Squaw Creek at The Resort at Squaw Creek

The Resort at Squaw Creek occupies a dramatic mountain setting in Olympic Valley, the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed the original course, with Kyle Phillips contributing to later design work. The layout sits at approximately 6,200 feet elevation in the Sierra Nevada, where the thin air affects ball flight and club selection. The course plays beneath the granite peaks that define this alpine valley, with the surrounding forest and meadowland providing the routing's natural framework.

The design works within the constraints of mountain terrain, incorporating elevation changes and natural water features that flow through the property. Holes move through stands of pine and fir, with several playing across or alongside Squaw Creek itself. The conditioning window is limited by the high-altitude climate—the course typically operates from late spring through early fall, closing when snow arrives. The shorter season and mountain environment create playing conditions distinct from California's year-round coastal and valley courses.

The resort setting means the course serves primarily destination golfers visiting the valley for skiing, hiking, or summer recreation. The layout offers accessible mountain golf rather than championship-length challenge, though the elevation and terrain provide natural interest. Views extend to the surrounding peaks, including the ski runs that dominate the valley's winter identity. The course represents one of the few golf options in the Lake Tahoe region's northern reaches, where winter sports typically define the recreational landscape.