Squaw Valley Celebrates #1 Ski Resort Ranking with the Get Outside Festival on December 22

Something global; something local: Free Gin Blossoms concert with donations for American Himalayan Foundation and Tahoe Fund in conjunction with grand opening celebrations

[Olympic Valley, Calif.] December 10, 2012 – This December, Squaw Valley is kicking off winter with the Get Outside Festival on Saturday, December 22. Held in honor of Squaw Valley’s recent #1 ski resort ranking by Outside Magazine, the festival will consist of a free concert by the Gin Blossoms and grand openings around the resort. The day’s grand openings will include celebrations at Squaw’s new chairlift, Big Blue Express, two new retail stores, Parallel Mountain Sports and The Ledge Board Shop and the completely remodeled Olympic Plaza Bar. In support of something global and something local, proceeds from fundraisers throughout the day will benefit the American Himalayan Foundation and the Tahoe Fund.
“We’re celebrating the designation by the esteemed and venerable Outside Magazine as the number one resort in North America along with multiple grand openings,” said Andy Wirth, president and CEO of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. “However, as we celebrate, we see the importance of driving awareness and support towards both a global and also a local benevolent cause perspective.”
The “global” designee for this event is The American Himalayan Foundation which was founded by Sir Edmund Hilary and Dick Blum.  Its work in preventing the trafficking of young women from the Himalayan region and building of schools and hospitals is nothing short of remarkable.  The “local” designee, Tahoe Fund, builds tremendous support and funding to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
The Get Outside Festival will start off on the morning of December 22 with the grand opening of Big Blue Express. Big Blue Express is Squaw Valley’s newest high-speed chairlift, which has replaced the old High Camp chairlift. The base terminal of Big Blue Express starts where the base of the High Camp lift was formerly located, but unlike the old chair, the new lift extends to the top of the Shirley Lake ridgeline – providing improved access to the Shirley Lake, Solitude and Granite Chief chairlifts, as well as access to expanded intermediate terrain. The grand opening of Big Blue Express will take place at 10 a.m. at the lift’s lower terminal.

Following the grand opening of Big Blue, the Get Outside Festival continues with a free concert by the Gin Blossoms at the KT Base Bar at 2 p.m. The Gin Blossoms defined the 90’s post grunge pop rock experience with “Hey Jealousy,” “Found Out About You” and the Top Ten Billboard pop hits “Till I Hear It From You” and “Follow You Down.” Today, the band continues to produce successful albums and tour around the country. Admission to the Gin Blossoms concert will be completely free, though a donation to support the American Himalayan Foundation at the door is appreciated.

After the concert, Squaw Valley is proud to host the grand openings of the resort’s two new retail stores – Parallel Mountain Sports and The Ledge Board Shop from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The grand openings will include complimentary food and drinks for everyone in the store. Parallel Mountain Sports is located just steps away from the slopes, offering over 5,000 square feet of floor space featuring the latest ski technology as well as a complete line of outdoor wear and street wear for the whole family. Located at the east end of The Village, The Ledge Board Shop was designed with riders in mind and features this winter’s hottest items in snowboard equipment, gear and lifestyle wear. The Ledge’s Burton DJ Booth will be going at full force for the store’s grand opening event.

The Get Outside Festival will wrap up with the Grand Opening of Olympic Plaza Bar starting at 7 p.m. Squaw’s legendary Olympic Plaza Bar has been completely remodeled to offer a new upscale, mountain contemporary atmosphere for table service dining during lunch and après ski. With $300,000 in renovations, the redesigned Olympic Plaza Bar pays tribute to the resort’s Olympic heritage and features new comfortable, rustic-chic lodge furniture that will be perfect for relaxing after a day on the slopes.

About Tahoe Fund
The mission of Tahoe Fund is to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin by building broad support and funding for projects and programs that increase the enjoyment of the region for current and future generations. The Fund focuses grants on the core areas of conservation, recreation and education/stewardship.
About American Himalayan Foundation
AHF was founded to respond to pressing problems in the Himalayan region. What we do is basic: we make change – positive, tangible change – happen. We build and support schools and students; train doctors and fund hospitals; care for children and elders; plant trees and restore sacred sites. We help Tibetans rebuild and sustain their culture both in exile and in Tibet.
About Squaw Valley
Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley is a year-round mountain destination offering world-class adventures in every season. Squaw is renowned for its legendary skiing and riding that spans 3,600 skiable acres, six peaks and 30 chairlifts including a unique mountaintop beginner area and unrivaled expert steeps, chutes and bowls. In summer, the resort welcomes a full line-up of live music and festivals and Squaw’s Aerial Tram offers a scenic ride up to a host of mountaintop activities. For the ultimate slopeside lodging experience, guests can stay in one of The Village at Squaw Valley’s one, two or three bedroom suites, each with a fireplace, kitchen and balcon

Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows joined forces in November 2011, bringing the two ski resorts under common ownership. Skiers and riders can access 6,000 skiable acres, 43 lifts and 270+ trails at Squaw and Alpine Meadows on one lift ticket or season pass.

For more information about Squaw Valley or Alpine Meadows, visit www.squaw.com or www.skialpine.com or call 1.800.403.0206.