INTENSE WEEK-LONG STORM BRINGS 78 INCHES OF SNOW TO SQUAW VALLEY USA

BROADCAST QUALITY MPEG 2 VIDEO FOOTAGE - Available after 2:00pm PST, Dec 14, 2009.

STORY SUMMARY: (Squaw Valley USA) Dec. 14, 2009 – For Squaw Valley skiers and riders, an early Christmas present came in the form of 78 inches of snow that fell over the past week. Today, the sky opened for a classic “Squaw Valley blue bird powder day”, with deep untouched snow and brilliant sunshine.

FOOTAGE INCLUDES: Broll of scenic snowy shots, skiing and snowboarding, plus soundbites shot Dec 14th at Squaw Valley USA.

SUPPORTING RELEASE COPY: (Squaw Valley USA) Dec. 14, 2009. For Squaw Valley skiers and riders, an early Christmas present came in the form of 78 inches of snow that fell over the past week. Today, the sky opened for a classic “Squaw Valley blue bird powder day”, with deep untouched snow and brilliant sunshine.

Subsequent snow storms forecasted through next weekend ensure the ample base will be even deeper for the heart of the holiday season that historically begins the third week in December. The #1 ranked Lift in North America, KT-22, opened today bringing a true gift for eager powder hounds.

To date this season, Squaw Valley USA has received over 105” or over 8 1⁄2 feet of snow.
In the past week Squaw Valley USA has received 78” or over 6 1/3 feet of snow.

- Current base depths measure 50-70” at elevation 8,000 ft (Squaw’s peak elevation is 9050 ft).
- Squaw Valley is open from top to bottom, with 18 of 33 lifts spinning.
- Squaw Valley has received almost a quarter of its average annual snowfall (450”); with the impressive early season snow, the mountain will be 100% open for the busy holiday period.

‘Holidays at Squaw’ bring a host of festivities to the Lake Tahoe Resort, beginning December 19.

Squaw Valley USA is celebrating two major anniversaries this season - the 60th anniversary of its founding and first season, in 1949-50, as well as the 50th anniversary of the Eighth Olympic Winter Games, which were held at Squaw Valley in February, 1960.

All season pass holders are invited and encouraged to pick up their season pass early so they're ready to hit the slopes when they arrive. Squaw Valley is accepting pass photo submissions online to expedite delivery of the passes. For more information about Season Passes, visit www.squaw.com.

For more information about Squaw Valley USA call 530-583-6985 or visit www.squaw.com. To take advantage of one of the many early season lodging packages contact Squaw Valley Central Reservations at 800-545-4350 or visit www.squawvacations.com. Site of the VIII Winter Olympic Games, Squaw Valley USA is located five miles north of Lake Tahoe along the Truckee River on Highway 89. The year-round resort offers 4,000 acres of lift served terrain including half pipes and terrain parks, ice-skating, snowtubing, indoor rock climbing, an Olympic Winter Games Museum, shopping, dining and more. For more information call 530-583-6985, or visit www.squaw.com.

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SOUNDBITES/INTERVIEWS:
- Savannah Cowley, Squaw Valley USA Spokesperson
- Robert Elmore, Concord, CA.
- Charlie Powell, San Louis Obispo, CA.
- Dan Woods, Reno, NV.
- Aaron Katz, Truckee, CA.

LOCATORS:
- Squaw Valley USA, Olympic Valley, Lake Tahoe, CA.

Footage provided by:
Squaw Valley USA
Contact: Savannah Cowley
(530) 581-7130
scowley@squaw.com

TAPE COPIES AND DUBS: To request a hard copy/dub of any segment on BetaSP or Mini DV, please call (530)583-4206 or email eric@tahoemediacenter.com