Squaw Valley snow report
Squaw Valley
Squaw Valley ski resort in the United States offers over 3,600 acres of skiable terrain, including some of the best trails in North America. The resort's longest trail, Mountain Run, spans 3.2 miles and boasts stunning views of Lake Tahoe. As a fun fact, Squaw Valley hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics, which was the first time the Olympics were held in the United States. For beginners, the resort offers a variety of gentle, beginner-friendly runs such as First Venture and Red Dog Ridge. For après ski, the Auld Dubliner Irish Pub offers a cozy atmosphere, live music, and a selection of craft beers and hearty pub fare.
Terrain mix: Squaw Valley ski resort in California is situated in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The resort is surrounded by several prominent peaks and mountain features, including:
1. Squaw Peak: The resort's namesake peak, Squaw Peak, is a prominent mountain in the Sierra Nevada range. It offers stunning views of the surrounding area and is a popular destination for hikers and skiers.
2. KT-22: Known for its steep terrain and challenging runs, KT-22 is a famous peak at Squaw Valley. It is a favorite among advanced skiers and snowboarders for its challenging terrain and deep powder.
3. Granite Chief Wilderness: Located adjacent to Squaw Valley, the Granite Chief Wilderness is a protected area of the Sierra Nevada range known for its rugged terrain, alpine lakes, and diverse wildlife. It offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, skiing, and backpacking.
4. Palisades: The Palisades are a series of steep cliffs and chutes at Squaw Valley known for their challenging terrain and breathtaking views. This area offers some of the most challenging skiing and snowboarding in the resort.
5. Emigrant Peak: Another prominent peak near Squaw Valley, Emigrant Peak offers stunning views of the surrounding area and is a popular destination for backcountry skiing and snowboarding.
Overall, Squaw Valley ski resort is surrounded by stunning mountain ranges and features that offer endless opportunities for outdoor adventure and exploration.
Plan your day down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the snow column the morning of a storm to know when to call in sick.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & snow
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- start of next storm cycle, end of last one.
Nearby SNOTEL stations
USDA NRCS SNOTEL stations within driving range. Cross-check whether the snow at Squaw Valley is a one-off accumulation or a regional storm cycle.
| Station | Snowpack | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nohrsc Burnside Lake | 1 in | → |
| Lost Lake Snotel | 19 in | → |
| Css Lab | 2 in | → |
| Ward Creek #3 | 1 in | → |
| Black Springs | 0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Css Lab | 1 in | → |
| Nohrsc Lower Kibbie | 1 in | → |
| Nohrsc Independence Lake | 14 in | → |
| Burnside Lake | 1 in | → |
| Independence Lake | 14 in | → |
| Poison Flat | 2 in | → |
| Nohrsc Deadman Ck Near Kennedy Meadows - Sonora Pass | 8 in | → |
Beyond the slopes
Other ski areas, basecamp options, alpine fishing, and scenic stops near Squaw Valley -- worth knowing whether you're in for a day, a long weekend, or a season pass.
Other ski areas
Campgrounds
- Wild Camping
- Whisky Creek Camp
- Silver Creek-Truckee
- Goose Meadow Campground
- Goose Meadow
- Talbot Campground
Fishing spots
Mountain & avalanche safety
- Know before you go
- Check today's avalanche bulletin from the regional avalanche center before any off-piste / side-country / backcountry travel. Conditions can shift dramatically between morning and afternoon on storm days.
- Carry the gear, know how to use it
- Beacon, shovel, probe. Practice companion rescue on a calm day, not during a real burial.
- Mind the weather window
- Heavy snow + wind builds wind slabs at ridgelines. The day after a storm is often the riskiest in the backcountry, even if the resort itself is open.
- Respect closed terrain
- Ropes are there for a reason. Even in-bounds, ducking a closure can trigger a slide that catches you and others below.
Track Squaw Valley in the Snoflo app
Save this resort as a favorite, set push alerts when snowfall crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Squaw Valley reports 6″ new"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment the SNOTEL station crosses.
About Squaw Valley
Where does the snow data for Squaw Valley come from?
Snowpack, SWE, 24-hour snowfall, and air temperature come from the nearest USDA NRCS SNOTEL station. Forecast comes from the National Weather Service / yr.no feed that Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the snow report updated?
Snowpack and SNOTEL data are updated continuously by NRCS (typically hourly). The 15-day weather forecast is refreshed throughout the day. Snoflo caches and renders the most recent observation -- look for the "as of" timestamp on the snowpack hero.
What's the elevation at Squaw Valley?
See the Resort Metrics panel above for base / summit / vertical drop. The summit elevation drives snowpack accumulation -- higher summits hold snow longer through spring.
How is "% of normal" calculated?
Today's snowpack is compared to the average snowpack on this calendar day across every recorded year at the nearest SNOTEL. 100% means right on average; 130% is a big year; 60% is thin.
What ski resorts are near Squaw Valley?
See the Other Ski Areas pill grid at the bottom of the page for resorts within driving distance. The sister Other Ski Areas card in the Plan-a-longer-trip grid above shows the closest few.
Can I get alerts when fresh snow hits?
Yes -- snow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this resort, set a snowfall threshold (e.g. "alert me when 6+ inches"), and you'll get a push the moment the SNOTEL crosses.
Other resorts near here
Snoflo-tracked ski areas within driving distance of Squaw Valley.