Palisades Tahoe

The host resort of the 1960 Winter Olympics has grown to become California’s most famous resort. It was recently renamed from "Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows".

weather Forecast today: Occasional rain

Max temp: 13 °c
Min temp: 1.2 °c

Last Updated: Wed 16 Oct

weather Forecast today: Occasional rain

Max temp: 13 °c
Min temp: 1.2 °c

Last Updated: Wed 16 Oct

25%Beginner

45%Intermediate

30%Advanced

Palisades Tahoe is home to 3600 acres of epic terrain,

which includes some of the most iconic lines in freeskiing, pioneered by the likes of Shane McConkey and Scot Schmidt. Its steeps attract the world’s best skiers year on year to this beautiful corner of Lake Tahoe. Indeed many of the visitors come back to ski these lines, aided by the usually huge snowfall totals that drop on the resort each winter.

But there is more to the mountain than just the steeps, with terrain to suit all abilities, especially when its neighbour Alpine Meadows is included. Its 2400 acres are included in the lift pass and are connected by a free bus service and are shortly due to be linked by gondola, creating a 6000 acre behemoth to compete with the USA’s biggest ski areas.

Beginner
Fast lifts
Intermediate
Resort Activities
Advanced
Aprés
Snow
Value

Pros and cons

Legendary steep runs and an enviable snow record
Excellent variety and chance to also ski Alpine Meadows
Lively base resort and après can kick off after a powder day

Can get busy at weekends and on big powder days
Relatively limited range of local accommodation
Wind can be a real problem for the uppermost lifts

On the Slopes

Although the mountain is famous as an advanced skier or riders’ paradise, there is some good terrain for all abilities. Snowsure beginner slopes are available at the summit of the Gold Coast Funitel (which can then be used for downloading) and long cruisey blue trails run back down to base from the summit. Alpine Meadows is also well worth exploring.

But it is the advanced terrain that really sets Palisades apart – there’s a good reason why so many skiing legends have called this place home. The iconic KT-22 chairlift serves some of the best lines, including the Fingers, but be sure to get in the queue early on a powder day – the locals will all be there well before the lift opens. On a powder day also be sure to hit the Siberia and Headwall Bowls before they get tracked out, then make your way across to Granite Chief and Silverado for yet more steep, gnarly off piste terrain.

In the Resort

Recent investment has significantly improved the base village at Palisades, with tasteful hotels and condos making for a great base at the foot of the Tram and Funitel, but the volume of accommodation is still limited – although there are some private rentals a little further down the valley. Après ski can get very lively, particularly in the springtime and after a powder day – when planting yourself on the terrace at the base of the lifts and discussing your skiing lines over jugs of beer is very much the way to go.
Alternative bases include Tahoe City or Kings Beach on the shores of Lake Tahoe, where lots of good value, self-catered accommodation is available – especially as in these places the winter is very much low season. Truckee to the north is a larger town and makes for a cheap base, plus its only half an hour away. Having a car then makes a massive difference as although there is a bus service, it is infrequent and being flexible gives you the chance to explore the nearby resorts of Northstar or Heavenly.

Season Dates

Opens: Wednesday 27 November 2024
Closes: Monday 26 May 2025 (TBC – Palisades Tahoe aims to remain open until Memorial Day, 26 May 2024, but this is dependent on conditions)

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Palisades Tahoe Piste Map

Top (2760m)

