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I N S I D E
T A H O E
D E PA R T M E N T S
R E C R E AT I O N
ADVENTURE
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76
a backcountry essay
23 snowmobiling
80
tahoe views
26
winter paddling
30
gear guides
E N T E RTA I N M E N T
ice fishing
113
snowglobe preview
RESORTS
119
snowfest! preview
38 downhill
IN EVERY ISSUE
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123 calendar
12
cross country
WINTER 2014 / 2015
Get Intelligent Pricing with great prices everyday in-store or online 24/7 only at www.ElkGroveSubaru.com
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I N S I D E
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F E AT U R E S 84
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BLAZING T H E WAY
‘MASTERPIECE OF THE UNIVERSE’
HERE TO HELP
S U R V I VA L O F THE FITTEST
A RACE AGAINST TIME
Tahoe Junior Freeride Series is taking off in a big way
Mark Twain made one heck of a mark on Lake Tahoe
Behind the scenes with Placer County Marine 6 unit
Humans aren’t the only ones to endure harsh winters
Inside the lives of a Lake Tahoe snow removal crew
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M A G A Z I N E
/
W I N T E R
2 0 1 4 - 1 5
GENER AL M ANAGER Mark Raymond PUBLISHERS Michael Gelbman Natasha Schue M A N AG I N G ED I TO R Kevin MacMillan CO N T RI B U T I N G ED I TO RS Mandy Feder Adam Jensen CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mark McLaughlin Griffin Rogers Isaac Brambila Margaret Moran Dylan Silver Amy Edgett Priya Hutner Sylas Wright DESIGN TEA M SUPERVISOR Afton Pospisilova ART DIRECTION & DESIGN Carly Arnold Malisa Samsel CO N T RI B U T I N G PH OTO G R A PH ERS Grant Barta Margaret Moran Griffin Rogers Kenny Blum Tucker Norred Scott Sady David Clock Matt Palmer Chris Saito Amy Edgett Paul Raymore Dylan Silver Jacob Ells Corey Rich Chris Talbot Jeff Engerbretson Will Richardson Nathan Vetter Keoki Flagg Tom Zikas
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T A H O E D A I LY T R I B U N E . C O M Tahoe Magazine is a product of the Tahoe Daily Tribune, Sierra Sun, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza and Lake Tahoe Action. All content is copyrighted, November 2014. Tahoe Magazine strives for accuracy and is not responsible if event details change after publication. Unless otherwise indicated, all photography in this magazine is property of Swift Communications, the parent company of Tahoe Magazine and the Sierra Nevada Media Group.
O N TH E C O V E R PHOTO BY CHRIS TALBOT
1001 Heavenly Village Way, Suite #12South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 530-541-8900 • www.tahoeserenityspa.com 16
WINTER 2014 / 2015
A look at a wintry Lake Tahoe, as seen from the historic Apollo Shuttle Run from the 8,000-foot sign on the Mt. Rose Highway on the lake’s North Shore. The area is known worldwide as one of the birthplaces of snowboarding. Tahoe based photographer Chris Talbot has been aiming his lenses at beautiful travel-resortlandscape-wedding subject matter for 22 years. Visit talbotimages.com to see more.
HighSchool SchoolBiodiversity Biodiversity Field Study High Field Study San Blas Archipelago, Panama San Blas Archipelago, Panama 9°34’ NN 78°49’ WW / 9.57°N 78.82°W 9°34’ 78°49’ / 9.57°N 78.82°W
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At some schools, this scene might be the exception–here it is the rule. We spend one-third provides lasting, real-world experiences. Make a commitment to give your child the very best education, visit: www.tahoeexpeditionacademy.org provides lasting, real-world experiences. Make a commitment to give your child the very best education, visit: www.tahoeexpeditionacademy.org
Adventure in Education
Adventure in Education
DICKSON REALTY ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF ITS NEW COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE OFFICES at 11836 Donner Pass Road, Truckee CA 96161 (street level suite at our new building)
Our new award-winning building now has a state-of-the-art office dedicated to commercial real estate services in Truckee, Tahoe and Sierra/Plumas Counties. The Dickson Commercial team proudly offers a full range of commercial real estate services, including: • Commercial Real Estate Sales • Commercial Real Estate Leasing • Residential Subdivision Sales • Lots/Land Development Sales • Acreage and Ranch Sales • Institutional Sales • Business Only Representation • Buyer/Tenant Representation
Give me a call to learn more. RON HEMIG | BROKER, CO-OWNER 18 WINTER 2014 |/ ron@hemig-erle.com 2015 c. 530.318.8158
BRE # 01157345
R E C R E AT I O N Lake Tahoe resorts and outdoor areas offer a variety of activities to suit your needs. Whether you’re looking for the region’s perfect ice fishing spots, ready to ride sleds in the Sierra Nevada backcountry or have a hankering for a winter paddle, we’ve got you covered.
PHOTO: KEOKI FLAGG TAHOE MAGAZINE
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R E C R E A T I O N
I C E
F I S H I N G
Get hooked
Ice fishing offers a family friendly recreation option away from Tahoe’s ski slopes BY DYLAN SILVER
S
omewhere down that dark gray ice soup hole is a fish. All that fish needs to do is find the food on the end of the hook, and BAM! But, it’s never that easy. Ice fishing is a renowned trial in patience. Men and women in the Midwest have been known to sit for days on end in a tiny hut, waiting for the fish to bite. Luckily, in California, ice fishing is typically done on a sunny day for a morning or an afternoon. “We don’t traditionally have to sit in a hut,” said Victor Babbit, owner of Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters in South Lake Tahoe, which offers ice fishing tours in the winter. “The best time to be out there is on a beautiful sunny day when you can sit back in a nice chair with a light jacket on.” The activity can provide a nice respite from typical winter sports. Hanging out on the lake surrounded by snowy peaks can be relaxing, plus it’s pretty noncommittal. There’s typically no bruising associated with ice fishing. It’s relatively inexpensive, and it’s great for the whole family. “It’s an incredible family experience,” Babbit said. “When I take my family out there, my kids are sledding half the time and fishing half the time.” The best spots in the Lake Tahoe area are typically Red Lake, Caples Lake and Silver Lake on the South Shore, and Donner Lake in Truckee when it freezes over. Ice conditions can vary widely, depending on temperatures. In most years, the small lakes freeze over in December and begin to
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thaw around the end of March. Lakes need at least 6 inches of ice before they’re safe to walk on. To get through the ice, fishermen use a giant drill, called an ice auger. Man-powered augers are available for rent and to buy through several Lake Tahoe fishing and hardware stores. In the Midwest, fishermen often use short poles because they sit in small shelters where a longer pole would be a hassle. But most regular fishing gear is suitable for ice fishing around Lake Tahoe. Chairs and a barbecue aren’t bad accessories to bring along on your trip either. As far as bait goes, there’s no silver bullet. Often, ice fishermen will drill several holes and try different combinations of bait and depth to see what’s working. Powerbait, worms, mealworms, and jigging with Kastmasters are all pretty common, Babbit said. Often, there’s more than one successful option, but some days it’s just hard to catch anything, he added. “There are certain days that are incredibly good,” Babbit said. “There are days when they pull 10-pound to 12-pound Mackinaw through the holes. Other days, you’re catching 20 or 30 smaller trout. “And honestly, I’ve been out there on days when we haven’t caught a single fish.” As always, be careful on the ice, as it may not be as thick as you think. If you decide to recreate on the area lakes or ponds, consider wearing a life jacket and bringing a rope - and always bring along a buddy.
MORE INFO Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters 2705 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA 530-541-8208 tahoeflyfishing.com
ABOVE PHOTO: THINKSTOCK
LEFT: Dylan Silver peers through an ice hole to see if he’s caught anything. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
“ THE BEST TIME TO BE OUT
SPOTS TO ICE FISH: CAPLES LAKE
Directions: From South Lake Tahoe head west on Highway 50. Turn left on Highway 89. At the junction, turn right on Highway 88 toward Kirkwood. After Carson Pass, Caples Lake will be on your left. Ice fishermen often fish near the dam or on the south side of the lake.
RED LAKE
Directions: From South Lake Tahoe head west on Highway 50. Turn left on Highway 89. At the junction, turn right on Highway 88 toward Kirkwood. Just before Carson Pass, Red Lake will be on your left.
SILVER LAKE
Directions: From South Lake Tahoe head west on Highway 50. Turn left on Highway 89. At the junction, turn right on Highway 88 towards Kirkwood. Past Kirkwood, Silver Lake will be on your left.
DONNER LAKE
Directions: From Tahoe City, head north on Highway 89. Turn left on Interstate 80, toward Sacramento, and take the Donner Lake exit.
THERE IS ON A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY WHEN YOU CAN SIT BACK IN A NICE CHAIR WITH A LIGHT JACKET ON.”
VICTOR BABBIT TAHOE FLY FISHING OUTFITTERS
- Dylan Silver, a former reporter for the Tahoe Daily Tribune, is a freelance writer and photographer who lives at Lake Tahoe’s South Shore.
TAHOE MAGAZINE
21
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Snowmobilers cut fresh tracks in the snow on a Lake Tahoe Adventures tour.
S N O W M O B I L I N G
R E C R E A T I O N
PHOTO: GRIFFIN ROGERS
It’s no horseback ride Snowmobile tours provide an excellent way to explore Lake Tahoe BY GRIFFIN ROGERS
A
s the snowmobiles in front of me formed tracks in the dense High Sierra powder, I found it difficult, on that cloudy March morning, remembering Lake Tahoe's recent wave of lackluster seasons. Snow was covering just about everything in that winter wonderland south of Lake Tahoe. It was easy to get distracted by the stunning scene as I ripped through the woods on my rented snowmobile, cold air cutting through my beard with enough bite for me to wish I'd worn a facemask. Winter, for the most part, seems to have come and gone without raising much of a fuss in recent years. However, adventurers have still been able to count on it in
the cold confines of Hope Valley. Each year, the destination provides the perfect playground for South Lake Tahoe-based Lake Tahoe Adventures and its scenic snowmobile tours. "The Hope Valley location has the deepest snowpack in California. It always has, and it always will," senior clerk Barbara Cunningham said. "It's very beautiful." Despite a lack of snowfall in many areas of the basin these past years, Lake Tahoe Adventures has kept busy providing tour after tour, seven days a week. This is made possible by way of shuttle, which transports customers to the powdery promise land. There, it's not uncommon to see snow weighing down
tree branches and covering the ground completely. And tourists seem to be taking notice. On any given Saturday - one of the busiest days of the week for Lake Tahoe Adventures - senior guide Bob Ramirez said the company can send up to 25 people to the mountains every two hours for the snowmobiling tour. The number of customers hasn't slowed down either as the seasons wind to an end. "Business has been strong still," Ramirez said. "We've been fortunate."
'A VERY UNIQUE AREA'
The tour I took began at the Lake Tahoe Adventures location in Meyers, where participants
rented gear before loading into a bus. It then continued with a quick shuttle ride to Blue Lake Road off Highway 88. Along the way, we received tidbits about the area from the company's friendly staff. Cunningham said guides give people as much information as possible about the region because it's something tourists wouldn't get otherwise. "I think they just try to inform them of the area and what's unique about it," she said. "It's just a very unique area we have out there." Once the bus arrived at Hope Valley, we found a fleet of snowmobiles awaiting us. Lake Tahoe Adventures has more than 60 snowmobiles at TAHOE MAGAZINE
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R E C R E A T I O N
S N O W M O B I L I N G
GO FOR A RIDE Interested in taking a snowmobile tour near Lake Tahoe? Check out these tours around the basin: Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Center, located off Hwy 50 about four miles north of Stateline, 530-544-3309 Lake Tahoe Snowmobile Tours, located at 6600 Donner Road in Tahoe Vista, 530-546-4280 Eagle Ridge Snowmobile Outfitters, Inc., located off Hwy 89 about 15 minutes from Truckee, 530-546-8667 Coldstream Adventures Tours, located at 11760 Donner Pass Road in Truckee, 530-582-9090 Hope Valley receives plenty of snow each year for snowmobiling.
Lake Tahoe Adventures, located at 3071 Hwy 50 in Meyers, 530-577-2940
Snowmobile tours offer spectacular views of Lake Tahoe's backcountry. PHOTO: GRIFFIN ROGERS
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WINTER 2014 / 2015
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: LAKE TAHOE ADVENTURES
its disposal – none of which are equipped with a speed limiter. For safety reasons, the tour doesn't allow riders to cut loose from the group or tear through the woods at any speed they wish. But it does push along at a fairly brisk pace. Riders will find themselves moving between 25 to 35 mph. "The main thing is we don't want customers hurt," Cunningham said. "So it's single-file, but it's not a horseback ride either." The tour began once everyone was split up into small groups of about four or five people. We roared ahead into the valley, following our guides and stopping every so often to take pictures of the all-white scene. The snowpack was several feet deep everywhere we went, as half-buried signs flew past us
on the freshly groomed trails. It wasn't long before we were circling Tamarack Lake and crossing in front of Markleeville Peak. At one point, Sacramento residents Michael and Tamie Ramirez stopped to make snow angels. "It was amazing," Michael Ramirez said. "I had a great time." By the end of the tour, we'd covered about 28 miles of valley trails. The last thing I did before loading back on the bus was kick all the snow off my shoes. It may have been hard to find in recent years, but winter is still alive at about 8,000 feet. - Griffin Rogers is a reporter for the Tahoe Daily Tribune, a thrice-weekly newspaper serving Lake Tahoe's South Shore communities, including South Lake Tahoe, Stateline and Meyers.
