The merger of Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows, announced in late September, has closed, according to a news release issued November 15th. In honor of the closing, the resulting new company has pledged $25,000 to local charities.

The following release was issued by Palisades Tahoe CEO, Andy Wirth on November 15th:

[Olympic Valley, CA and Alpine Meadows, CA] November 16, 2011 – The previously announced transaction between KSL Capital Partners and JMA Ventures which joins Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows under one operating company has officially closed. This announcement affirms that skiers and riders can access Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows’ 6,000 acres, 44 lifts and over 270 trails on one lift ticket or season pass. The two resorts will be connected by convenient, complimentary shuttles that will provide transportation between the two resorts.

“Since announcing the merger, the Alpine Meadows and Palisades Tahoe joint pass products –the Tahoe Super Pass and Tahoe Super Six, and Palisades Tahoe’s $50 million Renaissance, the response from our guests has been overwhelmingly positive” said Andy Wirth, Palisades Tahoe’s president and CEO.“The opportunity to experience these two incredible mountains, each with their own unique spirit and character, through one pass and one ticket has resonated deeply with our guests,” said Wirth. 

Wirth will take the helm as the president and CEO of Palisades Tahoe Ski Holdings, LLC, the newly formed parent company of both Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows.

“We are extremely pleased to announce what is certainly the biggest news of the 2011-2012 ski season,” said Todd Chapman, president and CEO of JMA Ventures.  “We look forward to working with Palisades Tahoe management, to introducing our guests to the greatly expanded opportunities that result from this combining of forces with Palisades Tahoe, and to the exciting days that lie ahead for these two magnificent properties.”  

In honor of the closing that unites these two incredible resorts, the new combined company, Palisades Tahoe Ski Holdings LLC, is pledging $25,000 to the Community House, a visionary new community center and a service delivery program spearheaded by the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF). The Community House will provide space for a host of invaluable local non-profit organizations who provide constant, accessible support and critical resources to families in times of need, all within walking distance to the elementary school, Boys and Girls Club and Kings Beach library.  Those non-profits include Tahoe Safe Alliance, the Family Resource Center, and Project MANA.

“Having Palisades Tahoe lead the way by providing the first gift toward purchasing property to house the Community House is incredibly significant,” said Linda Brown, TTCF’s interim CEO. “Palisades Tahoe, under Andy Wirth’s leadership, has emerged as an outstanding corporate and philanthropic leader. With Squaw’s gift and donations from others, the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation will be able to secure long term space for non-profits providing critical core services for families in Kings Beach, enabling them to live with dignity and opportunity in our community.”

The completion of this merger also marks the 15 day countdown for skiers and riders to purchase a Tahoe Super Pass or Tahoe Super Six at the current reduced rates. Starting at just $439, the Tahoe Super Pass is the first pass in ski resort history to offer season-long, interchangeable access to both Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows.

Both the Tahoe Super Pass and the Tahoe Super Six are on sale now and available  through November 30, 2011. Additional information can be found at www.squaw.com or by contacting Palisades Tahoe at 1-800-403-0206.