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Guided Rock Climbing at Palisades Tahoe.

olympic valley, california • 7,500 FT
What is the Tahoe Via Ferrata?

Experience Life on the Edge

The Tahoe Via Ferrata is a guided, assisted rock climbing experience on the Tram Face at Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley, California. Using permanent steel cables, ladder rungs, and suspension bridges, participants ascend an 800-foot granite cliff without prior climbing experience. Tours run 2–4 hours and are operated by Alpenglow Expeditions, Northern California’s only AMGA-accredited guiding service.

2-Hour Tour from $199/person · 3-Hour Tour from $230/person · 4-Hour Tour from $269/person Private tours available. All equipment included.

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Alpenglow Expeditions guide leading a group on the Tahoe Via Ferrata above Palisades Tahoe Village, Olympic Valley CA
Two climbers waving from the Tahoe Via Ferrata at sunrise above Palisades Tahoe, Lake Tahoe California
Local Tahoe Adventures

How the Tahoe Via Ferrata Works

Clip in + climb on.

Think of Tahoe Via Ferrata as an assisted climbing activity. It transforms once complex and impassable terrain into a fun and accessible course. We’ve equipped the rock with ladder rungs, steel steps, and suspension bridges to allow climbers to move through challenging terrain. Each route also has a steel cable anchored into the rock which runs up the entire route from start to finish. Each participant is issued a harness with a specialized lanyard that attaches to the cable. This system achieves two goals. First of all, it ensures that participants are connected to the rock 100% of the time. Secondly, it makes climbing a big cliff accessible to people with no prior climbing experience.

  • Group of climbers crossing a suspension bridge on the Tahoe Via Ferrata, Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley

    4-Hour Tour

  • Adrian Ballinger, IFMGA mountain guide, on a suspension bridge on the Tahoe Via Ferrata at Palisades Tahoe

    Private 4-Hour Tour

  • Two climbers ascending the Tahoe Via Ferrata beneath the Palisades Tahoe aerial tram, Olympic Valley CA

    3-Hour Tour

  • Two climbers waving from the Tahoe Via Ferrata at sunrise above Palisades Tahoe, Lake Tahoe California

    Private 3-Hour Tour

  • Female climber on the Tahoe Via Ferrata 2-Hour Tour overlooking Palisades Tahoe ski resort and Olympic Valley

    2-Hour Tour

  • Alpenglow Expeditions guide Dave Nettle leading the Tahoe Via Ferrata Private 2-Hour Tour at Palisades Tahoe

    Private 2-Hour Tour

Experiences on the Tahoe Via Ferrata

  • Absolutely Unforgettable

    I am not going to lie I am a little scared of heights, and I had so much fun! Our Guides were amazing, and to experience the tram face this way was absolutely unforgettable. With no hesitation, I would recommend you do this.

    Brooklyn N.
    Group of climbers standing on the Tahoe Via Ferrata with views of Palisades Tahoe Village and Olympic Valley below

  • Great Experience With The Whole Family

    We had a blast on the course with Jarad as our guide. He was very patient with us the whole trip and was very knowledgeable about the process. The course did have some challenging parts but everyone in our party was able to complete the whole course. This is a great activity and would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun adventure. Thanks again Jarad!

    Nancy B.
    Family group geared up with helmets and harnesses before climbing the Tahoe Via Ferrata at Palisades Tahoe

  • A Fun Activity For People Of Varying Ages And Fitness Levels.

    We had a great day climbing the Via with Tim. His instruction was very clear and we quickly got the hang of it. It felt like just the right mix of slight challenge but basically very comfortable. The holds are all in the right places. It was a beautiful day and the views were spectacular. A fun activity for people of varying ages and fitness levels.

    Gary S
    Alpenglow Expeditions Chief Guide Logan Talbott briefing two young climbers on the Tahoe Via Ferrata route

  • Beyond My Expectations

    We had the best time EVER!!! It was beyond my expectations of what I thought it would be like. Our guide (Dave Nettle) was AMAZING!!! He made the adventure so fun for our family (myself, my sister and my 18 year old daughter). Dave was so knowledgeable, experienced, and best of all FUN. Not to mention that he made us feel safe and secure as there were some pretty exciting (challenging) parts on the climb. I would LOVE to do it again and maybe try a different course. But I highly recommend it to everyone. You will not be disappointed!!

    Susan W.
    Female climber on the Tahoe Via Ferrata 2-Hour Tour overlooking Palisades Tahoe ski resort and Olympic Valley

  • Best Thing We’ve Ever Done

    This was without a doubt the best thing we’ve ever done at Palisades, and we are Lake Tahoe regulars going back 20 years. Unbelievable that we can climb this part of Squaw. Exhilarating but felt perfectly safe the entire time. Want to take all our friends here!

