Snow, Ski, Relax at OVI

The best thing about staying at the Olympic Village Inn is the close proximity to Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Olympics. Whether you're planning on downhill skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, or snow tubing, Squaw Valley is the place to be. No matter if you're going to the slopes on a busy holiday weekend, you'll rarely find a wait in the lift lines. The mountain is so huge and runs are so varied that not too many people are left waiting in the same lines for the same ski runs. Squaw Valley also has a small indoor mountain climbing wall.

For non-skiers, you can purchase a cable car ticket and ride up to the top of High Camp where you can experience the grandest views of Lake Tahoe with the crystal clear water. It's a beautiful sight! There's also a Village at Squaw Valley, which has many restaurants and boutique shops.

Quick Tips:

If you're a morning riser, you can purchase a full-day adult lift ticket (2003-2004 season) for and turn back your lift ticket to the ticket counter by noon and get a credit voucher back for for your next day's skiing. This is perfect if you want to avoid the crowds later in the day or just want to ski half day. Squaw Valley has the least expensive child's all-day lift ticket around in the Tahoe area. It's only for children under age 12. What a bargain! If you need to rent ski equipment, consider renting it the night before to avoid long lines the next day. If you rent after the resort has closed (at 4pm), most rental shops will not charge you the extra day for renting your equipment the night before.

Best Way To Get Around:

If you plan on just hanging out at the ski resort, you won't need a car, but if you intend on driving into Truckee, Tahoe City, or Reno, you will definitely need a car to get around.

The resort has three levels with a central elevator from the lobby. As you walk into your room, you step immediately into the bedroom. To get to the living room, you must walk through the vanity area of the bathroom. The bathtub/shower and toilet are behind closed doors in the vanity area.

The bedroom has a comfy queen size bed with a luxurious comfortable, a dresser with seven drawers, an armoire for hanging some of your clothes and more storage area. The living room has a CD/stereo system, TV, double size sofa bed, two end tables, two chairs, and a small fold-up/down dining table.

There is a small kitchenette in the living area. The kitchenette has two burners, a microwave, dishwasher, sink, toaster, fans, and cabinets full of pots, pans, plates, cups, silverware, and cooking utensils. Dishwashing liquid, sponges, paper towels, and salt and pepper are also provided.

There are two doors that separate the bedroom from the vanity area and the living room to allow for privacy for four people. From the living room, you can walk out into your private balcony. Most balconies have a view of the slopes of Squaw Valley.

The room is on the cozy side. The room is carpeted, and has separate heating in the bedroom and living room. The shower/toilet area is a tight squeeze. The bathtub/shower has three separate showerheads. The vanity area has a hair dryer and shampoo and lotion. The room is perfect for two adults and two children or four adults.

Best Things Nearby:
Squaw Valley USA ski resort and the new Village at Squaw Valley.

Best Things About the Resort:
The best thing about this resort is that it's so close to Squaw Valley. You catch the free daily shuttle to/from the resort to the slopes and can be there within two minutes!

Resort Experience:
I first discovered the Olympic Village Inn in 2000. After staying there for a week of skiing, I decided to purchase two timeshare weeks at the resort (no pressure sales). The best thing I love about staying at the resort is that I can be on the slopes in minutes. Prior to discovering the resort, I used to drive in from Tahoe Donner/Truckee, which took me about 40 minutes without traffic, then find a parking space, and walk what seemed like a mile to the ticket counter with all my ski gear in tow. Now, all I have to do is grab my skis from the ski check room provided free of charge at the resort, and hop onto the free shuttle for a two minute ride to the ticket counters at Squaw Valley.

After a long day of skiing, the last thing I want to do is walk back to my car and sit in traffic for the ride home. Now, all I do is walk to the pick-up stop for the shuttle which is about less than half a block away, get back on the shuttle, check in my skis at the resort, make myself a complimentary cup of hot tea or coffee and relax and warm up by the fireplace in the lobby sitting area.

The ski check area also provides free-of-charge sleds for the little ones and snowshoes. The staff at the resort is all very helpful and friendly. The resort also has a large swimming pool that is open all year round. There are many outdoor hot tubs scattered around the resort for soaking your tired muscles after a day of skiing. The resort also provides two plush bathrobes inside your room, which is handy when using the hot tubs.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Squaw Valley USA, home of the 1960 Olympics, is one of the largest ski resorts in Northern California. I ski here almost exclusively since the terrain is suitable for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers. The mountain is so big that no matter how crowded the ski resort is, the lines for the lifts are never more than a five-minute wait and usually much less than that.

The Village at Squaw Valley is still continuing to be built with several phases still to be completed. Currently, there are many restaurants to choose from, and little boutiques to shop at. The restaurants are best left for dinner. The restaurants in the Squaw Valley ski area and in the upper mountain tend to be pricey so I would suggest packing your own lunch and storing it in a locker. You'll save a ton of money doing so. Squaw Valley has snow-making machines all over the mountain, so when snow is needed, it can be made.

I just returned from a week's stay at the Olympic Village Inn from Feb. 13 to Feb. 22.

The one-bedroom condo is very cozy and perfect for a family of four. As you walk into the unit, you are led into the bedroom with a queen-size bed. Continue into the unit and there's a vanity area/bathroom that separates the bedroom from the living room. The living room has a pullout double size sofa bed. Also in the room is a VCR and CD/radio. There's a kitchenette in the living room area. The kitchenette is equipped with two burners, a microwave, small refrigerator, dishwasher, toaster, coffee maker, pots and pans, dishes, silverware, and cooking utensils. Our room had a balcony that had a view of the Squaw Valley ski slopes.

The best thing about the resort is the convenience to the slopes. Hop on the free shuttle provided by the hotel and you are on the slopes within minutes. After a long day of skiing, just hop back onto the shuttle and you're sipping the complimentary hot coffee and hot tea in the resort's lobby while the other skiers are still fighting the traffic getting out of the parking lot. The resort has a large heated pool that is available even during the winter months. The resort also has many outdoor hot tubs that are perfect for relaxing your sore muscles from skiing. The hotel lobby has a sitting area with a television, and free internet access on the computer for guest use. Right out the doors of the lobby are three coin operated washer and dryers for use by all guests. The resort also provides ski storage, so you don't have to lug your skis up to your room. The recreation department provides free use of sleds and snow shoes as well.

The staff at the resort is very friendly and helpful.

I would highly recommend staying here!