The Best Is Yet To Come
project overview
Love Palisades Tahoe?
so do we.
In 1949, a legend was born. An alpine resort with world-class terrain, spectacular views, and a vibrant ski culture rose high above the shores of Lake Tahoe. Soon, it would come to define North American alpine sports as host of the 1960 Winter Games. On our slopes, legends have been made. From the original ski pioneers to the innovators of freeskiing and riding to the American Olympians who got their start here, Palisades Tahoe inspires progression.
Always Progressing
We love Palisades Tahoe and want to protect what makes it great.
But the truth is we also need to evolve to meet the needs of the 21st century in a way that is good for the mountain, the environment, and the community, without losing what makes this place special. We know that change can be scary, but what really drives fear is the unknown. We want you to be aware of the newest available information related to how this project addresses water, traffic, and wildfire preparedness, and how it creates new workforce housing for our employees.
We’re focused on making the resort experience better for you, our community, and the environment.
Our plan will create a world-class experience for locals and guests alike, on a world-class mountain, in a world-class community that we’re all proud of.
Our Plan for Progression
Our future relies on the continued, smart investment in the resort experience, the environment, and our community. It requires further on-mountain improvements and investments in a vibrant village with a dedicated facility for fitness and year-round family activities. We’re excited about the possibilities ahead and want you to have all the facts about what we’ve proposed.
Shaping the Future of Mountain Adventure
Our goal is simple: to make an already great mountain better. Beyond completing The Village, our intention is to continue to invest in resort improvements that allow us to open terrain quicker, give you faster lifts, more snow to ski and ride on, and to make every day you spend on-mountain the best it can be. A good reflection of our commitment to the mountain and to you is the over $100 million in infrastructure we invested over the past 5 years that has dramatically enhanced the on-mountain experience.
Future Planned Improvements
A richer, vibrant village experience with more quality dining, shopping, and après experiences
2A dedicated mountain-centric fitness facility in the village to stay on top of your game and for year-round family activities
3Nearly 9 acres of active park land
417 miles of new and existing multi-purpose trail improvements to encourage car-free outdoor experiences
5A creekside interpretive trail
A richer, vibrant village experience with more quality dining, shopping, and après experiences
A richer, vibrant village experience with more quality dining, shopping, and après experiences
A dedicated mountain-centric fitness facility in the village to stay on top of your game and for year-round family activities
A dedicated mountain-centric fitness facility in the village to stay on top of your game and for year-round family activities
Nearly 9 acres of active park land
Nearly 9 acres of active park land
17 miles of new and existing multi-purpose trail improvements to encourage car-free outdoor experiences
17 miles of new and existing multi-purpose trail improvements to encourage car-free outdoor experiences
A creekside interpretive trail
A creekside interpretive trail
The Community
We’re Investing in Community
- Up to 850 new guest accommodation units that will help reduce arrival/departure traffic during peak times of day
- Significant financial investments in regional transportation and infrastructure
- A new fire station on the west end of The Valley, response vehicles and 6 additional full-time firefighters
- $5M+ in parks and recreation investments
- $97,500 in annual funding for the Tahoe Area Regional Transit (TART)
- Approximately $7M in additional TOT revenue to contribute to workforce housing, transportation, tourism mitigation and other regional priorities
Creating a Sustainable Employee Base
As one of the largest employers in the region, our staff is part of the fabric of this community. Ensuring their ability to live rich, fulfilling lives in The Valley strengthens our community. When people can live and work here, that happiness spreads.
- New, on-site housing to be built first for 300 existing and new employees
- Workforce housing to be complemented with amenities including a market, employee fitness center and parking
- $500,000 toward additional regional workforce housing initiatives
- $1M in annual cash and in-kind contributions to projects and programs that benefit our employees, our community, and our guests
Palisades Tahoe is committed to providing its employees with affordable housing. In addition to the proposed project above, Palisades Tahoe has recently announced a significant expansion in employee housing. The company plans to double its employee housing capacity over five years. These efforts are part of Palisades Tahoe’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the guest and employee experience at the resort, which will improve their overall experience and attract and retain top talent.
employee housing beds increased from 2021/22
Year-round beds increased 2021/22
(35 to 95)
purchased separate housing units in North Lake Tahoe encompassing 60 permanent beds
secured beds annually for employees through master leases and partnerships with local hotels and private owners
The Mountain
Adventure Center
What is it?
