General

Snowboarding at Palisades Tahoe

Jan 29, 2019
4:01 pm

Snowboarding at Palisades Tahoe

In 1999, Squaw Valley lifted their ban on snowboarding, thus creating a vibrant and tight-knit community that has produced Olympic snowboarders, professional riders who train at Squaw Alpine, and snowboard enthusiasts alike. In honor of this anniversary, we’ve compiled a number of resources about why snowboarding is so special here at Palisades Tahoe, including interviews with local snowboarders, employees, and professionals, retail information, safety tips, terrain park information, and more.

Why is Palisades Tahoe your favorite place to snowboard?

Squaw Valley has been my favorite mountain since I moved here not only because of its rich history but because it just feels like home. Epic riding, great people, and a super fun après scene. There is such a wide variety of terrain for all ability levels, it’s impossible to get bored. – Dustin Dresser, Employee since 2015

The amount of different terrain at Squaw and Alpine is what always keeps it fresh and fun. Whether it’s getting face shots on Tower 16 on a powder day, rolling through skate-park-like terrain on Solitude or sending side hits in Hot Wheels Gully, you’re guaranteed to have a radical day. Squallywood truly comes to life during spring park riding. – Woody, local snowboarder & Slot Bar inhabitant

What’s your favorite place to ride at either mountain?

A must-do while riding here: finding one of the many natural gullies hidden in the trees. This mountain has tons of them that last for entire runs. They are like giant, never-ending halfpipes. Be careful, though: once you find one, you will be hooked and it may be the only part of the mountain that you see. – Jessica Flint, Olympian & Tahoe Native

I love riding Granite Chief. There is an abundance of things to jump off of. It has a fun skatepark feel to it, kind of like a playground for senders. – Dustin Dresser, Employee since 2015

Are there any traverses that I should avoid?

On warmer days, especially during spring skiing, the bottom of Sibera by Gold Coast can get very sticky. If you don’t have enough speed, you run the risk of having to walk out. – Alexis, local snowboarder

If you’re dropping in on the Palisades, I would watch out for the reverse traverse… That thing can eat you alive if you aren’t ready for it! – Dustin Dresser, Employee since 2015

Hot Spots

The Ledge Boardshop

Located in the Village at Squaw Valley, the Ledge Boardshop is the most progressive snowboard shop in Lake Tahoe, carrying local brands like Spring Break and Jones as well as prominent international brands such as Burton & Arbor all year round.

Lake Tahoe Burton Riglet Parks at Palisades Tahoe

The Burton Riglet Parks

This year, both Squaw and Alpine constructed Burton Riglet Parks. These parks, designed for ages 3-7, are available to Snowboard School Students & aim to get kids comfortable with boarding & balance.

Terrain Parks

Palisades Tahoe prides itself on building exciting features, especially during spring skiing season. Read our terrain parks blog to get the latest on Lake Tahoe park riding.

Demo The Latest Boards

Visit our Demo Shop locations

Want to try a different brand or a brand new line? You can Demo to Buy the snowboard you love most and can exchange as many times as you’d like!

Brands carried by the Demo Centers:

Burton
Capita
Jones
Lib Tech
K2

Safety Reminders

Always wear a helmet, especially when riding in the park.
Watch your speed
Always look when trails are merging or when you are planning a jump
Know your limits & do not attempt terrain above your skill level alone
For more on terrain park safety, click this link.

Our Athletes

Athlete Nate Holland

Nate Holland

Boarder-Cross Snowboarder

Nate Holland has won an incredible 8 Winter X Games gold medals, including back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back golds from 2006-2010. Holland has also competed in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics.

Jeremy Jones

Freeride Snowboarder

Jeremy Jones is an award-winning filmmaker, entrepreneur, environmentalist & snowboarding pioneer, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished big mountain riders & explorers of all time. He is the founder &CEO of Jones Snowboards & of Protect Our Winters.

Sammy Luebke

Big Mountain Snowboarder

Sammy was the youngest competitor to ever win the “Subaru Freeskiing Championship” at age 16. In 2016, Sammy snagged the coveted Freeride World Tour Championship title. In 2017, Sammy won the Freeride World Tour Championship for the second year in a row!