VIII Olympic Winter Games Held in Squaw Valley, California, United States

The 1960 Winter Olympics, officially known as the VIII Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated between February 18 and February 28, 1960 in Squaw Valley, California, United States (located near the Lake Tahoe basin). Squaw Valley won the bid in 1955. It was the first return of the Olympic Games to North America in 28 years.

There were 15 alpine and ski jumping events, eight speed skiing events, and three figure skating events. However, there was no bobsleigh run, as the organizing committee found it too expensive and only nine nations would take part, so the sport was not contested at these Games (The bobsleigh world championships in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy would be held later that same year to replace the Olympic competition.). Luge would debut as an Olympic sport in 1964.

This Olympiad was the first with women's speed skating and the men's biathlon.

Also for the first time, artificial refrigeration was installed for speed skating events.

A total of 30 nations sent athletes to Squaw Valley. South Africa competed at the Winter Games for the first time. (It was also its last for many years, as Apartheid policies prevented further participation until 1994.) Athletes from West Germany (FRG) and East Germany (GDR) competed together as the United Team of Germany from 1956 to 1964.