Heavenly vs. Squaw

Erik Olsen over at Heavenly vs. Squaw reflected on the Tahoe ski scene today, comparing it to when he worked there after graduating from college:

"Squaw was kind of run down, but it was still probably the best place to ski in Tahoe. Heavenly, I'm sorry to say, was a joke. But it seems things have changed and both areas have gotten or are getting a serious face lift. Squaw's backers are the same dudes who are now running Winter Park and Whistler Blackcomb The Intrawest ski conglomerate. Heavenly is run by the gargantuan Vail corporation. So the question in this article is: which is better? Now you can make all the improvements you like, add new lifts, bigger hotels and a latte bar, but I have to say I think the overall terrain at Squaw beats Heavenly handily. Still, I haven’t been to Heavenly in a long while, so I really can’t say for sure. But I do have to say that if price is any indication, I fall firmly on the Squaw side of things. An adult ticket this year at heavenly runs $73 in peak season, while you can shred the wicked bowls of Squaw for $65. So there you have it. I’m sticking with Squaw."

I've never been to Heavenly or Squaw Valley, but I suppose I've fallen victim to the conventional wisdom among skiers, that Heavenly is a Vail-type resort focused on making the family happy while draining your pocket book. Squaw, on the other hand has long been known to me as the West Coast home of extreme skiers and boarders. But stereotypes aside, I'll be headed out there in several weeks to find out for myself. I think we'll be staying near Truckee for several days and then in Squaw Valley for several days. But I'm planning on skiing both Heavenly and Squaw to see what's what. I'm not much of a fan of the Vail Corp, but I think Intrawest does a great job. The "Winter Ski Preview", the San Francisco Chronicle'article that Olsen is responding to in his blog, gives a great snapshot of the differences between the two hills. About Squaw Valley:

"Squaw, on Tahoe's North Shore, has always had the reputation as a ski-first, party-later type of place. Ski bums were doing extreme skiing here way before anyone had coined the phrase, hucking themselves off hundred-foot cliffs with nothing more than twine and raw wood planks as skis (at least to hear them tell it). Squaw brought the winter Olympics to the mountain in 1960 and continues to attract the best skiers in the world."

Now that entices me! I'm no Warren Miller caliber adrenaline addict, but I love to ski. Really ski, and explore endless new terrain, and leave lift lines behind. As for Heavenly, this seems to sum it up:

"Heavenly has the reputation as the friendly giant, the big softie, with wide ski runs and the best views in Tahoe, stuff you just want to relax and enjoy. The family-oriented activities on mountain include tubing and snow biking in the midmountain park, as well as an extensive ski school."

Nice. But I'm guessing I'll be blogging from the lobby of my "digs" in Squaw valley in several weeks to tell you that it's my favorite. Just a guess though...