A Sheltered Hill
with a Speedy Secret
Granlibakken truly offers an authentic Tahoe experience, with a history that dates back nearly 100 years when extreme tobogganers found the perfect hill, sheltered in the Sierra Nevada pines at 6,350 ft. When these adventurers realized they could divert water from a nearby spring to create an icy-fast speed slide, all bets were off.
The site soon became “Olympic Hill”—a place competitive ski jumpers from around the world would come to break records for decades. In the 1940s, Norwegian ski jumper Kjell "Rusty" Rustad leased the valley, added amenities, and gave Granlibakken its Norwegian name, which means “hill sheltered by trees.”
Today Granlibakken Tahoe is a popular conference center, lodge, and resort with a focus on bringing people together to connect, collaborate and celebrate. Its popular ski and sled area are still making memories for many, and generations of skiers and snowboarders continue to earn their chops on the historic slope.
Are you a history buff? Learn more about the Granlibakken Tahoe story.
Granlibakken today
A place to connect with intention
Whether you come here as a traveler, family, or part of a group, Granlibakken Tahoe is still a place where people can connect with nature and each other. The property’s alpine surroundings are as picturesque as they were a century ago, and we are committed to preserving the area’s natural beauty. The lodging and meeting spaces, though updated with modern conveniences, maintain their rustic charm. And the hospitality is genuine because at Granlibakken Tahoe we are excited to share our mountain retreat with you.
Timeline
1922: Snow Play at Ski Canyon
1922 marks the first recorded use of the ski and sled area, which was called “Ski Canyon” by locals.
1926-27: Tahoe Tavern Opens for the Winter Season
Tahoe Tavern, owned by mining and logging magnate D.L. Bliss, stays open for the winter season. A toboggan slide, ski jump, and small warming hut are built. During Tahoe Tavern operations, the hill becomes known as the Tahoe Tavern Winter Sports Grounds. Visitors are transported by sleigh to watch ski jumping exhibitions, dog sled races, and to go sledding.
1927-29: Winter Sports Grounds
During a time when most people did not know how to downhill ski, The Tahoe Tavern Winter Sports Grounds hosts a number of exhibitions for the enjoyment of Tahoe Tavern guests. These exhibitions include ski jumping tournaments, dog sled races, and cross-country ski races.
1929: Ski Jump Constructed
In 1929, under the supervision of professional ski jumper Lars Haugen, a new ski jump with a trajectory of 260 ft. is constructed at the Tahoe City Winter Sports Grounds. This jump becomes host to a number of ski jumping exhibitions that hundreds would come to spectate.