Summer's Hidden Secret: Why Olympic Valley Deserves Your Next Trip
Most people plan their Tahoe trip around the lake. Fewer think to base themselves in Olympic Valley, where there are rarely any crowds, the pace is deliberately slower, and you still get access to everything that makes a Tahoe summer worth it. Olympic Valley holds the mountains, the trails, the river, and the small-alpine village charm, all packed within a few easy miles of each other, with none of the lakefront congestion. Here's how we'd spend a few days there!
Summer's Hidden Secret: Come explore Olympic Valley with us
Everyone knows Tahoe for days on the lake. Fewer people know about staying in Olympic Valley, where the typical crowds thin out and the pace slows down, and you won't have to sacrifice a single thing that makes Tahoe worth visiting in the first place!
Olympic Valley is that secret. It has the mountains, the hiking, the river, and the town charm, all within a few miles of each other, and almost none of the lakefront traffic. Here's how we'd spend our time there!
Start With the Hike
Mornings in the valley belong to the trails. The Shirley Lake Trail is a classic: 3.6 miles of granite boulders and waterfalls climbing toward High Camp, where lunch comes with a view across the entire basin. Hike up, and the Aerial Tram carries you back down for free, so you’ll have the rest of the day to explore!
If you're craving something with more edge, the Via Ferrata led by Alpenglow Expeditions at Palisades Tahoe is right there too. Cables, rungs, and exposed granite make it a climb rather than a walk, and it's an easy add-on for anyone staying in the valley who wants a bigger adrenaline hit before lunch. Expert guides let you experience the thrill of climbing while supplying all the gear, safety equipment, and know-how. It’s one of our favorite tours in the Tahoe Region!
Cool Off on the River
By afternoon, trade the trail for the water. The Truckee River is minutes from the valley and made for floating. Truckee River Rafting runs a self-guided float that starts in Tahoe City and drifts you five easy miles down the river, right past swimming holes and sandbars, ending at River Ranch. Grab a raft, let the current do the work, and cool off the way this valley was built for. You’ll be shuttled back to your vehicle, and Truckee River Rafting takes care of your raft.
An Evening at River Ranch
When the sun starts to dip behind the mountains, head over to the Village or simply end your river float at River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant. This spot has become an icon of the area for good reason: riverside seating, a menu built for warm evenings, and cocktails that taste better with your feet still a little damp from the float. It's just a few miles from Olympic Valley, and it's also where your river trip conveniently ends, so dinner is already waiting.
Wander Truckee
Save part of your trip for the iconic Gold Country town of Truckee. Its historic downtown is full of boutique shops, galleries, and small storefronts worth getting lost in for an afternoon. It's a different texture than the valley: brick buildings, old railroad charm, and a walkable strip that rewards slow browsing over rushing through. Heading to Truckee in the morning? No stop is complete without a trip to Drink Coffee Do Stuff’s flagship location. They serve a mean cup of Joe (locally roasted) that will have you fueled up for any Tahoe adventure.
The Best of Tahoe, Tucked Away
What makes Olympic Valley special isn't any one of these things. It's that they're all this close together: a serious hike, a river float, amazing dinners at any one of the region's best restaurants, and boutique shopping, all without fighting lake traffic to get there. It's the version of Tahoe that still feels like a little bit of a secret!
Stay Right in the Middle of It
Every part of this weekend is easiest when home base is the valley itself, and that's exactly where The Après Stay puts you. Our beautifully renovated condo is located just steps from the Village, with the same iconic KT-22 views you'd expect in ski season, except now they're framed by wildflowers and blue sky instead of snow.
Walk out the door, and the Shirley Lake trailhead, the Via Ferrata, and tons of great dining options are all within easy reach. The Truckee River and River Ranch are a short drive away, and downtown Truckee isn't much further. Come evening, you're back at the condo, close enough to everything to have done it all, far enough from the crowds to actually unwind.
Ready for a summer like this? We’d love to welcome you to The Après Stay so you can see what the quieter side of Tahoe has to offer!
