2016-17 Season Recap

After 60 feet of cumulative snowfall, 10 Atmospheric Rivers, the snowiest month on record (#januBURIED), and 200 days of winter operations during this incredible 2016-17 season, Palisades Tahoe is officially closed for skiing and riding until the fall.

While it’s always bittersweet to pack away our boards and boots for the summer, we’re stoked to know we hung in there as long as we could! Our amazing staff kept lifts spinning into summer and until July 15, our latest closing date EVER. From deep powder and dramatic winter weather to summer shredding in our bathing suits, the 2016-17 season was one we’ll never forget. Let’s take a look back as we count down our top memories from this historic season:

Top Memories & Milestones from the 2016-17 season

11. Snowy Opening Day

Opening Day at Alpine Meadows. November 23, 2016. Photo: Ben Arnst

The 2016-17 season kicked off on November 23 the best way possible – with new snow! The stoke was high as we took our first laps of the season on 4″ of fresh snow that continued throughout the day. Skiers and riders were fired up, taking the snowy weather as a sign of an amazing season ahead…

10. Christmas Powder

Conditions at Alpine Meadows on December 25, 2016. Photo: Jeff Engerbretson

Santa delivered the month’s first BIG storm in time for the holidays! We woke up to 14″ of fresh powder on December 24, and a bluebird powder day with a 21″ storm total on Christmas Day.

9. January 2017: Snowiest Month on Record

Snow piled high along the Alpine Meadows Road on January 23, 2017. Photo: Ben Arnst

Who could forget January? It snowed 16 out of 31 days and the monthly snow total reached 282 inches. That’s over 23 FEET, making January 2017 the snowiest month at Palisades Tahoe on record!

8. February 2017: Snowiest February on Record

Granite Chief lift buried after a 7-foot storm lasting February 17-23 at Squaw Valley. Photo: Ben Arnst

February is historically very snowy in the Sierra, bringing the highest average snowfall of any month. This February we received 196 inches (over 16 feet), making it the snowiest February on record. Needless to say, once the lifts were dug out we enjoyed plenty of all-time powder.

7. March 2017: Surpassed 600 Inches of Season Snowfall

Alpine Meadows on March 7, 2017. Photo: Matt Bansak

On March 7 following a 3 foot storm total, we officially broke the 600″ mark for the season! This is only the 3rd time in recorded history that our mountains have reached 600″ of total snowfall.

6. World Cup at Squaw

Mikaela Shiffrin celebrates after winning both Ladies Slalom and Giant Slalom at Squaw Valley. Photo: Elevated Image Photography on March 11, 2017.

The World Cup returned to Squaw Valley March 10-11, 2017 for the first time since 1969. International spectators and our local community came together to watch some of the world’s best ski racers compete on the legendary Red Dog Run. The crowd went wild as U.S. skier Mikaela Shiffrin won both Ladies Giant Slalom and Ladies Slalom back to back.

5. April 2017: Surpassed 700 Inches of Season Snowfall

Silverado Zone at Squaw Valley on April 9, 2017. Photo: Ben Arnst

The Spring season may have officially started in March, but powder days continued into April. With several spring storms, our season snowfall total broke 700 inches on April 14, 2017. This is only the second time in recorded history that our mountains have reached 700″!

4. Spring Skiing Capital & 22′ Superpipe

Elena Hight riding the 22′ Superpipe in April 2017. Photo: Andy Finch

With 728 cumulative inches (over 60 FEET) of snowfall this season, we had tons of snowpack to work with this spring. The Spring Skiing Capital was in full effect with amazing spring skiing conditions, Tahoe’s only 22-foot Superpipe, and enough snow to keep our terrain parks open through July 4th!

3. KT-22 Stayed Open Until 7pm…Twice!

KT-22 open until 7pm on May 20, 2017. Photo: Ben Arnst

Following the winter’s monumental snowfall, our crews were able to keep the revered KT-22 spinning through Sunday, May 28. To celebrate the supreme spring skiing off the Mothership so late in the season, ski patrol decided to keep the lift spinning until 7pm…twice! Many of our most passionate skiers and riders reveled in the late afternoon laps on their favorite lift on both May 20 and May 28.

2. Freedom Fest & Skiing on the 4th of July

Errol Kerr and other festive skiers on Shirley Lake on July 1, 2017. Photo: Elevated Image Photography

Stoke was at an all-time high this July 4th weekend. Thousands of skiers and riders flocked to the slopes of Squaw Valley in their red, white, and blue for Freedom Fest celebrations. It was a lively 4 days of summer skiing, riding, hot tub parties, live music, and overall good times!

1. Skiing on July 15: Our Latest Closing Date EVER

Skiing the Palisades on July 15, 2017! Photo by Maggie Eshblaugh on National Chute.

With record-breaking snowfall and the hard work of our dedicated staff, this is the first time in history Squaw Valley has stayed open for skiing past July 4th! Thank you to all of our passionate skiers, riders, and employees for sticking with us until the end and making this season one of our best yet.