Palisades Tahoe
Olympic Valley · California · USA
868m
Vertical Drop
270
Runs
42
Lifts
2,428 ha
Skiable Area
1,067 cm
Avg Snowfall
Nov 2026 – May 2027
Season
About
Combined Squaw Valley + Alpine Meadows resort on Lake Tahoe's north shore — host of the 1960 Winter Olympics. 6,000 acres of connected terrain via the Base-to-Base Gondola, with views over Lake Tahoe from many lifts. Famous for steep extreme terrain (KT-22, the Fingers, Headwall) and a dense cluster of US ski legends. Owned by Alterra Mountain Company; Ikon Pass partner. Renamed from Squaw Valley to Palisades in 2021.
Terrain & Mountain Profile
Run Breakdown
Summit
2,758m
Base
1,890m
Vertical Drop
868m
Lift Breakdown
4
Gondolas
30
Chairlifts
8
Surface Lifts
Employment & Recruitment
Estimated Seasonal Staff
2,000–3,000
Main Employers
- Alterra Mountain Company (Palisades Tahoe operations)
- Everline Resort & Spa (Olympic Valley)
- PlumpJack Inn
- The Village at Palisades Tahoe
- Palisades Tahoe Ski & Ride School
- Olympic Valley and Tahoe City restaurants and bars
Common Seasonal Jobs
Languages Required
- Visa Requirements
- International workers usually arrive on J-1 Exchange Visitor visas (Work & Travel) for 4-month seasonal roles, or H-2B for longer-term hires. Alterra runs J-1 partnerships with CIEE, InterExchange, CCUSA, and others. Australians can apply for E-3 visas; PSIA/AASI-certified instructors sometimes sponsored on H-2B.
- Recruitment Timeline
- Palisades begins recruiting in July–August for the November opening. J-1 placement matches finalised by September–October. Most lift, F&B, and housekeeping roles fill by October. Instructors require PSIA / AASI certification.
Worker Amenities & Living
Staff Housing Available
- Cost of Living
- USD $400–$650 (Tahoe is one of the more expensive US ski regions)
- Public Transport
- TART (Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit) free buses serve North Lake Tahoe in winter. Free Palisades shuttle within Olympic Valley. Reno-Tahoe International Airport is 45 min by car. I-80 access from Sacramento (2 hrs) and the Bay Area (3.5 hrs); chain control common during storms.
Staff Perks
- Free Ikon Pass (valid at 50+ resorts worldwide)
- Staff meals at some employers
- Pro deals on gear and apparel
- Discounted lodging at Alterra sister resorts
- Free or discounted lessons
- Lake Tahoe access (beach, paddleboarding) on summer staff days
Local Life & Community
- Après & Nightlife
- Le Chamois ('the Chammy') is Palisades' most iconic après bar — beers and pizza after KT-22 laps. Auld Dubliner in the Village. Plumpjack Café for upmarket dining. Truckee (15 min) has a strong food/bar scene (Bar of America, FiftyFifty Brewing). Tahoe City (15 min) has Bridgetender, Pete'n'Peters. Reno (45 min) for big nights out.
- Healthcare
- Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee (15 min) — full-service hospital. Palisades Medical Clinic on-mountain during ski season. Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno (45 min) for major care. Helicopter retrieval available.
- Shops & Services
- The Village at Palisades has retail, restaurants, and rental shops. Truckee (15 min) has full supermarkets (Safeway, Save Mart), banks, pharmacies, and gear shops. Tahoe City (15 min) and Reno (45 min) for additional needs.
- International Community
- Large — strong J-1 community especially from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the UK, Australia, and Eastern Europe. Tahoe has been a destination for ski-bum culture for decades and the international scene is well-established. English is the working language; Spanish widely spoken in housekeeping and F&B.
Outdoor Activities (Non-Ski)
Open Positions
No jobs posted yet for this resort. Check back soon or sign up for alerts.
Browse all jobs at Palisades Tahoe →Season
Nov 2026 – May 2027
Climate & Snow
- Winter Temps
- -8°C to 0°C
- Snow Reliability
- high
- Snowmaking
- 25% of runs
- Avg Snowfall
- 1,067 cm/yr
Location
39.1970°N, -120.2360°W
Nearest town: Olympic Valley