Why buy a second home in Tahoe’s Olympic Valley?

Published Date: January 6, 2023

The Alpine exterior
Often described as the crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada, the North Lake Tahoe region attracts visitors from around the world — and it can be an ideal second home destination. 

It’s a central location for your second home in Tahoe

Olympic Valley, off Tahoe’s northwest shore, is a popular base camp for winter recreation and a sought-after location for buyers considering a luxury second home in Tahoe. The Village at Palisades Tahoe offers dozens of boutique shops and restaurants, and several North Lake Tahoe communities are minutes away. Tahoe City, a lakeside town at the headwaters of the Truckee River with fine dining, casual coffee shops, galleries and plenty of water activities, is about seven miles east. Just 10 miles north is Truckee, a former “Old West” town on the National Register of Historic Places, now home to a vibrant arts and culture community. Within 30 minutes of Olympic Valley, at the northern tip of Lake Tahoe, are Kings Beach and neighboring Crystal Bay (which sits at the California-Nevada border). These towns offer more dining and entertainment options as well as beautiful beaches and shoreline strolls. 

Your second home is steps away from the slopes

Olympic Valley gained global recognition when it hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics, and it’s still regarded as one of the best places to ski in the country. After merging with neighboring Alpine Meadows in 2011, the combined Palisades Tahoe resort (formerly Squaw Alpine) is the largest of Tahoe’s many ski areas. Boasting long, steep runs, Palisades Tahoe appeals to experienced skiers looking to hone their skills, but it also offers a number of easy to intermediate runs, making it a good option for outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities. For those looking for winter fun with a little less effort, the family-friendly “SnoVentures” section of the resort offers tubing (including adult-sized tubes!) and mini snowmobiles, as well as a beginner slope for first-timers who aren’t quite ready for the main runs. And if you’d rather not brave the snow at all, you can appreciate the mountain from the comfort of the aerial tram, which takes riders on a 2,000-foot ascent to High Camp, elevation 8,200 feet. With so many options, Olympic Valley is an excellent choice when it comes to second homes in Tahoe, whether you love the chill of fresh powder as you fly down the slopes or just want to take in the snow-capped mountain views.

You can enjoy North Tahoe activities all year

While snow sports dominate the winter months, people with second homes in Tahoe have plenty of reasons to plan stays throughout the year. Here is a sampling of North Tahoe activities: 
  • Hiking: Olympic Valley residents can easily explore several local hiking trails from the base of the mountain or via the tram-accessible High Camp. And for those willing to venture a bit further, a short car ride provides access to hundreds of miles of North Tahoe trails suitable for relaxed family outings or multi-day backpacking adventures.
  • Golf: If you prefer gentle green slopes to steep white ones, there are many world-class golf courses in North Lake Tahoe. And when your second home is in Tahoe’s Olympic Valley, you have a championship course in your own backyard: The Links at Squaw Creek. Surrounded by mountains and designed with environmental stewardship in mind, this unique course complements the area’s natural beauty.
  • Beaches: While Tahoe is known for snow, it is equally popular for its namesake lake and surrounding beaches. Visitors savor the opportunity to enjoy the clear blue waters, and North Tahoe beaches offer something for everyone, from sandy shorelines to rocky crags, bustling boardwalks to secluded coves. 
  • Dining and entertainment: Despite the small populations of most Tahoe-area towns, the steady stream of visitors has encouraged a thriving food, music and arts scene. If you choose a second home in Tahoe’s Olympic Valley, you’ll have ample dining options at The Village at Palisades Tahoe. And if you’d like to enjoy a water view with your meal, you’ll find a range of lakeside casual and fine dining options a few miles away. 
For more ideas, peruse these activities for every week of the year in North Tahoe.

Find your second home in Tahoe

Buying a second home in Tahoe is now more attainable with co-ownership. Pacaso gives you true ownership in a luxury, one-of-a-kind property in one of the most desirable areas in the West. Purchase the amount of ownership that meets your needs, while avoiding many of the hassles of whole home ownership (no need to buy a snow blower!). View our Olympic Valley and other Tahoe luxury listings, and start planning your alpine adventures today.

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Amie Fisher


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