Alpine Meadows Ski Resort
Updated September 30, 2026 · 10 min read
Alpine Meadows is open as the Alpine side of Palisades Tahoe. 2026-27: opening day Nov. 25, lifts 9-4, weekend parking reservations, Base to Base Gondola.
Yes, Alpine Meadows is still open. It is now the Alpine side of Palisades Tahoe, joined to the Olympic Valley side (the old Squaw Valley) by the Base to Base Gondola. For the 2026-27 season, Palisades Tahoe's opening day is Wednesday, November 25, 2026, weather permitting. Lifts run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturdays, Sundays and holiday periods you need a parking reservation for the Alpine lot. Both the Ikon Pass and the Ikon Base Pass work here.
We manage 41 vacation homes on the North and West Shore. Several are in Tahoe City, Tahoe Pines and Homewood, which are the closest towns to Alpine, so a lot of our winter guests ski here. This guide covers what has changed and what you need to sort out before you drive up.
Where to stay near Alpine Meadows
Search by datesThere is almost no lodging at the Alpine base. The Village on the Olympic Valley side has condos, but most people stay in a nearby town and drive in. Approximate winter drive times to the Alpine base, in good conditions:
| Town | To the Alpine base | Why stay there |
|---|---|---|
| Tahoe City | About 15 minutes | Closest town; restaurants, groceries, free TART buses |
| Tahoe Pines, Homewood | About 20 to 25 minutes | Quiet West Shore; Homewood Mountain on the doorstep |
| Tahoma | About 30 minutes | Sugar Pine Point's Nordic trails next door |
| Carnelian Bay, Tahoe Vista, Kings Beach | About 25 to 35 minutes | Also close to Northstar (Epic Pass) |
| Incline Village | About 40 minutes | Diamond Peak and Mt. Rose closer; a mixed-pass group |
We don't have homes in Truckee or Olympic Valley. From Tahoe City, the drive to Alpine is a straight run up Highway 89 along the Truckee River. Chain controls still apply in storms, so read our winter driving notes before you go.
A few of our homes are set up well for a ski week: space to dry boots, a kitchen for early breakfasts and, at some, a hot tub. See ski cabin rentals, homes with a hot tub or homes for large groups.
Book on our own site rather than an app. Our nightly prices on Airbnb are set 28% higher than on our site, and 17% higher on Vrbo, and every home page shows the dollar saving for your dates. More in booking direct vs. Airbnb.
Homewood Cabin in the Pines
Enchanted Woods Cabin
Trailside Tahoe Townhouse
Book direct and pay less than for the same home on Airbnb: pick dates on any home to see the difference.
Alpine Meadows at a glance (2026-27)
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | Palisades Tahoe, Alpine side (Alpine Main Lodge base) |
| Opening day | Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026 (resort-wide, weather permitting) |
| Lift hours | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily in winter, weather permitting |
| Terrain | 2,400 acres, 13 lifts, 109 trails |
| Elevation | Base 6,835 ft; summit 8,637 ft (Ward Peak); 1,802 ft vertical |
| Average snowfall | About 400 inches a year (resort figure) |
| Passes | Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass (Base Pass has blackout dates) |
| Parking | Reservation required Saturdays, Sundays and holiday periods; free midweek |
| Link to Olympic Valley | Base to Base Gondola, 2.4 miles, about 16 minutes |
| Address | 2600 Alpine Meadows Rd., Alpine Meadows, CA (off Highway 89) |
Figures come from Palisades Tahoe's mountain statistics, its opening day page and its parking program, checked in late September 2026. Dates and prices change, so check again before you go.
Is Alpine Meadows still open?
Yes. Alpine Meadows opened in 1961 as a separate ski area a few miles south of Squaw Valley, which had hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. The two ran independently for fifty years. In 2011 they came under one owner and started selling one lift ticket. Alterra Mountain Company, which also runs the Ikon Pass, took over in 2018.
In September 2021 the combined resort, then called Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, became Palisades Tahoe. The old name used a word widely recognized as a slur against Native American women, and the change followed talks with the Washoe Tribe. The mountain itself was not renamed or closed. The resort now calls the two areas "Palisades" (Olympic Valley) and "Alpine," and you will see "Alpine" on the trail map, the lodge and the parking system.
One thing worth knowing from last winter: the 2025-26 season was short at Tahoe. A dry start and a spring heat wave meant the Alpine side closed at the end of March 2026, weeks earlier than usual. That was unusual for a mountain known for long springs, and it says nothing about 2026-27. It is a good reason to check the snow report before you commit to late-season dates.
Alpine Meadows ski resort hours of operation
In winter, Palisades Tahoe runs lifts on both sides 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather and conditions permitting. The Base to Base Gondola keeps the same hours when both mountains are open. Storms and wind holds can close upper lifts on any given day, and early-season and spring hours can differ. The resort's hours of operation page and mountain report show what is running that morning. You can also call 1-800-403-0206.
Early in the season the Olympic Valley side, with more snowmaking, often opens terrain before Alpine does. If you are coming for opening week, check which side and which lifts are running before you drive to the Alpine lot.