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R E C R E A T I O N
P A D D L E B O A R D I N G
Don’t hang up the paddle BY DYLAN SILVER
26
WINTER 2014 / 2015
T
he air stung my face like frozen invisible steel. The sky was pink with a rising sun. Lake Tahoe’s East Shore spread out in front of me like a great stone-ringed mirror. Perfect glass. I slipped my paddleboard into the water and stepped on. It was cold on my bootyclad feet. Steam rose from the lake’s surface, indicating the air was colder than the water. As I paddled, the sun hit a white Mount Tallac, lighting up the mountain’s face. Not a single sound emanated from the small cove. No boat motors. No beach-goers. No highway noise.
I enjoyed the moment alone. Winter is a fantastic time to get out on the water - but not in it. Calm and empty conditions are frequent. The air is cool. The mountains are covered in white. Plus, the lake never freezes over. “The water clarity is better than in the summer,” said Marcus Tingle, owner of Adrift Tahoe in Kings Beach, who paddles year-round. “There is no boat traffic. You have the lake to yourself. It can be magical.” But for anyone thinking about heading out for a paddle during the cold season, there are some things to know. Boating in the
winter can be perilous. The cold water - often below 40 degrees can cause hypothermia in minutes. Paddlers need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and plan their trips with caution:
DRESS TO GET WET:
Wetsuits or drysuits are an extremely good idea when paddling in the winter. If you fall in, a wetsuit or drysuit will lessen your body’s response to the cold water. They will prevent hypothermia and allow you to continue on your journey even after getting wet. Neoprene gloves and booties are great, too.
PHOTOS: DYLAN SILVER / DYLANSILVER.COM
Winter on Lake Tahoe’s glassy waters is almost as great as summer
left: Dylan Silver surfs his stand-up paddle board during high winds on Lake Tahoe last winter.
below: South Lake Tahoe paddler Garret Villanueva paddles around Zephyr Cove as the sun rises on Mount Tallac last year.
keen eye on the forecast will help you know whether or not it’s a good day to paddle. Also, the sun sets a lot earlier in the winter and you don’t want to be out on the water after dark, so make sure to check the time before you take off.
WEAR A LIFE JACKET:
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, stand-up paddlers and kayakers are required to wear or possess life jackets while traveling on Lake Tahoe. In the winter, it’s best to wear them. When submerged in cold water, a body can have an involuntary response, which often includes gasping that results in inhaling water and drowning. A life jacket will keep your head above water and can save your life.
WATCH THE WEATHER AND THE TIME:
Storms can whip up in the mountains in minutes. Keeping a
DON’T GO ALONE:
Having a friend along for most outdoor activities is a good idea. While paddling, a partner can call for help or assist in the event of an accident. It doesn’t hurt to tell someone where you plan on going as well.
USE A LEASH:
Leashes are not always necessary when stand-up paddling, but in the winter, especially in rough or windy conditions, it can mean the difference between life or death. If you fall off in cold water, you want to get back on your board as soon as possible. A leash will help you do
“THERE IS NO BOAT TRAFFIC. YOU HAVE THE LAKE TO YOURSELF. IT CAN BE MAGICAL.” MARCUS TINGLE OWNER, ADRIFT TAHOE.
this. “If you do fall in you want to get the board back to you right away,” Tingle said. “Being leashed to your board is the safest thing you can do.”
CARRY A DRY BAG:
Having a change of clothes, a towel, a cell phone, snacks and even a warm drink in a Thermos can make winter paddling a very cozy experience. Plus, in an emergency, these items will come in handy.
KEEP IT CLOSE TO SHORE: While it may be tempting to head for deeper water, the safest routes in the winter are closer to shore. Conditions can change so quickly on the lake that paddlers can be trapped in the middle if they’re not careful.
- Dylan Silver, a former reporter for the Tahoe Daily Tribune, is a freelance writer and photographer who lives at Lake Tahoe’s South Shore. TAHOE MAGAZINE
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Move Forward With Confidence
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experience our backyard
squawcreek.com
800.403.4434
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1 Salomon Q-88 Lux skis For intermediate to advanced skiers, it doesn’t get much better than Salomon’s Q-88 Lux. Lightweight and designed with twin tips, the allterrain Q-88 is great for everything, from groomers to trees. Construction includes a full wood core, utility rocker and a hook–free taper. Salomon, 1985 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Valley, CA, 530-452-4455
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2 Patagonia Black Hole roller ski bag After you’ve spent $1,000 on skis and bindings, it’s probably smart to spend a little more to protect them from unnecessary dings, scratches and damage. Patagonia offers the cleanly designed Black Hole roller that makes it easy to keep your planks safe and secure when traveling anywhere in the world. Alpenglow Sports, 415 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA, 530-583-6917 3 The North Face Zima Jacket Though it’s heavy duty enough for ice climbing, the Zima’s best use is likely the chilly nights of SnowGlobe. PrimaLoft insulation will keep you warm even if it’s wet or snowing. The variety of pockets can shelter cold hands and carry all your accessories. Tahoe Mountain Sports, 8331 North Lake Blvd., Kings Beach, CA, 530-5467001
4 BCA Backcountry Link Designed specifically for skiers and snowboarders, the BCA Link will keep you in touch with all your shred buddies, even if they’re miles away. The microphone easily clips onto your jacket or pack, so there’s no fiddling with pocket zippers. All buttons and knobs are meant to be used with your gloves on. The Backcountry, 11400 Donner Pass Road, Donner Center, Truckee, CA, 530-582-0909 5 Zeal Kennedy From speedometer and videoincorporated goggles to ultra–stylish shades, Zeal is a big player in the outdoors optics game. The Kennedy is just one example of the company’s prowess in green design and functionality. The polarized lenses are developed from a plant-based bonding agent and the A Z-Resin frame is manufactured from a bean product. West Shore Sports, 5395 West Lake Blvd., Homewood, CA, 530-525-9920
IMAGES PROVIDED BY GEAR MANUFACTURERS
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6 Ruffwear Polar Trex Winter Dog Boot If you’re going to bring Fido, make sure he or she has the best in canine winter wear. On long walks, snow can be harsh to a dog’s feet. Ruffwear’s boot line is designed for dogs that like to follow their owners on ski, snowshoe, mountaineering or sledding trips. Dog Dog Cat, 4000 Lake Tahoe Blvd. C-17, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 530-541-2322 7 Sea to Summit Alpine II Sea to Summit’s sleeping bags have made waves in the outdoor gear world for their simple designs and high quality construction. The Alpine II can handle all but the lowest of Lake Tahoe temperatures. Don’t rule out that winter camping trip in Desolation Wilderness just yet. Lake of the Sky Outfitters, 1023 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 530-541-1027
8 Tahoe Teas: Tahoe Local For power and stamina on the slopes or in the snow, Tahoe Teas’ Tahoe Local is the right choice. Made with gotu kola, ginko biloba and damiana, the result is a hearty brew with hints of spearmint and lemon peel perfect for those cold, refreshing mornings. Gaialicious, 987 Tallac Ave., South Lake Tahoe, CA, 530-542-4244 9 Sheepskin Mule Slipper There are few things better than coming home from a day on the slopes, pulling off those ski boots and slipping your tired feet into a cushy pair of slippers. At that moment, sheepskin is almost a necessity. High Chaparral carries a variety of footwear with the comfy material. High Chaparral, 1001 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 530-541-6922
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10 Manduka Yoga Mat Yoga is a great way to stretch out and heal those sore muscles that seem to accumulate up on the slopes. Lake Tahoe has many great studios with many great classes and private sessions. Manduka offers the finest ecofriendly mats. The company’s PROlite is light and portable, perfect to take anywhere. Lake Tahoe Yoga, 100 McFaul Way, Zephyr Cove, NV 775-588-8607
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1 Arcade Belts, The Hemingway A good belt is crucial for so many things. Holding up your pants is just one of them. Also great for building swings, zip lining, spanking, emergency ski boot closure and the old double-wrap headband, Arcade’s entire line is rugged, easy to use, versatile and stylish to boot. Tahoe Mountain Sports, 8331 North Lake Blvd., Kings Beach, CA, 866-891-9177
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3 Tahoe Moonshine Jagged Peaks Gin Tahoe Moonshine is Lake Tahoe’s only local craft distiller. Owner Jeff VanHee uses organic and often locally sourced ingredients in his spirits. With hints of cardamom, coriander and ginger, Jagged Peaks Gin will keep you warm all winter. Need something else? Tahoe Moonshine has new flavors like Danger Dog Cinnamon Whiskey and Hot Stinking Garlic Vodka, perfect for bloody marys. Incline Spirits, 120 Country Club Drive #25, Incline Village, NV, 775-831-9292
4 Volcom L Goretex Jacket A lot has changed in snowboard style. Where things used to be baggy and colorfully patterned, they’re now slimmed down and have solid tones. With the L line, Volcom has refined the look into sophisticated and solid jackets. And, if you know anything about outerwear, you probably know Goretex is top of the line. Will it handle anything you throw at it? Yes. Totally Board Inc, 12111 Chandelle Way, Truckee, CA, 530-587-6363 5 Nambe Bulbo Kettle If you truly appreciate your hot morning beverage or your late night cup of tea, then Nambe’s sleek kettle line makes sense to you. It’s a respect thing. When coffee is sacred, you can’t just pour any old water out of any old boiler into any old grinds. There is a special process that surrounds drinks like these, and Nambe gets that. The Potlatch, 930 Tahoe Blvd. #401, Incline Village, NV, 775-833-2485
IMAGES PROVIDED BY GEAR MANUFACTURERS
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2 Jones Higher 30L pack Enough space to hold all your gadgets and your avalanche gear, the new line of Jones packs is efficiently designed, lightweight and burly enough for the world’s craziest snowboarders. Jones packs are also available in 18-liter, 24-liter and 30-liter avalanche airbag models. Jeremy Jones’s final film “Deeper” in his snowboarding trilogy is now also available. Willards Sport Shop, 170 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA, 530-583-3356
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6 Patagonia Activist Fleece Waterproof To tromp through the slush and mud of the Sierra’s biggest storms, you’ll need a shoe that’s waterproof and high enough to keep the wetness from slipping over the cuff. Not only rugged and snow-worthy, the Activist is comfy and stylish enough for a nice evening out with the missus. Patagonia, 1001 Heavenly Village Way #16, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 530-542-3385 7 Lib Tech FunDamnMental C3 BTX Styled with legendary snowboarder Jamie Lynn’s own artwork, Lib Tech’s FunDamnMental series isn’t just pretty to look at. These collectorworthy boards also rip. Each one comes with the latest in the company’s innovations like Magne–Traction, C3 camber rocker, and basalt-fiberglass construction. If you ride it hard, this board might last longer than you do. Shoreline Tahoe, 259 Kingsbury Grade, Stateline, NV, 775-588-8777
8 Giro Compass Goggle With a slightly smaller fit than the Onset, the new Compass is a great option for those looking for a slightly more compact design. Incredibly functional, the Compass features a Carl Zeiss spherical dual lens with several different tint options, triple-layer foam and a helmet compatible shape. Heavenly Sports, 1001 Heavenly Village Way #18, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 530-542-2859 9 Pedego Trail Tracker Still want to ride in the winter? Grab a fat bike. Pedego’s line even has electric motors that will add a little extra kick to your bike commute, especially in extra heavy snow. The charge lasts for up to 30 miles and the extra wide tires will have you floating over soupy terrain. Pedego Lake Tahoe, 4087 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA, 530-544-4087
10 Beats Urbeats Music and snow sports go together like sunshine and Lake Tahoe. They’re not the cheapest headphones on the market, but Beats has gained a reputation for high– quality sound and lasting durability. The low–profile design fits under a helmet and goggles and will still be comfortable after a day of skiing and riding. Radioshack, 1018 Al Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA, 530-541-4997
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Barifot Mountain Photo
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RESORTS From Kirkwood to Mt. Rose, resorts at Tahoe-Truckee offer breathtaking views of the Jewel of the Sierra. Whether you’re a beginner or a skilled skier, there are trails for every skill level. Take a look at our downhill resort guide to figure out your next experience.
