Friday, July 30, 2010

Thursday July 29
65+ Miles of Trails Open!
Mammoth Mountain Bike Park is riding great! We are scheduled to have 34 of 38 trails open this weekend including the completely revamped Mountain Cross track. New trails opening this weekend include Trail Home, Chain Smoke, Ricochet and Seven Bridges. Mammoth will also start running Stump Alley Express from 10am-4pm on weekends for quick laps from mid-mountain. Two replacement bridges were added to Seven Bridges this week to get it open and riding.

Current Mountain Bike Park Transportation:
-Bike Park Shuttle (Village to Main Lodge): 9am-5:30pm daily
-Panorama Gondola (Main Lodge to the top): 9am-4:30pm daily
-Stump Alley Express (Chair 2): 10am-4pm Saturday/Sunday only

Mammoth Geocaching Adventures is now open on Woolly's Escape. This two hour, high-tech treasure hunt is centered around one of our hiking trails from McCoy Station. Maps and details for this family-friendly activity are available at the Climb and Zip kiosk at the Adventure Center.

Mammoth Festival featuring Train
Don't miss out on 40+ wineries, art exhibits, great food and a music performance by Train - August 20-22, 2010

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Squaw Valley USA Opens New Mountaintop Disc Golf Course





[Squaw Valley USA] July 27, 2010 – Squaw Valley USA announced the opening of their new 18-hole mountaintop disc golf course. Disc golfers can ride the Cable Car up to High Camp, el. 8200’, to play Squaw Valley’s new course free of charge. The disc golf course will be open from 10:40am to 9pm daily until August 22 and from 10:40am to 5pm through September 6.

Holes 1, 2 and 18 are located directly behind the High Camp complex, forming a beginner loop for those looking to get a feel for the game. For more advanced players, holes 3 through 17 offer more extreme disc golfing as the course winds down and back up Squaw Valley’s Rainbow Bowl under the Solitude chair lift. Both loops begin at hole 1, located next to High Camp’s bungee tower.

“It’s one of the most incredible courses that I’ve ever worked on,” said Craig Getty, a veteran disc golf course designer and one of the mastermind’s behind Squaw Valley’s new course. “The course should easily be one of the top 10 disc golf courses in the country.”

Getty notes that hole 3 is Squaw Valley’s signature hole—a par 4 with a 1080’ downhill and a basket or ‘pin placement’ that Getty describes as an ‘island in the sky.’ “This hole is key to the course,” remarked Getty.

The rest of the course is both fun and challenging, using the granite and trees to frame fairways and pin placements. The course also overlooks spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra.

The first lift-accessed disc golf course in Tahoe, Squaw Valley’s course is of championship caliber and is anticipated to draw disc golfers from across the country. The course is free to play with Cable Car ticket and discs are available for purchase at the High Camp Bath & Tennis Shop.

Friday, July 23, 2010

The International Symposium of Snow Science Comes to Squaw Valley USA




[Squaw Valley USA] July 22, 2010 – This Fall, the International Snow Science Workshop will be held from October 17 through October 22, 2010 at the Resort at Squaw Creek at Squaw Valley USA. The five-day symposium brings together the world’s top snow scientists and avalanche practitioners for a merging of theory and practice promoting the exchange of ideas and research and introducing the latest forecasting tools and winter products.


The International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW) is a biennial meeting of professionals who work in the field of snow science and winter recreation. The only conference of its kind, the ISSW is truly international, with participants from Europe, Russia, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and North and South America. The workshop is designed to bring together practitioners such as ski patrollers and mountain guides; forecasters from ski companies, Departments of Transportation and the US Forest Service; engineers from mining companies, architecture firms or governments; scientists who teach and research snow science, and others who participate in the world of snow.


Set amidst Squaw Valley’s rich history of alpine skiing and snow sports in the spectacular Lake Tahoe basin, the ISSW provides this unique industry with a forum in which to discuss theories, present papers and explore innovative new research topics during a five day period of interaction and conviviality.


ISSW 2010 will offer a full social agenda to complement this week of learning and enlightenment. Traditionally, ISSW participants leave the lecture halls for a day of field observation and learning. Squaw Valley USA, home of the 1960 winter Olympics, begs for a variety of field trips in to avalanche terrain which shaped the historic culture of the place and continues to govern habitation and recreational imperatives to this day.
60+ Miles of Open Trails!!!
The bike park trail crew has continued to put in tons of hours to open more trails and features. By Saturday, we will have 30 of 36 trails open with more than 60 miles of singletrack. There are four, new paver turns this week -- two on Off the Top and two on Techno Rock. Bearing Straits, Gravy Train, DC-10 and Bridge the Gap are all scheduled to be open and ready to ride by Saturday (7/24/10). The Mountain-X track is currently under construction and should be ready to ride this weekend, too! Techno Rock will also be open sans detours.

