As the Sochi Olympics nears, many Lake Tahoe winter athletes are hoping to make the team and represent the United States in the upcoming Games.
But this is also a time of year to look back and reflect on past Olympians and their deeds. To honor Lake Tahoe’s Olympic athletes and reflect on Squaw Valley hosting the 1960 Winter Games, Granlibakken will celebrate Heritage Week, which begins today (Jan. 11) and runs through Jan. 19.
Olympian Joe Pete Wilson returns
Olympic greatness returns toLake Tahoe this winter at Granlibakken Conference Center & Lodge and will include 1960 Olympian Joe Pete Wilson. He will act as a consultant for the resort’s ski and sled operation and help celebrate Olympic Heritage week, Jan. 11-19.
Wilson and his teammates represented the U.S. in the 1960 Olympics held at Squaw Valley. Wilson was a member of the U.S. cross country ski team in 1960 and four years later was on the U.S. Olympic bobsled team.
Granlibakken has Olympic roots
It is widely held that the seeds of Squaw’s Olympic glory were sown at Granlibakken, famous for its Olympic Hill ski jump and home of the 1932 ski jumping trials.
Olympic Heritage week celebrates Tahoe’s place in Olympic history with special events, guided snowshoe tours and meet and greets with past Olympians. Granlibakken will host the Nordic Legends Dinner Friday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m.
Wilson later became a well-known administrator in the resort industry, contributing to the cross-country ski area at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vt. The lodge was established by the Trapp family of “Sound of Music” fame.
Wilson committed to winter outdoor recreation
Wilson has written several books on cross-country skiing, including the “Complete Cross-Country Skiing and Ski Touring,” co-authored with William Lederer.
“Joe brings a lifelong commitment to winter outdoor recreation and sports and resort management to our lodge,” said Kay Williams, Granlibakken’s general manager. “We’re fortunate to have someone with his knowledge and expertise to consult with our cross-country skiing, sledding and snowboarding operation.”
In 1973, Wilson organized a meeting of 25 ski areas and established the National Ski Touring Operators’ Association, which later become the Cross Country Ski Areas Association. Wilson served as the association’s first president.
Granlibakken a family destination
Granlibakken maintains its rustic charm while delivering a high-tech vacation destination for families, groups and travelers with free Wi-Fi throughout the resort and transportation to and from Reno-TahoeInternationalAirport.
Surrounded by 74 forested acres, Granlibakken offer guests a serene environment with inviting and convenient amenities including hot breakfast buffet each morning, on-site outdoor heated pool, hot tub, sauna, tennis courts, ski and sledding hill, ski school, ski rental shop, and access to cross country trails.
For information, visit www.Granlibakken.com or call (800) 543-3221.
