The scene was set on the sundeck at the base. We were especially excited because ski pioneer and Squaw legend Scot Schmidt was going to help out the PTTP cause with a poster signing at the EuroVan. If this wasn't enough, Volkswagen flipped the bill for a huge barbeque and there was live music to boot. It was a blissful scene in the sun and everyone enjoyed the heat, food, music, and celebrity presence. Once the sun dropped behind the mountain, a shadow was cast across the patio, and people quickly cooled off and headed to the festivities we had planed inside. When the masses observed the amount of prizes that were up for grabs, raffle tickets were snatched up at a furious pace. We have to tip our hats to The North Face for going above and beyond the call of duty. A lot of extras, such as down jackets, a duffle and sleeping bag were donated for this stop in anticipation of the rager at Bar One.

The plan worked and the combination of fantastic prizes, the live Brazilian dance music of Sambada, and the Powder Video Awards ceremony provided more than enough entertainment for the crowd. By the time we left Squaw we felt like locals. It may have had something to do with the fact that this was our longest stop, but I can't help but think it had more to do with the friendly locals. We experienced surprisingly little ego in a town that has produced the best in the business. Squaw Valley is the epicenter of American ski hype and it is all well deserved. This place is all that. We already can't wait for the 2004 PTTP so we can get back to this legendary place.