Alpine Meadows lift tickets and passes
Day tickets
Palisades Tahoe sells lift tickets online, and prices change by date. A ticket covers both Alpine and the Olympic Valley side. Weekend and holiday tickets cost the most, and window prices are higher than buying online ahead. Use the lift tickets page to price your dates.
Ikon Pass
For 2026-27, according to Ikon Pass:
- Ikon Pass: from $1,449 for adults 23 and over, unlimited at Palisades Tahoe, no blackout dates.
- Ikon Base Pass: from $1,019 for adults 23 and over. Palisades Tahoe is one of its unlimited mountains, but it is blacked out Dec. 26 to 30, 2026, Jan. 16 and 17, 2027, and Feb. 13 and 14, 2027.
Local passes and ticket packs
Palisades Tahoe also sells its own local products. The 2026-27 Midweek Pass starts at $759 for adults (valid Monday to Friday, with limited blackout dates) at a price that ends November 3. Ticket packs start at $349 for two-day and four-day options, and there are rental packs and a four-lesson pack. If you are coming for one long weekend, a two-day pack is often cheaper than two single-day tickets.
Parking at Alpine: reservations for 2026-27
Parking is the part people get caught out by. For the 2026-27 season, Palisades Tahoe requires a parking reservation for all lots on Saturdays, Sundays and select holiday periods. Monday to Friday outside the holiday periods, parking is free and first come, first served.
- Pick the right base. When you book, you choose either the Alpine Main Lodge or The Village at Palisades Tahoe. A reservation is for that base area only.
- Free reservations for the coming weekend are released every Tuesday, half at 12 p.m. and half at 7 p.m. Pacific.
- Paid reservations cost $30 a vehicle and went on sale September 15 for the whole season.
- Carpool (4+ people): a carpool reservation, released Tuesdays at noon, comes with a $20 resort credit voucher. If fewer than four people end up in the car, you need a regular or paid reservation.
- Fines: $100 for a first violation, rising to $200 if it is not paid within 10 days. Repeat violations can lead to towing and pass suspension.
Holiday periods that need a reservation in 2026-27 include December 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 through 31; January 1 to 3, 9 and 10, 16 to 18, 23 and 24, 30 and 31; February 6 and 7, 13 to 21, 27 and 28; the March weekends; and April 3 and 4, 10 and 11. The full list is on the parking program page.
Guests who stay in Tahoe City can skip the question on busy days. Placer County's TART buses are free to ride through December 2027. Check current routes and TART Connect zones for service up Highway 89.
The Base to Base Gondola
The Base to Base Gondola opened in December 2022 and links the Alpine Lodge base with The Village in Olympic Valley. Before that, getting between the two meant a drive or a shuttle.
- Length and time: 2.4 miles, about 16 minutes end to end.
- Cabins: 96 cabins that each hold 8 people, about 1,400 people an hour.
- Stations: the two bases, a mid-station on top of KT-22, and an angle station between KT-22 and Alpine where nobody gets on or off.
- KT-22 stop: only expert skiers and riders may get off here. Everyone else rides through.
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in winter when both mountains are open.
The ridge gets wind, and the gondola is one of the lifts that goes on hold in storms. If your plan depends on getting back to your car at Alpine, check lift status before you cross, and know that a shuttle or a ride may be the backup.
Terrain: what to ski at Alpine by level
Beginners
Alpine's gentlest terrain sits right by the base lodge, so lessons, rentals and bathrooms are a short walk away. That is a real advantage on a first day. Book lessons ahead for weekends and holidays.
Intermediates
The Roundhouse and Summit chairs open up the middle of the mountain: long, rolling blue runs with views toward the lake on clear days. Intermediates who like variety will find Alpine less crowded than the Olympic Valley side on most days.
Advanced and expert
Alpine's reputation comes from the steeper terrain off the upper lifts, the Sherwood side and the bowls and chutes off the ridgelines. Much of it depends on natural snow and avalanche control, so it opens later than the groomers. This summer the resort put $3.2 million into remote avalanche control, including new exploders and Wyssen towers at Alpine, which should help open terrain after storms.
Check the mountain report the morning you go. Which lifts spin, and which gates open, changes day to day.
Snow and the best months to ski Alpine
- Late November to mid-December: early season. Terrain depends on snowmaking and the first storms. Alpine may open after Olympic Valley.
- January to March: the most reliable snow and the busiest weekends. Weekdays after a storm are the sweet spot.
- April onward: in a good year, Alpine is a spring favorite, with soft snow in the afternoons and thinner crowds. In a poor year, as 2026 showed, the season can end early.
For how Alpine fits into a whole winter trip, see our Lake Tahoe in winter guide, which lists every resort's 2026-27 target opening date.
Food at the Alpine base
The Alpine Main Lodge is the hub for tickets, rentals, the ski school and food. It is simpler than The Village on the Olympic Valley side, where there are shops and restaurants. Palisades Tahoe publishes current venues and hours on its hours page; in the off-season all mountain dining is closed. Many of our guests pack lunch and eat in the lodge, then have dinner in Tahoe City, 15 minutes away.