PHOTO: KEOKI FLAGG TAHOE MAGAZINE
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DOWNHILL SKI RESORTS alpine meadows 2600 Alpine Meadows Rd. (off Hwy 89) CA 530-581-8244, skialpine.com
donner ski ranch
19320 Donner Pass Rd., Norden, CA 530-581-8244, skialpine.com
boreal
granlibakken
219659 Boreal Ridge Rd., Truckee, CA 530-426-3666, borealski.com
725 Granlibakken Rd. Tahoe City, CA 877-552-6301, granlibakken.com
diamond peak
homewood
1210 Ski Way, Incline Village, NV 775-832-1177, diamondpeak.com
5145 West Lake Blvd., Homewood, CA 530-525-2992, homewood.com
heavenly
squaw valley
tahoe donner
camp richardson
hope valley
royal gorge
4130 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 800-432-8365, skiheavenly.com
1960 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Village, CA 530-583-6955, squaw.com
11603 Snowpeak Way, Truckee, CA 530-587-9444, skitahoedonner.com
cross country
outdoors
ski center
Pickett’s Junction at Hwy 88 & 89, Hope Valley, CA 530-694-2266,
9411 Hillside Dr., Soda Springs, CA, 800-500-3871, royalgorge.com
kirkwood
sugar bowl
1501 Kirkwood Meadows Dr. (off Hwy 88), Kirkwood, CA 530-581-8244, kirkwood.com
629 Sugar Bowl Road., Norden, CA 530-426-900, sugarbowl.com
mt . rose 22222 Mount Rose Hwy, Reno, NV, 775-849-0704, mtrose.com northstar
5001 Northstar Drive (off Hwy 267) Truckee, CA 530-562-2267, northstarcalifornia.com
soda springs
10244 Soda Springs Road, Soda Springs, CA 530-426-3901, sodasprings.com sierra - at - tahoe
1111 Sierra-atTahoe Road, Twin Bridges, CA 530-659-7453
CROSS COUNTRY SKI AREAS
1900 Jameson Beach Road (off SR 89), CA 530-541-1801, camprichardson.com
hopevalleyoutdoors.com
sugar pine point
kirkwood nordic
Tahoma, CA 530-525-9528, parks.ca.gov
state park
donner memorial
center
auburn ski club
state park
training center
Hwy 80 - 3 miles west of Truckee, CA
1501 Kirkwood Meadows Drive (off Hwy 88), Kirkwood, CA, 209-258-7248, kirkwood.com
19749 Boreal Ridge Road Soda Springs, CA 530-426-3313
heavenly ’ s mountain adventure park
bijou cross country
Hwy 50 and Al Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA, 530-542-6056
Top of Heavenly Gondola, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 775-586-7000, skiheavenly.com
sorensen ’ s resort
14255 Hwy 88, Hope Valley, CA, 530-694-2203, sorensenresort.com
lake tahoe winter sports center
Hwy 50, Meyers, CA 530-577-2970
tahoe cross country ski area
Tahoe City, CA. 530-583-5475
northstar
5001 Northstar Drive (off Hwy 267) Truckee, CA 530-562-2218, northstarcalifornia.com
tahoe meadows
Near the Diamond Peak Resort off Mt. Rose Hwy, Incline Village, NV TAHOE MAGAZINE
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R E S O R T S
D O W N H I L L
FA C T FA S T
S
30%
BEGINNER TRAILS
45%
INTERMEDIATE TRAILS
25%
ADVANCED TRAILS
AVER A G E SN O WFA L L 400 inches
SN O WM A K I N G
BOREAL
75% to 80% terrain coverage
T OP E L E VAT I O N 7,200 feet
V E RT I C A L R I SE 500 feet
AT A G L A N C E
W H AT ’ S N E W
Boreal Mountain Resort is celebrating a big anniversary this season as it moves into its 50th year of operations. To mark the golden anniversary, the resort will host three events to celebrate the occasion along with commemorative giveaways, a new website and special anniversary logo. Plus, Boreal Unlimited pass holders will enjoy 3 FREE days at all Powdr resorts plus 4 FREE days at Diamond Peak Ski Area! Boreal Mountain Resort resort continues to invest in energy-efficient snowmaking improvements designed to use less water and electrical energy in production. The addition of a 100-ft surface lift and expanded learning terrain provides a safer and less-crowded area, ideal for learning to ski and snowboard. A new pirate-themed terrain park, Neff Land, will be unveiled in January, boasting over 30 rideable features including a life-sized ship mast, cannons, pirates and more. Located in the base area, Woodward Tahoe’s indoor pump track will undergo a complete renovation to provide a better learning and progression environment for snowsport guests on Parkskis™ and Parkboards™. Also new for 2014-15 at Boreal, the mountain services building has been remodeled to increase efficiency and guest service. For more information, check out www.rideboreal.com.
40
WINTER 2014 / 2015
RID E A B L E A C R E S 380
LO N G E ST R UN 1 mile
TERRAIN 33 trails
T UB I N G
open day and night. 1 surface lift
L I FT S
8 (2 quad chairlifts, 3 triple chairlifts, 1 double chairlift, 2 surface lifts)
L I FT HO UR S
9 a.m. – 9 p.m. WWW.RIDEBOREAL.COM
PHOTO: TUCKER NORRED / BOREAL MOUNTAIN RESORT
Boreal Mountain Resort is Tahoe’s best value with terrific discounted packages and creative terrain parks. Always the first resort in the area to open, Boreal’s lifts spin from from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, providing skiers and riders easy access to the slopes, day or night. Those new to snow will enjoy the Take 3, Ride FREE program offering a free season pass upon completion of three lessons. With five parks and two pipes, Boreal is a dream come true. Woodward Tahoe, located steps away from the slopes, is Tahoe’s only action sport training facility with indoor trampolines, foam pits, skateparks, ramps and more.
Snowmobile to the top of tahoe Tahoe’s only ridgeline Tour s Take an exhilarating ride to breathtaking Lake Tahoe views. Depart from Zephyr Cove Resort, just 4 miles from the Stateline casinos. Choose a morning, noon, afternoon or full-moon evening ride. Our tours reach 9,000 feet above sea level, with over 45 miles of trails. Special options like The Ultimate Experience that lets you fully customize your adventure, Let’s Ride! for smaller groups and Kids Ride Free Days for kids under 15 you can customise your experience to a perfect fit. And with our fleet of more than 100 snowmobiles, clothing rentals and hotel shuttle transportation we’re ready to accommodate individuals and groups. Book your tour today.
lakeTahoesnowmobiles.com 775.589.4908
the cruiSe laStS a few hourS The memories l a sT fore ver
Experience Emerald Bay from an unforgettable perspective, the authentic paddlewheelers M.S. Dixie II or Tahoe Queen. Daytime Cruises Take in the striking views while the narrator entertains you with the lake’s fascinating statistics, historical highlights and colorful legends. Food and drink available for purchase.
Champagne Dinner & Dance Cruise Savor a fabulous meal, created by Executive Chef Jeremy “Boomer” Acuna. Then dance to live music aboard the Tahoe Queen or the M.S. Dixie II. FOR
EST SERVICE
Zephyr Cove Resort and Marina operated under a special U.S. Forest Service use permit. Managed by Aramark.
lakeTahoeCruises.com 800.238.2463
R E S O R T S
D O W N H I L L
DIAMOND PEAK
FA C T FA S T
S
18%
BEGINNER TRAILS
46%
INTERMEDIATE TRAILS
36%
ADVANCED TRAILS
SE A SO N
December to April
AMENITIES
Shuttle service, rental/ demo and repair center, ski and snowboard school, child ski center, retail shop
TE R R A I N PA R K
Located on Spillway; family-friendly terrain features on Penguin
SN O WM A K I N G
75% of developed terrain
T OP E L E VAT I O N 8,540 feet
Don’t worry, ski happy with many ways for adults and kids to have a great day on the slopes without breaking the bank. Lift tickets range from $64 ($69 peak) for adults to free for those 6 & under and 80+. Located in Nevada’s Incline Village, the affordable, family friendly resort offers breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe, a summit elevation of 8,540-feet and a 1,840-foot vertical drop. Skiers and boarders can experience 655 acres of beginner to advanced terrain that includes open glades. Diamond Peak’s Flex Pass is the best way to go for your multi-day vacation. Available in 2-7 day increments, the Flex Pass is fully transferable, valid any day and provides direct-to-life access. View our live HD web cam (perched on the top of Crystal Ridge) on diamondpeak.com to see what conditions are like.
AT A G L A N C E
Diamond Peak has the first grooming fleet in the country with PistenBully’s new SNOWsat technology. These GPS-enhanced snow groomers generate a cartographic image of the slopes used to accurately measure snow depths and ensure the best coverage for skiers and riders. As the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road grows, electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) is in high demand among EV drivers. In March 2014, two ChargePoint electric vehicle charging stations were installed at Diamond Peak. As Diamond Peak General Manager Brad Wilson says, “We are leading the way in sustainability and following suit with other environmentally-conscientious resorts around the country.” Also new for the 2014-15 season, Diamond Peak Ski Resort season pass holders now receive bonus days at Boreal Mountain Resort, June Mountain Ski Area, Homewood Mountain Resort and Red Lodge Mountain, for a total of 16 complimentary non-holiday lift tickets, four at each partner resort. For more information or to buy online, visit diamondpeak.com.
42
WINTER 2014 / 2015
1,840 feet
RIDE A B L E A C R E S
655
LO N G E ST R UN 2.5 miles
TERRAIN
30 runs, open glades, tree skiing
BA SE E L E VAT I O N 6,700 feet
L I FT S
6
L I FT HO UR S
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. WWW. DIAMONDPEAK.COM
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: DIAMOND PEAK SKI RESORT
W H AT ’ S N E W
V E RT I C A L D R O P
Find Away.
Heavenly Village 1001 Heavenly Village Way (530) 542-3385 The Village at Northstar 5001 Northstar Drive (530) 562-8012
Legendary. Respected. Exclusive.
Sport Haus Motor Cars is your #1 source of pre-owned Aston Martin, Porsche, Mercedes, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, Audi, BMW, Jaguar and other fine motor cars in Nevada. Owners of fine motor cars know Sport Haus Motor Cars is “The� one-stop source for all of their automotive needs. Satisfying discriminating automotive aficionados for over 30 years. M O T O R
C A R S - R E N O
9732 South Virginia Street
|
R e n o , N V | 7 7 5 . 3 2 9 . 1 4 4 7 | w w w. S p o r t H a u s I n c . c o m
R E S O R T S
D O W N H I L L
ACT F T S FA
S
15%
BEGINNER TRAILS
50%
INTERMEDIATE TRAILS
35%
ADVANCED TRAILS
GRANLIBAKKEN
AMENITIES
Ski school, rental shop, snowplay area, snack bar, warming hut
SAU C E R /SL E D HI L L 50 feet
T OP E L E VAT I O N 6,570 feet
The Gran Spot is new this year. It is a coffee and snack shop located in the main lodge. The Gran Spot serves tasty coffee beverages, alcoholic beverages, and some tasty treats.
W H AT ’ S N E W 44
WINTER 2014 / 2015
V E RT I C A L D R O P 240 feet
T ER R A I N PA R K S ACRES
0
10
BA SE E L E VAT I O N 6,330 feet
L I FT S
2 surface lifts
L I FT HO UR S
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fri. - Sun. WWW. GRANLIBAKKEN.COM
PHOTO: GRANLIBAKKEN
Granlibakken Tahoe features an intimate ski hill, perfect for beginning through intermediate skiers and snowboarders. It’s a place to avoid the crowds, while enjoying a day of skiing right out your back door. Ski School, ski hill and snack bar are open Friday through Monday and Dec. 19 through Jan. 5 and Feb. 14-24. The rental shop, snow play area and warming hut are open daily all season. Granlibakken offers plenty of Sierra terrain to explore on cross-country skis or snowshoes. Guests have easy access to popular cross-country trailheads which provide miles of un-groomed Lake Tahoe skiing and snowshoes terrain. For the kids or young at heart. Granlibakken has a machine groomed snow play area. Cost is $14 per person, non holiday & $15 holidays for saucer rental and use of the snow play area all day (no tubes or toboggans allowed). Skiers and boarders package starting at $160 — one adult lift ticket to one of seven local resorts, one adult ticket to the Tahoe Cross Country Center, a 30-minute spa service at Granlibakken Spa, or one adult pass to the Treetop Adventure. The package also includes one night lodging, a full hot breakfast, and the use of the sauna, heated outdoor pool, gym and hot tub. Lodging guests receive half off sledding/ skiing at Granlibakken. Granlibakken is located in a 74 acre picturesque mountain valley only minutes from Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City.
AT A G L A N C E
Heavenly Mountain Resort Photographer Corey Rich
TAKE YOUR VACATIONS
HIGHER
It’s hard to imagine a more perfect vacation than one at Harrah’s or Harveys Lake Tahoe. Picturesque mountains. Crystalline lakes. Lively gaming. Exciting entertainment. Adventurous outdoor diversions. When you take your vacation to a higher level, you truly get it all. We’ll see you at the top.
TotalRewardsTahoe.com Must be 21 or older to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2014, Caesars License Company, LLC.
R E S O R T S
D O W N H I L L
HEAVENLY
FA C T T S A F
S
20%
BEGINNER TRAILS
AT A G L A N C E
W H AT ’ S N E W
The South Shore is about to get rocked, as the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino opens this January with more than 500 high-quality rooms, a 25,000-square-foot casino floor, and iconic Hard Rock entertainment. The Hard Rock’s debut in South Lake Tahoe is the highlight of the town’s recent revitalization, which includes the opening of new shops, restaurants and other hotels within the last year. The Chateau shopping area opened in the fall and has created a more pedestrian-friendly area across from Heavenly Village. On-mountain at Heavenly, there’s no need to wait until après to après, as the resort will feature a new East Peak Mid-Day Party outside the East Peak Lodge on Fridays-Sundays from 1:00-3:30 p.m. Also, grab a drink and your pom-poms for Tailgate at Tamarack on Sundays at Tamarack Lodge, where you can watch your favorite NFL game between runs.
46
WINTER 2014 / 2015
INTERMEDIATE TRAILS
35%
ADVANCED TRAILS
AMENITIES
Ski and ride schools, five rental and two repair shops, nine on-mountain restaurants, four lodges.
