The Squaw Valley Ski Resort in Olympic Valley, California is one of the largest ski resorts in the United States and was the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. It is the second-largest ski area In Lake Tahoe (after Heavenly), with advanced chairlifts and the only funitel in the U.S. The entire community of Olympic Valley is commonly referred to as "Squaw Valley." The resort attracts 600,000 skiers a year. Its ski season usually runs from mid-November to late May.
Perched atop the Sierra Nevada, with a base of 6,200 feet (1,900 m) and spread across 6 peaks and 4,000 acres the resort tops out at 9,050 feet (2,760 m) above sea level at Granite Chief. The area receives bountiful maritime snowfall–often getting 40 feet (12 m) or more in a winter—leading to snowpack depths of 200 inches (5.1 m) over steep, granite-laden terrain.
A scenic cable car carries visitors to 8,200 feet (2,500 m) to the High Camp Bath and Tennis Club. The cars are attached to a fixed point on a cable loop. When one car is at the top of the mountain, the other car is at the bottom.
Squaw Valley is home to KT-22, the chair selected best in North America by Skiing magazine in 2005.
Squaw Valley is home to several annual summer events. The July Wanderlust Festival brings in accomplished yoga teachers as well as many well-known musical performers. In August, the Squaw Valley writer's conference attracts authors from all over the world. Many summer camps also operate out of the Valley.
