Skiing at Squaw Valley, an introduction to the mountain, the Resort, and the Olympic Downhill

   Olympic Valley Ski Resort

   This winter, Ploy and I have been living in Olympic Valley, California, host of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games. This is Ploy's first year skiing, and she has done very well. The snow has been OK, but not as much as the pros wish for.

Although, we have still had an excellent time on the slopes, in the village, and in the restaurants.

 Here is Ploy and I in the Funitel, that is what they call the gondola here at Squaw Valley.

This is Head-wall, one of the more dangerous Diamondbacks on the mountain.

Skiers are dropping through all of those rocks and cliffs on a good day of fresh Powder.

Here is the Siberia lift and run. It is very steep, and difficult for first time skivers.

Not, difficult, but impossible.

I love it. This is one of the best places to go and the lift is usually open every day.

Can you see all of the Moguls that have naturally formed on the trail?

Fast, hard, steep and bumpy.  This is a spot for only the best skiers to go.
If you fall on the way down, you will not stop for 100 yards.

Here is Ploy at the top of the Gold Coast, near the Funitel.

I was reclining on a chair at the top of Gold Coast.

There is a ski in, ski out, Starbucks next to this spot, where you can get a hot coffee on the go.

Seriously!

Guys are dropping through those slots up at
the top of the mountain. Some of the cliffs are up to
90' tall, where people ski off of.

Ploy and I on the lift.

Bears in Lake Tahoe, and Olympic Valley, California

There have been many bears close to our school. Some are large, and others are still being protected by their mother.

Sadly, they come to eat trash from our dumpster at the school.  We must be careful not to startle them,  but it is me who usually feels startled when I see one.

Here are a few pictures of the local bear family.

Mommy and her cub.

 I think mommy bear was posing to make sure that we knew she was big and strong.
After seeing her hug the tree and snort heavily, I was definitely not going any closer to her cubs.

 The bears were so beautiful, but a bit scary.

You must watch out for them up here in Northern California.

We have been living in Tahoe California for the last ten months! Here are some of our pictures and home made appetizers.

We have been working at a private international boarding school for the last ten months at the North side of Lake Tahoe.

Northern California is very beautiful, and Lake Tahoe is exquisite. I suggest you come for a summer vacation,  or winter get away.

Here is a picture of Ploy at the Olympic Rink Pavilion at the top of the Squaw Valley Ski Resort.

This winter, Ploy has learned to ski and skate.

I have been busy working, but I have also skied a lot as well.

Here is a group of students
on a school trip when I
helped to chaperon a visit
to the state capital in
Sacramento.

There I am at the bottom left. I was in charge of helping to make a Chinese tour group have the best time possible when they visited our campus for one week.

I took them ice skating, skiing, and dinning every day during the week.

There were from C-Trip, a very well known Chinese tour, travel and education program.

We had a great time!
The enjoyed their stay here at out small school.

Here is a simple baked scallop, bacon,
portabella mushroom, and avocado lunch.
I liked this one very much.

Ploy skiing at the top of Squaw Resort.

Ploy and I have made a new friend with one of the faculty campus dogs.
This is Bubba, a ten year old pug.

Yes, we have been eating many many oysters that are farmed in Washington,
and shipped down to Tahoe three times a week.
I like them fresh, with just a little bit of lemon, and a dab of sweet
Thai chili paste.

This is a statue from the top of the Capital building in Sacramento.

 Sunset in Tahoe!!!

Ploy, with a Russian, A Scott, and a Japanese student
at the top of the Tram at Squaw Valley Ski resort.

Here is picture I took of the famous game between Russia and the USA.

We beat them in the semi-finals!

As a hockey player, and fan, I am am drawn to Squaw because of our Olympic victory in Hockey in 1960.

Here I am skating at the Olympic Pavilion.  
Yes, I still have the moves.

This is a beautiful mountain top near our new home.


Thank you for looking at this post.

Ploy and I have done many new things this winter,  the best of which is meeting new friends and trying new things.