KT-22 Chair... The Mothership

If Squaw Valley would follow the marketing trend of adding extra diamonds to sell its advanced runs, this would be a triple diamond run on the map. It is only topped within Squaw Valley by the Palisades, smaller portions of Silverado Gates 1 and 2, and a few chutes in Broken Arrow.
This run is to be avoided by intermediates, unless wearing diapers or are missing the fear gene. It should be avoided by most advanced skiers when it is iced up.
My favorite ways down this chair is Mosely’s, and Chute 75.

I can’t believe I’m writing a review about a single chairlift, but if I had to pick one, this is a good choice. KT is probably most famous for the Nose-​to-​Fingers race on powder days where people stand in line hours before opening to get the cleanest landings off the cliffs that are in plain view of the chair and base lodges.
What’s most special about KT, though, is the variety of experiences you can get from just one lift. An intermediate, advanced, and expert skier/​boarder could all ride the lift together and find their own ways down before meeting at the bottom again.
Intermediate? Hit the Saddle and peer down tougher terrain without having to descend it. Advanced? GS Bowl, the Olympic Lady runs, Rock Garden, West Face/Moseley’s, or Chute 75 give steep pitches with pretty low consequences if you fall. Expert? You probably already know but just in case, McConkey’s, Fingers, and the maze of rocks between Rock Garden and Chute 75 test your technical skills and your testicular girth.
In addition to different ability levels, different personality types can enjoy the lift. Extroverted? McConkey’s, the Nose, and the Fingers will always have an audience. Introverted-​but-​ballsy? The west face of KT has a few big cliffs like Big Balls and Bigger Balls that virtually nobody will see you drop. The rocks between Chute 75 and Rock Garden offer up technical straightlines but no admirers. Few people will see you in the Enchanted Forest as well.
That a single lift can offer so much variety in such a short time is, in my mind, what makes this place pretty special. Have fun out there!

Best lift and epic place to be on a big pow day. Incredibly at lower mountain so it’s open, a lot. If you got the balls you show ‘em here.

What’s not to like about KT? Takes you to the top of Squaw (besides GC) and offers a plethora of amazing ways down. Funny story, I accidentally took my girlfriend, a beginner boarder, up this lift and she is yet to forgive me. If you keep going skier’s right you hit what to me is the scariest «run» at Squaw. It’s basically waist high moguls along a cat track with somewhat sheer faces on either side, one of which is out of bounds, but it’s worth it because you get over to Red Dog Ridge which is awesome and usually untraveled.

Not sure what the fuss of the KT-​22 chair is, but the endless warning signs can scare the crap out of anyone. It’s steep, very steep, but very fun! Come check it out. It says no easy way down, which is true, there isn’t. But it’s not as bad as it looks.

This is such a cool chairlift. It goes to 2,000 vertical feet and goes to the hardest runs on the mountain, It takes you to all black diamonds. After taking this twice squaw is my new favorite mountain! the views are really nice at the top also.

It’s a Muther alright!

Um– yeah. The best chairlift in the country — bar none! KT terrain can scare the living hell out of any skier. Accessing terrain from Heidi’s Rock all the way to the Sisters, KT could be a world class resort on it’s own.
You think your a badass? Come here on any morning when more than 6 inches of snow has fallen and prepare to be humbled. The rat race is a bit of a pain in the ass, but it IS Squaw Valley in a nutshell… just ski faster and you’ll be ahead of the pack. Then head to Chamois to talk about how GNARly you got that day.