By
Marlene Greer
Correspondent
When
you cruise down a long run, hitting the base of the mountain at the
end of the day and a ski valet politely takes your skis and poles for
the night, saving you the schlep to the ski check, you know you’re
being pampered.
And
when you kick back in your room wearing a thick robe enjoying a cup
of tea and aprs-ski snacks, gas fireplace glowing, you know
this is the luxe life.
That
luxury is what defines a ski vacation at the Resort at Squaw Creek,
the premier on-mountain lodge at Squaw Valley USA in North Lake
Tahoe.
The
ski-in/ski-out resort opened in 1990 and completed a $53-million
renovation a few years ago that converted its 405 guest rooms into
privately-owned luxury residential units with gas fireplaces, huge
king-size beds with plush down comforters, resort kitchens with a
stovetop, mini-fridge and coffeemaker, and large flat-screen LCD
televisions.
The
resort, however, continues to operate as it did, with owners choosing
to place their resort home in the hotel rental program.
Skiers
have a choice of a standard deluxe room, one-, two- or three-bedroom
suite, or even a penthouse. And now through April 30, guests can
experience this luxury for 20 percent off for a stay of two nights or
more. Or skiers can opt for the resort’s 3-day Ski Gourmet Getaway
package, which includes deluxe lodging, lift tickets and $100 per day
dining credit. Rates start at $289 per person per night.
One
thing skiers need to be aware of is that the ski-in/ski-out access at
the resort is for intermediate skiers and above. Beginning skiers
must take the shuttle from the resort to the Squaw Valley ski area –
only a few minutes drive. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes
throughout the day.
Recent
storms have dropped several feet of fresh snow at Squaw Valley,
making conditions ideal for spring skiing. And for skiers, what’s
better than fresh snow and on-mountain lodging – with a bit of
pampering thrown in.
And
what’s a bit of pampering without a spa treatment?
Spa
prices at Squaw Creek are in line with other resort hotels. A
50-minute Swedish massage is $125, a firming seaweed body wrap is
$185 and facials are $80-$145. The resort’s signature Tahoe hot
stone massage, a rhythmic massage using various sizes of heated
basalt stones from the shores of Lake Tahoe, is $135.
If
a spa treatment isn’t in your budget, perhaps a few turns around
the resort’s ice rink might be. Or just enjoy an aprs-ski
soak in one of the resort’s three outdoor hot tubs or a swim in the
outdoor heated pool.
For
dining, there are two restaurants (Montagna and Six Peaks Grille),
Sandy’s Pub and Sweet Potatoes Deli. The deli is great for light –
and less expensive – dining. The homemade soups and sandwiches are
prefect lunch and light dinner fare and the breakfast burritos ideal
for a quick meal. For those wanting a full breakfast, a buffet or
off-the-menu selections are available in Six Peaks Grille.
RESORT
AT SQUAW CREEK
(800)
327-3353; www.squawcreek.com
