Many live for this time of year, with the sweet powder that blankets our mountains high above the valley floor.

Whether you’re looking for some extreme terrain for your new snowboard or steep slopes for your old skis, one of the seven local ski resorts listed below has got you covered.

Squaw Valley, located 96 miles from Sacramento up Interstate 80, opened in 1949 with only one chair lift, a rope tow and a lodge according to their Web site www.squaw.com.

Today, Squaw Valley’s 4,000-plus acres host all levels of experience, including 25 percent beginner, 45 percent intermediate and 30 percent advanced. The 34 ski lifts, more than 100 trails and average snowfall of over 450 inches make for a full and eventful day.

For a more laid-back experience, try Alpine Meadows off of State Route 89, about 133 miles away from Sacramento. Here you can experience 2,400 acres of snow that is 25 percent beginner, 40 percent moderate and 35 percent expert.

With 495 inches of snow each year, you can easily enjoy their 13 lifts, Terrain Park, Superpipe and more than 100 trails.

Heavenly, located in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Rated the “No. 1 Ski Resort in the U.S.,” by Men’s Journal, this snow palace boasts 4,800 acres soaring to heights of 10,067 feet.

The annual snowfall of 360 inches hosts 30 lifts, 91 trails, four Terrain Parks, and a Superpipe. In addition, the local city life makes for a great vacation.

Kirkwood, hidden away among the windy curves of Highway 88, boasts the most plentiful annual snowfall of them all ?” an average of 500 inches. However, according to their Web site, www.kirkwood.com, the 2004-2005 season produced more than 800 inches of fresh powder.

In order to fully utilize the 2,300 skiable acres Kirkwood has to offer, there are 65 trails divided into 15 percent beginner, 50 percent intermediate, 20 percent advanced and 15 percent expert. In addition there are 12 lifts to transport you to a top elevation of 9,800 feet.

Northstar-at-Tahoe, located on the North Shore, is home to 2,420 skiable acres and according to its Web site, www.northstarattahoe.com, the largest snowmaking machine in the area. Northstar has two ski areas, the front and backside. In total, the resort boats 16 lifts, 73 acres and a vertical drop of 2,280 feet.

Sierra-at-Tahoe, conveniently located off of Highway 50, about 45 miles from Placerville, has 2,000 acres with 46 slopes and trails, six Terrain Parks and two half pipes. In addition, the longest run, Sugar n’ Spice, stretches 21??2 miles long. The highest peak at Sierra is 8,852 feet.

Sugar Bowl, created by Walt Disney 60 years ago, has the first chairlift in California and the first gondola in the country, according to the America West magazine. The skiing isn’t bad either.

With over 1,500 acres, an average of 500 inches per year, four peaks, 10 lifts, four Terrain Parks and a Superpipe there is plenty to do at this resort off of Highway 40.

We may not get any fresh powder here in the Capitol, but just a short drive away there are many winter wonderlands to relinquish your need for speed.

Disappointment will not be a word in your vocabulary when you check out one of these spots for a day in the snow.

Liz Gransee can be reached at [email protected]