Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) is a ski resort located in California, United States, sitting at an elevation range of 6,200ft (1890m) to 9,050ft (2758m). With a vertical drop of 2,850ft (869m), the resort offers 270 trails served by 37 lifts across 6,000 skiable acres. The nearest airport is Reno-Tahoe International (RNO), approximately 50 minutes by car. Known for exceptional snowfall, Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) averages 400 inches of snow per year, making it one of the snowiest resorts in United States. Snowmaking covers 15% of the terrain, ensuring consistent conditions throughout the season.
Mid November to Late May
Fresh, uncompacted snow. Ideal conditions.
130cm
Snow Depth
(51")
-1°C
-9°C to -1°C
(16°F / 30°F)
400"
Annual Snowfall
(1016cm)
15%
Snowmaking
coverage
400"
annual avg
270
Total Trails
37
Lifts
6,000
Skiable Acres
2,850ft
Vertical Drop
Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) offers a balanced mix of terrain with 25% beginner, 45% intermediate, 20% advanced, and 10% expert-only runs. The generous proportion of green runs makes this a solid choice for beginners and families learning to ski.
37
Total Lifts
2,850ft
Vertical Drop
869m
(2,850ft)
9,050ft
Peak
6,200ft
Base
Day pass pricing across the season
$232
avg/day
January offers the best overall balance of snow quality, crowd levels, and pricing at Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe). Expect reliable powder days with an average of 130cm of fresh snowfall. Moderate crowds mean reasonable lift lines, especially on weekdays.
March
120cm snow, high crowds, $249/day
May
$179/day, 15cm snow, very low crowds
130cm
snowfall
-1°/-9°
high/low °C
crowds
$249
day pass
140cm
snowfall
0°/-8°
high/low °C
crowds
$259
day pass
120cm
snowfall
3°/-5°
high/low °C
crowds
$249
day pass
60cm
snowfall
7°/-1°
high/low °C
crowds
$219
day pass
15cm
snowfall
12°/3°
high/low °C
crowds
$179
day pass
45cm
snowfall
3°/-4°
high/low °C
crowds
$209
day pass
100cm
snowfall
0°/-8°
high/low °C
crowds
$259
day pass
Monthly conditions are based on historical averages. Actual conditions vary year to year. Click on any month for detailed weather forecasts, crowd analysis, and packing tips for Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe).
Adult Day Pass
$229
per day
Season Pass
$879
full season
Multi-Resort Pass Inclusion:
Day pass pricing at Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) varies by date. Peak periods (holidays and weekends) may cost 10-15% more. Purchasing lift tickets online in advance typically saves $10-20 per ticket. Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) is included on the Epic pass, which can offer significant savings for skiers visiting multiple resorts per season.
Reno-Tahoe International (RNO)
Approx. 50 min drive
California, United States 🇺🇸
39.1968°N, 120.2354°W
Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) is conveniently located within an hour's drive of Reno-Tahoe International. Most rental car agencies operate at the airport, and shuttle services are often available during peak season.
Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) offers a range of accommodation options for every budget. On-mountain lodging provides ski-in/ski-out convenience but typically costs 30-50% more than staying in the nearest town. Budget travelers can find hostel-style accommodations starting around $120 per night, while mid-range hotels and condos average $250-500 per night. Luxury ski-in/ski-out properties can exceed $800 per night during peak periods.
Booking 2-3 months in advance secures better rates, especially for holiday periods. Many resorts offer lift-and-lodging packages that bundle accommodation with multi-day tickets at a discount.