Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe)

Olympic Valley — home to the Palisades Tahoe ski resort — is tiny by city standards. The permanent population is under 1,000 (about 823 as of the 2010 census). Year-round residents are primarily resort staff and their families; the population swells in winter and summer with tourists and seasonal workers. Demographically it is a rural California mix, mostly White and middle-class. Economic data is not tracked like a city’s, but the local economy is dominated by tourism. Palisades Tahoe (owned by Alterra Mountain Company) is the major employer and economic engine. In general the community is wealthy by necessity, since maintaining the resort infrastructure is costly.

Palisades Tahoe (formerly called Squaw Valley) is in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, in eastern Placer County. It lies on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, about 45 minutes southwest of Reno and 3 hours from Sacramento. The resort sits at Olympic Valley (elevation ~6,200 feet), surrounded by granite peaks: Granite Chief to the north, the Palisades Range (including KT-22 and Squaw Peak) to the west, and Olympic Valley’s own 9,050-ft Mt. Palisades to the south. This is high alpine terrain: summers are mild (60s–70s°F) and dry, while winters are very snowy. The resort typically receives several hundred inches of snow a season on the higher slopes. The mountain streams and forests (pines, cedars) give it a classic Sierra look. In winter, the entire valley is often deep in snow; in summer it is green with meadows and wildflowers.

The valley was historically used by Washoe and Maidu tribes, who called the area Washoe for the many springs. In the 19th century, prospectors were drawn through the valley on the way to goldfields. The modern story begins in the mid-20th century: in 1960, Olympic Valley gained worldwide attention by hosting the VIII Winter Olympics. The U.S. Olympic Committee chose it despite its remoteness, building all the ski runs, jumps and village infrastructure within a few years. The event put Squaw Valley on the map as a ski destination. (Today one can still see the Olympic ski jump towers and plaques commemorating the games.)

For decades the name “Squaw Valley” was used for the resort. However, beginning in the 2010s local native communities and others highlighted that “squaw” is an offensive slur. In response, the resort was officially renamed Palisades Tahoe in 2021 (and the postal place is now Olympic Valley). This represents a modern turning point in the valley’s image. Aside from the Olympics, the valley’s history has been relatively quiet – it remained a rugged mountain locale until interstate highways made it accessible. Over time, ski lifts were added (notably the Aerial Tram in 1968 and a gondola in 2018), turning the valley into a year-round resort.

Olympic Valley’s vibe is that of an alpine resort community. The permanent population is small, and during winter the culture revolves around the slopes. Early morning skiers queue up for the first chairlifts; après-ski in the village’s bars and lodges is lively with international visitors. In summer, hikers and mountain bikers take over, and village shops and cafes serve a steady flow of sun-hatted families and outdoor enthusiasts. The predominant language is English, with a surprising number of foreign accents (French, German, Japanese etc.) heard during peak season – reflecting the valley’s global clientele.

Locals and visitors tend to be outdoorsy. The life here is relatively simple: outdoor clothing, casual footwear, ski jackets in winter or fleece in summer. Except for ski gear, there is little formal fashion. Conversations often start with talk of the weather or snow conditions. Evenings might be spent at a pub or around a lodge fire, sharing trail and lift stories. Holiday weekends can see village street parties with live music, but otherwise entertainment is informal – ski movies in a lodge, or live acoustic music at a bar. The community is friendly but sometimes reticent; skiers greet one another with a nod on the lift, mountain bikers exchange tips on the trail. In short, it feels like a high-altitude mountain town, where the rhythm of life is set by sunrises on the peaks and the ski season schedule.

The Palisades Tahoe Ski Area itself is the obvious attraction. It offers world-class downhill skiing and snowboarding across nearly 3,600 acres and 177 runs, with a 2,000-foot vertical drop. Adventure seekers flock to challenging terrain like the steep Headwall zone or the wooded runs of Granite Chief. Even in summer, the mountain is an attraction: the aerial tram still runs (weather permitting) to High Camp, where one can dine with panoramic views or hike above tree-line. The main village at the base (The Village at Palisades) is a pedestrian area with shops, restaurants and occasional events. Visitors often take the high-speed gondola connecting Palisades and Alpine resorts (the free Base-to-Base Express) just for the novelty. Nearby, one can explore Mt. Tallac Trail (strenuous summit hike) or Historic Donner Memorial State Park (15 miles east) to learn Gold Rush history. Lake Tahoe itself is a short drive away for boating and beaches. In winter, off-piste attractions include the Olympic ski-jump stadium (spectacular in silhouette) and cross-country trails. While Olympic Valley has fewer cultural sites than a city, the combination of Olympic history, stunning alpine scenery, and a top-tier ski resort make it a unique destination.

Palisades Tahoe is somewhat remote. The closest major airport is Reno–Tahoe International Airport (RNO) in Nevada, about 45–60 minutes away via I-80. Sacramento International (SMF) is roughly 2¼ hours away to the southwest. San Francisco (about 3½–4 hours) is another option. From the east, the US Highway 50 route around Lake Tahoe (from Placerville) or I-80 over Donner Summit (from Reno/Sacramento) are the main roads. Both mountain routes can be snowbound in winter (chains required or car rentals with snow tires).

A car is most convenient. In resort, lifts and a public gondola shuttle move people up the mountain. There is a free Base-to-Base gondola connecting Palisades and Alpine resorts in winter. Local taxis and shuttles operate between the village, key trails, and a few nearby towns (Tahoe City, Truckee). There is limited walking distance – The Village at Palisades is compact enough to traverse on foot, but lodging is spread out, so most people drive between base lodgings and shops/lifts. Rental cars are common. The city of Tahoe City (15 miles east on Hwy 28) provides additional amenities and transit connections.

Currency is USD, language English. California driving rules apply (drive on the right, seat belts required). Winter visitors should familiarize themselves with avalanche safety – when venturing off the marked trails, carry the appropriate rescue gear. Even on trails, watch for slippery snow and ice. Summer visitors should be aware of mountain weather (afternoon thunderstorms are common) and altitude (sunburns happen quickly at 8,000+ ft). Locals are generally friendly, and a smile or greeting on the slopes is normal. Tipping for ski instructors, guides or shuttle drivers follows U.S. norms (~15–20%). As always in wilderness settings, be mindful of wildlife and pack out trash.

Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort – Info Card