Squaw Alpine Opens Voting For Chairlift Name Change

Squaw Valley ski resort has officially asked for everyone’s help to rename on of their most famous chair lifts. As part of their ongoing branding changes to remove the word Squaw from all parts of the ski resort they are now asking for thew public to cast a vote online to help rename the chairlift.

Image Credit: Squaw Alpine

Initially Squaw Valley Tahoe ski resort asked for the public’s help via social media and now after receiving over 1200 submission they have got down the most popular 6 options. The public will now have until 25 August 2021 PDT to go online via the Squaw Valley ski resort website. Let your opinion be heard by ranking the finalist names from most (1) to least (6) favourite.

The legendary Squaw One Express chairlift is one of the centre piece aspects of the resort and begins its journey right in the centre of the base village. First opening in 1989 this high-speed quad chair has been a staple in the Lake Tahoe ski resort and has likely been ridden by many visitors to the famous ski resort. From the ski resort base the chairlift travels over 7,600ft and climbs over 1,600ft to the centre of the mountain resort. The Squaw One Express is the chairlift that many intermediate and advanced riders would likely take on their first run of the day as the chairlift provides access to long intermediate groomers or is the access chair to the Headwall or Siberia Express which are both advanced to expert chairs.

Image Credit: Squaw Alpine

So, what are the new chairlift name options?

• Eagle Eye

• Highline

• Resort Chair

• Snow King

• Storm Rider

• Valley View

Our personal opinion is for either Eagle Eye or Highline but we are just part of the voting process and we cannot wait to see what the public voting uncovers. If you want to have your say in this change make sure you get on the website and cast your vote.

It's worth also noting that this is just the naming of the chairlift, the type of chair, direction of the chair and all aspect of the chairlift itself will not be changing.

Changes to the Squaw Name:

In 2020 Squaw Valley resort took it upon themselves to begin the process of rebranding their ski resort after it was bought to their attention that the word Squaw was a derogatory word used towards Native American women. They are now working closely with the local Washoe Tribe who are the rightful owners of the land where Squaw Valley ski resort is located.

"With the momentum of recognition and accountability we are seeing around the country, we have reached the conclusion that now is the right time to acknowledge a change needs to happen. While we love our local history and the memories we all associate with this place as it has been named for so long, we are confronted with the overwhelming evidence that the term ‘squaw’ is offensive. We have to accept that as much as we cherish the memories we associate with our resort name, that love does not justify continuing to use a term that is widely accepted to be a racist and sexist slur. We will find a new name that reflects our core values, storied past, and respect for all those who have enjoyed this land. While the resort name will change, this special place will always be the location of the 1960 Winter Olympics, the home of our beloved KT-22 chair lift, the place where extreme skiing pioneers changed the sport forever, and the beloved mountain home for so many people who revere this amazing ski resort." - Ron Cohen, President and COO of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

You can learn more about this ongoing process and more about the Washoe Tribe on the Squaw Valley resort page. Squaw Valley ski resort will be advising of their new name in early fall and we keep everyone updated on the process.

Want to know more about Squaw Valley Ski Resort?

Squaw Alpine is a mega ski resort in California located above Lake Tahoe. Opening in 1949 the ski resort has a long history being one of the major draw cards to the Lake Tahoe region in winter. In 2012 Squaw Valley USA and next-door neighbour resort Alpine Meadows joined forces and were combined to offer joint access. One the one lift tickets for Squaw Valley riders can access both ski resorts which when combined have 43 lifts, 270 ski runs which cover 6,200 acres of terrain.

Launching to international fame Squaw Valley USA played host to the 1960 Winter Olympics and became the second location in the United States to host the event. This put Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe and equally the wider Lake Tahoe region on the global map as a top notch and must visit winter destination. Today Lake Tahoe is the most visited winter destination in the region and is home to 10 ski resort California plus two more which are on the Nevada side of the lake.

Here are some quick facts we pulled together.

• Location: Lake Tahoe, California

• Summit Elevation: 9,050ft / 2,758m

• Vertical Drop: 2,850ft / 869m

• Base Elevation: 6,200ft / 1,890m

• Number of Lifts: 29

• Number of Mountain Peaks: 6

• Average Snowfall: 400” /10m

• Beginner: 25%

• Intermediate: 45%

• Advanced: 30%

• Skiable Acres: 3,600

• Trails: 170+

• Bowls: 16

• Longest Run: Mountain Run, 3.2 miles or 5.15km

Image Credit: Grant Kaye

Squaw Valley is also home to one of the most famous and legendary chairlifts not only in Lake Tahoe, or California, or North America but the world. The KT-22 chairlift is the epicentre of advanced to expert level riding and each winter season skiers and snowboarders make a pilgrimage of sorts to Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe, California in January, and February to take on the beast.

First spinning into action in 1995 the high-speed quad chair travels over 5,00ft and rises over 1,700ft to some of the most advanced and extreme inbounds terrain in Lake Tahoe and North America. Famously named after the first riders of the area in the resort looked back to watch his wife come down the region, she completed 22 kick turns to get down the chutes. It instantly became obvious that the area and then the chairlift would be called KT-22.

Image Credit: SnowBrains

Every single season there is a constant flow on Instagram of riders taking on the terrain and we can’t get enough of it. The flow of the chairlift rises over most of the expert chutes allowing for riders to not only spot their next line but watch other riders huck their way off cliffs and earn their turns in sharp and steep chutes.  

Don’t believe us? Check out this video put together by Powder Magazine on how legendary this chairlift is.