skiing

The 10th annual Tahoe Adventure Film Festival offers gnarly footage as “all-risk” describes the fast paced, high energy series of extreme sports short films that premiere Saturday, Dec. 10 at MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa. Lake Tahoe, recognized as a breeding ground for elite athletes and year-round adventurers, is designed to capture the intensity and passion of adventure with the film festival a perfect reflection of that outdoor culture.

By John Heil
California is expected to see a boost in its local mountain economies as a result of a new legislation that now permits year-long recreation opportunities on U.S. Forest Service ski areas. The Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011, which was signed by President Barack Obama on Nov. 7, is estimated to create and annually sustain up to 600 extra jobs nationwide.

Tahoe's original ski resort, Granlibakken, near Tahoe City, is lodging central in 2012 with various ski and stay packages for seven area resorts.

“How much more warm weather and sunshine can we take,” laughed Kay Williams, deadpanning over last season’s epic seven-month winter and 700+ inches of snow. “Sure, various ski resorts like to be the first to open or last to close, but we want folks to know that we’re ready with early-season offerings.”

The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation will host the 23rd Annual Ski and Snowboard Swap at Mont Bleu Casino and Resort at South Shore Lake Tahoe Nov. 18-19. Proceeds will benefit the Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides skiing and snowboarding programs and events for regional youth and local middle school and high school students.

There’s ample reason to bring your New Year’s Eve celebration to South Lake Tahoe this year, as the town announces its plans to host the first-ever SnowGlobe Music Festival, Dec. 29, 30 and 31, 2011. For three days the festival will sprawl out in the luxuriant setting of Lake Tahoe’s south shore, offering three main stages and over forty-five world-class musicians to help ring in what is sure to be an unbeatable New Year’s Eve celebration, according to a news release.

Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar California Resort began making snow Tuesday night, a sure sign that winter is upon us and sweet music to the ears of skiers and snowboarders everywhere.

By Aimi Xistra-Rich
The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation has announced two new programs for the 2011 – 2012 winter season under the Freestyle umbrella. The Foundation will offer two Freeride program options, the One-Day Program and the Full-Time Competitive Program. These programs are open to intermediate to advanced level skiers aged ten to 18 who have a passion for slopestyle, skiercross and halfpipe training.

As part of Granlibakken’s commitment to health & wellness, the annual Lake Tahoe Women’s Wellness Weekend – a long standing community event previously coordinated by the Tahoe Forest Hospital - will now be hosted by Granlibakken, Nov. 12-13, 2011. The event fuses Eastern tradition with Western practices to offer a balanced weekend interactive clinics on skin screenings, body/muscle testing; inspirational and informative seminars on health, nutrition, aging; recreational activities along with food and wine.

Northern Nevada Development Authority, Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and Business Council of Douglas County are hosting their annual joint membership breakfast meeting Nov. 8 at the Carson Valley Inn. This year's program will feature two distinctive presenters, each bringing a global perspective to two very important topics - gaming and skiing.

Squaw Valley USA, the iconic Lake Tahoe-area resort that has been home to some of the country’s top downhill skiers, is joining operations with neighboring Alpine Meadows. See story here. Here is the official press release dated today:

A new book, " Fairest Picture – Mark Twain at Lake Tahoe," by David C. Antonucci describes Mark Twain’s experiences and travels at Lake Tahoe. Fairest Picture is the first and only book to describe Lake Tahoe as it was in Mark Twain’s time and reveal in detail the locations where he traveled, camped and stayed at luxury hotels.

By Aimi Xistra-Rich
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation has opened registration for the 2011 – 2012 Alpine, Freestyle, Freeride and Snowboard Programs. With a variety of options from the One-Day Program to the Full-Time Competitive Program, the Lake Tahoe foundation has something for all ages and levels of skiers and riders. Registration packets are available online, at the HSSF building, or by calling the HSSF administration office. Those who register and pay in full now will receive the early registration pricing; prices increase $100 on November 1, 2011.

LAKE TAHOE — If another La Nina visits the Sierra this winter – all-time records were approached in 2010-11 with more than 700 inches of snow – Tahoe South ski resorts are ready to roll on another epic season.

Most experienced Carson City hikers would probably never consider starting a trip from the beginning of the Heavenly Mountain Resort's Gondola lift in South Lake Tahoe. It's not the most challenging trek around Carson City — you can always do Prison Hill from the river side or the city side and have a good view of Carson City and Slide Mountain. Or dead Man's Creek at Washoe Lake.

RENO - Skiers and snowboarders enjoyed a final fling on the slopes Saturday as the Sierra Nevada skiing season came to an official close after one of the snowiest winters in more than six decades. ...

Beginning today through July 29, Heavenly Mountain Resort at Lake Tahoe is showing some love to its loyal Facebook community and redefining the term “yard sale” by giving away 100 ski and board prizes in two weeks.

