Squaw Valley

KT-22: Squaw Valley's crown jewel
Look no further than the famous pitches off the KT-22 peak and chairlift for steep terrain, tight chutes and an excellent variety of off-piste skiing. This peak is often referred to as Squaw Valley’s crown jewel, and virtually every inch of KT-22’s terrain will thrill and challenge even the most seasoned skier and snowboarder. Other advanced terrain includes Headwall, Granite Chief, Broken Arrow and the Silverado Bowl. The toughest skiing includes Moseley’s Run, a land of monster bumps and jelly legs; it’s the flagship of KT’s fleet of double black diamond terrain. Bumps on the steep slope stay cold, hard and gullied into massive mounds, storm-to-storm. If you want to test your endurance, this is it: skiers and snowboarders are confronted by a non-stop 2,000 feet (609 m) vertical descent down the slope’s steep fall line that will get the adrenaline pumping. Originally called the West Face (strange, because it doesn’t face west at all) it was renamed on February 27, 1998, in recognition of Jonny Moseley’s lifelong commitment to Squaw Valley, freestyle skiing and his winning the gold at the Olympics in Nagano.

Red Dog, Poulsen's Gully and the Funitel
On a classic Californian bluebird powder day, the line at KT-22 starts forming before the sun rises: the sensation of powering first tracks on the peak’s bevy of perfect pitches is truly the experience of a lifetime. Those who don’t want to climb into the powder circus KT-22 creates can veer left to the Red Dog chairlift and discover the often overlooked glory found in Poulsen’s Gully, or ride the Funitel to the upper mountain where Headwall, Broken Arrow and Granite Chief await. The powder gets skied out fast at Squaw Valley, so powder hounds should plan to get out early to make the most of the experience.

Squaw Valley classic ski itinerary
Start from the base area and head straight for KT-22. Considered one of the greatest chairlifts in North America, it rises from the base directly to an expert skiers’ paradise. After a few non-stop adventures in powder heaven, move further up the mountain to the bowls, chutes and gullies of Headwall and Cornice II. Then head over to the Broken Arrow peak, where it's easy to drop in and discover some of Squaw’s most sought-after and secret pitches and powder stashes.

Advanced Ski Clinics and personal tours
Incidentally, the resort does not permit out-of-bounds skiing or riding. Nor does it offer “guides”; however, you can sign up for one of Squaw Valley’s Advanced Ski Clinics, where instructors offer helpful lessons for improving skills while exploring all the exciting advanced and expert terrain Squaw Valley has to offer. Also, many skiers and snowboarders who want a personal tour opt for a private lesson, where they get some tips, tricks and a personal guide all in one.