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© 2026 SlopeGuide. 2025-2026 season data. Resort information is provided for reference only. Verify conditions with official resort websites before traveling.

  1. Home
  2. Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe)
🇺🇸

California, United States

Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) Ski Resort

ClosedOpens Mid November

Season dates, 270 trails, lift pass pricing, and monthly snow conditions

Snow Sure

9,050ft

Peak Elevation

2,850ft

Vertical Drop

270

Trails

400"

Annual Snow

Overview

Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) is a ski resort in California, United States, with an elevation range from 6,200ft (1890m) to 9,050ft (2758m). The vertical drop is 2,850ft (869m) across 270 trails served by 37 lifts and 6,000 skiable acres. The nearest airport is Reno-Tahoe International (RNO), about 50 minutes away by car. Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) receives an average of 400 inches of snowfall annually.

Season Overview

Season Timeline

Mid November to Late May

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Opens: Mid NovemberCloses: Late May
Peak Open Early Late Closed

Snow Conditions

140cm(55in)Heavy

Average snowfall in February, Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe)'s snowiest peak-season month.

400"

Annual Snowfall

(1016cm)

0°C

February Avg High

-8°C

February Avg Low

Snowmaking covers 15% of the terrain, supplementing natural snowfall.

Monthly Snowfall

Monthly Snowfall

400"

annual avg

130
Jan
140
Feb
120
Mar
60
Apr
15
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
3
Oct
45
Nov
100
Dec
Peak Open Early Latecm/month

Terrain & Trails

270

Total Trails

37

Lifts

6,000

Skiable Acres

2,850ft

Vertical Drop

Trail Difficulty Breakdown

25%
Beginner: 68 trails
45%
Intermediate: 122 trails
20%
Advanced: 54 trails
Expert: 27 trails
25%Beginner (68)
45%Intermediate (122)
20%Advanced (54)
10%Expert (27)

Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) has 270 trails: 25% green, 45% blue, 20% black, and 10% double-black. With 25% of terrain rated green, beginner-rated trails make up a large share of Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe).

Lift System & Elevation

37

Total Lifts

2,850ft

Vertical Drop

869m

(2,850ft)

Elevation Profile

9,050ft

Peak

6,200ft

Base

Price Trends

Price Trends

Day pass pricing across the season

$232

avg/day

$249
Jan
$259
Feb
$249
Mar
$219
Apr
$179
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
$209
Nov
$259
Dec
Peak Shoulder Off-PeakBest value: May ($179)

Best Month to Visit Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe)

Top Pick

January

Deep snowfallPeak conditions
73
score
130cm
Moderate
$249/day

January offers the best overall balance of snowfall, crowd levels, and pricing at Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe), based on this guide's month-by-month scoring. Snowfall this month averages 130cm. Crowd levels are moderate.

Runner-Up

March

120cm snow, high crowds, $249/day.

Best Value

May

$179/day, 15cm snow, very low crowds.

Monthly Conditions

Monthly Conditions

Best Month

January

Peak Season

130cm

snowfall

-1°/-9°

high/low °C

crowds

$249

day pass

February

Peak Season

140cm

snowfall

0°/-8°

high/low °C

crowds

$259

day pass

March

Peak Season

120cm

snowfall

3°/-5°

high/low °C

crowds

$249

day pass

April

Open

60cm

snowfall

7°/-1°

high/low °C

crowds

$219

day pass

May

Late Season

15cm

snowfall

12°/3°

high/low °C

crowds

$179

day pass

November

Early Season

45cm

snowfall

3°/-4°

high/low °C

crowds

$209

day pass

December

Open

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 conditions, crowd levels, and packing tips for Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe).

Lift Passes & Pricing

Adult Day Pass

$229

per day

Season Pass

$879

full season

Multi-Resort Pass Inclusion:

Epic

Day pass pricing varies by date and ticket type; check the resort's official site for current rates. Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) is included on the Epic pass.

Getting to Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe)

Nearest Airport

Reno-Tahoe International (RNO)

Approx. 50 min drive

Location

California, United States 🇺🇸

39.1968°N, 120.2354°W

Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) is within an hour's drive of Reno-Tahoe International.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) open for the season?
Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) typically opens in Mid November and closes in Late May. Exact dates vary year to year, so check the resort's official site before booking travel.
How much is a day lift pass at Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe)?
A day lift pass at Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) starts at $229 per day. Prices vary by date and ticket type, so check the resort's official site for current rates.
Is Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) good for beginners?
Yes, 25% of Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe)'s trails are rated green (beginner terrain).
How much snow does Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) get per year?
Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) receives an average of 400 inches of snowfall per year. Snowmaking covers 15% of the terrain, supplementing natural snowfall.
What is the best month to ski at Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe)?
January is the highest-scoring month to ski at Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) in this guide's month-by-month ranking of snowfall, crowd levels, and lift pass pricing. It averages 130cm of snowfall and moderate crowd levels.

Quick Stats

Elevation Range
6,200 - 9,050ft
Vertical Drop
2,850ft (869m)
Trails
270
Lifts
37
Skiable Acres
6,000
Annual Snowfall
400" (1016cm)
Season
Mid November - Late May
Day Pass
$229
Nearest Airport
RNO (50min)

Monthly Guides

JanFebMarAprMayNovDec

Compare With Nearby Resorts

Heavenly

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10,067ft

Peak

97

Trails

3,500ft

Vertical

●
20%
■
45%
◆
25%
◆◆
10%
Mid November – Mid April$219/day
Epic

Mammoth Mountain

California, United States🇺🇸

11,053ft

Peak

175

Trails

3,100ft

Vertical

●
25%
■
40%
◆
20%
◆◆
15%
Early November – Late June$199/day
Ikon

Mt. Bachelor

Oregon, United States🇺🇸

9,065ft

Peak

101

Trails

3,365ft

Vertical

●
15%
■
25%
◆
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◆◆
25%
Late November – Late May$149/day
Ikon

Sun Valley

Idaho, United States🇺🇸

9,150ft

Peak

121

Trails

3,400ft

Vertical

●
36%
■
42%
◆
22%
◆◆
0%
Late November – Mid April$179/day
Epic