How these two valleys—so close geographically yet so distant philosophically—survived avalanches, fires, floods, lift accidents, economic ups and downs, ski trends, public opinion, good and bad management; and how the corporatization of both sides of the mountain inevitably joined them as one, is a story about the people who lived, worked and survived all of the above in both valleys.”
–From Introduction by Eddy Ancinas
SQUAW VALLEY AND ALPINE MEADOWS:
Tales From Two Valleys
INTRODUCTION
In the rugged High Sierra at the north end of Lake Tahoe, California; two adjacent valleys lie protected by high peaks to the west and separated by a massive ridge. The story of how these two remote valleys became two (now one) of the best-known ski areas in North America, begins with their discoveries by two visionaries: Wayne Poulsen, a young ski competitor from Reno, who first saw the potential in Squaw Valley while fishing there as a boy in 1931, and John Reily, a Los Angeles businessman, who came to Squaw Valley in 1955, and looked down from the top of the KT22 ski lift into a pristine valley to the south.
In search of funds to build a ski area; Poulsen formed a company with Alexander Cushing, a Wall Street lawyer, and Reily founded a corporation, whose members were skiers of national prominence. Ultimately, both men lost control of their dreams to build a ski area. Poulsen was ousted by Cushing, and Reily failed to raise sufficient funds.
By 1960, Squaw Valley, having hosted the Winter Olympics, had become a world class ski resort, with extensive facilities and a lively community of permanent and part-time residents. Meanwhile, Alpine Meadows’ investors and homeowners shunned commercial development, and prided themselves on being a “family area—owned and operated by real skiers.â€
How these two valleys—so close geographically yet so distant philosophically—survived avalanches, fires, floods, lift accidents, economic ups and downs, ski trends, public opinion, good and bad management; and how the corporatization of both sides of the mountain inevitably joined them as one, is a story about the people who lived, worked and survived all of the above in both valleys. Read More >>
Eddy has lived and breathed the history of these two landmarks.
She has known all the players.–From Forward by Bob Roberts
President & CEO, California Ski Industry Association