Silverado Operations Update

Silverado chair opened for the first time this season today, expanding options for skiing & riding even more of our favorite expert terrain.

Silverado is not able to open until there is enough snowpack to build the Oregon Trail access road to the bottom of the lift, which sits at el. 6,808′. With no snowmaking in the zone, this typically requires an above-average amount of snowfall. Our crews made multiple attempts to build the road earlier this season, which were not successful. Last week’s rain below 7,000′ added moisture to the snow near the base of Silverado, which made the snow thicker and helped it bond. This rain actually made it possible for Mountain Manager Jimmy King to drive a grooming machine over the snow, allowing him to build the access road all the way to the base. Thank you to our mountain ops team for putting in the work to get this zone set-up and open!

Mountain Manager Jimmy King in a groomer working on building the Oregon Trail access road into Silverado on February 22. Photo: Kurt Wilhelmy

While we are thrilled to open this terrain, please note that operations will be different from previous seasons. Due to light snowpack, limited space at the bottom of the lift, and chairlifts running with reduced uphill capacity due to COVID protocols, please read these changes carefully before heading into the zone:

There may be limited entry points (gates) and queuing at those gates

The maze area at the bottom of Silverado is relatively small compared to other chairlift loading zones at Squaw Valley. Silverado is triple chair, but will run with reduced uphill capacity (functioning more like a double chair) this season to comply with COVID protocols. In an effort to control crowds at the base of the lift on busier days, we may limit entry points (gates) into the zone. Ski patrol may also be positioned at the gates to limit the capacity of skiers and riders entering the zone. Please read and respect all signs and employee directives. Any violations to gate closures will result in individual loss of pass or ticket AND closure of the entire lift for everyone.

Limited space for lift lines at the bottom terminal of Silverado. Photo taken this morning by Jimmy King

Silverado Terrain and Chairlift Opening will only open as conditions allow

Our ski patrol and operations teams will assess conditions in Silverado daily. The chairlift and terrain selections will open depending on conditions, and may close early or not open at all on certain days. For example, the lift may close early as 11am on days when the temperatures get warm to reduce the chance of wet slides. Additionally, our crews are unable to travel to the area using a troop carrier, so the chairlift may not open on days when it is rainy, snowy, or windy.

With a light snowpack, many of Silverado’s marquee cliffs and natural features are not as filled in as they have been during previous seasons with deeper snowpack. Please ski and ride with caution and be aware that many obstacles in the area exist. Based on conditions, there may be significant closures around cliff areas.

There are no groomed runs at this time. Not even Land Bridge.

Weather can be very dynamic and operations can change quickly. Please tune into our @squawalpineops Twitter account or Squaw Alpine mobile app for real-time updates.

Day 1 in Silverado