T ERR A I N PA R K S
3
TERRAIN 97 trails
T OP E L E VAT I O N 10,067 feet
V E RT I C A L D R O P 3,500 feet
ACRES
4,800
BASE E L E VAT I O N 6,540 feet
L I FT S 29 1 eight-passenger gondola, 1 aerial tramway, 2 high-speed six-passenger chairs, 7 high-speed quads, 5 triple chairs, 3 double chairs, 6 surface lifts, 4 Magic Carpets L I FT HO UR S
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends and holidays WWW. SKIHEAVENLY.COM
PHOTO: COREY RICH / HEAVENLY MOUNTAIN RESORT
There’s a reason Heavenly Mountain Resort holds the non-existent title for the most first chairs missed and has been dubbed the “wild child” of Vail Resorts. Because whether you’ve decided to trade in your ski boots for your dance shoes at Unbuckle at Tamarack or you’re on a mission to track down the on-mountain mobile DJ cat party, one thing is for sure at Heavenly,you better be prepared to go “all-in.” Every aspect of the resort exudes that high-energy vibe. From the parking attendants’ and lift operators’ exuberant welcomes to the food and beverage employee flash mobs at Unbuckle, it’s easy to tell that employees at Heavenly are having fun and that they want the guests to also. At the end of the day, the perfect transition from chairlift to casino table is found at Unbuckle on Fridays and Saturdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. with a live DJ, half-priced drinks, food specials, lots and lots of dancing, and the lovely Heavenly Angels. The season is capped off by Heavenly’s signature bigair, poker-inspired competition High Roller Hold Em on April 4, 2015, where Reno local Chas Guldemond will look to defend his title against Olympic gold medalist Sage Kotsenburg and other top-name riders.
45%
Lake it. Love it. For your next Tahoe vacation, don’t just lake it, love it. Choose the ideal vacation property from Incline Vacation Rentals.
Your Hometown Appliance Experts! S to R o re M Ow bin H anag ne ayn er, r, Inv i te C h a r e s & lie you LO Rile CA to y L S Ho LY for HOP me t r u Ser town e vic e!
With a wide selection of rental properties from 1-5 bedroom condos and homes, all in Incline Village, Nevada on the north shore of picturesque Lake Tahoe.
Incline Vacation Rentals
GREAT PRODUCTS, PRICES, QUALITY AND SERVICE
www.InclineVacations.com
(800) 831-3304 • (775) 831-3349 917 Tahoe Blvd suite #201 C
Helping people enjoy Lake Tahoe since 1968.
All our vacation properties are equipped with full kitchens, TV, VCR, telephone, linens and towels. Most have washers, dryers and multiple TVs. Many have high speed internet access.
HAPPY HOUR 3-6 PM SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER DAILY ~ COMFORT FOOD FOR THE SOUL ~
Locally owned and operated, your Hometown Sears Store offers a large selection of products, appliances, snow blowers and much more. Delivery and installation available. Same prices, great values and local service, without driving to Reno or Sacramento.
Open 7 days a week! M-F 9-6:30, Sat 9-6, Sun 11-4 Homemade Family Recipes served in our Cozy Log Cabin Atomosphere
775.832.7778 | austinstahoe.com 120 Country Club Drive | Incline Village, NV | Across from Hyatt
Phone orders gladly accepted with a SEARS card. Truckee’s Hometown Sears 12047 Donner Pass Road, Truckee 530-550-0110
R E S O R T S
D O W N H I L L
FA C T FA S T
S
15%
BEGINNER TRAILS
40%
INTERMEDIATE TRAILS
35%
ADVANCED TRAILS
AMENITIES
HOMEWOOD
Backcountry snowcat skiing/snowboarding tours, free adult intermediate/ advanced lessons, children’s lesson center, Burton Learn-to-Ride Center, West Shore Café & inn, Big Blue View Bar, rental/ demo and repair centers, online lift ticket deals.
AVER A G E SN O WFA L L 450 inches
Known as Tahoe’s most beautiful resort, Homewood Mountain Resort offers incomparable views of Lake Tahoe from each of its gladed runs, groomed slopes, powder bowls and new snowcat-accessed terrain. Renowned as a family-focused mountain on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, free intermediate/advanced adult lessons, Homewood’s children’s and adult ski and snowboard school and Burton Learn-to-Ride Center offer a friendly environment for learning to ski and snowboard. Just steps from the slopes, West Shore Café & Inn offers visitors one of the region’s best lakefront locations for lunch, après-ski fun, dinner and lodging.
AT A G L A N C E
Homewood Snowcat Adventures will debut this winter in backcountry terrain on the flanks of Ellis Peak, above the resort’s traditional ski area boundary. Once transported to the summit, groups of up to 10 skiers and riders will enjoy guided access to a wide variety of terrain options – from perfectly-spaced tree runs to steeps, powder bowls and intermediate-level glades – all leading guests back to the inbounds terrain at the resort. Snowcat tours will run regularly Friday – Sunday and holidays, when conditions permit. Snowcat group buyouts are also available at a discounted price, subject to availability. For skiers and snowboarders looking to improve their technique, Homewood’s free lesson program will be offered Sunday – Friday, non-holiday throughout the season for intermediate- and advanced-level skiers and snowboarders. And for the best value on the mountain, families need look no further than Homewood’s signature Family Season Pass, which offers two adults plus two teens/children unrestricted season passes for just $1,049. And Homewood’s terrain park skiers and riders will have an innovative new urban terrain park available to them this season as Homewood unveils the Foundation Bowl – an urban-style terrain park located within an unused building foundation adjacent to Homewood’s mid-mountain Big Blue View Bar.
48
WINTER 2014 / 2015
8,740 feet
VE RT I C A L D R O P 2,510 feet
ACRES
2,010
BASE E L E VAT I O N 6,230 feet
T ERR A I N PA R K S TRAILS
6
64+
L I FT S
1 high-speed quad, 3 triple chairs, 4 surface lifts
L I FT HO UR S
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. WWW. SKIHOMEWOOD.COM
PHOTO: PAUL RAYMORE / HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT
W H AT ’ S N E W
T O P E L E VAT I O N
TIMESHARE RESALES: SAVE THOUSANDS! LS RENTA ! TOO
1-800-996-2001 The Shops at Heavenly Village
OPEN 7 week in days a c EVENINluding GS
1001 Heavenly Village Way – Suite 37
The market leader for Lake Tahoe & Hawaii timeshare resales since 1989. Marriott Grand Residence - Authorized Broker Marriott Timber Lodge - Best Deals - Gold, 2 bed, lock off ........................................................$4,000 - Summer Platinum, 2 bed, lock off ....................................$8,600 - Ski Platinum, 2 bed, lock off...........................................$10,750 - Ski Platinum, 3 bed, lock off...........................................$18,500
- 13 weeks, Studio, Gondola view......................................$17,750 - 13 weeks, 1 bed, 2 bath, Tahoe view ..............................$27,500 - 13 weeks, 2 bed, 3 bath, Gondola view ..........................$59,000 - Marriott Vacation Club Destination 2,000 Points.............$11,000
Lake Tahoe Vacation Resort & Diamond Collection Points
Tahoe Beach & Ski - A Lakefront Resort
- 2 bed, 2 bath, All season, Annual..$2,000...Bi-annual.....$1,350 - Diamond Points Many Available .........................................Call Us!
- Studio, High Season ............................................................$995 - 1 bed, Standard, Prime 51/52 .........................................$2,500 - 1 bed, Deluxe, High Season..............................................$3,250
North Shore Lake Tahoe - Hyatt High Sierra Lodge, Silver, Week 3 ............................$3,900 - Hyatt High Sierra Lodge, Gold, Week 8 ............................$6,500 - Hyatt High Sierra Lodge, Platinum, Week 32 ..................$20,000 - Hyatt High Sierra Lodge, Diamond, Week 52..................$22,500
WorldMark
The Ridge Tahoe - Incredible Savings - Call for New Listings
- Marriott Ko Olina, 2 bed, Oceanview ..............................$14,500 - Hilton Waikoloa, Big Island, 2 bed, 9,600 points ..............$15,500 - Hilton Hawaiian Village, Oahu, 2 bed, 7,000 points .........$19,000
- WorldMark South Shore, 3 bed, 2 bath, 4 Weeks ............$13,000 - WorldMark 20,000 Credits..............................................$10,000
Hawaiian Paradise
- 2 bed, 2 bath, Lock off, Plaza, Prime Season ....................$2,000 - 2 bed, 2 bath, Lock-off, Terrace, All Season......................$2,000 - 2 bed, 2 bath, Naegle, Winter ..........................................$3,250 - 2 bed, 2 bath, Lock-off, Tower, Prime ...............................$3,000
Check out more INCREDIBLE DEALS at:
www.timeshare-resale.com Beach
BUILT FOR EXPLORING
Lake Tahoe
KIVA
EDGEWOOD
Golf Course
LAKESIDE
HEAVENLY
Beach
Gondola
TAHOE
Beach
REGAN POPE TAYLOR
Beach
Prices & details subject to change as listings are sold.
NEVADA
BASECAMP HOTEL
Creek
Also: Stardust, Americana, Perennial, Wyndham, David Walley’s
Queen
Beach
BIJOU
Golf Course
HEAVENLY
Mountain
Come stay with us and let our Basecamp Hotel lodging be your springboard for your
Lake Tahoe advenTure! 530.208.0180 | www.basecamphotels.com
R E S O R T S
D O W N H I L L
KIRKWOOD
FA C T T S A F
S
12%
BEGINNER TRAILS
30%
INTERMEDIATE TRAILS
38%
ADVANCED TRAILS
20%
EXPERT TRAILS
AMENITIES
Two terrain parks, learnto-ski and ride center, cat skiing, backcountry classes, two rental shops, on-mountain restaurants, child care ages 2-6
AVER A G E SN O WFA L L 600 inches
S N O WM A K I N G Top-to-bottom on four runs
T O P E L E VAT I O N 9,800 feet
TRAILS
As a member of the Vail Resorts family, Kirkwood preserves the unique feel that makes Kirkwood a mecca for thrill-seeking skiers and riders. This winter the mountain is expanding its EpicMix and EpicMix Acadamy technology that it introduced last year with the EpicMix Guide, an interactive platform that helps our guests create their perfect day on the mountain. The new EpicMix guide app delivers the guest a customized experience based on the guests ability level and motivation on any particular day. The Rahlves Banzai Tour is returning to Kirkwood Mountain, where big mountain freeride meets skier / boarder cross action. The best skiers and riders in the world will challenge themselves in head-to-head action, top to bottom down a wide-open course over natural terrain from the top of the Wall all the way through snowsnake gully… It is the ultimate test of skiing and riding skills. For more event info and dates visit www.kirkwood.com/events.
W H AT ’ S N E W
50
WINTER 2014 / 2015
RI D E A B L E A C R E S 2,300
L O N G E ST R UN 2.5 miles
BASE E L E VAT I O N 7,800 feet
L I FT S 15 2 high-speed quad, 1 fixed quad, 6 triple chairs, 1 double chair, 3 surface lifts, 2 magic carpets L I FT HO UR S
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. WWW.KIRKWOOD.COM
PHOTO: COREY RICH / KIRKWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT
Kirkwood Mountain Resort is entering its 41st year of operation and second as a member of the Vail Resorts family. Since 1972, the 2,300 acres of Kirkwood have provided some of North America’s fiercest inbounds terrain that will challenge skiers and riders from first chair to last. The solitary horseshoe canyon in which Kirkwood resides is one of the purest, most authentic, big-mountain ski experiences in America, and with an average annual snowfall of 600 inches, there are sure to be plenty of deep powder days.
AT A G L A N C E
80+
Spectacular Snow Shovels Sleds Snow Toys Snow Melt Snow Scrapers Home Decor Gifts Clothing & Footwear
Lakeview Dining fresh fish • sTeAK • PriMe riB
relax in an atmosphere of comfortable elegance while you savor the culinary delights that make chart House famous.
SALES
Ski - Snowboard - Apparel
SERVICE
Overnight Ski Tuning & Custom Boot Fitting
RENTALS
Extensive Rental & Demo Fleet
FanTasTic Happy HOur SAVE TIME and BOOK ONLINE! www.rentals.villageskiloft.com 800 Tahoe Blvd. • Incline Village, NV • 775-831-3537 • Open Daily • villageskiloft.com
392 Kingsbury Grade • Lake Tahoe • (775) 588-6276 Online reservations at chart-house.com
R E S O R T S
D O W N H I L L
FA C T FA S T
MT. ROSE
S
20%
BEGINNER TRAILS
30%
INTERMEDIATE TRAILS
AT A G L A N C E Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe is located just 25 minutes away from Reno and 15 minutes from Lake Tahoe and boasts over 1,200 acres of terrain and 1,800 vertical feet, including the 200-plus acre Chutes. Two sixpassenger, high-speed chairlifts get you to the peak of the mountain in 3.5 minutes with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and Nevada awaiting you at the top. With Mt. Rose being just 25 minutes away from the Reno/Tahoe International Airport and Reno’s 10,000+ rooms, it’s the perfect choice for the first and last day of your Lake Tahoe vacation. Reno and Lake Tahoe lodging properties partnered with Mt. Rose have amazing ski and stay deals starting at $89 and a Reno shuttle service that runs on holidays and weekends.
