Ringed on all sides by Sierra steeps, this majestic valley is officially named after the 1960 Olympics which gave North Tahoe skiing its international acclaim. However, its “unofficial” name is the same as its grand ski area which hosted the first-ever televised Winter Olympics.

Squaw Valley USA founder Alex Cushing, and community founder Wayne Poulsen opened the valley for the rest of the world to enjoy, and since then it has become a magnet for extreme skiers, Olympians, and diehard fans of its steeps and deeps. While this gives the valley its edgy reputation, the all-mountain terrain is also a favorite of families.

In the last 20 years, the valley has been shaped into a destination resort, with the ski-in, ski-out Resort at Squaw Creek, and the entertaining shops, restaurants and nightlife of the Village at Squaw Valley. Aside from neighborhoods filled with longtime locals and seasonal ski bums, the valley also is the home to the prep Squaw Valley Academy.

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Nearby ski resorts: Squaw Valley USA is the centerpiece of Olympic Valley, but the spectacular terrain of Alpine Meadows Ski Area is only one valley away on Highway 89.

“Olympic Valley is Lake Tahoe’s premier ski community because it attracts hard-core skiers and boarders with its terrain and keeps the hype rolling with nightlife that keeps you going late into the night. This is the only place in the Tahoe area to combine the true expert level terrain with great night life, and is home to pro skiers and riders who are literally creating the future of the winter sports industry.”

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— Dave Rintala, founder and president of Pacific Crest Snowcats.