Press Room
Peggy Fleming to Appear at ‘Magical Memories’ Kickoff
Santa & Mrs. Claus Appear at Grand Tree Lighting Ceremony
Olympic Valley, Calif. – Resort at Squaw Creek’s popular commencement ceremony for the 5th Annual Magical Memories celebration, which takes place on Friday, November 27 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, features a special guest star this year: Olympic gold medalist and ice skating legend Peggy Fleming will join a group of local children on Resort at Squaw Creek’s ice rink for a couple of holiday numbers during the Grand Tree Lighting Ceremony.
“We’re excited and honored that Peggy Fleming will be skating on our ice during our Magical Memories holiday celebration,” said Heimo Brandstatter, Resort at Squaw Creek Assistant General Manager. “This will undoubtedly add a truly magical moment to our event.”
The public is welcome to attend the free event, which begins at 5:00 PM with the newly-created Gingerbread Village Unveiling in the lobby. The new gingerbread village will contain elements of the entire valley and mountain. Carolers, sleigh rides, s’mores and chestnut roasts, and other holiday activities precede the Grand Tree Lighting Celebration, which takes place at the resort’s ice rink. Santa and Mrs. Claus make an appearance to flip the switch on the lights that illuminate the entire resort.
Fleming, who began skating at the age of nine, won gold at the 1968 Olympics in Grenoble, France. A significant moment in history, hers was the only gold medal won by the United States that year. The victory was also particularly sweet because it signaled a resurgence in U.S. figure skating following the 1961 airplane tragedy in Belgium in which the entire U.S. Figure Skating Team was killed in a crash. Fleming has to her credit five U.S. titles, three World titles and the gold medal from the 1968 Olympics in Grenoble, France.
Fleming has a long history with Squaw Valley. Prior to the 1960 Olympics, Fleming had competed and won, at age eleven, the Pacific Coast Juvenile Girls Competition at Blyth Arena in Squaw Valley, which was the venue for figure skating events during the 1960 Winter Olympics.
Over the years, Fleming has continued as an on-air commentator for figure skating and, in 1999, planted a small vineyard with her husband, retired dermatologist Greg Jenkins, on their property in California's Santa Cruz Mountains. The couple first produced Chardonnay wine and now operates the Fleming Jenkins Vineyards & Winery, which has blossomed into an award-winning winery. They sell several varieties of wine, including a Syrah from grapes grown by friend, sports announcer John Madden. Part of the proceeds from their Victories Rosé are donated to support breast cancer research. Fleming Jenkins wines are offered in Resort at Squaw Creek’s Six Peaks Grille.
Magical Memories, which features a wide array of recreational, culinary, musical and holiday-themed events, takes place from November 23 – January 3. In celebration of the event, a “Magical Bed & Breakfast” package featuring a Deluxe Guestroom and breakfast for up to two adults and two children (12-and-under) has been released with rates from $179 per room, per night. This offer is valid from November 16 through December 17, 2009, and is subject to availability. To book a reservation, utilize promo code: MAGICRSC at www.visitsquawcreek.com, or call 800.401.9501.
For more information on Magical Memories visit www.magicalsquawcreek.com.
The resort’s ski-in, ski-out chairlift to Squaw Valley USA provides quick access to more than 4,000 acres of terrain served by an extensive network of 33 lifts including North America’s only Funitel and the world-famous KT-22 Express lift. Visitors also can enjoy a host of other activities, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sled tours, horse-drawn sleigh rides and an on-property ice skating rink. Plus, the property’s on-site ski shop provides ski and snowboard rentals, expert boot fitting, lift tickets for purchase and complimentary ski lockers. Squaw Valley USA traditionally opens in late November.
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Marc Sapoznik
High-resolution, downloadable images of the Resort at Squaw Creek and images of other properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection are available by visiting www.leonardo.com/destination.