52
WINTER 2014 / 2015
ADVANCED TRAILS
10%
EXPERT TRAILS
AVE R A G E SN O WFA L L 350 inches
SN O WM A K I N G
28% coverage top to bottom
T OP E L E VAT I O N 9,700 feet
VE RT I C A L D R O P 1,800 feet
AC R E S
1,200
LO N G E ST R UN 2.5 miles
TRAILS
60+
BASE E L E VAT I O N 8,260 feet
L I FT S 8 2 six-pack, high speed detachable chairs, 2 quad chairs (fixed grip), 2 triple chairs (fixed grip), 2 surface lifts L I FT HO UR S
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Blazing Zephyr: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) WWW.MTROSE.COM
PHOTO: SCOTT SADY / MT. ROSE SKI TAHOE
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe charged into the off-season with substantial plans to improve the skiing experience for all of our guests. With the addition of 34 additional hydrants, the snowmaking “firepower” on the lower mountain has been increased by 50 percent. Significant trail expansion has taken place in the Show-off first-timer area with terrain added on the south side of the Flying Jenny conveyor lift. This expansion increases this prime teaching terrain by nearly 100 percent. The Wild Horse Adventure Trail has been greatly modified. Both Mustang and Bronco trails were widened and somewhat toned down as steeper pitches and tighter turns were softened to improve access for lesser-ability users. In addition to sections of the Galena area, the Around the World trail has been re-graded, widened and re-contoured to improve early season access. Select boulder removal off the Pony Express zone will improve this popular lower level “exploring” zone. Further, the Main Lodge has increased indoor dining capacity with the addition 250 seats off the Mountain View Dining area on the upper level of the lodge. Other facility enhancements include a new phone system, relocated administrative offices and more web cams with enhanced views.
W H AT ’ S N E W
40%
Love the mountains?
If you love Mountain Home Style, this is the place for you. Our stores change with the seasons, and always includes gifts and accessories that will remind you of your visit to Truckee-Tahoe. We have two Truckee locations: Downtown in the historic Loading Dock building 10115 Donner Pass Road • 530-550-8800 Sun thru’ Thurs 10A to 5P; Fri and Sat 10A to 6P; Main Showroom for fireplaces, spas and outdoor furniture 11403 Brockway Road • 530-587-6681 • Mon thru’ Sat 9A to 6P; Sun 10A to 5P. Mention this ad and get 20% OFF any one regular priced accessory or gift at either of our two locations. Shipping available.
R E S O R T S
D O W N H I L L
NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA
FA C T T S A F
S
11%
BEGINNER TRAILS
56%
INTERMEDIATE TRAILS
33%
ADVANCED TRAILS
SE A SO N
Mid-November through Mid-April
SN O WM A K I N G
North Tahoe’s most
T O P E L E VAT I O N 8,610 feet
VE RT I C A L D R O P With capital investments surpassing $30 million throughout the past five years, Northstar California Resort is Lake Tahoe’s premier destination for guests in search of quintessential laid-back California luxury and style. Deemed the ‘Best Resort for Families’ by Outside Magazine and North Lake Tahoe’s top-ranked resort for 2015 by SKI Magazine, Northstar is a favorite among parents and children; and with accommodations exuding unparalleled mountain elegance – throughout The Village at Northstar as well as within slopeside-located Constellation Residences at Northstar, a Rock Resort and The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe – Northstar continues to offer skiers the best of the Lake Tahoe experience. State-of-the-art mountain investments have curated the perfect setting to unveil new experiences, innovative ski programs, refined culinary traditions, and elegant events during winter 2014-2015 – all of which echo Northstar’s indisputable penchant for casual sophistication.
AT A G L A N C E
W H AT ’ S N E W
54
WINTER 2014 / 2015
MI D - M T N E L E V 6,800 feet
SKI A B L E A C R E A G E 3,170
T ERR A I N PA R K S
7
BA SE E L E VAT I O N 6,540 feet
H A L FP I P E
yes
L I FT S 20 2 Gondolas. 1 Six-passenger express. 4 quad expresses. 1 quad fixed-grip. 2 triple chairs. 2 surface lifts. 5 magic carpets. WWW. NORTHSTARCALIFORNIA. COM
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA
Famed for culinary excellence both on and off the mountain throughout the resort, Northstar California beckons guests to enjoy new daily traditions as well as food and wine celebrations and events throughout winter. Northstar will host tōst, the daily tradition that redefines the art of the daily toast – inviting guests to raise their flutes and sip bubbles each day on the mountain at 2 p.m. Luxurious, whimsical and an ode to fun in the mountains, tōst invites guests to enjoy the authentic atmosphere of “California laid-back luxury” found only at Northstar. Epicureans are invited to discover the essence of Northstar’s laid-back California luxury through Mountain Table, the new mountaintop culinary experience at Northstar’s Zephyr Lodge, which features an entire menu of California-sourced ingredients. Offered twice monthly from December 2014 through March 2015 Mountain Table presents a feast for the senses which celebrates the best of California’s freshly-sourced produce, meats and seasonal ingredients; masterfully paired with regional artisan wines, craft beers, and distilled spirits. Dinner is served in Northstar’s Zephyr Lodge, which is renowned for its refined mountain elegance and unmistakable, panoramic view of the Sierra Nevada’s Pacific Crest through floor-to-ceiling windows.
2,280 feet
Steak&Lobster $19.99
THE TIMBERS 4 - 10 pm daily OpenTable reservations
775.588.7777 | 800.624.7980 | 168 HIGHWAY 50, STATELINE, NV LAKESIDEINN.COM Management reserves all rights to modify or cancel promotions at any time.
R E S O R T S
D O W N H I L L
FA C T FA S T
S
25%
BEGINNER TRAILS
50%
INTERMEDIATE TRAILS
25%
ADVANCED TRAILS
AMENITIES
Ski and snowboard school, on-mountain dining, mountain sports shop and equipment rentals, child care: 8 months to 5 years
T OP E L E VAT I O N 8,852 feet
V E RT I C A L R I SE 2,212 feet
AC R E S
SIERRA-AT-TAHOE
2,000
AV E R A G E A N N UA L SN O WFA L L 400+ inches
L ONGE ST R UN
.5 miles
TERRAIN
46 slopes and trails Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort boasts 2,000 acres and 2,212 vertical feet of dynamic terrain with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe from the summit and one of the deepest snowpacks in the region. Access to expert backcountry terrain in Huckleberry Canyon, incredible tree runs, a commitment to consistent, quality grooming and excellent beginner programs like the world’s only Burton Star Wars Experience and a $45 beginner package, make Sierra Resort a favorite Northern California resort. Easy to get to and always welcoming, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort is known as the “locals spot.” Sierra Resort is a bastion of the authentic California ski experience.
AT A G L A N C E
Sierra-at-Tahoe invested $5 million in a new 30,000-square-foot deck and 9,000-square-foot base area facility that offers a new après scene and enhanced guest services as well as a new retail shop, demo center and restaurant – Solstice Eatery, featuring internationally flavored ancient grains bowls. With the purchase of a Sierra-at-Tahoe Unlimited Pass, skiers and snowboarders of any age become members of the Powder Alliance and are given access to 36 free days of skiing on select days at some of the best resorts in the West. This year, that freedom extends internationally to Silver Star Mountain Resort in the heart of British Columbia, Canada. Sierra’s Burton Star Wars™ Experience will now include the Burton Star Wars™ Echo Base, a new themed learning experience for kids ages 7-12 that features a unique learning environment and terrain-based teaching programs designed to accelerate learning. Sierra also has invested in top-of-the-line Prinoth Bison grooming technology in order to execute on-piste, terrain-shaping excellence and amplify guests’ experience on the mountain.
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WINTER 2014 / 2015
SUP E R P I P E
Nationally Ranked superpipe
BASE E L E VAT I O N 6,640 feet
L I FT S
14 lifts and tows (3 high speed quads)
L I FT HO UR S
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends and peak periods WWW.SIERRAATTAHOE.COM
PHOTO: NATHAN VETTER / SIERRA-AT-TAHOE
W H AT ’ S N E W
T ER R A I N PA R K S
5 ski and snowboard
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Serving my clients with Professionalism, Integrity & Confidentiality. ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
2013 Incline Village REALTOR® of the Year 2014 Nevada Association of Realtors Global Committee Chair Certified International Property Specialist Resort and Second Home Property Specialist Transnational Referral Certification e-Pro Licensed in Nevada & California
tahoedi@gmail.com | 775.691.2114 www.livethetahoedream.com Looking to buy or sell on a local or international level? Let’s work together to achieve your real estate goals! Call me today!
Diane Brown
R E S O R T S
D O W N H I L L
SODA SPRINGS FA C T FA S T
S
30%
BEGINNER TRAILS
40%
INTERMEDIATE TRAILS
30%
ADVANCED TRAILS
AVE R A G E SN O WFA L L 400 inches
T OP E L E VAT I O N 7,700 feet
BA SE E L E VAT I O N 7,200 feet
V E RT I C A L R I SE 500 feet
Soda Springs Mountain Resort is celebrating its 80th anniversary of operations this season. To mark this major milestone, the resort is receiving a complete facelift, including a new logo and website. Also new for 2014-15 at Soda Springs, the $1 million dollar West Meadow Lodge construction project is complete. The new building provides additional rental, ticket and food services along with space for guests to prepare for the day. West Meadow Lodge will primarily host Planet Kids, a unique program designed specifically for children (ages nine and under) to experience winter and snowsports. For more information, check out www.skisodasprings.com.
W H AT ’ S N E W
58
WINTER 2014 / 2015
TERRAIN 15 Trails
T UB I N G
open from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. with 1 surface lift.
L I FT S
4 (2 double chairlifts, 2 surface lifts)
L I FT HO UR S
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. WWW. SKISODASPRINGS.COM
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: SODA SPRINGS
As the longest-running ski resort in California, Soda Springs Mountain Resort is the best place to explore the magic of winter in Tahoe. Secluded in the picturesque pines and conveniently located directly off of Interstate 80, the welcoming resort spirit and relaxed atmosphere is perfect for families new to snow. In fact, Soda Springs offers Planet Kids, a dedicated snowplay area designed for children ages nine and under. Although, big kids can play too! Planet Kids is best described as a snow playground featuring tubing carousels, snow-tubing lanes, ski/snowboard specific learning areas, snow volcanoes to climb and more. If you’re looking to speed things up a bit, Tube Town is Tahoe’s premier snow tubing area with more than eight long runs and a surface lift.
AT A G L A N C E
SKI & SNOWBOARD RENTALS NORTH TAHOE’S LARGEST DEMO FLEET Voted “Annually Shop” ental Best R
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TAHOE CITY
TRUCKEE
590/600 N. Lake Blvd. 10200 Donner Pass Rd. CA 96145 CA 96160 530
583-6415
530
582-0900
SQUAW VALLEY KINGS BEACH 3039 Highway 89 CA 96146 530
583-5665
8299 N. Lake Blvd. CA 96143 530
546-5800
Voted Best Overall Restaurant 2013 & 2014 Voted on by Readers
We are family friendly, affordable and dedicated to delivering outstanding service. Our new dinner menu also features authentic Mexican cuisine. 5 star Yelp review from Chrissy: “One of the best places EVER oh my gosh! Great service amazing food unique selection and everything is homemade! I was overly impressed! 4 Can not wait to visit again.” brews o r ic m t d on raf
3140 Hwy 50 | South Lake Tahoe, CA 96155 530-577-5132 | www.GetawayCafeTahoe.com
Located conveniently on your way to Sierra at Tahoe and Kirkwood Ski Areas
811 Tahoe Boulevard Incline Village, NV 89451
LAKEFRONT/LAKEVIEW SALES & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
VACATION RENTALS
Long term 1 bedroom to 6 bedroom $100 to $900 per night Year round Check our website for specials
www.inclineattahoe.com 888-686-5253
For your real estate inquiries please contact
Blane
JOHNSON
Sales, Rentals, Management
775-750-7789
R E S O R T S
D O W N H I L L
SQUAW VALLEY ALPINE MEADOWS FA C T FA S T AT A G L A N C E Known for legendary skiing and gorgeous views of Lake Tahoe, Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows is one of the jewels of the region. From incredible tree skiing on a powder day to perfectly buffed corduroy on a crisp winter morning, Squaw | Alpine is home to some of the North America’s finest terrain. After an exhilarating day on the slopes, locals and visitors alike can relax with family and friends at lively bars and restaurants or cozy fire pits in The Village at Squaw Valley.
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WINTER 2014 / 2015
A M E N I T I E S:
scenic Aerial Tram rides, Wanderlust Yoga Studio, world-class spa, outdoor sundecks at both mountains, High Camp hot tub, snowtubing and minisnowmobiles
T ERR A I N PA R K S:
6
TERRAIN:
270 plus trails
A C R E S:
6,000
L I FT S:
42
L I FT HO UR S:
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
BASE A R E A E L E VAT I O N : 6,200 feet
HI G HE ST P E A K : 9,050 feet
VERT I C A L D R O P :
2,850 feet (at Squaw Valley)
L ONG EST R UN :
3.2 miles
WWW. SQUAWALPINE.COM
PHOTO: MATT PALMER / SQUAW VALLEY
Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows is now in year four of a five-year, $70 million renaissance designed to improve all facets of the resort experience. New offerings this year include on-mountain Snowshoe Dinners at The Chalet at Alpine Meadows, as well as new mountain guide programs offered in partnership with The North Face. The Snowshoe Dinners include a mild, starlit hike to the rustic and cozy Chalet where guests can enjoy an intimate seated dinner that includes Alps-inspired dishes. For those looking for a more exhilarating experience, the North Face Mountain Guides are the perfect fit, providing unrivaled guided access to the resorts’ most coveted terrain and secret stashes. For the 2014-15 winter season, Squaw | Alpine also became the first ski resort to offer an app for Google Glass, allowing wearers to view which trails and lifts are open and closed without ever having to check a signage board or take their phone out of their pocket. Exciting additions to Squaw | Alpine’s winter event calendar include the Audi FIS Skicross World Cup and FIS Snowboard World Cup, as well as WinterWonderGrass Tahoe – a bluegrass and craft brew festival featuring three nights of national, regional and local bluegrass bands and acoustic roots artists, complemented by a variety of craft brews and local wines, spirits and foods.