Current Mountain Bike Park Transportation:
-Bike Park Shuttle (Village to Main Lodge): 9am-5:30pm daily
-Panorama Gondola (Main Lodge to the top): 9am-4:30pm daily

Mammoth Geocaching Adventures is now open on Woolly's Escape. This two hour, high-tech treasure hunt is centered around one of our hiking trails from McCoy Station. Maps and details for this family-friendly activity are available at the Climb and Zip Kiosk at the Adventure Center.

Mammoth Festival featuring Train
Don't miss out on 40+ wineries, art exhibits, great food and a music performance by Train - August 20-22, 2010

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Squaw Valley’s Community of Writers Convene for Acclaimed Writing Workshop



[Squaw Valley USA] July 21, 2010 – The 41st Annual Community of Writers at Squaw Valley will convene again this August with workshops in Fiction, Nonfiction and Screenwriting. The prestigious creative writing workshops will meet for a week in Squaw Valley. Participants assemble each day in workshop, as well as attend presentations on the craft and business of writing led by renowned authors/teachers. Most events are free and open to the public.

Click here or call (530) 581-5200 for the full schedule of events.


Highlights of Upcoming Events (Open to Public):

Sunday evening, August 8 at 8:00pm (Olympic Village Lodge) - $10/$5 students
Writers read and talk about their work - Please call to reserve a seat
John Daniel: The Far Corner
Teresa Jordan: Riding the White Horse Home
Michael Jaime-Becerra: This Time Tomorrow

Monday, August 9 at 8:00pm (Olympic Village Lodge) - Free
The Screenwriting Program presents: A screening of the acclaimed HBO film
Temple Grandin, with screenwriter Christopher Monger and screenwriting staff(discussion to follow screening)

Claire Danes stars in the title role of this film, bringing to the screen the story of the best-selling author, animal scientist and autism advocate, Temple Grandin. From the screenplay by Christopher Monger, Temple Grandin paints a picture of a young woman's perseverance and determination while struggling with the isolating challenges of autism at a time when it was still quite unknown. The film chronicles Temple's early diagnosis; her turbulent growth and development during her school years; the enduring support she received from her mother, her aunt and her science teacher; and her emergence as a woman with an innate sensibility and understanding of animal behavior. Undaunted by educational, social, and professional roadblocks, Grandin turned her unique talent into a behavioral tool that revolutionized the cattle industry and laid the groundwork for her successful career as
an author, lecturer and pioneering advocate of autism and autism spectrum disorder education.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Wanderlust Festival 2010 Is Fast Approaching
The unique hybrid music & yoga festival returns to Squaw Valley July 29 - Aug 1




[Squaw Valley USA] July 20, 2010 – The second annual Wanderlust Festival prepares to descend on Squaw Valley USA July 29 through August 1, 2010. One of the first events of its kind, Wanderlust brings together the biggest names in yoga with the hottest names in electronic and dance music for a weekend of mindful revelry. In addition to practicing yoga with instructors like Seane Corn, Baron Baptiste, and Shiva Rea, and catching live shows with artists like Moby, Bassnectar, or Pretty Lights, Wanderlust offers a multitude of experiences that surprise, challenge and entertain the mind, body and spirit.

