A Historic Legacy
of Land and Love at
Olympic Valley Stables
Our Story
For Mich Michale Pavel, this land is not just a place, but a lifelong home. Born on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, he was brought here as a toddler, learning to ride a horse before he could walk. His grandparents, Eric and Maita, operated a beloved horseback riding stables on this very meadow, called Squaw Valley Stables, welcoming visitors into the magic of the valley and instilling in him a deep respect for the land and the community it gathers.
Set in the heart of the Olympic Valley meadow, the property carries a rich and storied legacy. Once home to over 50 horses and ponies, the stables offered a nostalgic experience of Tahoe’s natural beauty, shaped by early pioneers like Bud Jones and the generations of animals that roamed here. Towering above, the surrounding mountains—home to the 1960 Winter Olympics—mark this land as a place of both history and gathering.
Over time, the land evolved. The Poulsen family became caretakers, building the barn that still stands today—once sheltering livestock, now reimagined as a space for celebration. When development once threatened the meadow, the local community rallied to preserve it, restoring it to the natural sanctuary it remains today.
After years away studying at Chico State and working in action and adventure film, Mich returned home to Olympic Valley Stables with a clear sense of purpose. Guided by a regenerative mindset, unwavering values, and a commitment to peace and growth, he began transforming The Stables into a place for gathering once again—evolving it into a vibrant event space and a home base for his blossoming passion as a plant-based chef.
Over the past decade, with the support of a loving community and the inspiration of lives transformed on this land, Mich has poured his heart into regenerating the property—restoring the landscape, thoughtfully upgrading the space, and hosting dozens of public events and private celebrations each year. Along the way, he honored not only the physical land, but its energy as well—inviting intentional practices, including work with shamans who helped shift and bless the grounds, burying crystals to support its evolution from a working horse stable into a space designed to hold ceremony, connection, and love stories.
His vision has always been simple and powerful: to bring people together in a way that inspires joy, healing, and meaningful connection.
Along this journey, Mich met his wife and business partner, Sarah, during a winter chapter in Tulum, Mexico—a connection that would shape the next evolution of The Stables.
Today, Sarah and Mich stand as partners in both life and business, carrying this legacy forward together. With over 20 years of executive creative leadership experience, including her role as a former Creative Director at Whole Foods Market +Amazon, Sarah brings an elevated eye for design, storytelling, and guest experience.
Together, they continue to evolve Olympic Valley Stables with intention—honoring its history while refining and expanding what it can be. From intimate weddings to vibrant community gatherings, the space has become a place where nature, celebration, and human connection meet.
Here, every event is more than a moment—it is part of a legacy. A continuation of the stories, the land, and the love that have lived here for generations.
This photograph captures the Olympic Valley meadow during the 1960 Winter Olympics—when this quiet stretch of land transformed into a global stage, welcoming thousands of spectators from around the world. What was once a simple valley became a hub of energy, innovation, and connection, marking a pivotal moment in Tahoe’s history.
Home of 1960 Olympics
Bud Jones: A Pioneer
of the Valley
Bud Jones lived here at Olympic Valley Stables, where he became one of the valley’s great early pioneers. Rooted in the rhythm of the land and the spirit of the horses, he helped shape the character of this meadow—inviting others to experience its quiet magic on horseback. His legacy lives on here still, in the sense of wonder, freedom, and connection that continues to define this place.