Families and kids
- Beginner terrain next to the base lodge keeps new skiers away from faster traffic.
- Palisades Tahoe sells a four-pack of group lessons for ages 3 to 13 (from $717 for 2026-27), which can be used through the season.
- For kids who don't ski, the Tahoe City Winter Sports Park, 15 minutes away, has a small sled hill and an ice rink.
- Tahoe Donner's downhill area near Truckee is a smaller, gentler hill some families use for a first day. Our guide to The Lodge at Tahoe Donner covers that corner of Truckee.
Alpine vs. the Olympic Valley side
| Alpine | Palisades (Olympic Valley) | |
|---|---|---|
| Acres | 2,400 | 3,600 |
| Lifts | 13 | 26, including the Aerial Tram and Funitel |
| Summit | 8,637 ft | 9,050 ft |
| Base | Alpine Main Lodge, few services | The Village, shops, restaurants, condos |
| Feel | Quieter, locals' side | Busier, famous steeps (KT-22) |
The two share one ticket and one pass. Many of our guests park at Alpine to avoid the Village crowds and ride the gondola over when they want to.
Alpine Meadows in summer
Alpine isn't a summer lift destination in a normal year. Palisades Tahoe's summer sightseeing is centered on the Olympic Valley side, where the Aerial Tram climbs to High Camp; some summers the sightseeing ticket has also covered the Base to Base Gondola. Check the summer page for the current schedule and prices. The Alpine Meadows valley itself is a trailhead area, with the Pacific Crest Trail and Five Lakes Trail nearby. See our Tahoe National Forest guide for summer hikes around Tahoe City.
Plan your 2026-27 Alpine trip
Three things to sort before you go: which pass or ticket covers your dates, a parking reservation if you are skiing a weekend or holiday, and a base that keeps the morning drive short. Tahoe City and the West Shore put you closest. Browse our North and West Shore homes or search your dates, and call us at (530) 317-0291 or send a note if you want help choosing between Alpine, Northstar and Diamond Peak for your group.
Questions
Is Alpine Meadows still open?
Yes. Alpine Meadows still operates as the Alpine side of Palisades Tahoe, with its own base lodge, 13 lifts and 2,400 acres. Palisades Tahoe's 2026-27 opening day is Wednesday, November 25, 2026, weather permitting. Alpine often opens after the Olympic Valley side, so check the mountain report before you drive up early in the season.
What are the Alpine Meadows ski resort hours of operation?
In winter, lifts at both Alpine and the Olympic Valley side run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather and conditions permitting. The Base to Base Gondola also runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. when both mountains are open. Hours change in spring and during storms, so check the resort's hours page on the day.
Do I need a parking reservation at Alpine Meadows?
On weekends and holiday periods, yes. For 2026-27, Palisades Tahoe requires a parking reservation for all lots on Saturdays, Sundays and listed holiday periods, and you pick either the Alpine Main Lodge or The Village when you book. Most reservations are free and are released on Tuesdays at noon and 7 p.m. for the coming weekend. Paid reservations are $30. Midweek non-holiday parking is free and first come, first served.
Can I use my Ikon Pass at Alpine Meadows?
Yes. Alpine is part of Palisades Tahoe, an Alterra resort. For 2026-27 the full Ikon Pass (from $1,449 for adults 23 and over) has unlimited access with no blackout dates. The Ikon Base Pass (from $1,019) also has unlimited access at Palisades Tahoe but is blacked out Dec. 26 to 30, 2026, Jan. 16 and 17, 2027, and Feb. 13 and 14, 2027.
Why did Alpine Meadows change its name?
In September 2021 the combined resort, then called Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, became Palisades Tahoe, dropping a word widely recognized as a slur against Native American women. Alpine Meadows was not closed or renamed as a mountain. It is now the Alpine side of Palisades Tahoe, and most locals still call it Alpine.
How do I get from Alpine to Olympic Valley?
Ride the Base to Base Gondola. It opened in December 2022, runs 2.4 miles between the Alpine Lodge base and The Village, and takes about 16 minutes. It has a mid-station on top of KT-22 where only expert skiers and riders may get off. Wind can put it on hold, so check lift status before planning a day on both sides.
Are there vacation rentals near Alpine Meadows?
There is almost no lodging at the Alpine base itself, so most visitors stay in Tahoe City, the West Shore or the North Shore. Tahoe City is about 15 minutes from the Alpine base by car. We manage homes in Tahoe City, Tahoe Pines, Homewood, Tahoma, Carnelian Bay, Tahoe Vista, Kings Beach and Incline Village.
Is Alpine Meadows open in summer?
Not for skiing in a normal year, and summer lift rides are centered on the Olympic Valley side, where Palisades Tahoe sells sightseeing tickets for the Aerial Tram and other lifts. Some seasons have also included the Base to Base Gondola. Check the Palisades Tahoe summer page for the current schedule and prices.