SUMMER FUN, TAHOE STYLE
Resort at Squaw Creek lobby
Squaw Valley is a world-class ski resort in Northern California’s Sierra Nevada range just 5 miles from beautiful Lake Tahoe. For skiers wanting incredible views and challenging terrain, Squaw Valley is a must-visit mountain. But summertime activities in the area far outweigh winter offerings. The Resort at Squaw Creek sits at the center of it all.
This four-star Hyatt property is located at the perimeter of the famous ski area in the beautiful Olympic Valley surrounded by granite peaks. During the winter season, guests access the ski slopes from the resort’s own lift bypassing the crush of skiers arriving at the base village. During summer visits when the lift is not operating, there are plenty of other options for fun.
Sleeping Arrangements
The accommodations range from standard kings to the two-bedroom penthouse suites. My family of three opted for a Deluxe One-bedroom Fireplace Suite with galley kitchen, dining area, and generously-sized living room. Daily service had not resumed but the kitchen was nicely outfitted and supplies were refreshed on demand. Sleeping on the sofa bed was not a good fit for my son so we will choose a Double Queen or Two-bedroom Penthouse Suite for our next visit. The accommodations were comfortable overall with finishes in a ski-hotel style.
Activities
On our first day we rode the tram to the top of the ski area. There are services at the high base including a sundries shop, food, and swimming pool. While riding the tram, we passed a guided group making their way up the fixed cables of the via ferrata climbing route which looked like an exceptional excursion for active travelers. But it was a very hot day and my family opted for the 2.5 hour hike down through the trees and along a cool stream.
From there, we headed straight to Lake Tahoe. The 15 minute drive follows the Truckee River which was filled with rafters and floaters enjoying the calm, cool waters. Lake Tahoe itself was not as chilly as I remember; the excessive heat warming everything to make for a very refreshing swim. In fact, we enjoyed ourselves so much that we returned again the next day. For a final activity, my husband and son played the course at Squaw Creek, a beautiful setting and challenging Robert Trent Jones Jr. design. Next time we will need to make space in our schedule for horseback riding and boating!
The Resort at Squaw Creek includes a small village of shops, two restaurants, a spa and gym, and a large outdoor game area with ping pong, corn hole, and more. The kids and families were having loads of fun playing games before and after dinner when the evening temperatures dipped to inviting. The heart of the property is an expansive freeform pool with bar and towel service. There is also a dedicated waterslide pool that kids will enjoy all day long as well as several hot tubs, one reserved for adults only.
Getting There
The Resort at Squaw Creek is 15 minutes from Lake Tahoe, 60 minutes from the Reno/Tahoe airport, and 3.5 hours from the San Francisco bay area. If you are flying, renting a car is a good idea to take advantage of all the activities and restaurants in the greater Tahoe area. For skiers planning to stick to the resort, there is an airport shuttle several times per day. Talk to your trusted travel advisor to learn about the best options for your family including extra amenities, resort credit, outstanding complimentary breakfasts, and other VIP options for travel insiders!