What’s new at Wanderlust:
Speakeasy Lecture Series: This dynamic lecture series, presented by Evol Burritos, will cover topics ranging from environmentalism and spirituality to conscious consumerism and fair fashion all in the relaxed environment of a comfortable teahouse. Discussions will be lead by Kaitlin Quistgaard, editor-in-chief of Yoga Journal, and feature speakers Shiva Rea, Seane Corn, Moby, Adrian Grenier, Mariel Hemmingway, and internet entrepreneur Chris Sacca, amongst others. Lectures are free for all yoga + music ticketholders, but attendance must be scheduled in advance using the Wanderlust class scheduler.
Wellness Village: Constructed out of sustainable bamboo, the Wellness Village cabanas offer massage, bodywork, acupuncture and other healing arts from Friday through Sunday.
Wine Tastings: Wanderlust will offer a series of wine tastings from Thursday, July 29 through Saturday, July 31, hosted at Kali Kopley’s Uncorked in the Kula Village. Held on the patio at Uncorked, these evenings will feature live music and tastings of Merlot and Malbec from Wanderslust’s official red wine, Red Rock Winery, alongside an impressive list of small biodynamic and organic wineries including Calera Wine Co., Ceago Vinegarden, Honig, Family Winery and Vineyards, Inman Family Wines, Yellow & Blue, Mendocino Farms, Saracina, and Ukiah Cellars. All of the wine events are free, but the Saturday event will be limited to the first 150 people to register.
Food Co-op: A wide array of organic and sustainably-farmed foods will be offered at this year’s festival. The centerpiece of these efforts will be the first ever food co-op at Wanderlust, which will consist of a number of quality organic vendors such as Amy’s Kitchen, Ritual Coffee Roasters, Uncommon Kitchen, Evol Burritos, and Spiro’s Giros, as well as a small farmers market featuring fresh fruit and veggies from local producers. The co-op will be clustered around the iVillage tent where you can lounge, check your email, post updates on the event and get special goodie bags. Wanderlust is also working with the local restaurants in the Village to create a “Wanderlust menu” featuring organic and local food options.
Fire & Ice Dinner: Returning for a second year, the popular Fire & Ice Dinner at High Camp (el. 8,200’) will offer a wide range of organic and local foods, plus a number of vegetarian and vegan items. The panoramic views of the Sierras and Lake Tahoe, coupled with world-class food and wines, make this an unforgettable experience.
Kids Program: The Wanderkind kids program features interactive activities for children including henna tattoos, hula-hooping, crafts, and of course, kids yoga. Presented by Om Kids Yoga in Truckee, the Wanderkind program takes place at Squaw Kids and allows parents to check out Wanderlust knowing their children are having a fun learning experience suited just for them.
Wanderlust Festival 2010 Is Fast Approaching
The unique hybrid music & yoga festival returns to Squaw Valley July 29 - Aug 1




[Squaw Valley USA] July 20, 2010 – The second annual Wanderlust Festival prepares to descend on Squaw Valley USA July 29 through August 1, 2010. One of the first events of its kind, Wanderlust brings together the biggest names in yoga with the hottest names in electronic and dance music for a weekend of mindful revelry. In addition to practicing yoga with instructors like Seane Corn, Baron Baptiste, and Shiva Rea, and catching live shows with artists like Moby, Bassnectar, or Pretty Lights, Wanderlust offers a multitude of experiences that surprise, challenge and entertain the mind, body and spirit.

What’s new at Wanderlust:
Speakeasy Lecture Series: This dynamic lecture series, presented by Evol Burritos, will cover topics ranging from environmentalism and spirituality to conscious consumerism and fair fashion all in the relaxed environment of a comfortable teahouse. Discussions will be lead by Kaitlin Quistgaard, editor-in-chief of Yoga Journal, and feature speakers Shiva Rea, Seane Corn, Moby, Adrian Grenier, Mariel Hemmingway, and internet entrepreneur Chris Sacca, amongst others. Lectures are free for all yoga + music ticketholders, but attendance must be scheduled in advance using the Wanderlust class scheduler.
Wellness Village: Constructed out of sustainable bamboo, the Wellness Village cabanas offer massage, bodywork, acupuncture and other healing arts from Friday through Sunday.
Wine Tastings: Wanderlust will offer a series of wine tastings from Thursday, July 29 through Saturday, July 31, hosted at Kali Kopley’s Uncorked in the Kula Village. Held on the patio at Uncorked, these evenings will feature live music and tastings of Merlot and Malbec from Wanderslust’s official red wine, Red Rock Winery, alongside an impressive list of small biodynamic and organic wineries including Calera Wine Co., Ceago Vinegarden, Honig, Family Winery and Vineyards, Inman Family Wines, Yellow & Blue, Mendocino Farms, Saracina, and Ukiah Cellars. All of the wine events are free, but the Saturday event will be limited to the first 150 people to register.
Food Co-op: A wide array of organic and sustainably-farmed foods will be offered at this year’s festival. The centerpiece of these efforts will be the first ever food co-op at Wanderlust, which will consist of a number of quality organic vendors such as Amy’s Kitchen, Ritual Coffee Roasters, Uncommon Kitchen, Evol Burritos, and Spiro’s Giros, as well as a small farmers market featuring fresh fruit and veggies from local producers. The co-op will be clustered around the iVillage tent where you can lounge, check your email, post updates on the event and get special goodie bags. Wanderlust is also working with the local restaurants in the Village to create a “Wanderlust menu” featuring organic and local food options.
Fire & Ice Dinner: Returning for a second year, the popular Fire & Ice Dinner at High Camp (el. 8,200’) will offer a wide range of organic and local foods, plus a number of vegetarian and vegan items. The panoramic views of the Sierras and Lake Tahoe, coupled with world-class food and wines, make this an unforgettable experience.
Kids Program: The Wanderkind kids program features interactive activities for children including henna tattoos, hula-hooping, crafts, and of course, kids yoga. Presented by Om Kids Yoga in Truckee, the Wanderkind program takes place at Squaw Kids and allows parents to check out Wanderlust knowing their children are having a fun learning experience suited just for them.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Weather Bike Park Trail Map Book Lodging

