In September 2021, Palisades Tahoe was unveiled as the new name for Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, the North Lake Tahoe ski resort that generations of Californians have flocked to over the past 72 years. The community built around Palisades Tahoe is rooted in many things, from hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics to playing a major role in the birth of freeskiing, to decades of weekend road trips and family adventures. Those in the know agree that the impressive terrain and iconic ski culture set Palisades Tahoe apart from other ski areas.
Upon arriving at the resort, skiers and riders are greeted by staggering granite walls and seemingly endless space to explore. Most striking of those peaks, on view from the moment you enter Olympic Valley, are the towering cliffs of the Palisades. This imposing plateau sits above the Siberia Chair and casts an unescapable aura over the upper mountain. The resort’s new name, Palisades Tahoe, pays tribute to that terrain, which has served as a proving ground for skiers and riders that have pushed the limits of snow sports for generations. The Palisades can be seen in classic ski movies such as Daydreams, License to Thrill, Walls of Freedom and 1999, and they also served as the start to the 1960 Winter Olympics Men’s Downhill course.
But the new name is not only a nod to those iconic, hike-to chutes, but also to the tree-lined steeps alongside the Alpine Bowl Chair that are a powder-seekers paradise on storm days. Both areas are called Palisades, and while they each serve different purposes, both are revered among locals and visitors alike. Everyone has a story involving the Palisades, whether they skied off the top or were watching from the Gold Coast sun deck. Even as a spectator, the energy these areas exude makes everyone feel like they’re part of the moment.
Palisades Tahoe has a rich history as the home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, the event that put Olympic Valley on the map. But Olympians aren’t the only ones who have felt the magnetism of this granite amphitheater. Professional athletes and everyday skiers alike have found their way to this arena, creating a ski culture like no other; one that revolves around a bold and boundary-breaking spirit that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The Palisades Tahoe community is strong in its identity but welcoming to all, whether you are skiing the same challenging runs alongside local legends, or discovering the freedom of snow sports for the very first time.
With a new name comes a new logo, featuring an eagle as homage to Palisades Tahoe’s history and the Washoe people who called the area home. Two mountains in the logo speak to the vast acreage of the resort across its two valleys, but can also be interpreted as eagle feathers or the waters of Lake Tahoe. The design evokes the laid-back vibe of California culture and references the iconic plateau of the Palisades.
Palisades is defined as a line of bold cliffs, but to this mountain community it means so much more. The iconic skyline of the Palisades has been a constant in the resort’s legendary past and present, and will continue to represent this place and its people into the future. Our story has always been, and will continue to be, told on these cliffs.
