Revised Palisades Tahoe Project; Recommended Approval of Ritz-Carlton Project; More

TAHOE CITY

The Placer County Planning Commission on Dec. 4 voted to recommend to the board of supervisors approval of the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Lake Tahoe, Mountain Chalets project, including an amendment to the Martis Valley Community Plan, a rezone of the project site, and an addendum to the environmental impact report.

The project would modify an existing conditional-use permit to build a 38-unit condominium plan. It also includes construction of an 184-space, partially-underground parking garage and elevated walkway to connect the project site to the hotel.

Originally approved in 2005 as part of the Northstar Highlands project, the initial project included 41 condominium units for timeshare use or whole ownership. 

The revised project reduces construction to 38 condominium units separated into 18 chalets spread across six buildings. These 18 chalets would be defined as condo-hotel units as defined in the county’s short-term rental ordinance. Chalet owners would have the option to rent one or more units through the existing Ritz Voluntary Rental Program. Each chalet includes a two-car garage for a total of 220 parking spaces.

The proposed project requires a rezoning from residential multi-family to resort with a planned development overlay and associated Martis Valley Community Plan amendment from medium density residential to tourist/resort commercial to allow operation as a “condo-hotel,” since hotels are not an allowed use in the current zoning.

The project will be heard by the Placer County Board of Supervisors at an upcoming meeting anticipated early in 2026.

Learn more about the Planning Commission at placer.ca.gov/2403/planning-commission.

~ Placer County press release

RENO

The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) has selected nationally recognized artist Sean Orlando to create the next major installation in its growing Arts at the Airport program. Orlando’s work titled “Reno-Tahoe Textures” will transform the Loop Road experience with five illuminated sculptural panels inspired by the region’s most iconic landscapes.

Chosen from more than 60 applicants in a competitive RFQ process, Sean Orlando will design and build a series of large-scale, map-like artworks reflecting Truckee Meadows roadways, Mt. Rose. Lake Tahoe, Black Rock City, and the runways of Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Installed under the Loop Road canopies, the panels will feature programmed lighting patterns that create a sense of motion for travelers walking below.

Orlando is known for his large-scale, site-specific public sculptures, merging engineering, storytelling and placemaking. His work has been featured at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery, Burning Man, and the de Young Museum, and he has completed art commissions for the Exploratorium and cities across the country. Orland is the founder and artist of Engineered Artworks, which has also produced major public pieces for parks, rail stations, fire houses, and civic spaces nationwide.

The installation is scheduled for completion and public unveiling in fall 2026. 

~ Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority press release

OLYMPIC VALLEY

On Dec. 1, Palisades Tahoe’s revised Village at Palisades Specific Plan was shared at a virtual Placer County meeting. Years of legal battles and pushback from the community on the specific plan concluded in July this year when Palisades Tahoe, Sierra Watch, and the League to Save Lake Tahoe agreed to work together on the future of Olympic Valley. 

The new draft notably proposes to reduce the number of bedrooms it will add by 40% from the 2024 plan, leaving it with 896 rooms. According to the draft, the village is divided into two zones by the plan: 1) the village core concentrated by the slopes of Palisades and the existing village, and 2) the village neighborhoods. 

The draft incorporates a Mountain Adventure Camp with mixed wet and dry features such as kids pools and rope swings. In a news release from Sierra Watch, it said there “never will be” this indoor waterpark. Before Moonshine’s publication of its December edition, Placer County will have hosted a second meeting on the project (Dec. 8).

Also included in the plan is an 8.8-acre parcel across from Fire Station 21, which Palisades wants to use for employee housing, parking, a community market, and shipping purposes.

“Our job now is to review the revised project and ensure it fits within those constraints and to ensure that each promise is kept, from conservation of land in Shirley Canyon to construction of workforce housing,” Sierra Watch said in its news release.

Read Moonshine’s reporting on the end to the groups’ battles. Learn more about the Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan at placer.ca.gov/8213/village-at-palisades-tahoe-specific-plan.

~ MR

TRUCKEE/TAHOE

On Dec. 1, The Old Lumberyard celebrated its ribbon cutting and reinvention of one of Truckee’s historic industrial sites as a vibrant communal space. Featuring FiftyFifty Brewing Co., Dopo’s wood-fired pizza and handmade pasta, and an axe-throwing and golf simulator venue, along with rotating community-driven events. In 2026, The Old Lumberyard will break ground on a new two-story event center and a two-story boutique hotel with an anticipated 10 to 12 rooms, blending history with modern gathering spaces.

Truckee Mountain Filtered, a campaign focused on 43 water refill stations across town, is making it easier than ever for visitors to travel plastic-free while sipping the region’s pristine tap water. These initiatives reinforce Truckee’s commitment to climate stewardship and visitor education.

The Guesthouse Lake Tahoe recently celebrated its official ribbon cutting, bringing a highly curated, private-home-style lodging experience to the heart of Truckee. Designed for high-end travelers, the property offers a place of leisure and connection just steps from historic downtown and close to world-class skiing, lake recreation, and trail access. Guests enjoy the service of a dedicated onsite team (including a private chef, house captain, and local guide).

Looking ahead to early 2028, The Mtn Scout Truckee, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel that broke ground in June 2025, will introduce a 129-room mountain-inspired property. Amenities include a lobby restaurant and bar, whiskey lounge, outdoor fire pits, hot tubs, and an event hall. The hotel’s anticipated opening is early 2028.

Global design firm DLR Group has announced plans for Common Pine, which will become Truckee’s first mass-timber hotel. Inspired by Truckee’s forested surroundings and industrial roots, the sustainable hotel design incorporates exposed timber and fluted, warm burnt sienna siding, referencing nearby railroad trestles and celebrating the natural integrity of each material. Opening date is to be determined.

~ Visit Truckee-Tahoe press release

OLYMPIC VALLEY

The Broken Arrow Skyrace, one of North America’s largest — and the most competitive — trail running events, announced a new multi-year, title sponsorship with ACG (All Conditions Gear), a Nike brand designed for all athletes who seek the challenge, adventure, and connection of thriving in the wild.

Through this partnership, the 2026 Broken Arrow Skyrace will feature a $150,000 prize purse, the largest of any trail running event in the world. Winners of the flagship Broken Arrow 23K will take home $30,000, and winners of the Ascent and 46K races will take home $6,000 and $4,000, respectively. The partnership will also herald the launch of Trail Futures NTN (Nike Trail Nationals), a “youth national championship-caliber event,” to encourage the development of the next generation of up-and-coming trail runners.

Launched 10 years ago, the Broken Arrow Skyrace originally sought to emulate iconic European mountain races like Sierre Zinal and Zegama-Aizkorri, while simultaneously showcasing the culture, traditions, and values that have always characterized North American trail running; namely the importance of community, and the equal celebration of every runner.

In 2025, the Broken Arrow Skyrace welcomed more than 3,700 runners from 31 countries to the spectacular Palisades Tahoe resort (previously Squaw Valley), home of the 1960 Winter Olympics and was the only U.S. stop on the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup and Golden Trail World Series.

~ Broken Arrow Skyrace/Palisades Tahoe press release