A project, viewed by some in the Truckee-Tahoe area as controversial, is officially underway at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. On Monday, the first work began on the resort’s base-to-base gondola — an undertaking years in the making that will eventually allow guests to ride from The Village at Squaw Valley to the Alpine Meadows base area. Tree cutting is already underway at the Alpine Meadows base area and adjacent Caldwell property, and will be followed in the coming months by excavation and blasting work. The resort has no estimate on its website on when the gondola will be operational.