North Lake Tahoe pulls out all the stops to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics with the Olympic Heritage Celebration, January 12-21, at venues throughout the region.
The event, which is sponsored by the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association, kicks off Sat., Jan. 12 with the REI Winter Trails Day at Tahoe Donner Cross Country Resort in Truckee.
The following day, Sun, Jan. 13, at noon there will be Cross Country and Snowshoe Tours of the 1960 Olympic Trails at Sugar Pine Point State Park on the West Shore. The site marks the venue for the 1960 Olympic Nordic events. Squaw Valley hosted the downhill events, as well as the ice skating competitions.
On Tues., Jan. 15, the Robbie Burns Olympic Reception takes place at the Gatekeeper’s Museum in Tahoe City, 5-7 p.m., with Olympic exhibits on display.
Scholastic Olympic Heritage Day is Wed., Jan. 16, 6 p.m., with the Grand Opening of the museum that will feature the 1960 Olympic Games Collection. The museum is located at the Boatworks Mall in Tahoe City.
The Olympian Dinner is scheduled for Fri., Jan. 18, 5-9 p.m., at Granlibakken Resort’s Cedar House Pub and is open to the public. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Olympic Trails Restoration. The event will honor participants from the 1960 Nordic events, including coaches, course designers and groomers. These participants will also share stories with dinner attendees, reminiscing about events and historical significance of the era leading up to the Olympics in Tahoe. Granlibakken Resort is located just outside of Tahoe City on the West Shore.
The Eagle Wings Pageant Dancers will perform Sat., Jan. 19, 5-9 p.m., in Tahoe City next to the North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center near the Tahoe City Dam.
Sun., Jan. 20, marks the Olympic History Walking Tour of Squaw Valley, noon, with attendees meeting in front of the Squaw Valley Tram Building.
The Olympic Heritage Celebration concludes Mon., Jan. 21 with the Citizens Against the Clock Biathlon race, 10 a.m., at the new Tahoe City Winter Sports Park.
In addition to the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association, the Olympic Heritage Celebration is sponsored by California State Parks, Sierra State Parks Foundation, Lake Tahoe’s West Shore Association, Olympic Trails Restoration Committee, West Shore Sports and Granlibakken Resort.
