When thinking up a list of potential destinations for a school ski trip, there are some locations that immediately come to mind: the Alps (France, Austria, Switzerland, Andorra), Aspen, Colorado, or the snowy slopes of Canada. They are generally locations where a cold, snowy winter is a regular occurrence, leading to days of fun out on the slopes for all involved.
A snow holiday to California? Yes you can!
The above does not at all sound like a description of famously sunny California, does it? And yet, believe it or not, it is perfectly possible to organise a school ski trip to one of the hottest, sunniest states in the entire United States of America. In fact, even more unbelievably, California boasts its very own ski resort: Squaw Valley, next to Lake Tahoe and also close to Reno, Nevada.
Those who expressed surprise at the fact that such a place exists in the sunny seaside state may be further surprised to learn that the site is quite well known amongst winter sports aficionados, having hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics and currently welcoming over 600.000 skiers every year.
But what exactly makes Squaw Valley such a prime location for teachers to take their students for a school ski trip? The answer might lie with its well-balanced mix of activities, moderately challenging slopes and facilities - three rather important aspects to consider when taking children on winter holidays.
In fact, teachers looking to book a school ski trip at this Californian resort will be pleased to learn that the section dubbed High Camp offers all the commodities schoolchildren will undoubtedly appreciate, from restaurants to shops and other essential infra-structures. Similarly, the resort - as well as the Tahoe region in general - hosts a number of events throughout the year, some of which may be of interest to pupils of different ages. From the child-oriented activities which take over the resort in February, to viewing parties for the ongoing winter games, through to live music shows and fireworks displays, this Californian snow centre offers something for children of all ages and persuasions. Outdoorsy activities such as ice skating, snowshoeing, dog-sledding and aerial tram rides complete an attractive panorama for all involved.
It should be recognised, then, that California not only has a viable destination for a school winter holiday, but that it is a great option as well! Teachers looking for a slightly different alternative to the usual Alpine winter resorts could do worse than look in Squaw Valley's direction.
Susan Joubert works for Ski Plan Travel, the market leaders in excursions for schools. Experts in arranging school ski trip itineraries, Ski Plan has over 14 years experience organising safe and successful tours. We arrange courses with an extensive range of resorts for the best student experience.
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