Cool Factor: According to long-time Squaw Valley locals, KT 22, aka "the mother ship", is your gateway to some of the best lift serviced terrain in North America. While it comes in last on our list in terms of sheer vertical, it’s arguably comes in first for quality of terrain and options with regard to your chosen run. There's a reason the late great Shane McConkey, Scott Schmidt, Tom Day, the Gaffney Brothers, and other venerable ski industry icons have called Squaw Valley and KT 22 home. It's just that good. In fact, some skiers never even leave KT once it's open. If you happen to score a fresh lap at some point in your career you'll know why the lift garners the reputation is does.

Why Wait: Although KT can keep even the most jaded skier entertained for hours and days on end, the real magic comes in that one completely untracked run down West Face, Oly Chair Line, Chute 75, or, for the freeride boys and gals, the infamous Nose to Fingers run. With quality snow, whether it is one, two, or three-plus feet, that run will never leave your memory.

Ask a Local: Robb Gaffney, author of “Squallywood” says, “When KT gets hit with a wet westerly storm, the pasty flutes on McConkey's (that form once every few years) can make you feel like you’re on a big Alaskan face. After smearing down the 60-degree flutes and landing off the bottom cliff, you can high speed it down to the technical baby fingers, which roll out of sight. Take some air or straightline onto the apron that leads down another wide open powder field to where your heli—uh, I mean the Olympic Lady chair— is awaiting.”