Thursday July 15
21 Trails Open This Weekend!
The Mountain Bike Park is riding great right now! Off the Top is open with no detours and Beach Cruiser just opened and even has a bit of mud (how often do you get to say that in Mammoth). That lap is a blast for the XC/AM crowd. DHers might be a bit more interested in Velocity and Techno Rock, which just opened last weekend. Flow, Brake Through and Twilight Zone are scheduled to open this weekend.

Current Mountain Bike Park Transportation:
-Bike Park Shuttle (Village to Main Lodge): 9am-5:30pm daily
-Panorama Gondola (Main Lodge to the top): 9am-4:30pm daily

Mammoth Geocaching Adventures opens this weekend on Woolly's Escape. This two hour high-tech treasure hunt is centered around one of our hiking trails from McCoy Station. Maps and details for this family-friendly activity are available at the Climb and Zip Kiosk at the Adventure Center.

Mammoth Festival featuring Train
Don't miss out on 40+ wineries, art exhibits, great food and a music performance by Train - August 20-22, 2010

Dry trails, snowy Minarets. Off the Top 7/14/10

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

New CEO at Squaw Valley USA

SQUAW VALLEY USA ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF
ANDREW WIRTH AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


[Squaw Valley USA] July 13, 2010 – Nancy Cushing, retiring CEO of Squaw Valley Ski Corporation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew (Andy) D. Wirth to the position of Chief Executive Officer at Squaw Valley USA. Wirth will be responsible for all aspects of resort operations at Squaw Valley USA, and he will report directly to the Board of Directors at Squaw Valley Ski Corporation. Wirth will succeed Nancy Cushing, who has advised Squaw Valley Ski Corporation since 1985 and served as its President since 1994. Wirth’s appointment as CEO will be effective on August 2, 2010.

Wirth brings more than 24 years of experience in the mountain resort and hospitality management industry and a proven ability to enhance customer experiences, to increase revenue, and to drive profitability.

Wirth joins Squaw Valley USA from Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation in Colorado, where he most recently held the position as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales and was a member of the Steamboat executive team. Wirth’s career at Steamboat began in 1986, and he has advanced through successive leadership roles in marketing and sales management throughout his tenure with the resort operating company.

In 2007, Wirth joined Intrawest ULC as a result of the acquisition of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation and was soon promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer with responsibility for all of the marketing and sales functions for Intrawest’s portfolio of mountain resorts, including Whistler Blackcomb, Mont Tremblant, Stratton Mountain and Winter Park Resort. In addition, he held a concurrent role in which he oversaw Intrawest’s enterprise-wide strategic alliances along with the development and management of the marketing and sales efforts associated with Intrawest’s Hospitality Management division with operations in North America, Europe, Mexico and Hawaii.


“Squaw Valley USA has a reputation as a premier resort destination with a proud Olympic heritage and strong ties to the local community,” said Nancy Cushing, Squaw Valley Ski Corporation’s Board Chairperson. “Now is the time for our next phase of growth, and we are delighted to have an executive of Andy’s caliber and breadth of experience to lead our resort into the future. His years of dedicated service at Steamboat have helped to create one of the most well-known and respected resort brands in the travel industry. His experience and wealth of industry knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to create a legendary resort experience at Squaw Valley USA for our customers, homeowners, commercial tenants and team members.”

“Squaw Valley USA is a world class mountain with an incredible and unique place in the history of skiing and riding. I am looking forward to this opportunity as it’s a chance to work with a legendary mountain resort and a terrific management team. I will seek to further strengthen Squaw’s position as the premier ski destination for families & serious skiers alike, as well as creating the most fun, exciting consumer experience anywhere,” said Andy Wirth, chief executive officer at Squaw Valley USA.

As a member of Intrawest’s as well as Steamboat’s executive team, Wirth has been a leader in the development of strategic and capital planning and has been deeply engaged in operations including food and beverage, retail, rental and ski school.

