“Protected and thoughtfully tended by the legendary Poulsen family since the early 1940’s, this may be the most coveted landholding in Squaw Valley.”

It’s hard to imagine a more gangster place to live in Squaw Valley than in founder Wayne Poulsen’s original home. Situated along the banks of Squaw Creek on 29.6 acres, the home maybe a bit dated but the location and historical significance are undeniable. Find complete listing below:

STATS:

-5435 Square Feet (Main House)

-Custom-crafted redwood lodge 

-4 bedrooms

-4.5 baths

-29.6 acre assemblage

-2-car garage

-Additional 2-car garage plus caretakers unit

FIND COMPLETE LISTING HERE

“A rare opportunity for discovery, inspiration and stewardship in the heart of squaw valley.

Private and secluded, this iconic estate is sheltered by aspen and pine groves in a wild meadow at the foot of the world class Squaw Valley Ski Resort. Close to internationally acclaimed Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and Lake Tahoe’s recreation, arts and entertainment, it offers both lifestyle and tranquility. Yet the property is also close to the Truckee Tahoe Airport, Reno Airport and is only a 3 hour drive to San Francisco.

The land is multiply zoned, offering a chance to craft and define the last and most significant landholding in the very heart of Squaw Valley.

Importantly, this exceptional 29.6 acre assemblage offers multiple development sites and opportunities for conservation, in addition to numerous options for the construction of a new residence for the owner, whether a family or corporate entity.

29.6 Acres with mixed zoning. 14.74 acres are zoned High Density Residential, 13.66 acres of Conservation Preserve and 1.2 acres Forest Recreation zoning.

The custom-crafted redwood lodge has four bedrooms and four and a half baths. The large stone fireplaces, expansive windows, massive clear-heart redwood beams and wrought iron accents give the home a timeless mountain feel; a rustic retreat from the world, or a staging area for a more substantial estate-level home.”         

MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF SQUAW & THE PROPERTY:

Wayne Poulsen, a legendary ski pioneer and visionary, is best known as the founder of Squaw Valley Ski Resort. As an eleven-year-old Boy Scout, Poulsen built his first pair of skis, which began a life long passion that would influence the history of skiing in the Sierra Nevada in profound ways.

In the early 1930’s while in high school on a camping trip to Squaw Valley, Poulsen envisioned a dream to build a world-class ski area on the granite peaks above the breathtaking valley.

While waiting for his orders to serve as a flight instructor in the war, Poulsen worked as a ski instructor in Sun Valley, Idaho. He quickly fell in love with his first and only student, a New York socialite, Sandy Kunau. They were married in 1942 at the Santa Monica oceanfront home of famous Hollywood actress, Norma Shearer, beginning a deep and adventurous lifelong love affair.

In 1943 they purchased 640 acres from the Southern Pacific Railroad. Poulsen swept Sandy away from her upscale life in Manhattan and moved her into a tent in Squaw Valley, where they camped on the original homestead site along Squaw Creek. The couple summered here, bathing in the creek and eating fresh trout Wayne caught.

On an early skiing expedition together, they hiked to the top of a mountain, where Wayne made a quick decent of the steep slope. Waiting at the base, he counted as Sandy traversed the slope, making kick turns in the trees, twenty-two of them. Wayne named the famous run, KT-22 after Sandy.

In 1948 Wayne partnered with Harvard graduate and lawyer, Alex Cushing and investor, Laurance Rockefeller. Wayne’s dream to create a world-class ski area began to take shape when together they founded Squaw Valley Development Company. Cushing was an aggressive developer, in contrast to Wayne’s conservative approach that respected and protected the mountain environment he loved. The Partnership ended just before opening day in 1949. The 1960 Winter Olympic Games brought Squaw Valley world-wide recognition and the realization of Wayne’s boyhood dream.

Wayne and Sandy went on to purchase an additional 2,000 acres of land, forming Squaw Valley Land and Livestock Company. They continued to build and shape the Squaw Valley community they loved.

In preparation for the 1960 Winter Olympic Games the IOC, USOC and the State of California had a plan to pave over part of the valley floor. Using all their personal resources, Wayne and Sandy fought to protect the iconic Squaw Valley meadow. They single-handedly blocked 150 acres of meadow from being paved over and used as the site of a sewage treatment plant.

Wayne and Sandy raised eight children, two of which went on to become Olympic Ski Champions, and one became All American. Wayne Poulsen was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame for skiing in 1974. He was elected to the US National Ski Hall of Fame in 1980. In 2004 Sandy and Wayne were awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Squaw Valley Institute. In 2005 Poulsen Peak was named to honor this legendary skier and his legacy.

With all the land in Squaw Valley to choose from, it is here that the founding family chose to live and build their dream home. Included in the acreage is the original campsite along the banks of Squaw Creek they called home as newlyweds.

FIND COMPLETE LISTING HERE

FIND COMPLETE LISTING HERE

FIND COMPLETE LISTING HERE

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