It’s what some people call the “water park.” Our intention for the facility, however, is for the activities it houses to align with the culture of our Valley. We don’t want some overblown corporate theme park here either. But, having your best day on the mountain means having your best day off it as well.
We want to build a state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor mountain training facility combined with a family adventure camp for Team Palisades Tahoe, our community and our guests. Along with world-class training opportunities, we’d like to offer activities like pools and soaking tubs, a climbing wall and other agility activities, a bowling alley and a movie theater. It will be the perfect place to go when weather impacts lift operations.
Preserving Our Mountain Culture
Our Valley was always meant to be a recreational paradise, just as Palisades Tahoe was always envisioned to be the preeminent resort in North America. Everything we have done to this point – and are planning to do – is about making this place we love better. For you. For our community. For our guests. For the environment.
Our plan was developed and “right sized” thanks to years of extensive community feedback. The intention has always been to leave Palisades Tahoe better for our children and their children – to make it legendary on every level and keep the stoke going for generations to come.
village density
Ways Community Feedback Has Positively Impacted The Plan
This plan replaces the S***w Valley General Plan Land Use Ordinance (SVGPLUO), reduces the allowable density by 65%, and puts 16 acres of land into permanent conservation.
4,276 beds to 1,493 beds = 65% reduction from SVGPLUO
(general plan)
general plan
Key takeaways:
- Reduction was based on community discussion and feedback
- Reduction in density allowed for permanent conservation of 16 acres which will never be developed
- New underground parking for lodging guests and retention of all existing day skier parking spaces
95% of the Project will be Built on Existing Asphalt Parking Lots
water usage
The Plan’s Water Needs Represent 1% of the Total Watershed.
The truth is our watershed is large and our aquifer is small in relation and has proven to replenish itself, even through multiple drought years.
The total watershed (snow/precipitation capture area) provides approximately 25,000 acre feet of water annually to the Olympic Valley.
The 2015 Water Study Assessment undertaken as part of EIR which included multiple, consecutive drought years determined that groundwater supply would remain above 77% saturation levels even in the driest years (more than adequate) for current and future uses (including development).
Total fully built project water usage is approximately 1% of total annual watershed supply
results of 2015 water study
- Olympic Valley Public Service District determined that the groundwater basin has sufficient water supply for current and future users including the current Village plan.
results of 2021 water study
- Study period from 2016 – 2021
- Assessment showed that groundwater pumping and well recovery were similar to historical conditions.
- The hydrological data showed that there is little change in quantity of water availability or for the ability of the aquifer to replenish and fully recover each winter/spring.
- These results support the 2015 water study included in the EIR.
The official Fall 2021 Watershed Assessment
traffic impact
Traffic, We All Hate It
here’s what we are doing about it
Our plan not only creates more lodging for overnight guests to stay in the Valley, it will generate millions of dollars for transit solutions both in the Valley and in the region. In the meantime, our efforts towards this issue are ongoing. We contribute funding to regional transit initiatives, contract with CHP to manage traffic at multiple intersections on SR-89 and in Truckee, and we work with CalTrans to manage traffic lights during peak travel times. On busy days, we add a 3rd lane on Olympic Valley Road, manage electronic message signs from Truckee to Tahoe City, and provide real-time updates on our app, our website, and local radio. Additionally, we offer priority parking for those who carpool and we restarted the Sherwood Shuttle this season. Here are other ways our plan will help lessen traffic impacts:
Day skier spots remain the same as today maintaining community access.
We’re reducing employee traffic on Olympic Valley Road.
Working with local and regional agencies to improve overall transportation in the region.
We’re creating up to 456 dedicated new employee parking spaces that will reduce through-Valley vehicles and increase guest parking at the resort.
Pre-arrival communications including Palisades Tahoe App push notifications with real-time parking information.
Restarted free Sherwood Shuttle to provide resort access from the West Shore to Alpine.
