- Santa True comes to Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows
- Winter events feature a giant singing Christmas Tree, Holly Feet & Grinch’s Groove Christmas Shows, Grinch Look-A-Like contests, skiing with Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley, ice sculpture demonstrations, parades, and much more!
- Live performances by the Utah Ballroom Dance Company, Truckee Dance Factory, Reno Jazz Orchestra, Silver Dollar Chorus and TOCCATA Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
[Olympic Valley, Calif.] Nov. 26, 2016 – New for the 2016-17 season, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will celebrate the first annual Merry Days & Holly Nights, two weeks of spirited events and activities December 17-31. Voted 2016 ‘Best Ski Resort’ in North America by USA Today and 10Best Readers’ Choice, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is the ideal destination for families this holiday season with a new events roster packed with fun for all ages. Merry Days & Holly Nights will bring Santa to town along with spectacular music and dance performances, delicious Farm-to-Table Dinners, parties and fireworks to ring in the New Year.
Santa True
Two weeks of festivities begin with Santa Claus arriving in style at the Reno-Tahoe International airport. As a member of The Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas, “Santa True” is the real thing, with a Bachelor in Clauseology from the Santa School and The Santa Claus Conservatory. Santa will be out and about on the mountain and in the Village and, on select evenings, he will be telling classic Christmas stories by the fire with milk and cookies.
Holiday Festivities and Village Fun
Merry Days & Holly Nights transforms Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows into a winter wonderland, with The Village at Squaw Valley® decorated in “Olde World Christmas” style with storefront vignettes from Christmases past. Opening ceremonies on December 17 will feature a tree lighting ceremony, fire dancers and torchlight parade followed by horse drawn carriage rides and procession to Merry Wonderland at Olympic Village Lodge, where guests will enjoy the lighting of the Ice Garden and Taste of Squaw, a complementary selection of signature bites from Squaw Valley restaurants, while the Silver Dollar Chorus performs in the giant Singing Christmas Tree. Ongoing celebrations include ice sculpture demonstrations in the Ice Garden, mini Polar Express train for kids, horse drawn carriage rides, caroling with The Great Basin Carolers, live music, kids’ games and movies. Other events include Santa’s Pancake Breakfast, BigTruck Sew-on-Site, Christmas Candle Light Service and the White Out Soiree to benefit the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Foundation. Merry Days & Holly Nights culminates on New Year’s Eve with live music, fireworks, torch light parade and the Squaw Valley Prom. For a full calendar of events and locations please click here for more details.
Feature Performances
Merry Days & Holly Nights will welcome national performing artists, including two nights of the Holly Feet & Grinch’s Groove show featuring the Utah Ballroom Dance Company, Truckee Dance Factory and a Grinch Look-a-Like contest for kids judged by Santa True himself. The Reno Jazz Orchestra will perform on December 21 followed by a production of Handel’s Messiah by TOCCATA—Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus on December 23.
Ski and Ride with Jonny Moseley
Early risers can experience Dawn Patrol with Chief Mountain Host and Olympic Gold Medalist, Jonny Moseley December 26 through December 30. Get exclusive access to untouched corduroy or fresh powder on coveted intermediate and advanced terrain at Squaw Valley. Jonny will also be hosting exclusive ski tours at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows that will include the Demo Center staff’s expertise in finding the skis and boards best suited for the day’s conditions. Click here for Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows tour dates and meeting locations.
New and Exclusive Farm to Table Dinner Opportunities
Squaw Valley’s famed summer Farm-to-Table Dinner series hosts two exclusive holiday pop-ups: don’t miss the one-night-only Farm-to-Table Dinner with Olympians on Tuesday, December 27, and on December 28 a Farm-to-Table Dinner and a Movie with the family-friendly feature The Secret Life of Pets. Served family style by the giant hearth in the historic Olympic Village Lodge, the Farm-to-Table dinners are created by the resort’s talented Executive Chef Tiffany Swan in collaboration with the Tahoe Food Hub and other local farmers.
Moonlit Snowshoe and Dinner at Alpine Meadows
After the mountain closes and the winter moon rises, experience a snowshoe tour to the mid-mountain Chalet at Alpine Meadows. Guests enjoy an intimate seated dinner and Alps-inspired menu with dishes like potato cheese soup, chicken cordon bleu and apple strudel. This unique experience is only available during select dates this winter season and space is very limited. To make reservations please call 800-403-0206. Click here for more details.
Holiday Slopeside Lodging at The Village at Squaw Valley
Book your Holiday at The Village at Squaw Valley and stay right in the heart of the action, with direct access to the slopes, world class shopping, dining, activities and events in the Village. Ski, stay and forget about driving.
About Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows
Voted 2016 ‘Best Ski Resort’ in North America by USA Today and 10Best Readers’ Choice, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is an internationally renowned mountain resort in North Lake Tahoe that spans over 6,000 skiable acres. The resort features slopeside lodging at The Village at Squaw Valley®, which bustles year round with nonstop events and nearly 60 bars, restaurants and boutiques. With an annual average of 450 inches of snowfall and 300 sunny days, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is known as the spring skiing capital as it provides one of the longest ski and snowboard seasons in Lake Tahoe. Skiers and riders of all ability levels are welcomed by over 65 percent beginner and intermediate terrain, 14 easy-to-navigate mountain zones and a custom app to make the most of every visit. Visit squawalpine.com or call 1.800.403.0206 to learn more.