Wirth earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University and attended Edinburgh University in Scotland. He is an enthusiastic and accomplished business and community leader earning the prestigious 2002 Steamboat Springs Business Leader of the Year Award and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Global Award for the Top Twenty Five Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing. He’s served the community of Steamboat Springs as a Rotarian, President of the new Mountain Village Partnership Board of Directors, volunteer fireman, a member of the Routt County Economic Development Committee and proudly served as President of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Board of Directors from 2002 to 2010.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Squaw Valley USA Opens Zip-Line for Kids This Saturday, July 10th

[Squaw Valley USA] July 8, 2010 – Squaw Valley USA announced it will open its new kids’ zip-line on Saturday, July 10th. Built for high flying fun at the mountain’s base, the zip-line lets kids soar over the mountain on a ride that is as thrilling as it is scenic. Kids slide into a harness, climb up to the top of the launch tower and fly across the field to a safe landing 200 feet away.

“It was awesome!” said ten-year-old Cole Brandt, one of the lucky few who got to test-drive the zip-line.

Located next to the Funitel, the zip-line looks out onto the granite peaks of Red Dog and KT-22. The zip-line will be open daily from 11am to 7pm starting on Saturday, July 10 and can accommodate kids up to 120 lbs. Tickets cost $12, with an added cost of $6 for additional zips.

The kids’ zip-line is one of many new activities at Squaw Valley USA this summer. Squaw Valley recently opened a mountaintop paintball arena, while mountain biking and disc golf are scheduled to open at the mountain the weekend of July 17th.

For more information about the zip-line and Squaw’s other summer activities call 530.452.4000 or visit www.squaw.com
Thursday Jul 8
17 Trails Open This Weekend
Mammoth Mountain Bike Park is open for the season. There are currently 12 trails open for riding with 5 more trails slated to open this weekend! Off The Top and Kamikaze are reportedly riding great right now with the snow melting and keeping the dirt a tacky.

New trails scheduled to open this weekend (in addition to what's already open):
-Lower Velocity (from McCoy Station)
-Paper Route X-Zone
-Upper Techno Rock
-Shortcut
-Mountain View

The Bike Park Shuttle is currently running from 9am-5:30pm daily and the Panorama Gondola is currently running from 9am-4:30pm daily.

Mammoth Festival featuring Train
Don't miss out on over 50 wineries and a music performance by Train - August 20-22, 2010

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Squaw Valley’s Legendary Bike Park Re-Opens July 16, 2010


[Squaw Valley USA] July 2, 2010 - Squaw Valley’s renowned mountain bike park will re-open on July 16, 2010 for the first time in almost a decade. Lake Tahoe’s legendary mountain bike park is back in action, with over twelve miles of dedicated downhill single track and mountaintop cross-country trails. The bike park will be open Friday through Sunday from 10:40am to 7pm starting July 16 to August 21, 2010—remaining open through mid-September with an adjusted schedule.

Previously the venue for the Mountain Bike World Cup, the Fat Tire Festival and Downhill Mania events, Squaw Valley’s bike park crew has worked tirelessly to increase the flow of the trails and incorporate more freeride elements using the mountain’s natural terrain. Bikers can access the bike park via Squaw Valley’s scenic Cable Car for $39 a day for adults and $22 a day for kids 12 and under.

“Squaw Valley’s terrain lends itself to exceptional downhill mountain biking,” said Kyle Crezee, Squaw Valley’s Director of Human Development and the organizer of the bike park. Crezee continues, “Specifically, the ‘Moab-style’ granite formations provide smooth and unique trails unlike anywhere else in the world.”

Squaw Valley offers the longest lift-served trail in Lake Tahoe, which takes bikers from High Camp, el. 8200’, all the way down to the mountain’s base at 6200'. The trail’s name, Thunder Mountain Trail, derives from the famous, twisting rollercoaster that Walt Disney modeled after Squaw Valley’s distinct rock formations.

Squaw Valley is also opening three intermediate cross-country trails on top of the mountain. Bikers can enjoy scenic loops through fields of wildflowers with views overlooking Lake Tahoe and the Sierra peaks. The trails vary in length and pitch to offer something for every rider.

To accommodate bikers, Squaw Valley has also opened a brand new bike rental shop located at the base of the mountain. Open daily, Squaw Valley Bike Rentals is renting downhill and park bikes as well as comfort cruisers for use on the scenic Truckee River Bike Path. Helmets, body armor and other safety equipment are also available for rent.