Palisades Tahoe

Olympic steeps and two mountains linked by gondola.

The 1960 Olympic venue, now two mountains, Palisades (Olympic Valley) and Alpine (Alpine Meadows), joined by a base-to-base gondola. KT-22 and Granite Chief pull in experts, while a walkable village with bars, tubing and an aerial tram to High Camp keeps everyone else busy. In good years it skis into late May.

The mountain

Vertical drop

2,850 ft

Summit

9,050 ft

Skiable terrain

6,000 acres

Trails

288

Lifts

39

Average snowfall

400″ a year

Longest run

3.2 mi

Terrain mix

• Beginner 25%
• Intermediate 43%
• Advanced 32%

What’s here besides skiing

• Terrain park
• Snow tubing
• Scenic lift rides
• Snowshoeing
• Spa
• Nightlife
• Kids programs

Holidays and events

2026–27 dates where they’re posted. “Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• ChristmasDec 21–24

  Santa in the Village

  Story time, sing-alongs and photos with Santa at the Palisades and Alpine bases. Carolers usually sing in the Village too.

• ChristmasDec 24, evening

  Christmas Eve Dinner

  Holiday buffet with desserts and a champagne toast at the Olympic Village Event Center.

• New Year’sDec 31 (annual)Usually

  New Year’s Eve Family Celebration

  Torchlight parade around 5 pm, fireworks over the KT Deck around 7 pm, disco tubing, live music and an East Coast balloon drop at 9 pm. Times are from 2025.

• Opening dayNov 25

  Opening Day

  First chairs of the 2026–27 season, conditions permitting.

• MusicDec 11–13

  Tahoe Live

  Three-day electronic music festival in Olympic Valley.

• FestivalMar 20

  Pain McShlonkey Classic

  Costumed, comedic celebration of the late Shane McConkey.

• Pond skimMay 2

  Cushing Crossing

  The 35th pond skim across Cushing Pond, with costumes, judges and an awards party.

Where to stay

• base villageThe Village at Palisades Tahoe

  Condo-style rooms with kitchens and gas fireplaces, eight outdoor hot tubs and heated underground parking, steps from the lifts.

  Slopeside
• lodgeGranlibakken Tahoe

  Historic 74-acre resort with rooms, suites and townhomes, heated outdoor pools, a day spa and breakfast when you book direct.

  20 min drive
• hotelEverline Resort & Spa

  Large resort at the mouth of Olympic Valley with a spa, pools and its own golf course.

  In Olympic Valley
• hotelBasecamp Tahoe City

  Playful boutique hotel in Tahoe City, close to restaurants and the lake.

  15 min drive
• innMother Nature’s Inn

  Simple, pet-friendly inn in Tahoe City.

  20 min drive

Rates are typical winter lows before taxes and fees, and change constantly. Book on the property’s own site.

Things to do

• Sierra Sightseeing Pass · On mountain

  Non-skiers can ride the Aerial Tram, the Gold Coast Funitel and the Base-to-Base Gondola between Palisades and Alpine.

• Olympic Museum at High Camp · Top of the tram

  1960 Winter Games memorabilia and Team USA uniforms at the top of the tram.

• Disco Tubing · Olympic Valley base

  Evening tubing with lights, lasers and a DJ. Daytime tubing runs too.

• Snowshoeing · Olympic Valley

  Rentals and routes from the resort for a slower look at the valley.

• Everline Spa · 5 min drive

  Full-service spa at the Everline resort for a rest day.

• Granlibakken sled hill · 20 min drive

  Sledding and a small ski hill in Tahoe City, since sledding isn’t allowed on the Palisades slopes.

Après and nightlife

• KT Base Bar

  Outdoor deck at the bottom of KT-22; free afternoon concerts during the holidays.

• Tram Car Bar

  Drinks inside a restored 1970s aerial tram cabin.

• Le Chamois & Loft Bar

  Long-running base-area spot for pizza, comfort food and cold beer.

• The Chalet at Alpine

  Bavarian-style beer garden on the mountain at Alpine.

These themes are our summary of recent skier reviews, not quotes.

Getting there

• Reno-Tahoe International (RNO) · about 1 hr drive
• Sacramento · about 1.75 hr
• San Francisco · about 3.5 hr

Directions in Google Maps