Recap: 2024 Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup Weekend

Our biggest weekend of the season has come to a close: The 2024 Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup is history. But not just any history—it’s the kind that leaves its mark: packed with emotion, adrenaline, and a level of exhaustion that only those of us in the trenches can truly appreciate. Do you remember the 2023 Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup? We were slammed with 146 inches of snow in one week and it took true miracle work to pull it off. Fast forward to this year, and we’re talking a whole different ball game: clear skies, sunshine, and the kind of mild February weather that’s as rare as it is welcome. This wasn’t just another event; it was a testament to our ability to adapt, overcome, and deliver an unforgettable experience, no matter what Mother Nature throws our way.

Friday

Festivities began on Friday, February 23rd. The Village at Palisades Tahoe was full of local vendors and Team USA jackets, teeming with what felt like pre-show jitters. The official events kicked off at 5:30pm: Athletes, families, Team Palisades Tahoe, other local ski teams, and race staff marched through the Village waving flags, banners, and homemade signs. The sound of Swiss cowbells echoed through it all. A public bib draw was then hosted on the stage below KT-22, with adorable Ski Patrol dogs in tow.

The Kick-Off Parade through The Village at Palisades Tahoe.

Patrollers & dogs on stage for the public bib draw.

River Radamus selects his bib.

Photos: Ryan Salm

But the night was just getting started. As a light show of the Palisades Tahoe logo displayed across the Tram Face, Black Jacket Symphony and Marc Martel took the stage. They performed Queen’s “A Night At The Opera” in full to an ecstatic crowd, followed by some of the legendary band’s best-known tunes.

Photos: Ryan Salm

As the night closed out with a stunning fireworks display, we were ready for whatever Saturday’s overflowing event schedule might bring. Photo: Nick McMahon, Palisades Grooming.

Saturday

The Village at Palisades Tahoe was buzzing well before normal. As part of the Opening Ceremonies for Giant Slalom, the signature, unforgettable moment was the military jet flyover: though it was a split-second, it matched the energy in the grandstands and on the snow. The race was on!

US Ski Team athlete River Radamus with Palisades Tahoe athlete Daron Rahlves.

River Radamus

Stoke was especially high for American racer River Radamus, who was attempting his first World Cup podium. It was a nail-biter: He came out of the First Run in 3rd place, so it came down to holding his position in the Second Run. He was the 28th athlete down the course, and when he crossed the finish line, he secured the fastest combined time. With only two athletes to go, this cemented his spot on the podium. The excitement in the air was palpable. Chants of USA and elated shouts filled the base area. In the end, the final two skiers (Marco Odermatt and Henrik Kristofferson) overtook Radamus for the first and second spots. Still, River achieved an incredible goal that we were very proud to be a part of: River had his first World Cup podium, and he did it on American snow. It was a very emotional moment when he stood on the podium, filled with laughter and joy immediately afterward when he and his competitors began spraying one another with champagne.

River Radamus on-course

River Radamus in the finish corral.

Photos: Ryan Salm

The vibe was alive in the Village. 220Kid filled the Village Plaza area with a several-hour-long setlist. As people perused vendors and grabbed a bite to eat between events, they also had to stop and shimmy to the beat. Meanwhile, lines began to form for our Palisades Tahoe athlete signing, a popular stop for the young athletes of Team Palisade Tahoe, grabbing signatures or signed posters from Travis Ganong, Bryce Bennett, AJ Hurt, and Daron Rahlves. Soon after, Stifel US Ski Team athletes were also doling out autographs.

To kick off the evening concerts, Eve6 took to the stage on the KT Deck for a dedicated crowd that was ready to sing along. And then – the moment we’d all been waiting for: Ludacris, live in Lake Tahoe. Fresh off of a stint at the Super Bowl, Luda drew a gigantic crowd, with people stretching far beyond the Funitel ready to see what he might bring. It was maybe the biggest crowd we’d ever had at Palisades Tahoe. Playing songs from his long list of bangers as well as dabbling in popular tunes from other artists, the crowd was ecstatic. There was no doubt that this was going to be a night to remember.

