Squaw Valley is a ski resort town on the border between California and Nevada area centered around Lake Tahoe. Squaw Valley Ski Resort covers 3,600 acres (15 km²) employing 30 chairlifts and the only funitel in the U.S. It is the second-largest skiing complex in the Lake Tahoe area after Heavenly Mountain Resort. It is best known for hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics.
Understand
In August 2020, the owners announced their commitment to remove the word “squaw” from the resort's name by summer 2021 as the use of the term is an ethnic and sexual slur.
Get in
Squaw Valley is found off California State Route 89, about 12 miles south of Truckee at the intersection of CA-89 and Interstate 80. The closest city with a major airport is Reno, Nevada, about 32 miles east of Truckee on I-80.
Get around
Squaw Valley Road is the main arterial. It runs roughly east-west and feeds into California State Route 89 at its eastern end.
See
Do
- 1 Squaw Valley, ☏ 1 530 583-6985. On Highway 89 between Tahoe City and interstate 80; Squaw is possibly the most well-known resort in all of California, and the setting for the 2006 book Squallywood. A complete skier's paradise, Squaw is a magazine favorite for its varied terrain, huge size and massive high-speed lift system; and a former Olympic village. Its oversized reputation has a downside: crowds that even a on mountain the size of Squaw can swamp the intermediate lifts and result in lines.
- G.N.A.R.. A way of life for many of the skiers at Squaw, G.N.A.R. is a points-based game whereby each skier gains points by skiing particular lines through Squaw's famous terrain, with many interesting bonus points available. Grab a copy of Squallywood if you are up to the challenge of some of the best lines Squaw has to offer, and a great game while you're at it.
Buy
Eat
- Graham's. Located near the mountain parking lot, delicious food, extensive wine list, ambiance is a little more staid, but recommended none-the-less.
- PlumpJack. One of the oldest and most established restaurants in the area, it serves typically Californian food Plumpjack has a sister restaurant in San Francisco, as you might expect though it is quite expensive.
Drink
- Auld Dubliner, 1850 Village S Rd, ☏ 1 530 584-6041. The place for a perfect pint of Guinness, this real Irish pub was built in Ireland, dismantled, shipped over and reassembled. As one might imagine, it offers a wide selection of whisky and live Celtic music.
Sleep
- Squaw Valley Lodge, 201 Squaw Peak Rd, Olympic Valley, toll-free: 1-800-549-6742. Squaw Valley Lodge is an all condominium suites hotel resort.
- Plumpjack Squaw Valley Inn, 1920 Squaw Valley Rd, toll-free: 1-800-323-7666. Squaw Valley Inn has 58 rooms and suites with amazing views. Shop at their Fashion Boutique and take their wine seminars.
- Resort at Squaw Creek, 400 Squaw Creek Rd, Olympic Valley, ☏ 1 530 583-6300. A premier all season mountain resort featuring a luxury spa facility, ski packages, championship golf courses, vacation rentals, and a dedicated chairlift.
Connect
Go next
- Other resorts and parts of Lake Tahoe
- Reno, the closest large city
- Sacramento, the capital of California