Base to Base Gondola to connect Palisades Tahoe

Palisades Tahoe’s long-awaited new Base to Base Gondola will make it possible to explore all 6,000 acres of terrain at the ski resort connecting the two base areas of Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows. The Gondola is set to open Dec. 17. The community is invited to ride the gondola for free (no skis or boards), Dee Bryne, president and COO announced at Good Morning Truckee.

The Base to Base Gondola can be operated as one continuous lift or as two separate lifts from each base area to the top of KT-22. The Gondola has four terminals: one in each base area, one at the top of KT-22 and one on private land (no disembarking will be allowed at this terminal). The scenic ride from one base area to the other will take around 16 minutes and cover 2.4 miles. Each of the 96 cabins can fit up to 8 passengers.

Red Dog | Red Dog lift will be replaced with a high-speed, detachable six-person lift. The base terminal will be moved to the east, giving skiers direct access to the lift from the parking lot.

World Cup | One of only four U.S. resorts featured on the World Cup circuit this season, Palisades Tahoe will host men’s slalom and giant slalom events Feb. 25 and 26, 2023. The event brings tens of thousands of spectators to the resort and tickets are on sale now.

Upgrades | The Funitel entrance, the gondola terminal and the member’s locker room at the Olympic Valley base area have all been renovated. At the Funitel there will be a new, accessible central plaza, pushing back the snow beach to start on the south side of the Funitel building.

Snowmaking | New snowmaking systems have been installed on Julia’s Gold and lower Red Dog Face on the Olympic Valley side. As well, automatic snowmaking systems have been installed on Weasel trail at Alpine Meadows.

Alpine updates | The Sun Deck and snow beach at Alpine Lodge have been expanded over the summer, as well as improvements at the Alpine Chalet including a new container kitchen to double service ability.

Transit | Mountaineer, the service that offers free winter transportation in Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows, will add new service routes and expand its schedule for the 2022-23 season from Dec. 9 to April 9, 2023. Service will be offered four days a week between the two valleys.

The free on-demand TART Connect microtransit has also been expanded offering connections from Olympic Valley and River Ranch (at the base of Alpine Meadows Road) into Tahoe City. Both may be scheduled through their respective apps.

The Sherwood Shuttle will be also running this year with access from the West Shore to Ward Canyon.

As well, guests can get real-time updates on the parking status through the resort app.

Development | Palisades Tahoe will be resubmitting development proposals to Placer County this fall, which will include housing for 300 employees at the entrance to Olympic Valley, that Bryne said they would like to start building as early as May. They also plan to pursue development of an enclosed, multipurpose mountain adventure center in the base area, she said, to include a pool at the minimum, a ski team fitness center, climbing walls, conference space and office space.

Peaks renamed | The U.S. Geological Survey ordered the renaming of several geographic features in September after declaring the work sq**w to be a derogatory term, a move that had long been sought by the Washo Tribe. These included Washeshu Peak from Sq**w Peak; Washeshu Creek from Sq**w Creek; and Olympic Valley from Sq**w Valley. | palisadestahoe.com

Events

Dec. 17 | Gondola Grand Opening

Dec. 23-26 | Great Basin Carolers

Dec. 31 | Skate for Scotty NYE Fundraiser

Dec. 17-March 11 (select dates) | Snowshoe Tour & Dinner

Feb. 25-26 | World Cup

March 31-April 2 | WinterWonderGrass Festival

April | Snow Golf

TBD | Cushing Crossing