‘It’s magnificent’: Palisades Tahoe connects 6,000 skiable acres with historic, $65M gondola

By Erin Heft

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    OLYMPIC VALLEY, California (KCRA) — More than 70 years in the making, Palisades Tahoe opened its $65 million “Base to Base” gondola lift Saturday morning.

After two years of construction, the resort boasts the project not only unites two mountains for the first time, but makes Palisades Tahoe the largest ski resort in California, and the third largest in the nation.

Connecting 6,000 skiable acres across eight peaks Base to Base was designed for both thrill seekers, as well as sightseers.

“The sightseeing is spectacular, as you go up and over the ridge with the wilderness to the west, Lake Tahoe to the east, it’s magnificent,” said Base to Base project manager Casey Blann.

The 96-cabin lift stretches 2.4 miles, connecting 33 towers.

“The combination of the two resorts now married by virtue of this gondola, it’s just a match made in heaven,” Blann said.

Blann told KCRA 3 he plans now, after 45 years in the industry, to retire, calling the Base to Base gondola his “crowning achievement.”

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