    Peter H.
    Three climbers resting on the Tahoe Via Ferrata with Palisades Tahoe ski resort and Olympic Valley in the background

  • Truly World-Class Experience

    This is an absolutely incredible addition to Palisades and Lake Tahoe. Truly WORLD CLASS experience. From folks in the office, to Scotty and Sydney (our guides), everyone was wonderful. The staff knows their stuff and the actual experience of standing on and traversing across the fabled Tram Face, unreal! This is not just a Tahoe “must do,” but one for California!

    Brandon W.
    Family of four climbers on the Tahoe Via Ferrata at Palisades Tahoe, guided by Alpenglow Expeditions

  • For Experienced Climbers And First Timers

    This was so much fun! My guide Sam was awesome. He really took the time to explain everything and lead me though the course safely. This was my first experience doing any climbing other than 3rd class scrambles. I’d recommend this to experienced climbers looking for a fun afternoon or someone who’s simply looking to climb for the first time. The staff and owners of Alpenglow are serious cool people! I’m looking forward to more adventures with Alpenglow in the future.

    Matthew W.
    Alpenglow Expeditions guide ascending the steel cable route on the Tahoe Via Ferrata Tram Face, Palisades Tahoe
Our Lake Tahoe Rock Climbing Guides

Meet your Via Ferrata Guides.

Our Guides
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' AMGA guide Tim Dobbins
    IFMGA MOUNTAIN GUIDE
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Dave Nettle alpine climbing.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Emily Sotomayor sorting her rock climbing gear.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Isaac Laredo on an international expedition
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Trevor Husted.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Mike Pond guiding a Denali expedition.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Tim Mincey guiding splitboarding in Lake Tahoe.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Robert Kyte rock climbing.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Sam Kieckhefer while ski guiding in South America.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Kat Fulwider guiding the Via Ferrata.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Andrew Alissandratos backcountry ski touring.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Liam Connelly on the summit of a peak.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Michael Cariello with a bird on his cap.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Alex Mitchko on a ski trip to Patagonia.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Carl Davis standing on the summit of a peak.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Sean Willis rock climbing in Joshua Tree.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Andrew Eisenstark guiding in Alaska.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Allie Ace backcountry touring at sunset.
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Rich Meyer
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Syd Paez Duncan
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Glen Poulsen backcountry touring
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Dustin Swanson rock climbing
  • Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe Via Ferrata guide Jarad Stiles in the mountains.
Stories

Tahoe Via Ferrata News & Trip Reports

All Stories
  • Route map of the Tahoe Via Ferrata at Palisades Tahoe showing the Flamingo Buttress, Great Escape, and Loophole routes

    2025 Local’s Day on the Tahoe Via Ferrata

    Our tour will take place on the Tahoe Via Ferrata on Sunday September 28, 2025. This is a chance for Lake Tahoe locals to climb the Tahoe Via Ferrata with professional Alpenglow Expeditions rock climbing guides.
    Read the story
  • A group cheers at the top of the Tahoe Via Ferrata

    The Vertical Gateway: How the Tahoe Via Ferrata Is Changing the Way Families and First-Timers Experience Real Rock

    What if your first real outdoor climb wasn’t a sketchy scramble or a ropes course at summer camp—but a guided vertical adventure up a massive granite face, hundreds of feet above the ground, with views stretching across Lake Tahoe?
    Read the story

  • 20% Off the Tahoe Via for Brews, Jazz, and Funk

    Read the story
  • Two climbers crossing a suspension bridge on the guided Tahoe Via Ferrata at Palisades Tahoe, Lake Tahoe CA

    Why is the Tahoe Via Guided?

    Lake Tahoe’s Via Ferrata is an exciting blend of rock climbing and hiking that offers a unique way to experience the region’s stunning landscape. While the route itself is designed for safety and accessibility, having an AMGA-certified guide can significantly enhance your adventure. Here’s why teaming up with a certified professional makes all the difference.
    Read the story
  • A group of kids on the Tahoe Via Ferrata with their certified rock guide from Alpenglow Expeditions.

    Getting to Know the Tahoe Via Ferrata

    Installed directly onto the iconic Tram Face at Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley, CA, the Tahoe Via Ferrata stands out as a unique and exhilarating experience that combines climbing, hiking, and breathtaking views. Whether you’re an experienced climber or a curious novice, this via ferrata is an unforgettable way to explore the region’s natural beauty. In this blog, we’ll delve into what makes the Tahoe Via Ferrata so special, what to expect, and tips for making the most of your adventure.
    Read the story
Before You Clip In

Everything You Need to Know Before You Climb

Never climbed before? Not sure if your group qualifies? Good, these are exactly the questions we’re here for. Everything from first-timers to families, covered below. View all FAQ’s
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