In 1960 the world was introduced to North Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley when the little West Coast mountain won the opportunity to host the VIII Winter Olympics. Fifty years later, the tight-knit community with small town personality and international prestige is set to honor its humble beginnings with the Olympic Heritage Celebration January 8-17, 2010.
Squaw Valley USA celebrates their 60th birthday and 50th Olympic Anniversary throughout the 2009-10 season with new ski and snowboard programs for women, parents and children, new dining experience, new High Camp Triple Lift and “Ski with Jonny Moseley Days,” an Olympic gold medal champion. Squaw’s “60/50 celebration” kicks off opening day, November 21, when professional skier and base jumper JT Holmes base jumps out of the resort’s legendary cable car.
The official Olympic Heritage Celebration begins with a Commemorative Relay to Squaw Valley and Opening Ceremony complete with live music, fireworks and the 1960 Olympians’ Reception January 8, 2010. Other events are held throughout North Lake Tahoe including the Olympic cross-country races originally held on the West Shore.
The ten-day celebration also includes a Biathlon Reenactment January 9, Cross Country Demo and Expo January 10 and Biathlon “Citizens Against the Clock” January 16, all held at Sugar Pine Point State Park on the West Shore.
Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, which kicks off the season December 5, hosts a Freestyle Moguls Competition as part of the commemorative events January 12. Sugar Bowl Ski Resort on Donner Summit hosts the Silver Belt Luncheon and Ski Tour January 12, and also offers a new Summit Chair to Mt. Judah this winter. Granlibakken Resort, a ski area just outside of Tahoe City whose history goes back to the heyday of Tahoe Tavern, holds the 1960 Nordic Olympian Dinner January 15.
There are many ongoing events that include interpretive programs on the mountain at Squaw Valley USA and at Sugar Pine Point State Park as well as temporary museum exhibits, Squaw Valley Institute Winter Film Festival and the culmination of the celebration with a 1960 Olympians’ Ball at the four-star Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley.
For a complete schedule of Olympic Heritage Celebration events visit us online.
Tags: Cool Deals, olympics, squaw valley, tahoe ski
