Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows has partnered with Alpenglow Expeditions to provide lift-accessed guided backcountry skiing and snowboarding in terrain immediately surrounding the ski resort. Available for the 2016-17 ski season, guests can book a day of guided skiing or snowboarding with Alpenglow to explore backcountry areas adjacent to Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows.
Following a rigorous application process, Alpenglow Expeditions received a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) permit to conduct winter backcountry guiding on USFS lands for backcountry enthusiasts. Alpenglow Expeditions and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will also team up on a $2,500 donation to the Sierra Avalanche Center to support their mission to inform and educate the public about backcountry avalanche conditions in the greater Lake Tahoe area.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Alpenglow Expeditions to offer backcountry enthusiasts a new experience at the resort” said Andy Wirth, President and CEO of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows.
“The professional guides at Alpenglow Expeditions are intimately familiar with the backcountry ski terrain in Lake Tahoe and we are tremendously excited to provide access to some of the best lift accessed backcountry skiing and snowboarding in the Western United States.”
Utilizing their existing partnership with the US Forest Service, Alpenglow Expeditions plans to guide small groups in two zones located outside of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows boundaries.
At Alpine Meadows, Alpenglow Expeditions guides will lead tours in the area known as “Munchkins,” backcountry terrain located to the north east of Scott Peak.
In Squaw Valley, Alpenglow Expeditions guides will lead backcountry activities in the area known as Tram Ridge located to the north of Broken Arrow. Click here to view area maps.
“Our company has been guiding high altitude mountaineering and ski expeditions around the world for over a decade, and I couldn’t be more excited to bring the same level of professional guiding to my home resort.” says Adrian Ballinger, owner and founder of Alpenglow Expeditions.
“Being able to guide in my own backyard is a dream come true and we aim to be a cornerstone in our community, promoting backcountry safety, education and training in Lake Tahoe”.
This new partnership will provide special access for Alpenglow Expeditions guided groups to exit the resort boundary at designated locations. At Squaw Valley, these access locations will be expressly permitted for use by Alpenglow Expeditions guided groups only and will remain closed to any person not participating in an Alpenglow Expeditions guided group.
Alpenglow Expeditions guides are professionals trained and certified by the American Mountain Guides Association. With their extensive training they are able to expertly lead groups into and out of the backcountry. Alpenglow Expeditions also provides avalanche education courses as well as mountaineering and climbing courses.