	Wed 16 Oct			Thu 17 Oct			Fri 18 Oct			Sat 19 Oct			Sun 20 Oct			Mon 21 Oct			Tue 22 Oct			Wed 23 Oct			Thu 24 Oct			Fri 25 Oct
	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Light rain	Thunderstorms	Mist	Generally clear	Light rain shwr	Light rain/snow	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies	Generally clear	Generally clear	Generally clear	Clear skies	Generally clear	Generally clear	Occasional rain	Light rain shwr	Mainly fair	Rain/Snow shower	Occasional rain	Rain and snow	Rain/Snow shower	Light rain shwr	Partly cloudy
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0.6 cm	0.1 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	9.8°c	9.8°c	8.2°c	7.2°c	7.6°c	4.8°c	1.8°c	5.4°c	5°c	7.4°c	10.8°c	10.2°c	12°c	14.2°c	11.6°c	11.2°c	13°c	11°c	12.6°c	14.2°c	12°c	10°c	11.4°c	9.2°c	8°c	9.4°c	8.2°c	5.6°c	7.4°c	5.8°c
Min temp	6.6°c	8.2°c	4°c	2.6°c	4.8°c	-0.4°c	-1.8°c	1.8°c	2°c	2°c	7.4°c	4.6°c	3.8°c	11.6°c	5.4°c	4.8°c	11°c	5.6°c	5.2°c	12°c	6.2°c	5.4°c	9.2°c	5°c	3.4°c	8°c	3°c	1.2°c	5.6°c	2°c
Feels like temp	6.3°c	8.2°c	6.8°c	2.4°c	4.1°c	2.2°c	-7.3°c	-3.4°c	0.9°c	-2.2°c	4.1°c	8°c	3.4°c	10.2°c	9.5°c	4.4°c	8.9°c	8.9°c	4.6°c	10.5°c	10°c	3.5°c	7.7°c	6.9°c	1.2°c	5.5°c	6.3°c	-1.3°c	3.3°c	3.8°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Light rain	Thunderstorms	Mist
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	9.8°c	9.8°c	8.2°c
Min temp	6.6°c	8.2°c	4°c
Feels like temp	6.3°c	8.2°c	6.8°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Generally clear	Light rain shwr	Light rain/snow
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	7.2°c	7.6°c	4.8°c
Min temp	2.6°c	4.8°c	-0.4°c
Feels like temp	2.4°c	4.1°c	2.2°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	1.8°c	5.4°c	5°c
Min temp	-1.8°c	1.8°c	2°c
Feels like temp	-7.3°c	-3.4°c	0.9°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	7.4°c	10.8°c	10.2°c
Min temp	2°c	7.4°c	4.6°c
Feels like temp	-2.2°c	4.1°c	8°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	12°c	14.2°c	11.6°c
Min temp	3.8°c	11.6°c	5.4°c
Feels like temp	3.4°c	10.2°c	9.5°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Generally clear	Generally clear	Generally clear
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	11.2°c	13°c	11°c
Min temp	4.8°c	11°c	5.6°c
Feels like temp	4.4°c	8.9°c	8.9°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Clear skies	Generally clear	Generally clear
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	12.6°c	14.2°c	12°c
Min temp	5.2°c	12°c	6.2°c
Feels like temp	4.6°c	10.5°c	10°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Occasional rain	Light rain shwr	Mainly fair
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	10°c	11.4°c	9.2°c
Min temp	5.4°c	9.2°c	5°c
Feels like temp	3.5°c	7.7°c	6.9°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Rain/Snow shower	Occasional rain	Rain and snow
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0.6 cm
Max temp	8°c	9.4°c	8.2°c
Min temp	3.4°c	8°c	3°c
Feels like temp	1.2°c	5.5°c	6.3°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Rain/Snow shower	Light rain shwr	Partly cloudy
Wind
Snow expected	0.1 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	5.6°c	7.4°c	5.8°c
Min temp	1.2°c	5.6°c	2°c
Feels like temp	-1.3°c	3.3°c	3.8°c

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Resort (1890m)