W H AT ’ S N E W
S
G arst&e w y boarders Snaow
e i k S
You Do Have a Choice!
If you are injured at one of our local ski areas, you may be told that your only options URGENT CARE are to be treated at the Ski Hill Clinic or an expensive hospital visit... at Gateway Urgent Care we specialize in ski and snowboard injuries with OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE.
Most Insurance Plans Accepted • Never a Wait No Appointment Necessary • X-Ray Facility On Site General Family Care • Truckee’s Alternative to Costly Emergency Rooms
SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS
If you are injured at one of our local ski areas, you may be Do you hospital suffer from told that your only option is an expensive visit .a. .tendon or ligament injury?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are less invasive and less expensive than surgery. The treatment helps regenerate tendon and ligament fibers, and accelerates the body’s natural healing process. PRP Therapy can also be helpful for the spine, middle and lower back, neck, shoulders, elbows, wrist/hand, hip/pelvis, knee, lower leg, ankle/foot and arthritic joints.
BUT. . . at Gateway Urgent Care we specialize in ski and snowboard injuries with OVER 30To schedule YEARS EXPERIENCE. an appointment or find out more about PRP Therapy, call Gateway Urgent Care.
Gateway URGENT CARE
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530-582-2070
www.gatewayurgentcare.com gatewayurgentcare@yahoo.com 11105 Donner Pass Rd. Truckee Most Insurance Plans Accepted • Never a Wait No Appointment Necessary FUN FOR WHOLE FAMILY X-Ray Facility On THE Site • General Family Care
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www.RookiesLakeTahoe.com | Bar: (775) 831-9008 | Pizzas: (775) 831-2186 | 930 Tahoe Blvd. in Raley’s Center
R E S O R T S
D O W N H I L L
FA C T T S A F
S
17%
BEGINNER TRAILS
45%
INTERMEDIATE TRAILS
38%
ADVANCED TRAILS
T OP E L E VAT I O N 8,383 feet
V E RT I C A L D R O P 1,500 feet
PEAKS
SUGAR BOWL
AC R E S
4
1,650
TRAILS
103
AVER A G E SN O WFA L L 500 inches
L ONGE ST R UN AT
Celebrating 75 years this season, Sugar Bowl skiers and riders are reflecting A GLANCE back upon a rich history and storied past, while at the same time looking forward to a very bright future ahead. With $20 million in resort upgrades and improvements now complete, including the new Crow’s Peak chairlift, the addition of Royal Gorge Cross Country (North America’s largest XC resort), a brand new Sugar Bowl Ski Academy Campus, the new Sporthaus fitness & aquatics center and a significant upgrade to the resort’s snowmaking system, there’s much to celebrate. And if you haven’t already been to Sugar Bowl, you’re going to love what you see. Boasting four distinct peaks atop majestic Donner Summit with the most annual snowfall in all of Tahoe, it’s easy to see why many NorCal skiers and riders proudly call Sugar Bowl their home resort of choice. With the ease and convenience of being the closest resort to Sacramento and the Bay Area, a classic high-alpine Lodge in America’s only snowbound village, the best backcountry terrain in the region and a laid-back vibe that rarely sees a lift line, Sugar Bowl’s attributes are many. All the more reasons to ski it this season, and say “Happy 75th” to an iconic Tahoe ski resort.
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WINTER 2014 / 2015
500 acres
SNOW M A K I N G
375 acres
BASE E L E VAT I O N 6,883 feet
S T E E P E ST R UN The Palisades
T E R R A I N PA R K
Three Progressive Parks at Judah
L I FT S 13 5 High-Speed Express Quads, 3 Fixed Grip Quads, 1 Fixed Grip Triple, 2 Fixed Grip Doubles, 1 Gondola,1 Surface Lift L I FT HO UR S
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekdays WWW.SUGARBOWL.COM
PHOTO: GRANT BARTA / SUGAR BOWL
The Crow’s Peak chairlift, which opened for only part of last season, offers skiers & riders access to over 1,000 feet vertical of fall line skiing and riding on the previously hike-to terrain of Strawberry Fields, on the western edge of the resort. A brand new mid-mountain pumphouse significantly improves the resort’s snowmaking system, making for great early-season, top-to-bottom groomers. Look for a calendar filled with special events as Sugar Bowl celebrates its 75th anniversary season, including a bigger and better Silver Belt Banzai with resort ambassador Daron Rahlves, a huge Shred the Love/B4Bc Rail Jam, a festive 75th celebration party on President’s Weekend and more. The Switching Yard Terrain Park sees some changes this year, with a renewed focus on fun and flow that is sure to please those looking for a more surf-style run. The Village Nordic Cup, a new XC race through the Van Norden Meadow and the Village at Sugar Bowl, will race through the Royal Gorge trails during the holidays, while the Gold Rush returns in March. And the Sporthaus fitness & aquatics center is now complete, giving Sugar Bowl homeowners, Lodge at Sugar Bowl guests and Academy athletes access to a new 10,000-square-foot athletic facility. Celebrating 75 years, this is going to be a truly memorable season at Sugar Bowl-Royal Gorge.
W H AT ’ S N E W
G ROO M I N G
3+ miles
The Tavern at Tahoe – the newest spot for breakfast, dinner, watching the game, or gathering with family and friends. Our menu features traditional tavern tastes with seasonal and local twists and items such as burgers, a pot roast sandwich and shrimp n’ grits.
With twelve flat-screen tvs, a locally-made bar, community and family seating, it’s the best spot to watch all the games with our daily drink specials.
MUST LOVE:
THE TAHOE REGION WINTER SPORTS & SNOWPLAY HIGH IMPACT PHILANTHROPY
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TAHOE50.ORG
THIS IS
YOUR CALLING
During the summer months, dine outside while the kids play in the pool. The Tavern is located just off of the lobby of the Beach Retreat & Lodge. See you soon!
3411 Lake Tahoe Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, CA 530.545.4333 I tahoebeachretreat.com
HIGH IMPACT PHILANTHROPY IN TAHOE MEETS WINTER
Heal Like a Champion. Sports Medicine Joint Replacement Trauma & Fracture Regenerative Medicine Physical Therapy l
l
Travis Ganong: Olympic Athlete/Patient
Tahoe Center for Orthopedics Barton Health
877.543.5554 TahoeOrthopedics.com
R E S O R T S
D O W N H I L L
FA C T FA S T
TAHOE DONNER
S
40%
BEGINNER TRAILS
60%
INTERMEDIATE TRAILS
AT
The place for family fun and learning, Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area is A GLANCE committed to being the best place to begin. Tahoe Donner offers a variety of services for families, including ski instruction for children as young as 3 years old, interchangeable lift tickets for parents with non-skiing children, retail outlets, and a kid-friendly menu in the cafeteria. Wide-open bowls, uncrowded slopes, great beginner terrain, excellent grooming, and a friendly, courteous staff await you. The smaller size allows staff to deliver that personal touch that the larger ski areas can’t always provide. Tahoe Donner continually offers some of the best groomed terrain in the region, and, in keeping up with this standard, Tahoe Donner recently added a new snow groomer to the fleet. Additionally, a new 700-square-foot yurt with a large sundeck was constructed to provide a slopeside warm area for lessons. A brand new intermediate trail called “Leary’s Laugh” was also added, in memory of a longtime Tahoe Donner employee and friend. Tahoe Donner Downhill also has some fun new events this year, including Winter Superstars Week. Most children want to be superstars, so children of all ages and skill levels are invited to come out, compete and win medals. Obstacles include ski and snowboard races, a sled pull and a mini terrain park event. Additional popular family events include a torchlight parade, a 200-foot banana split extravaganza and a dummy downhill and rail jam. Those new to skiing (or looking to improve) are also encouraged to take part in Learn to Ski or Snowboard Month in January. Newcomer packages are just $39 and include an all-day lift ticket, rental equipment, and a 1.75 hour group lesson for ages 7 and up.
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WINTER 2014 / 2015
ACRES TRAILS
120 15
AVER A G E SN O WFA L L 350+ inches
L I FT S 5 (1 quad chair, 1 double chair and 3 conveyor lifts) L I FT HO UR S
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. WWW. TAHOEDONNER.COM
PHOTO: KENNY BLUM / TAHOE DONNER
W H AT ’ S N E W
AMENITIES
Open daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ski school, lodge, rental shop and retail shop
Stunning lake and sunset views. Splendid food and cocktails. The Boathouse on the Pier is located at the Timber Cove Marina, right behind the Beach Retreat & Lodge, atop the 1,000 foot Pier. Serving lunch, cocktails and dinner, the Boathouse has the best views in town. Check out Two on Tuesdays and $8 Lunch Specials, Sunset Sippers, live music with Wine Not Wednesdays, and Sunday Songs with Bloodies and Bubbles. Outdoor
bitetahoe.com
907 Tahoe Blvd Incline Village, NV (775) 831-1000
patio and pier dining available in season. Catered events and receptions available.
BOATHOUSE ON THE PIER TA H O E
/BoathouseTahoe
3411 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 Hours: 11 am – 10 pm I 530.600.1846 I tahoebeachretreat.com
BOATHOUSE ON THE PIER TA H O E
66
B R O O K E HERNANDEZ
P A M LUSBY
J E N N Y JOHNSON
S T A R BROOKS
530 314 9766
775 843 9688
775 691 4382
530 318 5818
TIFFANY GRIMES
JOHN PEEL
T O R R Y JOHNSON
MARY JANE KINGMAN
775 772 7298
775 901 0913
775 790 4637
775 901 1133
CHARLENE MEENAN
KLAUS UTECT
775 450 1249
800 355 5287
K I T HARRINGTON
MARGE HAUGE
DARCIE BREEN
C L I F CHASE
775 901 0350
775 720 5153
760 485 8773
775 815 1987
Two States One Great Company
Zephyr Cove 775 588 6130
South Lake Tahoe 530 544 2121
190 Highway 50
989 Tahoe Keys Boulevard
WINTER 2014 / 2015
/ChaseInternational
@ChaseRealEstate
S A L L Y HUTTENMAYER
775 846 0203
C R O S S - C O U N T R Y
R E S O R T S
ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Tim Hauserman glides across a groomed trail at Tahoe Cross Country in Tahoe City.
Health benefits are aplenty with cross-country skiing at Lake Tahoe BY PRIYA HUTNER
I PHOTO: TOM ZIKAS
t’s not always about the downhill at Lake Tahoe. Cross-country skiing covers a lot of ground in the region, with more than 600 kilometers of maintained trails and more than 15,000 acres of terrain. That’s plenty of area to get a daily winter workout. Classic and skate skiing are two styles of Nordic skiing. Classic skiing is the more traditional form, which
involves kicking and gliding in a forward-leaning motion. This style is done in groomed tracks that run paralled to each other. Skate skiing is performed on thinner skis and requires the skier to push off each ski in a “V” pattern, similar to an ice-skating technique, and involves gliding on one ski and transferring your weight to glide on the other ski. Skate skiing is
performed on hard-packed, widegroomed tracks. Biathlon, also a Nordic sport, combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting and offers the benefits of cross-country skiing as well as focus and concentration while trying to hit a target. While cross-country skiing is not for the faint of heart, it is a fabulous overall exercise.
TAHOE MAGAZINE
67
R E S O R T S
C R O S S - C O U N T R Y
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CROSSCOUNTRY SKIING
Cross-country skiing is a low-impact sport that offers a total body aerobic workout and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels. It engages both upper and lower body for an overall workout. Every major muscle group is utilized while propelling the body forward. Like any form of exercise, what you put into the sport is what you get out of it, depending on the intention. If you are looking for a gentle, mindful experience or an intense workout, either can be attained.
PHOTO: THINKSTOCK 68
WINTER 2014 / 2015
You can achieve an excellent workout gliding across the snow, and if that’s not enough, try skate skiing to up-level your exercise program. It’s proven that increasing your heart rate while exercising is good for your health. Being outdoors and breathing fresh air is beneficial to the lungs and respiratory system. The benefits of exercise are undeniable. Exercise improves our chances of living a longer and healthier life. Studies show exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Exercising can also alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety and uplift our mood. In addition, it promotes weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and can improve heartlung and muscle fitness and aid in a better night’s sleep. A person can burn anywhere from 500-1200 calories while cross-country skiing, according to various health studies, and the sport enhances cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength and power, coordination, speed, and flexibility.
TECHNIQUE AND SKILL The gliding movement engages the core, which is central to a strong body. A strong core can help alleviate low back problems and create better balance. As we age, increasing our ability to balance becomes crucial. Building upper body strength is important, particularly for women. Utilizing poles in crosscountry skiing helps strengthen the biceps and triceps muscles. With most athletic sports, breathing is key, and cross-country skiing is no different. Utilizing the breath helps us to relax and creates focused awareness. Breathing opens and expands us and connects us not only to our physical body but helps us to remain present in the moment, creating a deeper mind-body connection. Also, snowshoeing is another great exercise. It provides a cardio workout while also building strength, agility, balance and endurance, and is available at most area cross-country resorts.
Technique is important in mastering the sport of crosscountry skiing, says Tim Hauserman, author of the book “Cross-Country Skiing in the Sierra Nevada: The Best Resorts &; Touring Centers in California &; Nevada,” and director of the Strider Glider Program at Tahoe Cross Country in Tahoe City. “While classic cross-country is easier to learn, it is harder to master,” explains Hauserman, a passionate skate skier. “Skate skiing is harder to learn, but easier to master - it takes some time, and the learning curve is big, but after a few times it starts to click, and before you know it, you catch on.” Many runners, cyclists and triathletes train in the winter with cross-country skiing. “Cross-country skiing is not as jarring or hard on the body as other sports,” says Hauserman. Jo Jo Toeppner is the director of operations at Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort, located at Donner Summit, near Sugar Bowl Resort. She is also a fan of skate skiing, but says it is dependent upon conditions.
