Fun fact: I was born and raised in Tahoe City, California. I practically came out skiing, as my parents put both my brother and I on skis as soon as we could walk.
Literally.
My relationship with skiing has become a bit turbulent in recent years, but there is one thing I know for certain: I am a fair weather skier, and with enough beer and sunshine, I can still enjoy a great day on the slopes.
There is NO SUCH THING as more warmth and sunshine (and beer) while skiing than in the middle of summer. That’s why, when my family started talking about skiing the 4th of July in Tahoe, I decided to join in on the fun.
Our family has always skied at Alpine Meadows. My dad has worked there for so many years that he actually has a lifetime pass now… yet he still chooses to teach skiing there because he loves it so much. I get it. It’s a family.
However, Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley have recently come under the same ownership, which essentially means that only one could stay open for the 4th of July.
In many ways, Squaw has nothin’ on Alpine. But, in terms of accommodating tourists, Squaw blows Alpine out of the water with its village at the bottom, family friendly activities, and “High Camp” at the top, which consists of a restaurant, bar, skating rink, aaaaaaaand… a swimming pool.
If you didn’t know you were in the middle of the Sierras, you’d think you were in Cancun (except maybe for the ski boots tucked under all the lounge chairs).
So we “skied” Squaw Valley on the 4th of July (read: we attended the mountain-wide snowball fight costume party that lasted all day long at Squaw Valley on the 4th of July).
It. Was. So. Fun. And I would do it every year if we had the snow for it, especially in my tutu.
Watch my experience here:
