The history of the 1960 Winter Games, the high-altitude High Camp, and trails through the Sierra Nevada give Squaw Valley several different draws for a stay. In Olympic Valley, you can explore sports history, enjoy views from above, and discover trails with a range of features. You can plan what to focus on according to your interests.
Winter Games and Skiing in Olympic Valley
Olympic Valley hosted the 1960 Olympic Winter Games. Palisades Tahoe is designated as a California Historical Landmark and bears the designation Pioneer Ski Area of America. These connections complement the ski area itself: Palisades Resort forms the heart of Olympic Valley and spans six distinctive mountain peaks. Palisades Tahoe has 6,000 acres of ski terrain. The six peaks and the stated ski area describe different aspects of the region.
The Olympic Museum at High Camp displays historic memorabilia and archival videos about the 1960 Winter Games. Its operating conditions are important for visitors: the museum is open when the Aerial Tram is operating. Check its current operating status if you plan to visit the museum. This lets you combine the museum visit with the ride to High Camp rather than treating them as separate stops.
High Camp and Cultural Insights
The Palisades Tahoe Aerial Tram takes ten minutes to reach High Camp. The scenic ride offers mountain views and views of Lake Tahoe. High Camp sits at an elevation of 8,200 feet and offers dining, exhibits, and museums. This makes it different from the trails in the valley: here, the focus is on the altitude, the views, and the amenities in one place.
At the Washoe Cultural Talks at High Camp, members of the Washoe Tribe share the history and culture of the Washoe people from the valley and surrounding mountains. Guests can also see artifacts that show the Washoe way of life. The Naturalist Walks at High Camp are guided nature walks. Their topics range from Sierra Nevada geology and seasonal alpine wildflowers to local wildlife and cultural history. The walks bring together nature and cultural topics; their schedules depend on operating conditions.
The nine-hole disc golf course at High Camp is also located at an elevation of 8,200 feet. From there, you can enjoy views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada. Visitors who want to combine a high-altitude stay with an activity will find a different focus here than on the guided nature walks or at the museum.
Trails with Different Landmarks
Trail descriptions in Olympic Valley offer different points of reference for choosing a route. The Shirley Canyon Trail starts at the Aerial Tram and leads to Shirley Lake below the Solitude Lift. On the Thunder Mountain Trail, after the first mile, a bridge crosses a creek with a small waterfall. The Granite Chief Trail starts near the Olympic Village Events Center, climbs through the forest, and meets the Pacific Crest Trail. These details distinguish the routes: a lake as a destination, a creek crossing after one mile, or a route that meets the Pacific Crest Trail.
The World Cup Trail to Western States Trail route passes through a mixed conifer forest and descends to a trailhead on Highway 89 between Palisades and Alpine. By contrast, the Squaw Valley Trail is a three-mile paved path along Olympic Valley Road, from Highway 89 to the Palisades at Tahoe Ski Resort. The Olympic Valley area also has an extensive network of Sierra trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The route descriptions and broader overview of the network offer different levels of detail for planning.
Transportation and Winter Activities
In winter, the free Mountaineer on-demand service provides transportation within Olympic Valley. As schedules can change, it is worth checking the current schedule before planning. TART's Highway 89 bus route has additional stops in Olympic Valley and is free for all passengers. The two services differ in how they are described: Mountaineer is an on-demand service within the valley, while TART is a bus route with additional stops.
Olympic Valley Park also offers a year-round starting point for activities. In winter, it becomes a snow park with free parking for visitors and opportunities to play in the snow. Together with the winter offerings around Palisades Tahoe and the park's activities described as available year-round, this provides another way to tailor your stay to the season.
Discover more destinations: Roseville, Carnelian Bay, Lincoln, Tahoe City, Lake Forest, Colfax, Kings Beach, Dollar Point.
For the main travel overview: Placer.
