Squaw Valley
Squaw Valley is a ski resort town on the California shore of Lake Tahoe. It is best known for hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics.
Get in
Squaw Valley is located 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
- 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 recent 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. Never forget: You are the best skier on the mountain, and everyone wants to know that.
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 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, ☏ +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. P.O. Box 2364, Olympic Valley, CA 96146, 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, ☏ +1 530 583-6300. Olympic Valley. 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