Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows) is the largest ski destination at the lake, spanning two mountains — Palisades and Alpine Meadows — now linked by a base-to-base gondola. It hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics and remains the spiritual home of big-mountain skiing in California.
The terrain is famously steep: KT-22 alone has launched more pro skiing careers than any lift in the country. But there's plenty for everyone, from gentle high-mountain greens to the buzzing Olympic Valley base village with shops, bars and the Aerial Tram.
| Location | Olympic Valley, off CA-89 between Truckee and Tahoe City |
|---|---|
| Base / Summit | 6,200 ft base · ~9,050 ft summit |
| Terrain | 270+ runs across two mountains — beginner to extreme |
| Lift tickets | Ikon Pass; single-day tickets are cheaper booked online in advance |
| Season | Late November–May (one of Tahoe's longest) |
| Best for | Advanced terrain, Olympic history, après-ski village |