1960 Squaw Valley Olympian Returns to Granlibakken as Outdoor Recreation Consultant

Olympic greatness returns to Lake Tahoe this winter at Granlibakken Conference Center & Lodge with 1960 Olympic medal winner Joe Pete Wilson. Wilson will consultant for the resort's ski and sled operation and help celebrate Olympic Heritage week, Jan. 11-19.

Wilson and his teammates represented the U.S. in the 1960 Olympics held at Squaw Valley. The team won the bronze medal in the four-man bobsledding event. It is widely held that the seeds of Squaw’s Olympic glory were sown at Granlibakken, famous for its Olympic Hill ski jump and home of the 1932 ski jumping trials.

Olympic Heritage week celebrates Tahoe’s place in Olympic history with special events, guided snowshoe tours and meet and greets with past Olympians. Granlibakken will host the Nordic Legends Dinner Friday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m.

Wilson later became a well-known administrator in the resort industry, contributing to the cross-country ski area at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vt. The lodge was established by the Trapp family of “Sound of Music” fame. Wilson has written several books on cross-country skiing, including the "Complete Cross-Country Skiing and Ski Touring," co-authored with William Lederer.

"Joe brings a lifelong commitment to winter outdoor recreation and sports and resort management to our lodge," said Kay Williams, Granlibakken's general manager. "We're fortunate to have someone with his knowledge and expertise to consult with our cross-country skiing, sledding and snowboarding operation."

In 1973, Wilson organized a meeting of 25 ski areas and established the National Ski Touring Operators’ Association, which later become the Cross Country Ski Areas Association. Wilson served as the association's first president.

Granlibakken maintains its rustic charm while delivering a high-tech vacation destination for families, groups and travelers with free Wi-Fi throughout the resort and transportation to and from Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Surrounded by 74 forested acres, Granlibakken offer guests a serene environment with inviting and convenient amenities including hot breakfast buffet each morning, on-site outdoor heated pool, hot tub, sauna, tennis courts, ski and sledding hill, ski school, ski rental shop, and access to cross country trails.