Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows merges Olympic legacy with 6,000 skiable acres—three times the size of #9 Alta Ski Area. Hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics, this Lake Tahoe resort has a 2,850-foot vertical drop and 450 inches of annual snowfall. Its 270+ trails, 30% advanced, are served by 42 lifts moving 50,000 skiers per hour. With 169 named trails—far surpassing the national average of 60—and a base elevation of 6,200 feet, it also boasts 300 sunny days yearly. Day tickets at $179 are cheaper than the typical Lake Tahoe rival. New high-speed gondolas and expanded beginner zones make it versatile for all skill levels.