When we arrived we found the mountains full of snow but none to be seen in the valley or anyplace outside the ski resorts. Sunday and Monday we skied in typical spring conditions as the temperature hovered in the upper 50’s. The resort offered a shuttle to Squaw Village that ran every half hour. We used it extensively.

Monday night that all changed. Around 6 PM the sky opened up and a total of 16 inches fell over night. Tuesday morning many of us acted like regular powder hounds and hit all that fresh powder. Others took the day off and just played in the snow. Then there were the Tuttle’s. They had planned that day to drive to San Francisco and some of the State parks in the area. Good thing the rental car was 4 wheel drive. As they headed West on I-80 all traffic was stopped and inspected for chains or 4 wheel drive. If you needed chains they were for sale on site for $35 each, not including installation. They toured this part of California all day before making it back to Squaw late that night.

Tuesday night another 8 inches fell and Wednesday as going to be Epic. That day many of us skied Alpine Meadows and the conditions were perfect. A simple resort yet to get that real commercial feel. T was like old time skiing. Alpine Meadows offered a daily shuttle from our hotel to the resort every day. It was only 10 minutes away so we took advantage.

Thursday was Northstar day. Jim Smithberger called Northstar and told them we were staying at Squaw but had a group interested in trying out Northstar. He arranged for a shuttle to pick us up Thursday morning and bring us back Thursday night at no charge. That Jim is sure smooth.

Northstar is trying to be the premier resort on the north shore… and they are doing a great job. Other than the dumb stairs they have at the very base, this resort was great. Everyone was friendly and helpful, the village was convenient and the trails and lifts were second to none. A Ritz Carlton is under construction and most of us felt this location should be considered for a future trip.

Later that night the club hosted a dinner at the Pizza Pasta at Squaw Village. Good food and great people equals a great time.

On Friday everyone got in the last of there skiing. By then it had warmed back up to the upper 50’s and all that fresh snow was almost gone. Only about 2 of those 24 inches were still to be found. The corn and slush was back and we ready to call it a week. That night we held a pot luck dinner in the picnic area behind the hotel by the Squaw Creek lift. What a great location. We filled sleds with snow and chilled the beer, wine and soda for everyone to enjoy.

The only downer was when Ryan Tuttle tried filming himself as he sledded down the Squaw Creek trail. Unfortunately the lift jumped into his bath and banged him up pretty good. We commandeered a wheel chair and helped him back to his room where he was taken care of by his mother and a handful of other young girls. Still in a wheelchair the next day at the airport, Ryan got on the plane first and seemed to attract sympathy and comfort from all the single girls in the airport. Wish I had thought of that when I was younger!

We had several new members of the club join us on this trip as well as several returning families. It was good to see old friends and make new ones alike. Wherever we go next year we hope to have this much fun again.