The top World Cup men’s skiers from around the world will call Palisades Tahoe ski resort home next week.
The Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup returns to Lake Tahoe on Feb. 23-25. The competition is part of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Tour. A year ago, large crowds of spectators at Palisades Tahoe viewed 60 of the World Cup’s best skiers from 23 nations head down the Olympic Valley slopes.
One of only four U.S. resorts featured on the World Cup circuit this season, Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) will host men’s Giant Slalom and Slalom events on Dog Leg and Red Dog face.
The Giant Slalom will take place Saturday (Feb. 24) with the first run starting at 9:40 am and the second run at 1:15 pm. The Slalom competition takes place Sunday, starting at 9:40 am and followed by a second run at 1:15 pm.
On Friday (Feb. 23), the Kick-Off parade is set to begin at 5:30 pm and will celebrate the start of the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup with a parade in the village. The participating skiers will lead the way from resort’s Coffeebar to KT Base Bar.
By even World Cup standards, the Palisades Tahoe course can be extremely challenging. In a 2017 for the women’s World Cup alpine event, Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin said “it’s one of, if not the toughest” course venues on the women’s World Cup circuit.
A dominate skier for more than a decade with a record 95 victories, Shiffrin is known for her technical approach to tight or difficult courses, especially slalom courses, which require even more precision and control as opposed to blunt speed.
Many GS courses often require a technical approach. And combined with their need for speed, courses such as Red Dog can prove daunting for even the top athletes in the start gate.
“You have to be high intensity, high aggressiveness, so that was very special to win there, knowing how tough the course is and how much intensity it requires to win there,” said Shiffrin of her 2017 victory at Palisades Tahoe. “You have to be attacking it 100 percent every turn, but you also have to play the terrain smart. There are certain sections that you have to be really tactical, but you can’t take your foot off the gas.”
This week, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) gave the go-ahead for The Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup to commence. On every World Cup location, each mountain must pass “snow control” ahead of the races to ensure course quality for the racers.
After getting a foot of new snow Wednesday (Feb. 14), Palisades Tahoe has received 193 inches of snowfall this season at its summit. Groomers and race course planners have been working on the course since Feb. 1.
Palisades Tahoe is no stranger to international competition. A renowned ski racing venue that has bred champions since the 1960 Winter Olympics, the resort’s legendary steeps will once again welcome back World Cup racers this winter.
“We are thrilled to welcome back the Audi FIS World Cup to Palisades Tahoe in 2024,” said Dee Byrne, President and COO at Palisades Tahoe. “This event holds a special place in our hearts. It celebrates the incredible talents of some of the world’s best ski racers while inspiring the next generation of elite athletes.”
GRANDSTAND TICKETS: Fans can redeem their ticket by bringing the email purchase confirmation with them. At the entrance to the venue, grandstand tickets will be scanned for confirmation on the barcode and fans will be given a wristband.
VIP tickets are also available. Tickets can be purchased here.
Fans with tickets for both Saturday and Sunday, will have to go through the scan process each day. Wristbands are not good for multiple days.
PARKING INFORMATION: Parking reservations are required in all parking lots at both Palisades Tahoe and Alpine side of the mountain from Feb. 17-25.
VIP ticket holders receive premier parking within steps of the stadium Friday.
Another available option is Tahoe City or Truckee Park & Ride. If you choose to use the Park & Ride, you get a $10 voucher to use at select locations in The Village at Palisades Tahoe.
FREE CONCERTS, FIREWORKS: The Black Jacket Symphony featuring Marc Martel (the voice behind the worldwide hit movie “Bohemian Rhapsody”) will take center stage Friday at 7 pm with a performance of Queen’s “A Night at the Opera.” Following Black Jacket Symphony, there will be fireworks.
On Saturday, there will be two free shows. At 2:30 pm, London-based DJ 220 Kid will play in the Funitel Plaza. At night, Eve 6 and Ludacris will play on the KT Deck starting at 6:15 pm.
DISCO TUBING: This is a fun activity for people of all ages. The SnoVentures will be the site for tubing at Palisades Tahoe on Friday and Saturday evening. Tubers will hear energetic tunes and see laser lights while flying down (safely) the tubing hill.
The tubing area has a magic carpet, a convenient way to get back up the hill that doesn’t require walking to take another lap.