A bill that would require children under 18 to wear helmets while skiing or snowboarding is now one step away from the governor’s desk. But the measure provoked a lively debate Monday before passing the Assembly. Click here to read and hear the story from Sacramento's Capital Public Radio.

Last week, Kevin Law of Carson City and I joined Gene (“Gino”) St. Denis of South Lake Tahoe, California for a morning of Mackinaw (Lake) Trout fishing at Lake Tahoe.

Gene is a longtime, good, personal friend and he is a premier sport fishing guide at South Lake Tahoe, known as Blue Ribbon Charters, 530-544-6552. He has fished Tahoe for some thirty years (the last twelve years as a fishing guide) and is one of the top, if not the top, guides at that lake.

What do six months of record snowfall mean for South Lake Tahoe this summer? It translates to pure blue energy on and off the water, reports the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

PRESS RELEASE — Squaw Valley USA starts the five day countdown to the resort’s June 15 season pass deadline. Following the June 15 deadline, most season pass prices are slated to increase so skiers and riders are encouraged to buy now to get the best season pass deal in Lake Tahoe. Starting at $399 for adults and $99 for kids, Squaw Valley 2011-12 season passes are on sale now at squaw.com.

Vail Resorts, Inc. announced Tuesday it’s extending the special discount prices on 2011-2012 season passes for the Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Epic 7-Day and Tahoe Value Pass until May 30, 2011.

All passes are available for purchase at www.epicpass.com and pass prices valid through May 30 are listed below. A $49 down payment now locks in the guaranteed lowest price with the remaining balance due in mid-September.

“Confessions of a Paper Pimp,” by Sam Bauman. Slalom Press, 2011. Hard copy available at Amazon, $18.95; Kindle version, $10.

By Guy W. Farmer

CARSON CITY — Bethany Drysdale, who has promoted Nevada's tourism attractions for more than five years for the Nevada Commission on Tourism will head the Public Relations department beginning April 23, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki announced this week.

Drysdale has served as Public Relations specialist for NCOT since October 2005. She succeeds Chris Chrystal, who is retiring as manager April 22 after a 48-year career in news reporting and public relations that included 13 years with the Commission.

Skiers and riders can enjoy a full month of Lake Tahoe spring skiing for less than $7 per day with Squaw Valley's Spring Pass, on sale now for $199. In addition to spring skiing and riding starting April 11, 2011, this year’s Squaw Valley Spring Pass includes free access to the High Camp Swimming Lagoon and Spa for Spring 2011 and free Summer Cable Car access — all for less than the price of three full-day lift tickets. Squaw Valley’s Spring Passes are on sale now at www.squaw.com.

The latest storm to hit South Lake Tahoe helped boost Heavenly Mountain Resort's year-to-date snow totals well past the 400-inch mark, or more than 30 feet, roughly enough snow to cover the famous Babe the Blue Ox statue in Klamath, Calif.

This is the third-best snow season in Heavenly’s history and forecasters are predicting as much as six more feet before this round of storms clears.

The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation will host the Kinder Kup Race Series finals at Lake Tahoe's Heavenly Mountain Resort on Sunday, March 20, 2011 from 8a m to 2 pm.

Open to all skiers and snowboarders age six and under (as of Dec. 31, 2010), the Kinder Kup series at Lake Tahoe is designed to introduce young athletes to competition in a friendly environment. No previous race experience necessary. Entry is $20 and includes a World Cup only competitor lift ticket.

The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation will host the Shredtacular Rail Jam event at the American Legion in South Lake Tahoe on Friday, March 11 from 4:30 to 10 p.m.

Open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages, the Shredtacular will be held on a feature built by Rob Giustina of On Course Events. Entry is $20 and includes a goodie bag and a raffle ticket for a chance to win tons of prizes.

Recent indicators show tourism at Lake Tahoe South Shore is improving, according to the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

December occupancy was up three percent compared to last year (Smith Travel Research). The No. 1 ski destination in the U.S. (Rand McNally 2011; TripAdvisor 2010) has seen a rise of 1.7 percent through Reno-Tahoe International Airport since July; 14 percent more skiers and snowboarders on the slopes, increased bookings over holiday weekends, and advance reservations for summer.

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe is opening up night skiing on the weekend and it's free with a day lift pass. Otherwise it's $22, but free for season pass holders on Fridays.

The area is on both sides of the Ponderosa lift and there are two new terrain parks with all the bells and whistles. Night sporting there is to last into March. Mt. Rose joins Squaw Valley and Boreal with night skiing and riding.

— Sam Bauman

In 2010, McCall Realty of South Lake Tahoe pledged to donate $20,000 of annual profits to five non-profit organizations benefitting the youth of South Shore. Owner Thane McCall is fulfilling that promise by delivering final contributions to the South Lake Tahoe Police Activities League (PAL), which will use the funds for after-school programs including a boxing club, bike club, recreation outing group and various sports teams.