When Squaw Valley was chosen for the VIII Olympic Winter Games, it was a relatively undeveloped ski area. This meant that the housing, stadiums, dining halls — everything required for the competitions — had to be designed and built especially for the Games.

Thus, the Games organizers had an unprecedented opportunity — that of providing competitors with an Olympic Winter Games area tailored specifically to the need. This resulted in the first complete Olympic Village in the history of the Winter Games.

The Olympic Village concept has been a part of the Summer Games for many years, but it has been the practice in Winter Games to house teams in existing hotels and other housing throughout the area.

At Squaw Valley, all competitors were housed in four three-story dormitories, all within a five-minute walk of the majority of the competitions. Additionally, all the athletes ate together in the dining room provided for the Village.

In the opinion of most of the athletes and officials, the Village presented more opportunities for fraternization and socializing between the nations than would otherwise have been possible.