may not pick up on the sense of community at Alpine Meadows. But those of us that spend more than a few days a season at Alpine Meadows usually feel it. If you have a kid on a team or lease a seasonal locker, you’re probably also know that sense of belonging. We see our same friends lined up for coffee at Treats. We know which of our friends will be lined up for first chair at Summit, and which ones will instead choose the shorter line at Roundhouse. We know which of our friends will be watching their kids race on Kangaroo, and which ones will be following their kids through the terrain park. We know which ones will skip work on the stormiest days, and which ones will wait for a sunny mid-week day.
I have discovered that my best ski friends just know where I will be. We don’t have to talk about where we are going. There is no need for a phone call or texting. As the conditions change, we just naturally run into each other in some of the most hidden spots on the mountain, the kind of spots that casual vacationers never find. We laugh and smile as we find each other, then go our separate ways, only to find each other on a completely different part of the mountain several runs later.
The nature of skiing and riding is changing. Ski resorts are selling more and more cheap passes, and those passes are valid at more mountains each year. At many mountains, the average number of days a skier or boarder spends on one particular mountain has dwindled to a number you can count on two hands. Alpine Meadows is still a place where families come back year after year, and it still enjoys a loyal clientele that spends most of their days at Alpine Meadows. We’re happy that UnofficialAlpine.com has been a part of maintaining that sense of community at Alpine. Thanks to all of you for your support.
For those of you that may have missed the first four parts of this series, here’s a recap:
Top Five Things We Loved About Alpine Meadows This Year: Number One – Spring Corn
Top Five Things We Loved About Alpine Meadows This Year: Number Two – Alpine Meadows Identity
Top Five Things We Loved About Alpine Meadows This Year: Number One – Snowmakers & Groomers
Top Five Things We Loved About Alpine Meadows This Year: Number One – Patrollers
‘I have discovered that my best ski friends just know where I will be.’
Yep, and so do those besuited people ‘over the ridge’ 🙂
Men in Black can be found skiing groomers, working on the perfect turn and sporting a helmet this year!
Hey ’99’,
Those snow cams are KAOS-Kams!
You and Hymie better keep an eye on Agent Fisher 🙂
I came for few days and I met all these amazing people.
Next time I come over, I’ll introduce you 🙂
Everthing you said + one more: – I appreciated all the ideas that KSL implemented because of UA!
They read your Survey
They read your bloggs
They Listened.
(They’re learning, Mark, ski resorts aren’t just real estate. Soul & Community sells real estate, not da other way round.
Summed up beautifully, my son.
Now about that Statue, we were thinking Sainthood coz we haven’t seen so many souls saved by so few for centuries. Faith really can move mountains 🙂
A very old friend recommended Alpine Meadows and I’ve never look back.
Thank you for all the ‘stoke’ and ALL the information.
I’m delighted to see the identity and soul is safe in your hands.
My copy of Moonshine Ink, pg.15 gives big kudos to the Employees of the Year. I was pleasantly surprised to see Mark Mittina, the line control guy from Summit Six among the 6 listed employees! He had big shoes to fill this season and pulled it off smoothly! Also, Cheryl Jones (transpo) Ed Lahr (maintenance) and Sue Briggs (special tickets) they are all mentioned too. Way to go Alpine Crew!! Great employees make the mountain just as fun as the customers!! Keep up the great work cause we want to see you All next ski season.
Nobody mentioned the buddy passes, that was cool. I had four very nice friends and got some good turns in.
Shout out to Sue, thanks for the tickets and the passes!! While picking up my pass she told me that that my positive comments about Alpine were appreciated ……so she reads Unofficial.
Also the early sale of passes and getting the rest of the year was nice. Kudos!!
No one mentioned Valleygirl’s sacrificial burnt offerings 🙂