Palisades Tahoe

★5.0
Gondola at Palisades Tahoe ski resort, Olympic Valley, Lake Tahoe, California

Palisades Tahoe
© Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ski Resort and the host site for the 1960 Winter Olympics, covers 3,600 acres, employing 30 chairlifts

General Information

Hours:
Winter Lift Operations: Daily, 9am to 4pm (subject to weather)
Summer Aerial Tram: Daily, 10am to 5pm
Village Shops: Typically 9am to 6pm
Dining hours vary by venue
Fees:
Winter Lift Tickets:
Adults (18–69): $289
Seniors (70–79): $260
Teens (13–17): $260
Children (5–12): $202
Prices vary by date and availability
Pet Policy:
Leashed pets allowed in The Village and parking lots year-round
Pets not permitted on ski runs, lifts, or winter operations areas
Closest cities with hotels:
Truckee, CA (12 mi)
Tahoe City, CA (8 mi)
Seasons:
All year
Best seasons: February to April for snow; June to September for hiking and events
Location:
1960 Olympic Vly Rd, Olympic Valley, CA 96146
Website:
palisadestahoe.com

How to Get There

From South Lake Tahoe (40 mi): Take US-50 W to CA-89 N, follow CA-89 N for approximately 30 miles, then turn left onto Olympic Valley Rd to reach the resort entrance.

Overview

The Palisades Tahoe, nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Olympic Valley, California, is a legendary alpine destination that blends Olympic heritage with modern adventure. Once known as Squaw Valley, this iconic resort hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics, a transformative event that introduced millions to the thrill of skiing through the first-ever live televised Games. Today, Palisades Tahoe spans over 6,000 acres of skiable terrain when combined with neighboring Alpine Meadows, offering 270+ trails, 43 lifts, and the only funitel in the U.S. The resort’s dramatic granite cliffs, steep chutes, and expansive bowls have made it a mecca for freeskiers and filmmakers alike, earning it the nickname “Squallywood.”

Beyond winter sports, Palisades Tahoe is a year-round playground. In summer, the Aerial Tram whisks visitors to High Camp for panoramic views, hiking trails, and mountaintop yoga. The village at the base buzzes with festivals, live music, and local cuisine, while the surrounding Lake Tahoe region offers crystal-clear waters and pine-scented air perfect for kayaking, biking, and scenic drives. Deeply rooted in the culture of the Washoe Tribe, the resort has embraced a new era of inclusivity and environmental stewardship, working with tribal leaders to honor the land’s heritage. Whether you're chasing powder or soaking in alpine serenity, Palisades Tahoe is where history, nature, and adventure converge.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for Palisades Tahoe and Palisades Tahoe History, which are released under the

Palisades Tahoe ski resort slopes, Olympic Valley, California
No machine-readable author provided. Vanka5~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons ; Image Size Adjusted
The Village at Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley), Lake Tahoe, California
Jonnyboyca at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons ; Image Size Adjusted