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Major city · United States

Olympic Valley

Spend 2 days for skiing and resort activities; add a half‑day for a quick walk around the village.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Olympic Valley (Palisades Tahoe) is a ski‑resort town on the California‑Nevada border, 12 mi south of Truckee. The resort spans 3,600 acres with 30 lifts, including the only U.S. funitel. Winter sports dominate, but summer hiking and the Tahoe Via Ferrata add variety. A two‑day base covers most lifts and a night‑stay; a third day is optional for off‑season activities.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Dec–Feb (peak ski), Jun–Aug (hiking, ferrata)
avoid Mar–May (low snow), Sep–Nov (variable conditions)
Airport
RNO
Nights
2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Olympic Valley911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Olympic Valley, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Palisades Tahoe ski resort1960 Winter Olympics venueFunitel liftG.N.A.R. ski challenge
Airports
RNO Reno–Tahoe International Airport (32 mi east, shuttle or rental car about 45 min via I‑80)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    5°C (41°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    7°C (45°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    12°C (54°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    16°C (61°F)

  5. May

    Avoid

    21°C (70°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    23°C (73°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    16°C (61°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    9°C (48°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    4°C (39°F)

Best: Jun–Aug, Dec–Feb. Avoid: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)), coolest Dec (−6°C (21°F) low), wettest Nov (10 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Olympic Valley: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

5°C (41°F)

−5°C (23°F)

8 rd

Feb

7°C (45°F)

−3°C (27°F)

7 rd

Mar

12°C (54°F)

0°C (32°F)

9 rd

Apr

16°C (61°F)

3°C (37°F)

8 rd

May

21°C (70°F)

7°C (45°F)

7 rd

Jun

25°C (77°F)

11°C (52°F)

6 rd

Jul

28°C (82°F)

14°C (57°F)

5 rd

Aug

27°C (81°F)

13°C (55°F)

6 rd

Sep

23°C (73°F)

9°C (48°F)

7 rd

Oct

16°C (61°F)

4°C (39°F)

9 rd

Nov

9°C (48°F)

−1°C (30°F)

10 rd

Dec

4°C (39°F)

−6°C (21°F)

9 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Squaw Valley Road links the village to CA‑89; most guests walk or use the free resort shuttle to lifts. Car rentals from Reno are common for trips to Truckee or Lake Tahoe.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Truckee

go

Door to door: ≈30 min total

Drive west on CA‑89, about 12 mi, 20 min

Historic downtown, shops and dining.

Reno

go

Door to door: ≈1 h

Drive east on I‑80, about 32 mi, 45 min

Airport, casinos, museums.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Squaw Valley Lodge

Condominium‑style suites, ski‑in access

Plumpjack Squaw Valley Inn

58 rooms with mountain views

Resort at Squaw Creek

All‑season resort with spa and golf

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$120–$180 excl. bed
Mid
$180–$260 excl. bed
High
$260+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Lodge room2 × 2 nights × US$250US$1,000
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$200US$800
Reno–Olympic Valley shuttle (round trip)2 × US$30 · checkUS$60
Lift ticket (one day)2 × US$150 · 2026 estimateUS$300
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$216
Trip total≈ US$594 per person per day, bed includedUS$2,376

2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–$5
Burgers$12–$20
Lift ticket (full day)$120–$200
Ski rental (full day)$45–$70

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Generally safe; watch for avalanche risk in backcountry and icy sidewalks in winter.
  • Lift lines can be long on weekends; arrive early for peak lifts.
  • Winter storms may close roads; check CA‑89 conditions before travel.

Emergency numbers

Police
911
Fire
911
Ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Olympic ValleyOlympic Valley

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police/Fire/Ambulance911

Embassy

US consulates are in Reno and Sacramento.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Reno → Olympic Valley shuttle: about $30 round trip (check)
  • Lift ticket (one day): about $150 (mid band, check)

Say or show

  • Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis‑koo‑lpe)
  • Gracias — Thank you (gra‑see‑as)
  • ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan‑toh kwes‑ta)
  • ¿Dónde está el telesilla? — Where is the lift? (don‑de es‑ta el te‑le‑see‑ya)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Olympic Valley. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Dec–Feb (peak ski), Jun–Aug (hiking, ferrata) · avoid Mar–May (low snow), Sep–Nov (variable conditions) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 2 day-trips, door to door
  6. 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Add a ski‑pass day ticket (check current price).
  2. Consider a rental car for flexible day trips.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Olympic Valley

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