Ludacris

Ludacris

Sunday

The final day of racing began at 10am on Sunday, February 25th, with a Slalom event. Amped after River Radamus’s performance the day prior, attendees were eager to see what the day might bring. In beautiful, warm California weather, competitors fought through two intense heats with Manuel Feller coming out on top in first place. Off the racecourse, the slopes were teeming with excited skiers enjoying spring-like conditions at both Palisades and Alpine. The atmosphere for the whole weekend was sort of indescribable: It was an exciting, special event and we at Palisades Tahoe were so proud to be on a world stage.

Palisades Tahoe athlete Jonny Moseley interviews Jett Seymore.

Jett Seymore

Photos: Emily Tidwell, Ryan Salm, & Ryan Foster

THANK YOU TO OUR TEAMS

Pulling off an Audi FIS Ski World Cup tour event is no small feat. Almost every Palisades Tahoe employee touched or shaped this event in some way. We wanted to take a minute to thank the people who made this possible, especially those at the helm and behind the scenes. None of this would have been possible without the incredible leadership of Kyle Crezee, Kate Abraham, Nick Lewis, Phil Gillan Farr, Bill Hudson, and Jimmy King, and their respective teams.

Photos: Emily Tidwell & Ryan Salm

Team Palisades Tahoe

It goes without saying that for the young athletes who use Palisades Tahoe as their training venue and proving ground, being able to get up close and personal with some of the world’s best alpine skiers is the opportunity of a lifetime. Team Palisades Tahoe was ready to support in any way they could: slipping the course (especially the U14 and U16 teams!), participating in the Kick-Off Parade, making homemade signs, and spending their Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with both Palisades Tahoe and Stifel US Ski Team athletes. You also couldn’t miss them in the stands! Team Palisades Tahoe had their own viewing area by the finish.

The Sunday forerunners, members of Team Palisades Tahoe.

Plus, several of our Team Palisades Tahoe athletes got to be forerunners for the races. Being the forerunner for an alpine skiing race means being the skier(s) who tests the course just before the official race begins. These athletes ski down the course to ensure that it is safe, well-groomed, and free of any unexpected hazards or obstacles that could pose a danger. The forerunner must take a skilled line and be able to test the limits of the course, then effectively relay feedback from each section. Team Palisades Tahoe trains and competes on this slope often and understands how it challenges athletes. While the forerunner’s run is not part of the official race, it is an essential part of the pre-race procedures and provides valuable experience for the next generation who’s selected to take part in this Audi FIS Ski World Cup event. This year’s forerunners were:

Giant Slalom:
1. Mckinley Mercer
2. Charles Zaretsky
3. Florian Standteiner
4. Ben Bower ( alternate )
5. Jackson Rantz ( alternate )

Slalom:
1. Jackson Rantz
2. Charles Zaretsky
3. Luca Peterson
4. Oscar Whelan ( alternate )
5. Prince Ilano ( alternate )

Snow Surfaces

Under the command of our Director of Snow Surfaces, Brendan Gibbons, our snowmaking and grooming teams put thousands of hours into preparing the firm racing surface needed for this event. Snowmaking, led by Evan Nielsen, worked far past their usual end date to produce snow on Red Dog, battling bouts of warm temperatures in the weeks preceding the race and balancing the needs of the Dog Leg area with other snowmaking needs around the mountain.

We also brought in four contracted groomers who specialize in race surfaces, many of them back for a second year: Paul, Eric, Sparky, and Mason. Additionally, we had two of our in-house groomers, Nick McMahon and Bandit Ferrante, working on the Exhibition practice course. This whole crew worked for weeks in advance to prepare the “race layer,” working in both whiteout conditions and warm weather.

None of this would have been possible as well without the support of PistenBully, our state-of-the-art snowcat supplier, who provided extra snowcats and hands-on help in the days leading up to the event.

Food & Beverage

Off the hill, all of the race teams from around the world and their coaches, staff, and families had to be taken care of. Our food and beverage teams put in long hours making hundreds of meals each day. It is easy to just focus on the operations side of preparing for a race, but keeping people fed and happy is a huge lift in its own right. It was downright impressive what our team was able to pull off this week.

Volunteers & Event Services

We have to extend some serious gratitude to all the dedicated volunteers and event services staff whose unwavering commitment and hard work made this event possible. Their tireless dedication ensured that every detail of the event was meticulously organized and executed to perfection. From course preparation and safety management to hospitality and participant support, their contributions played a pivotal role in creating an unforgettable experience for athletes, spectators, and everyone involved.

Our Sponsors

None of this would be possible without the support of our sponsors.