You can rest more. I used to be a ski guide in the French alps. Best run is usually second one after a rest in the early afternoon. Snow is soft, sun is out. Long live the fair weathered skier. If the weather gets bad, you are near home to shelter. Cooking for yourself is always healthier than eating out, and the condo is well equipped to do this. I like the Chinese food at Gold Coast. $10 is a deal for a large bowl of stir fry.
There are great jaccuzzis in the building. There is the Trilogy spa if you need a massage.
IN THE MORNING
Carry your skis 100 yards to a ski lift. KT22 express (advanced) , Red Dog (moderate) or aerial tramway (beginners). You can come back for lunch. California has the most spring (fair weather) skiing I have found. After all it is a semi desert. Cold nights watch ice early mornings, start later or get up high where less ice forms. It is often warm late mornings. So layer, take a back pack, or head back to the condo to decoat.
BACK TO THE CONDO
You are paying to use the condo. So use it. Come back and forth a lot. Pop out to the village to people watch or grab a coffee.
I take my skis off in front of Funitel (at the end of Red Dog Run). Carry my skis through the village to main reception, drop them, my boots and helmet in the ski locker, go up one floor and the condo is towards the end of a quiet corridor.
QUIET
Quiet is important to me. It takes good planning to have people living on top of people and maintain it. Fewer people passing the door maintains quiet. Concrete/sound insulated floors also keep it quiet. There is a little noise from water in pipes. There may be noise from snow ploughs in the lot, but this is less than the noise of the snow cats working all night or drunks in the village drag.
APARTMENT DESCRIPTION
See the plan in the apartment pictures.
When you open the front door to the apartment you look past the kitchen on your left to the dining area, into the living room. Please, take off your shoes or boots and place them with coats in the closet facing the door.
BATHROOM
The bathroom is to the right. It is medium sized, has a powerflush toilet, granite topped single sink, bath with shower curtain, and warmed slate floor. Please keep the shower curtain up against the wall to prevent water damage. Thanks. The bath is an oasis. Try an epsom salt bath bath to relieve aching muscles...
BEDROOM
Is private, contains a California King Bed which will soon have a duvet (I don't like heavy blankets). Half the closet is yours. I need space for my ski stuff and cleaning supplies on the other. Has a regular tv hooked to its own dvd. Has an ethernet cable, over the bed fan and window that looks out on the small balcony.
KITCHEN, DINING AND LIVING ROOM
The kitchen has all the plates and pots, pans etc to caters for 6 people. Full size fridge. I plan each meal and get enough food from Safeway in Truckee (turn left after you come off 80).
The dining room table is tight in under an extra granite surface, good for meals and computers. Ethernet cable is there too.
Sofa pulls out to a queen bed. Small for 2 adults, ok for 2 smaller people.
There is an ultra-flat screen 2011 Samsung TV with Blu-ray located in the living room. I am sure some small digital genius will be able to play games on it (bring your own games and controls).
HEATING
Heat the apartment using the gas fireplace, the radiators make it too hot. The air in a ski resort is always too dry, because it is so cold at night. I may bring a humidifier... There can be a cold draft from under the balcony door. I put a towel down there.
SUMMER
HIKING
Squaw has easy access to the Granite Chief Wilderness area, Pacific Crest Trail (PCT): take the Tram from the Village (6200ft) to High Camp (8200ft). There are also loop trail around Donner Lake or Lake Tahoe. Alpine valley is more lush and green. Or 5 lakes trail takes you gently up to beautiful mountain lakes
Rafting down the Little Truckee river or following the river to Tahoe City on foot, bike or rollerblades is fun.
There is a road from Soda Springs (Sugar Bowl turn off of Hwy 80) to Donner Lake that may take your breath away.
CLEANING
I employ a perfectionistic American cleaner. She will only clean the apartment when you have gone. Though for long stay clients she is available to clean during your stay for a small fee. Checkout time is 11am.
Thanks and please send me feedback on your stay, so I can make it even better for you.
I am considering having a list of provisions you check off be in the apartment for your arrival.
Dr Ian van Zyl.
Keywords: The Village at Squaw, heated underground parking(1 space), newest village construction (concrete), quality finish, 573 square feet, architect designed, well appointed, well sized for two people, 4 can squeeze in, 1 king bed, convertible queen sofabed, gourmet kitchen, breakfast/dinner area, mid-size bathroom with tub/shower and warmed slate floor, flat screen/blueray in living room, dvd/conventional screen tv in bedroom, living room area with a gas log fireplace, balcony faces north mountains and parking lot, large screen media room, kids play room, ski locker next to reception, near small gym, sauna and two jacuzzis outside.
