Fresh Snow Daily Provides Perfect Conditions for the Squaw Valley Experience

BROADCAST QUALITY VIDEO FOOTAGE - Available after 3:00pm PST, Dec 30, 2009.

STORY SUMMARY: [Squaw Valley USA] December 30, 2009 – A well-timed series of snowstorms, that have left fresh snow each morning this week, has provided ideal conditions for 'The Squaw Valley Experience", a new lesson/guide program offered by the Squaw Valley Ski and Snowboard School.

FOOTAGE INCLUDES: Broll of skiing and snowboarding, Squaw Valley Experience sessions, plus soundbites, shot Dec 30 at Squaw Valley USA.

SUPPORTING RELEASE COPY: [Squaw Valley USA] Day after day of fresh snow conditions and full resort operations over the holidays have set the stage for a perfect introduction to the "Squaw Valley Experience", a new guide/lesson program offered by the Squaw Valley Ski and Snowboard School.

The new program, offered daily, gives skiers and snowboarders a unique opportunity to explore and experience some of Squaw Valley's most well-known (and some not so well known) runs, with the guidance and tips from some of Squaw Valley's top instructors. Olympic gold Medalist Jonny Moseley, who holds the title of Squaw Valley's "Chief Mountain Host", accompanied participants on a session of the program on Wednesday, Dec. 30.

With snow falling consistently throughout December and most recently, a post holiday storm bringing another 2 1⁄2 feet, the skiing and riding conditions at Squaw Valley have been non-stop phenomenal. The 127 inches of snow that have fallen in December make it the snowiest December in nine years at the Lake Tahoe Resort. With another cold front expected to move through the Sierra tonight, and snow in the forecast through New Year’s Day, it’s looking like El Nino means deep snow for Squaw Valley.

To date this season, Squaw Valley USA has received over 158 inches or over 13 feet of snow.
This December’s 127 inches snowfall total make it the snowiest December since 2001.
Current base depths measure 50-70” at elevation 8,000 ft (Squaw’s peak elevation is 9050 ft).
- Squaw Valley is 100% open.
- Squaw Valley has received over a third of its average annual snowfall (450”).
- Squaw Valley rings in the New Year tomorrow evening with a fireworks display.

The most up-to-date resort conditions, operations, event schedules and live mountain cams are available at www.squaw.com or call 530-583-6955.

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. The Olympic Heritage Celebration will take place January 8-17, 2010, at Squaw Valley USA and locations around the North Lake Tahoe region.

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:
- Jonny Moseley, Olympic Gold Medalist, and Squaw Valley Chief Mountain Host
- Savannah Cowley, Squaw Valley USA Spokesperson.
- Allan Mishra, Menlo Park
- Doug Spilman, Santa Cruz

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