Touring * Slalom *

From Interstate 80 near Truckee, exit south on State Highway 89 and continue south for seven miles. Turn right at the entrance to Squaw Valley USA on the right side of the road. Follow the main road toward the ski area as far as the Squaw Valley Property Realty Sales lot. Park here; the trail begins across the street.

Map: Recreation Map of Lake Tahoe, Tom Harrison Cartography,

2 Falmouth Cove, San Rafael, CA 94901-4465; (415) 456-7940.

Skate in the Squaw Valley meadow not so much for the paved bike trails, but the fabulous view--across a marshy meadow that runs down the center of the valley like some green royal carpet leading to the throne. Dominating the ridge at the valley's west end is majestic KT-22, an 8,070-foot-high mountain that has turned boys into men and, a few times, into ski-video stars.

The trail on the north edge of the Squaw Valley meadow is one mile long. Skate from its start near the Realty Sales lot; after passing the horse stables, you gain a view to the southeast across the lush grasses and wildflowers, which the presence of a golf course renders only slightly less pristine. A zig-zagging log fence borders the meadow for the rest of the mile, and slight slopes add some fun before you roll to the end of the path across from Victor Road. As you start back, your view of the meadow is best of all, displaying the famous Squaw Valley mountains in a wide tableau. Patches of snow on the northern faces pick up the sunlight to add even more dramatic allure.

If you want a wide, smooth area to practice tricks or figure skating, one repaved area of the ski area parking lot may still be in relatively good condition. From Squaw Valley Road, go left to cross the bridge beyond the Realty Sales lot and turn right off the parking lot road to approach the smoothest pavement. You'll know it when you see it. If you don't see it, winter conditions got to it before you did.

A second trail is located along the road to the Squaw Creek Inn, on the south side of the meadow and the east end of the valley. To find it, follow Squaw Valley Road about a quarter of a mile from Highway 89, and turn in at the Resort at Squaw Creek sign, onto Squaw Creek Road. Take an immediate left to pull into the condo parking lot, and park near the path that crosses the driveway. Skate west on the trail, climbing uphill most of the way. The path, only half a mile long, is not well maintained and may have gravel patches or rough, cracked sections left by the ravages of winter; it would actually be a better skate in the downhill direction--if not for the luscious view of the ski area peaks you have while skating up.

• Truckee River Bike Trail