From 1960 to 2026: Tahoe-Truckee's Olympic Legacy Continues

Have you recognized any familiar faces in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics? Chances are, you have watched some of the Tahoe-Truckee region's incredible local talent compete on the world stage. 

Since Squaw Valley (now Palisades Tahoe) made history hosting the 1960 Winter Olympic Games, the Tahoe-Truckee region has produced notable household names in a variety of disciplines, including skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. 

It’s easy to see why the region has produced such incredible athletes and continues to draw athletes of all ages and abilities to pursue their big mountain dreams. Here, we have everything one needs to be a champion: world-class terrain, altitude, dedicated and experienced coaches and programs, community support and a spirit of innovation, inclusion and perseverance.  

Read on to learn about our storied Olympic past and the athletes who have made us proud throughout the years, including the ones currently representing the Tahoe-Truckee region in Milano Cortina.

1960 Winter Olympics: Tahoe’s Olympic Legacy Begins

The 1960 Winter Olympic Games forever changed the Tahoe-Truckee region. As the first Winter Olympic Games to be hosted in the western United States, as well as the first to be nationally televised live, these games put the region on the international stage and made media history. Many spectators got a glimpse of competitive skiing, hockey and other various winter sports, creating a rise in interest in the sports, and Squaw Valley as a premier international winter recreation destination. 

The 1960 Winter Olympic Games made history in much more than athletics. For the first and last time in Olympics history, athletes from every country dined together in the Olympic Village Lodge. This was especially significant because this event took place during the height of the Cold War and the recent fallout from the Korean War. These games proved that athletes can still come together and break bread after competition. 

Politically, the most symbolic win for the United States was in men’s ice hockey. Coming in as underdogs, they defeated the Canadian team and the Soviet Union Team in an upset that is still known as a “miracle.” It was the first gold medal for the United States ice hockey team, and it put them on the world state as a fierce competitor.

The 1960 Winter Olympic Games saw an introduction in men’s biathlon and women’s speed skating, and for the first time in skiing, metal skis were used in competition instead of wooden skis.

Walt Disney produced the opening and closing ceremonies, which set the standard for pageantry-like performances with live music entertainment, performers, artists and ceremonies. Disney was also pivotal in creating the first Olympic Village, which included convenient on-site housing.

Today, Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows operate as Palisades Tahoe, renowned internationally for challenging terrain, stunning views, vibrant culture and producing talented athletes. The Tahoe-Truckee region still has a champion mentality, one where greatness is not only pursued, but also celebrated by the athletes and the local community.

Jamie Anderson proudly represents South Lake Tahoe. Photo Credit: usskiandsnowboard.org

Tahoe-Truckee’s Celebrated Olympic Champions

Since the 1960 Olympic Winter Games, the region has produced an impressive number of champions, who continue to inspire up-and-coming athletes in the region to pursue their dreams. 

Jamie Anderson - South Lake Tahoe local Jamie Anderson, who learned at Sierra at Tahoe, is a two-time Olympic slopestyle gold medalist and local legend. With 21 X Games medals currently to her name, 11 World Cup wins and a 5X ESPY Female Action Sports Award winner, she is one of the most decorated female snowboarders of our time.

Hannah Teter - Born in Vermont, snowboarder Hannah Teter eventually made Tahoe her home and training grounds, specifically at Sierra at Tahoe. Hannah is most well-known for her success in the halfpipe division and earned gold at the 2006 games in Torino and silver at the 2010 games in Vancouver. She is also a 7X X Games medalist.

Maddie Bowman - Born and raised in South Lake Tahoe, Maddie Bowman is a freestyle skier with a gold medal from the 2014 Winter Olympics in halfpipe and a 5X X Games gold medalist. Maddie currently dedicates her time to delivering motivational speeches about mental health, personal development and climate change.

David Wise - Born and raised in Reno, skier David Wise trained around the Tahoe region and eventually decided to pursue his passions in freestyle. David has earned two Olympic gold medals, one Olympic silver medal and five gold medals in the X Games. Currently, he is an ambassador for Sugar Bowl.

Greg Jones - A Tahoe City native, Greg Jones represented the region in the 1976 Innsbruck Winter Olympic Games in downhill skiing, slalom and giant slalom.

Incline Village skier Lila Lapanja makes her Olympic debut. Photo Credit: lilalapanja.com

2026 Olympic Athletes Representing Tahoe-Truckee

This year, the Tahoe-Truckee region has sent quite an impressive lineup of Olympic hopefuls to Milano Cortina. Some of them were born and raised here and others have trained extensively here, calling it their second home. We are honored to watch them compete and represent the Tahoe-Truckee region.

Eileen Gu - Born in the Bay Area, skier Eileen Gu trained extensively at Northstar California. Representing China, this is her second Winter Olympic Games appearance and she has already won a silver medal in slopestyle. 

Lila Lapanja - Based in Incline Village and a former Diamond Peak Ski Team athlete, Lila is a well-known name in the region for her skiing abilities. This year, she will be representing Slovenia in slalom. 

JC Schoonmaker - Based in Tahoe City, cross-country skier JC will be making his second Winter Olympic Games appearance. He placed eighth in the men's sprint senifimals on February 10. 

Keely Cashman -Skier Keely Cashman trained at Palisades Tahoe growing up and previously competed in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in downhill, combined and super-G.

AJ Hurt -From Carnelian Bay, AJ Hurt trained with Team Palisades growing up. This will be her second Winter Olympic Games appearance, having competed in Beijing 2022 in mixed team parallel, slalom and giant slalom.

Bryce Bennett -From Tahoe City, skier Bryce Bennett trained with Team Palisades growing up,and is making his third Winter Olympic Games appearance, having competed at Pyeongchang and Beijing. On February 7, he ranked 13th in the men's downhill event at Milano Cortina.

Abby Winterberger -Hailing from Truckee, Abby is making her Olympic debut this year and is the youngest member of the Team USA roster at age 15. Abby will be competing in the freeski halfpipe and was the only club-level athlete to qualify for that event.

Nina O'Brien -Born and raised in the Bay Area, skier Nina trained with Team Palisades and is now making her second Winter Olympic Games appearance.

Hahna Norman -From Truckee, Hahna trained with Northstar. This will be her Olympic debut, competing in freestyle snowboarding events.

Hanna Percy -Hanna Percy was born in Truckee and will be making her Olympic debut in snowboard cross.

Alessandro Barbieri -From Oregon, Alessandro has competed with the Tahoe Select Snowboard Team and is making his Olympic debut this year in snowboard halfpipe.

Sources: Palisades Tahoe History, Olympics History, Wikipedia, Reno News & Review