Olympic Valley, California — Palisades Tahoe (then known as Squaw Valley) was in a tricky spot in the early 1950s. With harder-to-operate lift infrastructure, along with the risk of major avalanches (mitigation wasn’t as sophisticated as it is now), the ski resort needed to add a new lift that would be less prone to damage from avalanches. However, the Korean War led to a ban on steel, leading the California ski resort to make a bold decision to survive.
These factors led to the creation of the Jig Back Tram, a wooden lift intended to last only five years and be used solely to mitigate avalanches. However, it ultimately operated for a few decades and was even open to the public for part of its lifespan. While it was seen by the ski resort as a reliable lift, it also dealt with derailments.
In AaronVentures’ latest video, he dives into the history of the Jig Back Tram. The video dives into why Palisades Tahoe built the lift, the construction process, its operational lifespan, and the tram’s legacy. He’s relatively new to YouTube, but Aaron is one of the best storytellers I’ve seen in the skiing sphere.
Today, this terrain is serviced by the Headwall Express chairlift. Risk of avalanches from this terrain zone still exists, but more modern techniques have helped mitigate the hazards that threatened Palisades Tahoe’s business in the 1950s and 1960s.
Image/Video Credits: Aaronventures, Palisades Tahoe, Skimap.org
