Olympic Valley Vacation Rentals

Tahoe Signature Properties manages vacation rentals in Olympic Valley, the home of Palisades Tahoe, off Highway 89 between Truckee and Tahoe City. The valley hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics.

Olympic Valley at a glance

• Location: an unincorporated community in Placer County
• Palisades: 3,600 skiable acres, base at 6,200 feet, top at 9,050 feet
• Alpine: 2,400 skiable acres, base at 6,835 feet
• Snowfall: 400 inches in an average year, according to the resort

Skiing Palisades and Alpine

Palisades Tahoe is one resort on two mountains. The Village at Palisades Tahoe is the Palisades base area, and Alpine has its own base area on Alpine Meadows Road. In winter, when both mountains are open, the Base to Base Gondola links the Village and Alpine Lodge, a 2.4-mile ride of about 16 minutes. To see how the resort compares with its neighbor, read our guide to Northstar vs Palisades Tahoe.

Parking and getting around in winter

On winter Saturdays, Sundays and select holiday periods, parking at Palisades and Alpine requires a reservation, with some exceptions. On those days, parking after 1 p.m. needs no reservation when space is available. The resort sets the dates and rules each season on its parking program page.

Guests staying in the valley have another option. Mountaineer is a free, app-based shuttle that runs on demand within Olympic Valley and within Alpine Meadows during the winter season, on the days and hours shown on its schedule. TART's Highway 89 route serves Olympic Valley between Tahoe City and Truckee, and the resort's parking program lists park and ride service from both towns.

The Village and the Aerial Tram

The Village at Palisades Tahoe has shops, restaurants and lodging next to the lifts. The Aerial Tram runs from the Village to High Camp at 8,200 feet. Summer tram dates change from year to year, so check the resort's hours of operation before planning a day around it.

Summer trails

Trails that start in or near the Village include Shirley Canyon (3.5 miles, strenuous), Thunder Mountain (3.4 miles, moderate to strenuous) and Granite Chief (5.7 miles, strenuous). Easier walks include the 0.7-mile Trollstigen Trail near the base area and the 1-mile High Camp Loop at the top of the tram.

From the Olympic Valley turnoff on Highway 89, the paved Truckee River Trail follows the river to Tahoe City. The Tahoe City Public Utility District maintains the trail and asks that dogs stay on a short leash. Our North Lake Tahoe hiking guide covers more routes.

Drive times from the Village at Palisades Tahoe

These are approximate times by car on clear roads, rounded up. Allow more time on winter weekends and during storms.

Questions

Is Olympic Valley the same place as Palisades Tahoe?

Olympic Valley is the community, and Palisades Tahoe is the ski resort. The resort's Palisades side is in Olympic Valley, and its Alpine side is in Alpine Meadows, a separate valley closer to Tahoe City.

Is Palisades Tahoe suitable for beginners?

Yes. The resort's terrain breakdown rates 25 percent of each mountain as beginner and a further 40 to 45 percent as intermediate.

Do I need chains or four-wheel drive in winter?

Chain controls can be posted on Highway 89 and Interstate 80 during storms. When signs say chains are required, drivers must comply. In chain control areas, four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles must still carry chains or other traction devices. Check Caltrans QuickMap before you drive.

Current Olympic Valley homes and availability are in the listings below. For more choice nearby, see homes in Tahoe City and our North Lake Tahoe ski cabins.