//
Ski resort in Lake Tahoe, California
Photo: DimiTalen, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Olympic Valley (formerly Squaw Valley and also known by its resort name Palisades Tahoe) is a ski resort town on the border between California and Nevada area centered around Lake Tahoe. Olympic Valley Ski Resort covers 3,600 acres (15 km²) employing 30 chairlifts and the only funitel in the U.S. It is the second-largest skiing complex in the Lake Tahoe area after Heavenly Mountain Resort. It is best known for hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
On Highway 89 between Tahoe City and interstate 80; Palisades Tahoe is possibly the most well-known resort in all of California, and the setting for the 2006 book Squallywood. A complete skier's paradise, it is a magazine favorite for its varied terrain, huge size and massive high-speed lift system; and a former Olympic village. Its oversized reputation has a downside: crowds that even on a mountain the size of Olympic Valley can swamp the intermediate lifts and result in lines.
A way of life for many of the skiers at Olympic Valley, G.N.A.R. is a points-based game whereby each skier gains points by skiing particular lines through Olympic Valley's famous terrain, with many interesting bonus points available. Grab a copy of Squallywood if you are up to the challenge of some of the best lines Olympic Valley has to offer, and a great game while you're at it.
Owned and operated by Alpenglow Expeditions.
Located near the mountain parking lot, delicious food, extensive wine list, ambiance is a little more staid, but recommended none-the-less.
One of the oldest and most established restaurants in the area, it serves typically Californian food Plumpjack has a sister restaurant in San Francisco, as you might expect though it is quite expensive.
The place for a perfect pint of Guinness, this real Irish pub was built in Ireland, dismantled, shipped over and reassembled. As one might imagine, it offers a wide selection of whisky and live Celtic music.
Squaw Valley Lodge is an all condominium suites hotel resort.
Squaw Valley Inn has 58 rooms and suites with amazing views. Shop at their Fashion Boutique and take their wine seminars.
A premier all season mountain resort featuring a luxury spa facility, ski packages, championship golf courses, vacation rentals, and a dedicated chairlift.
Olympic Valley is found off California State Route 89, about 12 miles south of Truckee at the intersection of CA-89 and Interstate 80.
Read in the guideSquaw Valley Road is the main arterial. It runs roughly east-west and feeds into California State Route 89 at its eastern end.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Truckee · Regional · TKF
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Olympic Valley and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.