How to get from
Palisades Tahoe to Sacramento Airport (SMF)

About travelling from Palisades Tahoe, CA to Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

Situated in California’s Sierra Nevada, Palisades Tahoe is Tahoe’s largest ski resort, covering over 6,000 acres across Palisades and Alpine Meadows. It’s famously known as the 1960 Winter Olympics venue and is widely regarded as the birthplace of extreme skiing in the United States, with massive alpine bowls, steep terrain, tree glades, gullies, and long cruiser runs. For beginners and intermediates, Alpine Meadows provides a gentler, scenic experience with sweeping views of Lake Tahoe. Visitors can expect abundant snowfall, smooth turns, and epic powder days.

Off the slopes, the Olympic Museum at High Camp provides insight into the Games’ history. The resort village is lively, with après-ski favourites like Summit Lodge, The Cabin Bar, and El Camino Tequila Lounge. For more casual dining or coffee, try Pine Cone Café or Bluebird Bakery. Alpine Meadows offers a quieter experience, with slope-side cafés and lodges perfect for warming up.

In the summer months, Palisades Tahoe transforms into a festival and adventure hub. The Tahoe Artisan & Music Festival showcases local creators, and the Mountain Adventure Film Tour screens award-winning films. Hikers can reach the High Camp Lookout via the Aerial Tram or Shirley Canyon Trail, enjoying breathtaking views, alpine lakes, and waterfalls along the way.

When it’s time to head home, Ridebooker can help you book your return to Sacramento International Airport (SMF) without the need for a rental car — Palisades Tahoe is easy to visit without driving. We offer shared shuttle services as well as private taxis, SUVs, and vans for convenience and comfort. The trip back to SMF generally takes around two hours, tracing Highway 89 out of Olympic Valley before joining I-80 west for the descent through the Sierra foothills into Sacramento. Although Reno–Tahoe International Airport (RNO) sits closer to the resort, SMF remains a popular departure point thanks to its broad flight options and simple travel logistics.