Implementing parking reservation system for weekends and holidays for the 2023-24 winter season.
Implemented cash-incentivized employee carpool program.
3rd lane traffic and side street programs on busy weekends and holidays to keep traffic moving on Olympic Valley road and off side streets.
Here’s how you can help
Travel during off-peak times. Hang out a while, enjoy an apres meal in the Village or better yet, stay overnight and make first tracks in the morning.
Come with a crew. Fill up those empty seats in your car with your fellow skiers and riders. More people in less cars is a good thing.
Use public transportation whenever possible. It’s easy, and free!
Wildfire action
Protecting our Community from the Threat of Wildfire
The plan includes an activation of new fire station in the west end of the Valley, new response vehicles, and hiring 6 more full-time firefighters. This reduces the potential for traffic on Olympic Valley Road to influence emergency response times.
The plan also required creation of an Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Plan (EPEP) that was completed in coordination with local authorities. Much improved Shelter-in-Place options from today will be provided within The Village at Palisades Tahoe (VAPT) buildings with capacity for, at a minimum, VAPT property owners, guests, and employees.
The plan consists of significant measures to enhance fire safety, including the activation of a new fire station at the west end of the Valley, the hiring of six more full-time firefighters, and the acquisition of new response vehicles to reduce the potential for traffic on Olympic Valley road impacting emergency response times.
An Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Plan has been completed in coordination with local authorities, which includes much-improved Shelter-in-Place options provided within the Village at Palisades buildings.
Additionally, a fire plan consisting of construction standards for hardening structures against fire, fuel management, and education, which are crucial to ensuring community safety has been developed. The new development will adhere to the latest wildland fire interface requirements and pursue HVAC systems to filter air during poor air quality. The development will also generate transfer tax revenues for fuel management in Olympic Valley.
Palisades Tahoe has an Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Plan in place, which includes evacuation protocols and Shelter in Place locations. This plan will result in an updated and enhanced fire station at the West end of the valley for emergency response, including additional full-time firefighters. Palisades Tahoe also participates in community education, fire drills, Community Firewise efforts, funding initiatives, and enhancing communication systems. They are committed to addressing regional issues such as Mountaineer micro transit services, workforce housing, TART, and TART Connect services, and the Olympic Valley Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Our environment
Environmental Stewardship
Nothing is more important to us than evolving in a responsible way. We want to foster a legacy founded on a deep respect for our natural environment and protect this place we love so you can pass it down for generations to come. This is our chance to invest substantially in the natural ecosystem and create a culture of true environmental stewardship.
The restoration of Washeshu Creek will increase the wetland acreage within the Village by 50% and improve functionality, plant and fish habitat, and sediment loading and re-charge of the aquifer.
This plan replaces the S***w Valley General Plan Land Use Ordinance (SVGPLUO), reducing the density by 65% and putting 16 acres of developable land into permanent conservation.
95% of the proposed plan will occur on existing parking lots that don’t have environmental BMPs.
$5M+ in parks and recreation investments including a dedicated dog park and Shirley Canyon trailhead improvements.
$1M+ annually for environmental initiatives in Olympic Valley
$800,000 contribution to “regional interests” in support of environmental restoration efforts, open space acquisitions, trails, or public safety within Olympic Valley.
A ¾% transfer tax on real estate sales, projected to generate $10M on first sales and $1M annually on re-sales, will be re-invested to address environmental and other initiatives in Olympic Valley.
Economic benefit
Setting The Valley Up For Success For Generations To Come
Here’s the hard truth. Without a plan, nothing will get done to set our community up for future success. We will remain stuck in time and atrophy as other resorts and communities leap forward. This plan is literally a primary economic engine that will bring money in from out of the community to help create and expand the infrastructure and services our residents need for decades to come.
$25M in Total Annual Tax Revenues
- Provides ongoing contributions to support transit initiatives such as the funding of buses, free public transit fares for employees and guests, and contributions to the Truckee North Tahoe Transportation Management Association
- Contributes an additional $500,000 toward regional workforce housing initiatives
- $175M in community infrastructure improvements (roads, water wells and transmission lines, water tank, sewer transmission lines, etc.)
