Palisades Tahoe (Squaw Valley)

About Palisades Tahoe (Squaw Valley)

If you’re someone who’s looking to experience ski terrain and a unique display of ski culture, then a Palisades Tahoe ski vacation should be right up your alley. Plus, this Lake Tahoe ski resort offers plenty of lodging and dining options to suit everyone's off-mountain interests.

A lot of skiing’s best and brightest moments have happened here. The first televised Olympics took place at Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) in 1960. It is also considered one of the birthplaces of extreme or big mountain skiing thanks to its iconic lines off of KT-22. 

Many pro skiers and snowboarders call Palisades home, and on any given day you can see them “ripping” legendary lines from the chairlift. Palisades Tahoe was the late Shane McConkey’s stomping grounds, and you can still experience his fun-loving legacy on a Lake Tahoe ski vacation.

How to get to Palisades Tahoe (Squaw Valley)

Palisades Tahoe is conveniently located just an hour’s drive from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, with shuttle services available to transport guests directly to the resort.

For those driving, the resort offers ample parking and easy access from major highways. The resort’s proximity to Lake Tahoe also means that visitors can enjoy a scenic drive with breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Getting around

The village at Palisades is self-contained and you’ll be able to find everything you need a short walk from your lodging. However, renting a car gives you the best option to explore the entire Lake Tahoe region.

Skiing in Palisades Tahoe (Squaw Valley)

With so many current and past ski legends calling Palisades Tahoe home, you can imagine that the terrain trends toward expert. Similar to Jackson Hole, Palisades Tahoe is a skier’s mountain, meaning it’s best enjoyed by hardcore skiers and snowboarders. 

Experts have options ranging from the fun, groomed steeps of the Women’s Downhill trail to a multitude of chutes, couloirs, huge cliffs and cornices that litter the resort’s ridge-line boundary between KT-22 peak and Granite Chief.

The cool thing about this particular destination is that all of these legendary lines are right below the chairlifts, so everyone can experience the “Squallywood” show. If you’re looking to get extreme, there are few resorts that can offer challenge-seekers what Palisades Tahoe can.

Beginner Skiing in Palisades Tahoe:

Although Palisades Tahoe is renowned as an expert skier and snowboarder’s “bucket list” resort, beginners should not be discouraged from enjoying Palisades Tahoe’s stellar cruisers. Surprisingly, beginners at Palisades Tahoe have their run of 25 percent of the resort terrain. 

The mid-mountain area is in fact where beginner skiers want to be. In fact, Palisades Tahoe offers beginners what few resorts can, terrain access via a tram. This exhilarating cable car ride offers an incredible bird’s eye view of the entire resort.

Big Blue Express: Offers excellent terrain for beginners with wide, open runs that are perfect for learning and practicing new skills.

Gold Coast and Mountain Meadow: These trails provide scenic routes with moderate difficulty, ideal for those looking to enhance their skills while enjoying stunning mountain vistas.

Ski Schools and Tours:

Palisades Tahoe’s ski schools cater well to beginners, particularly at SnoVentures Activity Zone and Big Blue Express where professional instructors provide group or private lessons. 

For experts, the resort offers advanced clinics and tours to tackle the more challenging parts of the mountains.

Expert Skiing in Palisades Tahoe:

As one of the birthplaces of extreme skiing, a Palisades Tahoe ski vacation is a resort that every expert will want to tick off their “list.” Palisades Tahoe’s horseshoe ridgeline is littered with terrain nuggets—like cliffs, chutes, couloirs and steep bowls—sure to get even the most seasoned skier’s heart pounding. The Palisades Tahoe expert skiing scene is just that, a scene. 

Palisades Tahoe’s iconic cliff-zone Palisades became a place for expert skiers to show off their skills, impress their peers and make chairlift spectators laugh. Naked cliff-drops near within view of chairlifts are a commonplace event at Palisades Tahoe hence the coined term “Squallywood.”

As you travel along Palisades Tahoe’s tram you begin to see all the expert terrain options. Granite Chief, which is the resort's highest peak at 9,000, and Palisades is a coveted Squallywood zone. A run down one of Palisades chutes or even off a cliff, or a cornice will get you in the mood for Palisades Tahoe’s best terrain, as the chairlift riders cheer on skiers or snowboarders willing to brave the challenging terrain. 

If the snow is falling you’ll want to head to The Fingers in the early morning, which is located off of the KT-22 chairlift around mid-mountain. Black diamond Siberia Bowl is also another coveted zone early on a powder morning. If your idea of expert terrain is leg-burning bumps, a run down Mosely’s Run (after Olympic mogul champ Jonny Mosely) is in high order.

If you like to hike, you’ll want to head to Granite Peak, which is accessed via around Granite Chief. This is a great afternoon adventure on a powder day, especially in Hidden Valley’s many protected glades. The area sees fewer skiers and snowboarders, making it a worthwhile exploit for those who want to earn their turns. You’ll find some of Palisades Tahoe’s deepest conditions in this area.

Family vacations in Palisades Tahoe (Squaw Valley)

Palisades Tahoe’s renown as a ski destination for experts and extreme-seekers shouldn’t deter a family from heading to Palisades Tahoe for a family ski vacation. Palisades Tahoe is especially perfect if parents are advanced intermediates to experts and the children are still learning. Everyone will be pleased on a Palisades Tahoe family ski vacation.

If there are two don’t-miss things on a Palisades Tahoe family ski vacation, they’re an afternoon at the SnoVenture Activity Zone, which features a mini snowmobiling track, and tubing for the whole family. 

Wilderness Adventures operates dog sledding and horse-drawn sleigh tours throughout Palisades Tahoe Valley Meadow. Experiencing this winter wonderland around sunset is a memory that will stick for a lifetime.