“Skate skiing is a challenging sport. It utilizes both sets of large muscle groups,” says Toeppner. “You are driving up the hill on a diagonal instead of parallel. It’s the best form of exercise and engages our center of balance.” Royal Gorge will host two cross-country races this season. The Village Nordic Cup will be held in December and is a firsttime event. The winner receives bragging rights and gets to hold onto the winners’ cup for a year. The second event is the iconic Gold Rush Race on March 15, 2015, which is being held for the first time after an almost 30year hiatus. The race celebrates the culture, history and heritage of cross-country skiing. John Monson is marketing director of Sugar Bowl and Royal Gorge. While he grew up a downhill skier, he also touts the merits of cross-country skiing “The cross-training element of cross-country skiing has great fitness benefits,” he said. “Many
downhill and backcountry skiers benefit from cross-country skiing.” Further, both Hauserman and Toeppner also highlight the relationship between yoga and cross-country skiing. They’ve seen great results and have received good feedback from people who practiced yoga before heading out to ski, telling them how yoga improves their skiing technique. Exploring Tahoe and Truckee on cross-country skis can be one of the most magnificent ways to commune in our natural environment. If you are looking to get a great workout and haven’t tried cross-country skiing, there are plenty of opportunities and places to learn.
AT RE TO WHE NTRY SKI -COU RUCKEE: S S O CR E-T TA H O
R O YAL GO R G E ROYAL GORGE, located at Soda Springs, is the largest cross-country ski area in North America, with over 200 kilometers of groomed trails and 6,000 acres of pristine terrain.
WEBSITE: www.royalgorge.com
PHONE: 530-426-3871
- Priya Hutner is a freelance writer living in Truckee.
TAH O E C RO S S C O U N T RY S K I AREA offers a 65-kilometer trail system that accesses Ponderosa Pine and White Fir forests, open meadows, and views of Lake Tahoe.
WEBSITE: www.tahoexc.org
PHONE: 530-583-5475
TAH O E DO NNER C R O S S C O U NTRY S K I R E S O RT is located in Truckee and offers 100 kilometers of trails that include climbs, rolling hills, pine and aspen forests.
WEBSITE: www.tahoedonner.com
PHONE: 530-587-9484
TAHOE MAGAZINE
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R E S O R T S
C R O S S - C O U N T R Y
N O RTH STA R CALIFORN IA and Martis Valley, which can be seen
H O PE VA LLE Y C RO S S -C O U N T RY S K I C EN T E R
from many of the 35 kilometers of
offers 60 miles of trails, 10 groomed,
groomed, scenic trails.
in meadow and forest. Staff escorts
offers spectacular views of Lake Tahoe
guests on Full Moon Tours, Wildlife Tours
WEBSITE:
and Backcountry Skills Seminars.
www.northstarcalifornia.com
No trail fees are charged, but they
PHONE:
rely on voluntary donations.
530-562-3270
WEBSITE: www.hopevalleycrosscountry.com
T H E RESO RT AT S Q UAW C R EEK NO RD IC CENTE R
PHONE: 530-694-2266
is situated in Squaw Valley, adjacent to the mountain that was home to the 1960 Winter Olympics. It hosts 18 kilometers of groomed trails.
WEBSITE: www.squawcreek.com
PHONE: 800-327-3353
A UBU RN S KI CLUB TRA INING CE NTE R is located on Donner Summit and offers cross-county skiing and Biathlon
S UGAR PINE S TATE PARK on Tahoe’s West Shore is located in Tahoma. The area hosted the 1960 Winter Olympic Nordic skiing competitions. It features open meadows and stream paths on four trails and 20 kilometers.
WEBSITE: www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=510
WEBSITE: www.auburnskiclub.org
PHONE: 530-426-3313
located 45 minutes or so south of South Lake Tahoe, features 24 trails and 70 kilometers of groomed trails.
WEBSITE: www.kirkwood.com
PHONE: 209-258-7277
PHONE: 530-525-7232
B IJO U C RO S S - C O U N T RY offers an informal 4-kilometer marked trail
facilities and programs. It operates a world-class, 20-kilometer trail system.
K IRK W O O D MO U N TA I N RES O RT
CAM P RIC H ARDS O N near South Lake Tahoe offers 10 kilometers of skier-packed trails along the shore of Lake Tahoe, or winding through giant Jeffrey pines and over gentle hills on the groomed track.
across Bijou Community Park in South Lake Tahoe. No trail fee, but no rental equipment or lessons are available.
PHONE: 530-542-6056
WEBSITE: PHONE: 530-542-6584
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WINTER 2014 / 2015
PHOTO: THINKSTOCK
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ADVENTURE It’s one thing to enjoy a leisurely run at Diamond Peak or to hit the sledding slopes at Tahoe Donner. But it’s a completely different animal to take to Tahoe’s backcountry in search of epic and untouched lines. Simply put, adventure awaits here. It’s up to you to seize the moment.
PHOTO: KEOKI FLAGG TAHOE MAGAZINE
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A D V E N T U R E
C O M M U N I T Y
TAHOE OFFERS EVERYTHING RT
H
SH
you stop seeing the lake as a
•
•
THE T OUR INCLINE VILLAGE
This luxury village is home to some of the wealthiest people in the world. When you drive through, take Lakeshore Boulevard to view the large estates that border the lake on its northeast side. Only one mile from the casinos, and 30 miles from Reno and Carson City, Incline Village offers its own mountain in Diamond Peak and a number of winter athletic training hot spots — not to mention exclusive beaches that, even in the winter, afford beautiful views of the lake.
KINGS BEACH
Just west of Incline Village, Kings Beach sits atop Lake Tahoe. With easy access to Northstar, the casinos and the lake, Kings Beach truly lives up to its name. And it’s only going to get better. With $48 million in improvements
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O
RE
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From upscale accommodations to smaller areas with a relaxed vibe
WINTER 2014 / 2015
scheduled for the downtown corridor, the future of Kings Beach will see easy access for visitors between the shopping areas and recreation areas, all of which serve as the perfect Kings Beach venue for the upcoming 32nd annual SnowFest!
NORTHSTAR
Just north of Kings Beach on Highway 267, halfway between Truckee and the lake, Northstar is a growing resort area that is filled with summertime activities. Best known for its shopping — jewelry, kids clothing, outdoor gear, you name it — its winter terrain park and its family friendly ski trails, Northstar is perfect for an afternoon with the kids. Also home to the $300 million Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe and a multi-million redeveloped base area, Northstar will play host to a number of fun festivals and events year-round.
TRUCKEE
The town of Truckee is the gateway to the lake. With a rich history of saloons,
region. It’s because all those little communities surrounding the lake — from the 25,000 people in South Lake Tahoe to the 250 in Carnelian Bay — have unique local identities they do not want to lose. This guide will help you understand where you are, as you tour beautiful Lake Tahoe. gunslingers and other wild west fantasies, it works hard to keep its local charm while playing host to the thousands of guests who stay in our area each year. With nearby Donner State Memorial Park and a downtown shopping area, Truckee can entertain just about anyone with some time on his or her hands. With a rich downtown shopping corridor and easy access to, among others, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort and the marvel that is the Donner Summit backcountry, Truckee’s
winter playground is at your fingertips.
SQUAW VALLEY
Halfway between Truckee and the lake on Highway 89, Squaw Valley is a world-recognized ski resort and home of the 1960 Winter Olympics. It’s also home to a great party to kick off SnowFest! The Tram Car takes visitors up to the top of the mountain to enjoy spectacular views and ice skating. The base area provides shopping and family activities, and plenty of parking. Speaking of Olympics, the mountain is home
to some of the world’s best winter athletes, including gold medalist and America’s sweetheart, Julia Mancuso.
ALPINE MEADOWS
Just a couple miles south of Squaw, accessible to and from Squaw via the Squaw/Alpine Express shuttle, Alpine Meadows is a locals’ favorite offering a diverse selection of terrain and a laid back atmosphere. Renowned for optimal spring skiing conditions, guest will be sure to learn a bit about “Cornology” at Alpine — what they call the science of skiing spring snow and one of the reasons Alpine has some of the best spring skiing in the region.
TAHOE CITY
On the northwest side of the lake, Tahoe City is a perfect little hamlet for visitors to enjoy the quiet of the lake while having plenty of entertainment options close by. With good restaurants and easy access to businesses and the picturesque walk along Commons
Beach, Tahoe City has everything you need. And this is where SnowFest! started, way back in 1981. Celebrate 32 years of this true community event this March in TC, as the locals call it.
HOMEWOOD
On the West Shore just south of Tahoe City lies Homewood, a small winter ski resort that boasts one of the best lake views in the entire basin. Homewood is one of the most beautiful places to stay, as it is surrounded by old-growth elm and pine trees, and sits just yards from the lake. And if you get a chance, talk to some of the locals — they are the definition of “tight-knit community,” and you might learn a thing or two from them, especially about our curious bear population.
MEEKS BAY
This small little neighborhood on the West Shore offers luxurious views of the lake, and great access to nearby state parks. Meeks Bay has its own fire station, one of the few developments other than homes in this classic Tahoe vacation spot.
SHO •
•
SO
H
RE
UT
MEYERS
THE TOUR SOUTH LAKE TAHOE/ STATELINE
The largest of the communities around Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe — its only city — has a large variety of entertainment options. The area’s biggest casinos bring in the area’s biggest act numbers— from Maroon 5 to Brad Paisley to Los Lobos and the Beach Boys — so if nightlife is what you’re looking for, make a trip to South Lake. Did we mention Heavenly Mountain Resort is there too? South Lake Tahoe has it all.
Just south of South Lake Tahoe, Meyers is a funky town that is home to many locals. If you’re looking for a trip off the beaten path, try lunch or dinner in Meyers, and come back telling stories about the “real” Tahoe.
KIRKWOOD
About 35 miles from South Lake Tahoe, on a two-lane road that weaves over two mountain passes, lies Kirkwood Mountain Resort. It may be remote, but in this solitary horseshoe canyon, climate and geography conspire to create one of the purest, most authentic, big-mountain ski experiences in North America.
GLENBROOK HEAVENLY
Heavenly Village offers shopping selections, great food and even a cinema for the whole family to enjoy. The worldfamous gondola will take you to gorgeous winter views of the lake and the snowshoe hike back to town, should you try it, is perfect for those who are in shape — or want to be.
ZEPHYR COVE
Located on the southeast short of the lake, Zephyr Cove is a historic area. Businesses nearby offer a slew of fun activities, and Zephyr Cove Resort offers perhaps the best line of snowmobile tours in the region, for people who need a bit more horsepower in their winter fun.
On the northeast shore of Lake Tahoe, historic Glenbrook epitomizes the idea of rural and lake. Only 150 acres of the town have been developed, leaving homeowners and visitors with undisturbed serenity and unique recreational opportunities.
SAND HARBOR
With sandy beaches, boat launches, picnic spots and access to world-class biking, hiking and fishing,
Sand Harbor is one of the most popular summer spots on the lake. But that doesn’t mean it’s not full of plenty of winter adventures. Be sure to pack your snowshoes or crosscountry skis, as you can catch the Flume Trail and the Tahoe Rim Trail nearby, hit the trails down the road from Spooner Lake and explore the backcountry between Lake Tahoe and Carson City.
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A D V E N T U R E
B A C K C O U N T R Y
SAVING the SEASON Looking back at the 2013-14 winter that wasn’t
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Wes Minton hikes around the top of Mount Ralston last winter. With less snow than normal, backcountry skiers and snowboarders explored new areas.
“Each time I see a snow flake, I want to ask it, ‘Are you the one? Are you the first of the storm that will never end?’” former Powder Magazine editor Dave Casamiro once wrote. This is the torture that the truly passionate must endure. But with a winter like last, I learned there is a way to transcend this. You see, skiing and snowboarding are fun. Whether there is one inch or 10 feet of snow,
PHOTO: DYLAN SILVER / DYLANSILVER.COM
A
s we stood on the top of Mount Ralston, we could see how BY DYLAN SILVER bad it really was. The mountains surrounding us were nearly bare. Pockets of snow peppered their flanks like the specks on a sand piper. This was not the January we had hoped for and pleaded for in November. We’d come to this point after a frustrating two months. One big storm had pounded Lake Tahoe, leaving enough snow for the resorts to get through the holiday season. But it hadn’t offered much for the backcountry skiers and riders, who desperately want to climb mountains and float down through a world of white. At the grocery store, at work, at the bar, everyone was talking about the weather. They crabbed over how little snow had fallen. They speculated when more snow would fall. They complained about the conditions. They refused to go skiing and riding. The resentment was tangible, and, after awhile, it was sickening.
Skier Sean Haverstock finds a steep section on Steven’s Peak in the backcountry near Carson Pass. Upper elevations above 9,000 feet often offered the best snow last winter.
“EACH WINTER OFFERS SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND SOMETHING GREAT. YOU JUST HAVE TO KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR IT.”
Snowboarder Jason Peek slashes fresh snow in the Lake Tahoe backcountry. Though last winter’s snowfall was below average, there were many good days.
Snowboarder Mikaela Bianchi carves through the upper slopes of Powder House Mountain on Lake Tahoe’s South Shore.
it’s a blast to slide around on planks. Each winter offers something different - and something great. You just have to keep your eyes open for it. What was more surprising was a lot of Lake Tahoe’s skiers and riders seemed to agree. The people who love snow sports got out there regardless of conditions and found a way to have a good time.
