Friends of Olympic Valley 2019 Annual Review

Here is a summary of the projects and changes in Squaw Valley that Friends of Olympic Valley (FoOV) has been focused on and believes you might find of interest

Historical Perspective

The status of the entitlements secured by Squaw Valley Ski Holdings for development rights continues to be under review.  KSL Capital Partners was the original purchaser of Squaw Valley Ski Resort from the Cushing Estate.  Later it bought Alpine Meadows Ski Area to combine the two properties under one management.  During KSL ownership, development plans went through a contentious process which resulted in the FoOV taking the position that the proposed Village at Squaw Valley Specific Plan (VSVSP) development was not a good fit for Squaw.  Nevertheless, in November 2016, the Placer County Board of Supervisors (BOS) passed the VSVSP over our, and many others’, objections.

Ultimately, Sierra Watch sued over the development based on CEQA issues.  The initial suit failed as the Superior Court supported the BOS approvals.  Sierra Watch has appealed that decision to the Third District Court of Appeals.  All briefs have been submitted and a decision should be rendered within about two years unless the parties come to some agreement sooner.  The current status can be found at Sierra Watch’s website via the following link:

Sierra Watch – Keep Squaw True

In the middle of the appeal process, Squaw Valley Resort changed ownership.  Alterra Mountain Company is now the owner of Squaw and Alpine as well as several other ski resorts.   FoOV is encouraged by their expressed desire is to promote the unique qualities of each of the ski areas that they own.

Where We Are Today

When the BOS approved the Village Plan, FoOV decided to continue to convey their development concerns by working directly with the leadership at Squaw Alpine, as well as with other community agencies and organizations.  FoOV has continued to promote the following points about the currently approved Village entitlements to Alterra:

• Reducing the entitled number of bedrooms
• Reducing the size of the Mountain Adventure Center (MAC)
• Refocusing the purpose of the MAC from a water park to a recreational center
• Promoting earlier remediation of the Village portion of Squaw Creek than proposed
• Promoting earlier development of trails than in current development plan
• Reducing impacts on the undeveloped portion of Shirley Canyon
• Making the Village a place that creates community and honors Squaw traditions (rather than isolates people)
• Deferring or eliminating a “Twister” roller coaster from Village view
• Improving plaza space and creating view corridors

Current Initiatives

Over the last year, FoOV  has established a working relationship with Alterra, but while we still have differences of opinion on the scope and size of the Development proposal, we have been able to work on projects of common interest for the benefit of the Community which include:

MOUNTAINEER:  This is an app based free ride program within Squaw and Alpine that debuted last year. Community members, Ski Corp and resident businesses, and FoOV are working together to solve transportation problems in the Valley.  Thanks to Ski Corp, there is enough funding for Mountaineer to operate again this year.

THIRD LANE FOR BUS ONLY ON HWY 89:  This is a traffic solution that creates a bus lane from Truckee to Squaw on the 89 shoulder, so that busses will not be slowed by traffic, thereby offering a faster and easier way into Squaw than by car.  FoOV continues to advocate for this, and there is substantial local support, including from Ski Corp, however, progress through the bureaucracy is slow and difficult.  Public support for this solution is critical, so please write to your supervisor, Placer County and Cal-Trans, because TOT funds have now been earmarked for further study of this plan.

FIRE SAFETY: FoOV promoted a fire drill which was staffed and implemented by Ski Corp to plan for and perform a simulated “Shelter In Place” drill.  In a firestorm emergency, sheltering in the Squaw parking lot in coordination with Squaw’s emergency plan (which includes providing staffing, water and bathrooms, and snow making guns) is our evacuation plan of last choice, if there is not enough notice to leave Squaw (which could take 10 hours if the Valley is full and everyone tries to leave at the same time).

In December, FoOV and the Squaw Valley Property Owners Association began the application process for Olympic Valley to be recognized as a Firewise Community.  This designation will allow us to apply for grants that can help us create and maintain wildfire defensible space in the Valley.  Participants in the organizational meeting included residents, HOA, Squaw Corp, Resort at Squaw Creek, the PSD and Squaw Valley Fire Department.

OLYMPIC MEADOW: FoOV initially suggested acquisition of the Poulsen property for the community, and the project was subsequently endorsed by the Truckee Donner Land Trust and the Squaw Valley Public Service District. Initially, a plan was drafted to create a Mellow-Roos district to fund the purchase through an annual property assessment, but several unexpected issues derailed this initiative, though ways to fund the purchase continue to be explored.

Friends of Olympic Valley 2020 Objectives

FoOV believes that Alterra is much more open to working with our community and has therefore tried to work cooperatively with the new Squaw management team. FoOV has thus transitioned from just advocating for a smaller, more sustainable Village at Squaw Valley to advancing projects that will enhance our community and valley for residents and visitors alike,  hence our revised mission statement:

The Friends of Olympic Valley seek to improve the quality of life for Squaw Valley residents and visitors and preserve our community mountain culture by advocating for environmentally sustainable and compatible development as well as for enhanced community amenities. 

More detail can be found on our website http://friendsofsv.org or on our Friends of Olympic Valley Facebook group page.

We are open to any feedback, support or criticism, opinions or concerns. Please contact us at FriendsofSV@gmail.com or FoOV, PO Box 2823, Olympic Valley, CA 96146