The linking of these two ski areas has been in the works for years. And this ski season, it’s finally coming to fruition.
Called the Base-to-Base Gondola, it will connect the two valleys of Palisades Resort, which were once known as Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows ski resorts. According to resort officials, the new Gondola makes Palisades Tahoe one of the largest ski resorts in North America.
“The Base-to-Base Gondola offers newfound convenience and accessibility to the resort’s 6,000 acres and full spectrum of lifts, terrain, dining venues, and more.” a Palisades Tahoe press release stated.After kicking off the winter season earlier this month, Palisades Tahoe is slated to debut the long-awaited Base to Base Gondola Saturday, Dec. 17 with a full day of festivities to ring in a new era at the resort.
The Base-to-Base celebration will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony, special performances, fireworks, and more. The event is free and open to the public.
Besides transportation between Palisades and its Alpine side, the Gondola ride will offer scenic views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains, easy transit between the resort’s unique base areas, and lift access for expert skiers and snowboards to the top of KT-22.
Traversing 2.4 miles and a total of 3,105 vertical feet, the ride will take approximately 16 minutes, transporting passengers from one base terminal to the other with a brief stop at the new KT-22 mid-station.
The Gondola features four terminals, 33 lift towers, and 96 cabins, each seating up to eight people. With the capacity to transport 1,400 passengers an hour, the new gondola can be operated as one continuous lift or as two separate lifts from each base area to the top of KT-22 in case of inclement weather.
At the celebration, live musical performances will take place across both base areas throughout the day, with a Saturday night headline show from Dillon Francis, an LA-based DJ and producer known for vivid dance tracks and international festival appearances. This performance will take place on the KT Base Bar deck, followed by a fireworks show.
MOUNTAIN TOURS: Guests can enjoy a complimentary tour of the two valleys with The North Face Mountain Guides, featuring firsthand tips on the resort’s most coveted terrain and secret stashes.
These tours are offered to intermediate and advanced skiers and riders only. All participants will receive a coupon to The North Face® store in The Village at Palisades Tahoe for 20 percent off one item. To join, look for the meeting sign at either Base Area to meet your guide at the scheduled times below.
The Grand Opening Celebration will take place from 9 am until 6:30 pm across Palisades Tahoe.
EVENT SCHEDULE
- 9 am: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Toast, and Giveaways (Alpine & Palisades Base Areas)
- 10 am: 2-Hour Tours with The North Face® Mountain Guides (Alpine & Palisades Base Areas)
- 11 am: Pop-Up Music (Palisades – Gold Coast Snow Beach; Alpine – The Chalet Deck)
- 1 pm: 2-Hour Tours with The North Face® Mountain Guides (Alpine & Palisades Base Areas)
- 1 pm: Live Music and Happy Hour featuring Lizano (Alpine Lodge Deck)
- 3 pm: Live Music & Happy Hour (KT Base Bar)
- 5 pm: Headline Performance featuring Dillon Francis (KT Base Bar)
- 6:30 pm: Fireworks Show (KT Base Bar)
Guests can also follow along on Instagram @palisadestahoe for prize stashes on both mountains throughout the day. Two winners will find a grand prize of a Dakine backpack, Dakine gloves, GoPro Hero 11, and YETI Rambler. The most up-to-date event details can be found here.
