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Tahoe Ski Slopes Set For Some Changes

LAKE TAHOE (KCBS) – Many of the ski slopes in Lake Tahoe opened for business this holiday weekend, but a few major changes are in the works.

Last year, the snow kept falling, allowing most resorts to stay open well into May. Some even stayed open for July 4, and Christine Horvath with Squaw Valley said it's already looking like a promising start this year.

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"Conditions are great for Thanksgiving. We've got great early-season conditions, with both man-made and natural snow," she said.

Horvath said they have four lifts open right now and more to come, as long as Mother Nature cooperates.

KCBS' Mark Seelig Reports:

Back in September, Squaw Valley and neighboring Alpine Meadows announced they were merging, a move that she said can only be beneficial for the resorts.

"Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley are two very unique brands," said Horvath. "Squaw has its Olympic legacy and Alpine has had a very loyal following. It has been a more low-key type of business. We're focused on increasing customer service and making things run a lot better."

Those two were not the only to merge as Heavenly also joined forces with Northstar last season, moves that have many thinking the area is trying to lure the Winter Olympics back to the region, as several resorts are sprucing up.

The United States Olympic Committee will select a site for the 2022 Winter Olympics in 2013 with a final decision made in 2015.

Squaw Valley hosted the Winter Games back in 1960.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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