	Wed 16 Oct			Thu 17 Oct			Fri 18 Oct			Sat 19 Oct			Sun 20 Oct			Mon 21 Oct			Tue 22 Oct			Wed 23 Oct			Thu 24 Oct			Fri 25 Oct
	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Occasional rain	Rain shower	Mainly fair	Partly cloudy	Light rain shwr	Light rain	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies	Generally clear	Clear skies	Generally clear	Generally clear	Mainly fair	Generally clear	Clear skies	Generally clear	Generally clear	Mainly fair	Occasional rain	Mainly fair	Freezing rain	Generally clear	Generally clear	Light snow	Rather cloudy	Mainly fair
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0.2 cm	0.3 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	10°c	13°c	13°c	7°c	11.2°c	7.8°c	1°c	8.8°c	8.6°c	6.2°c	14.4°c	14°c	11.4°c	18.2°c	17°c	10.6°c	17.2°c	15.8°c	11.8°c	18°c	17°c	9.8°c	14.4°c	13.2°c	7.8°c	12.6°c	11.6°c	6°c	10.8°c	10°c
Min temp	1.2°c	10°c	1.2°c	-3°c	7°c	-3.6°c	-10.4°c	1°c	-2.6°c	-8.8°c	6.2°c	0°c	-5.2°c	11.4°c	2.6°c	-3.6°c	10.6°c	2.8°c	-2.8°c	11.8°c	3.2°c	-1.8°c	9.8°c	2.2°c	-5°c	7.8°c	0.6°c	-7.4°c	6°c	-0.2°c
Feels like temp	1.9°c	9.1°c	11.8°c	-1.8°c	4.6°c	4.9°c	-8.8°c	-2.4°c	5.4°c	-7.2°c	5.4°c	11.8°c	-3.8°c	10.4°c	14.9°c	-1.2°c	9.1°c	13.6°c	-1°c	10.7°c	14.9°c	-0.4°c	8.3°c	11°c	-5.8°c	6.1°c	9.4°c	-5.4°c	5.6°c	8.2°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	10°c	13°c	13°c
Min temp	1.2°c	10°c	1.2°c
Feels like temp	1.9°c	9.1°c	11.8°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	7°c	11.2°c	7.8°c
Min temp	-3°c	7°c	-3.6°c
Feels like temp	-1.8°c	4.6°c	4.9°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	1°c	8.8°c	8.6°c
Min temp	-10.4°c	1°c	-2.6°c
Feels like temp	-8.8°c	-2.4°c	5.4°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	6.2°c	14.4°c	14°c
Min temp	-8.8°c	6.2°c	0°c
Feels like temp	-7.2°c	5.4°c	11.8°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	11.4°c	18.2°c	17°c
Min temp	-5.2°c	11.4°c	2.6°c
Feels like temp	-3.8°c	10.4°c	14.9°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	10.6°c	17.2°c	15.8°c
Min temp	-3.6°c	10.6°c	2.8°c
Feels like temp	-1.2°c	9.1°c	13.6°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	11.8°c	18°c	17°c
Min temp	-2.8°c	11.8°c	3.2°c
Feels like temp	-1°c	10.7°c	14.9°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	9.8°c	14.4°c	13.2°c
Min temp	-1.8°c	9.8°c	2.2°c
Feels like temp	-0.4°c	8.3°c	11°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0.2 cm
Max temp	7.8°c	12.6°c	11.6°c
Min temp	-5°c	7.8°c	0.6°c
Feels like temp	-5.8°c	6.1°c	9.4°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0.3 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	6°c	10.8°c	10°c
Min temp	-7.4°c	6°c	-0.2°c
Feels like temp	-5.4°c	5.6°c	8.2°c

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Resort Conditions

Snowfall	Next 3 days	No information
Depths	Upper piste depth	160 cm
Depths	Lower piste depth	No information
Snow conditions	Snow quality	No information
Lifts	Lifts open	No information
	Resort opening date	Sat 23 Nov 2024
	Resort closing date	Mon 26 May 2025

Snow Overview

USA

Our Snow Overviews are updated bi-weekly between the start of December and early May every season, providing summaries of snowfall, weather, avalanche risk and other noteworthy meteorological events to help you prepare for your skiing holiday. Check back next winter to stay up-to-date on the latest weather happenings in resort.

Snow & Weather Forecasts Avalanche Forecast