Squaw Valley is a popular family vacation area, set high in the mountains outside of Lake Tahoe. This ski area has been a family destination since it first opened to the public in 1949. It grew to a world-class skiing venue and hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. Today, Squaw Valley is one of the world's most premier resorts, offering a full range of amenities and year-round recreational activities.
You can enjoy panoramic views of the beautiful Tahoe landscape from 2,000 above the ground with a cable car ride. The cable car at Squaw Valley carries you to an elevation of 8,200 feet in an ultra-modern cable car with floor to ceiling panoramic windows. Your family can also enjoy ice skating year-round at the Olympic Ice Pavilion. The Olympic Ice Pavilion is accessed via the cable car and sits at the top of Squaw Valley's upper mountain. This outdoor ice skating rink is open daily and features a state-of-the-art freezing system on the rink to give you a year-round ice skating experience. While you ski, you can enjoy the breathtaking scenic views all around you. Also at the top of the upper mountain is the Swimming Lagoon and Spa, which offers a heated lagoon, lap swimming pool, and spa. With its perch at the top of the mountain, you can take in stunning views while you swim and bask in the sun. The Swimming Lagoon and Spa are open from mid June through the end of August each year.
There are several dining options on-site at Squaw Valley, including at the High Camp Bath and the Tennis Club. These restaurants are both open for lunch and dinner. While you dine on the delicious meal options, you can take in the wonderful panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Squaw Valley is most popular for being a winter ski resort. The area gets an average of 450 inches of snowfall each year, and boasts 33 lifts and 4,000 skiable acres. Over the course of the ski season from mid-November through May, approximately 600,000 visitors ski at Squaw Valley. The trails are designed to give everyone a fabulous time on the slopes, regardless of ski ability. There are a fair number of trails for everyone from the novice to the expert skiers.
Before you head home, be sure to spend some time shopping at the Villages at Squaw Valley. Here, you can find upscale shops and restaurants such as the Rainbow Bridge, Granite Chief, Lather and Fizz, Gallery Keoki, Edin Boutique, Atlas Men's Clothing, Alice's Mountain Market, and many more.
