Squirrel Murphy didn’t just fall into skiing—he tumbled, rolled, and crashed into it, and loved every minute of the chaos. Known for his totally “send it” attitude, Squirrel’s motto is, “If you’re not catching air, you’re not trying hard enough.” Originally from New Zealand, he backpacked his way around the globe before realizing Squaw Valley was the closest thing to heaven on earth—well, heaven with a lot more falling down. He’s become a local legend not for his grace on... Read more

Dan O’Callahan was born with skis strapped to his feet. Some say his first steps were on black diamond runs, while others swear he used the nursery slopes as his personal warm-up zone. A self-proclaimed “Lord of the Slopes,” Dan has seen it all—from the days of neon one-piece ski suits to today’s high-tech, breathable gear (though he still insists the 80s were the peak of skiing fashion). With 20 years of experience under his belt, Dan’s not just a... Read more

Harkin Banks didn’t choose the ski life—the ski life chose him. Raised in the remote hills of Idaho, Harkin came to Squaw Valley with a single goal: to dominate every slope and snack bar in sight. His journey from small-town ski bum to Squaw Valley’s unofficial “King of the Slopes” is the stuff of legend, mostly because he never stops telling the story. With a competitive streak that makes even Olympic athletes uncomfortable, Harkin can often be found challenging random... Read more

Sylvia Fonda may be the only person on the planet who thinks you can never be too fashionable for a snowstorm. Armed with an arsenal of designer ski jackets and perfectly color-coordinated gear, she’s the queen of Squaw Valley’s ski scene—at least according to herself. For Sylvia, skiing is more about being seen than actually seeing the slopes. Her idea of a perfect run involves minimal snowflakes in the hair and maximum photo ops for her Instagram, where she shares... Read more