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Nestled in the Sierra Nevada’s Olympic Valley, the Squaw Valley Ski Resort is one of the largest of its kind in the United States and a designated California Historical Landmark. It lies just to the west of Lake Tahoe and boasts 3,600 acres of ski area across six different peaks, traversed by a scenic aerial tramway which rises to its tourist hub at High Camp.

The Squaw Valley Ski Resort is the second largest ski area in Lake Tahoe, with varied trails to suit all levels and a long ski season that extends well into spring. Its highest peak is at Granite Chief at 2,760 metres, while its High Camp tourist area lies at 2,500 metres. Roller skating, a swimming pool and high-altitude disk golf are all on offer here, together with numerous dining and shopping establishments. In 2012, the Squaw Valley Ski Resort merged with the nearby Alpine Meadows Resort, extending the ski area available for guests to 6,200 acres and now including access to more than 270 ski trails. Lodging is available at The Village at Squaw Valley, with a range of standard rooms, suites and self-catering apartments, and full rental gear hire and lessons are also on offer. While skiing and snowboarding are the main winter activities, Squaw Valley doesn’t shut its doors over summer, hosting the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, together with yoga retreats. Big-name musical performances often take place during the warmer months, as well as annual festivals that include Bluesdays and the Jazz and Funk Fest.

The Squaw Valley Ski Resort is around 20 minutes south from Truckee and an hour south-west of Reno and its international airport. The resort offers 30 chairlifts to access the ski slopes, as well as the only funitel in the United States.

The Squaw Valley Ski Resort first opened in 1949, designed in a similar fashion to European ski destinations by Alex Cushing who had fallen in love with Lake Tahoe after a visit to the Sierra Nevada. In 1960 the resort hosted the Winter Olympics, the first to be televised live, which helped showcase the world-class facilities now available at US ski resorts.