PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Olympic Valley, California
Home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Palisades Tahoe, and Everline Resort & Spa
Olympic Valley is a mountain valley in Placer County, California, at 6,200 feet elevation in the Sierra Nevada. It is best known as the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics and home to Palisades Tahoe, one of North America's largest ski resorts. Everline Resort & Spa sits on the valley floor at the base of Palisades Tahoe.
WHAT'S IN A NAME
Squaw Valley to Olympic Valley
The valley was known as Squaw Valley from its early development through 2021. In September 2021, the name was formally changed to Olympic Valley following a community and advocacy process to retire a word considered a derogatory slur for Native American women. The ski resort was renamed Palisades Tahoe the same day, and Everline Resort completed its own rebranding from The Resort at Squaw Creek in 2022.
The location, the mountain, the resort, and the suite are entirely unchanged. Searches for “Resort at Squaw Creek,” “Squaw Valley condo rental,” and “Squaw Valley ski rental” will correctly find this property - only the names have changed.
LOCATION
Getting to Olympic Valley
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kings Beach (Lake Tahoe) | 18 miles | 20 min |
| Tahoe City | 8 miles | 20 min |
| Truckee, CA | 14 miles | 20 min |
| Reno-Tahoe Airport (RNO) | 42 miles | 45 min |
| Sacramento, CA | 95 miles | 1 hr 45 min |
| San Francisco, CA | 190 miles | 3.5 hrs |
CLIMATE
Weather by Season
| Season | Typical Weather | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec-Mar) | 20-40°F, heavy snowfall | Skiing, snowshoeing, après-ski |
| Spring (Apr-May) | 30-60°F, variable | Late-season skiing, resort quieting |
| Summer (Jun-Sep) | 60-85°F days, 40-55°F nights | Pool, golf, hiking, Lake Tahoe |
| Fall (Oct-Nov) | 35-65°F, first snows | Quiet, low rates, fall foliage |
HISTORY
The 1960 Winter Olympics
Olympic Valley (then Squaw Valley) hosted the VIII Winter Olympic Games from February 18 to 28, 1960. It was the first Winter Olympics to be broadcast on live television. The games featured 30 nations and 665 athletes competing in biathlon, bobsled, ice hockey, figure skating, speed skating, and alpine and Nordic skiing events.
The selection of Squaw Valley was controversial - the resort had only one chairlift when chosen in 1955. The entire Olympic infrastructure, including the ice arena, ski jumps, and additional lifts, was built specifically for the games. The 1960 Olympics transformed the valley from a minor regional ski area into an internationally recognized destination and established the brand recognition that Palisades Tahoe carries to this day.
A historical marker and several original structures from the 1960 Games remain at the site. The Olympic flame tower and the ice pavilion footprint are visible near the base village. The valley's Olympic legacy is one reason international skiers are familiar with Palisades Tahoe even without having visited.
OLYMPIC VALLEY
Stay in Olympic Valley at Everline Resort
A privately owned suite at the base of Palisades Tahoe - ski-in/ski-out access included.