“For people who got out there and kept the positive outlook, it was a pretty rewarding season, despite the challenges,” said Brendan Madigan, owner of Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City. There is always a way to have fun on the snow. Maybe it’s trying a new box or feature in the terrain park, which all the resorts worked really hard to offer last year. Maybe it’s learning to ride or ski switch. Or you could check out a run you’ve never ridden before. Conditions may not be perfect, but at least there is some snow and at
least you’re out there giving it your best shot. After I became fed up with the constant moaning about the lack of snow, my backcountry partner, Wes Minton, and I just decided to see what was really out there. We climbed Mount Ralston and took in the view. Sure, not every run we would’ve liked to ride had enough coverage. But there were some lines. We each picked out a sliver of snow on the north face and dropped in. We weaved through the rocks, down chutes and over
conical sluff piles. Without deep snow, the mountain had become a playground of bumps, dips and narrow hallways. The run was a blast! We high-fived at the bottom and started planning our next trip out. We climbed more peaks last winter than any other, and even though there wasn’t as much snow last winter, we had more fun. - Dylan Silver, a former reporter for the Tahoe Daily Tribune, is a freelance writer and photographer who lives at Lake Tahoe’s South Shore. TAHOE MAGAZINE
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Mountain climbing can be exhilarating — but safety is of utmost importance.
S E A R C H
PLAYING IT SAFE
Lake Tahoe is an adventure-seeker’s paradise – but if you’re not careful, you could pay the ultimate price
BY MANDY FEDER
P
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WINTER 2014 / 2015
WINTER WARNINGS:
Check conditions before embarking on a hike. Winter backcountry exploration presents dangers that exceed those of hiking in the summer. Heavy snowfall followed by slow warming trends and rain can progressively load and stress buried weak layers, creating avalanche conditions. Be aware that navigating an area can become difficult when it is blanketed with snow. The landscape may begin to look uniform, and landmarks or signs may be covered.
THINGS TO BRING: A topographic map Compass Food Water Extra clothing Firestarter Sun protection Pocketknife or a Leatherman’s tool First-aid kit Flashlight Portable shovel
LET SOMEONE KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. If your plans change provide that person with updates. Winter hikers should wear layers of clothing made of materials that keep moisture away from the body. They should keep sensible mileage goals and turn around when conditions are beyond their skill or energy level. Live life to the fullest. Challenge boundaries. See the region, but respect the power of nature. Learn, research, train and follow that old Boy Scout motto – be prepared. - Mandy Feder is editor in chief of the Tahoe Daily Tribune, a thrice-weekly newspaper serving Lake Tahoe’s South Shore communities, including South Lake Tahoe, Stateline and Meyers.
PHOTO: VALUELINE
eople don’t conquer mountains - they climb them to get a glimpse of the landscape from the peaks, absorb the terrain and vegetation and challenge themselves mentally and physically. But, people do not conquer mountains. They get lost in the vast wilderness, lose track of time, fall down, get sick, overexert and get turned around. The Tahoe area offers amazing opportunities for outdoor adventure-seekers, but nobody wants to kick the bucket trying to fulfill a bucket list. According to El Dorado County Search and Rescue, novice outdoor enthusiasts are the people who typically get in over their heads and need help getting
out of dangerous situations. Search and rescue units composed of all volunteers in the Tahoe-Truckee area have snowmobiles, rope rescues and swift water teams in addition to basic search-and-rescue crews. Search and rescue teams advise adventure seekers to take the following precautions before heading out.
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A D V E N T U R E
V I E W S
ALL-ACCESS: TAHOE-TRUCKEE Nothing can match a wintry view from above Lake Tahoe and Donner Lake
BY MANDY FEDER
W
hether by water, wheels or sky, majestic mountain and lake views are plentiful in the Lake Tahoe region. Paddlewheelers churn deep blue water. The Lake of the Sky can be seen from heavenly heights and inspiration is everywhere. The following are a few views with easy access.
HEAVENLY GONDOLA:
The Gondola experience at Heavenly Mountain Resort is designed to be accessible for anyone and takes guests 2.4 miles up the mountain. The Gondola cabin seats six people comfortably and offers views over Lake Tahoe. The approach to the Gondola building within Heavenly Village has easy ramp access. At the top of the Gondola, guests exit on one level, and there is access to an elevator nearby to take them to the ground level. From there, Tamarack Lodge is located a few hundred feet away, and is also all one level, including restroom facilities. The guest services team is stationed at the bottom and top of the Gondola to assist with needs. The mid-station Observation Deck has interpretive signage as well as a viewfinder for a closer look at the surrounding mountains. The deck is outfitted with benches, tables and restrooms. Café Blue serves snacks and beverages. Senior citizens, 65 and older, are treated to a reduced rate gondola ticket. The Heavenly Gondola is located 80
WINTER 2014 / 2015
The Rainbow Bridge off Old Highway 40, located just west of Truckee, offers a senic overview that overlooks Donner Lake.
about a half-block west of Stateline. For information, call 775-586-7000 or visit www.skiheavenly.com.
SQUAW VALLEY’S AERIAL TRAM
Climb to an elevation of 8,200 feet without hiking and enjoy panoramic views. The tram is ADA accessible and hosts will help with individual’s needs. Active duty military personnel (with I.D.) receive a free tram ride. Seniors and children receive discounts. The tram takes you to Squaw Valley’s High Camp, featur-
ing a wonderful restaurant and the resort’s spectacular swimming pool and hot tub, billed as one of the most breathtaking places in the world to relax. Squaw Valley Resort is located at 1960 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Valley, between Truckee and Tahoe City on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. For more information about the Squaw Valley Aerial Tram, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com.
ON THE WATER:
The Tahoe Queen is a 312-pas-
senger authentic Mississippi paddlewheeler. It offers daytime scenic cruises that feature a tour through South Lake Tahoe history on the way to Emerald Bay. All Tahoe Queen cruises depart from Ski Run Marina in Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe Queen is ADA compliant and there is an ADA compliant restroom on the firstdeck, but no elevators for guests to be lifted to the second-deck. For information, visit www.zephyrcove.com/tahoequeen.aspx. The M.S. Dixie II is a 520-passenger cruising vessel in South
Emerald Bay on Tahoe’s West Shore is one of the most photographed locations in the entire region. The winter views here are simply unmatched.
Lake Tahoe. All M.S. Dixie II cruises depart directly from Zephyr Cove Resort. The M.S. Dixie II comes equipped with an ADA compliant restroom. Wheelchairs are permitted on the boat, but there are no elevators on board to transport guests to the second-deck. For information, visit www.zephyrcove.com/msdixie.aspx.
BY CAR: inspiration point
PHOTO: DAVID CLOCK
Inspiration Point Vista is 600 feet above Lake Tahoe with views of Emerald Bay and Fanette Island. All views are accessible via paved walkways, and the restrooms are ADA compliant. Inspiration Point Vista is located on Emerald Bay Road in South Lake Tahoe.
kings beach
Take a break from driving and stop at Kings Beach for shops and restaurants while taking in spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. Kings Beach was named after card shark Joe King, who won the town site from George Whittell. Kings Beach is located on Highway 28 on the North Shore. cave rock parking area
Bring a picnic and see nearly the entire lake from your car. The entrance is on Highway 50, three miles south of Glenbrook, just south of the Cave Rock tunnels on the East Shore. logan shoals
North of Cave Rock is the Logan
Shoals Lookout, which offers some of the best panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. This vista point has parking, restrooms and a paved path to the overlook. zephyr cove
Zephyr Cove Beach provides accessible restrooms, paved disabled parking, and has an accessible beach/sand wheelchair available for use. It is located on Highway 50 in Zephyr Cove. sand harbor
The Sand Point Nature Trail at Sand Harbor offers a boardwalk with interpretive signs and views of Lake Tahoe. Facilities include sandy beaches and picnic areas, as well as a visitor’s center. Sand
Harbor is located three miles south of Incline Village on Highway 28. nevada beach
Nevada Beach boasts picnic tables that are accessible via a paved sidewalk. The beach is five miles north of South Lake Tahoe. rainbow bridge
A scenic lookout near the bridge offers a spectacular view of Donner Lake. To get there, head up Old Highway 40, just west of Truckee, and stop right before the bridge. - Mandy Feder is editor in chief of the Tahoe Daily Tribune, a thrice-weekly newspaper serving Lake Tahoe’s South Shore communities, including South Lake Tahoe, Stateline and Meyers. TAHOE MAGAZINE
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Liam Forsyth excites the crowd on the second stop of the Tahoe Junior Freeride Series at Sugar Bowl last season. photo: chris saito
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BLAZING
y a w the
TA H O E J U N I O R F R E E R I D E S E R I E S AT F O R E F R O N T O F Y O U T H B I G - M O U N TA I N S K I I N G
by SYLAS WRIGHT
O
nce upon a time, young skiers and snowboarders had only goading compadres to help progress their skills on big-mountain terrain.
But that was back in the early 2000s.
By 2008, a handful of Tahoe-area ski coaches
had formed the Tahoe Junior Freeride Series (TJFS), creating a competitive outlet with an emphasis on safety and technique for up-and-coming freeride skiers.
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Athletes hike up a ridge at Squaw Valley during a Tahoe Junior Freeride Series event last season.
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ahead of the curve
Before the formal introduction of the Tahoe Junior Freeride Series in 2008, DesLauriers and his former assistant freeride coach at Sugar Bowl, Sean Carey, held a small youth competition between the Sugar Bowl and Squaw Valley teams. Kyle Fowler shows off his style in a Tahoe Junior Freeride Series event. Carey is now head coach of The junior freeride series has grown significantly since it began in 2008. Sugar Bowl’s freeride team. “It really started when I moved over to Squaw from Sugar Bowl in ‘07, freeride movement. The only other contest series and basically at the very beginning we had a little like it in the country was held at Crested Butte, invitational between the two resorts to prove to Colo., DesLauriers said, and it was an extension people that we could pull off an event safely,” of an existing adult big-mountain series, the DesLauriers said. “There were 10 boys and five Junior Freeride Tour. As opposed to that tour, girls, and then it grew from there. Now it’s going which rewarded cliff-hucking more than other crazy. It’s proven to be a great thing.” aspects of big-mountain skiing, DesLauriers Dobbs and his freeride team from Squaw Valsaid, the TJFS placed an emphasis on form and ley - now called Squaw Free - joined forces with execution, and thus safety. DesLauriers and Carey in 2008. Along with the “We shaped the comps in such a way that the freeride team from Alpine Meadows, the series judging was more about technique,” DesLauriers was off and running with four competing clubs. said. “It used to be more of a huckfest in the They were at the forefront of the youth early days. We started out slow, trying to keep it
PHOTOS: CHRIS SAITO
“At Vail,” said TJFS co-founder Jason Dobbs, speaking of his home resort, “there was nothing like (the TJFS) whatsoever. It was just friends skiing around a mountain looking for cliffs to jump off, and propelling each other to face our fears, using the confidence we built skiing in moguls or racing programs and bringing it to raw terrain that now is suitable for freeride venues.” Another TJFS co-founder, coach Eric DesLauriers of the Squaw Valley Big-Mountain Team, made a name for himself as one of the original big-mountain, cliff-hucking skiers in the late 1980s, when Warren Miller flicks were redefining the limits of the sport. He, too, was on his own as far as learning the ropes of skiing - and surviving - big, exposed terrain in those early days. “I grew up skiing Bolton Valley (Vt.) and racing with my brother, Rob,” DesLauriers said. “When we got out to Squaw Valley, we saw my buddy Tom Day in a Warren Miller film and we were like, ‘That looks awesome. We can do that. Let’s go get a piece of that.’ And then we just gradually learned more and more over the years.” Thanks to skiers like DesLauriers and Dobbs, and their trial-and-error experiences, the current generation of youth has the distinct advantage of learning from coaches who not only have the knowledge to pass on, but are also looking out for their pupils’ well-being. It’s what the Tahoe Junior Freeride Series is all about.
Chanc’ Deschamps-Prescott spins a big 360 during a Tahoe Junior Freeride Series event at Sugar Bowl last winter.
sane, and I think it’s going in the right direction now. But it was a battle for a few years, when the junior tour was being run by the people running the adult tour, especially in Crested Butte. They were rewarding big airs, and that was kind of what it was about. “With our series here, I think we were ahead of the curve in that respect. We were very tight with the coaches and judges about what kind of skiing we were looking to see and who was winning the events. It’s one thing to say the words, but at the end of the day, the kids are going to remember who was on the podium and what they did to get there. So all of us from Tahoe were making a big push for that.”’
a different generation
Thanks in part to snowboarding - which is now included in the TJFS - skiing technology grew by leaps and bounds over the past decade. No longer are skiers required to ride skinny skis in powder conditions. Skis are now designed specifically for fresh snow. They’re wide, rockered, softer-flexed and tapered to float. While the technology has advanced skiers’ abilities to rip through powder, it’s also created
an easier learning curve. This is where the modern youth freeride coach comes into play. “I think that with the shorter, steeper learning curve of skiing on wide skis these days, it’s good to have a coach, because the ability can exceed the knowledge that you gain through experience,” said DesLauriers, whose generation of professional skiers included pioneering legends such as Scot Schmidt, Doug Coombs and Glen Plake. “In the old days, it took a long time to become a good skier on skinny skis in the powder. But now it’s much easier. So it’s good to have a coach to sort of balance kids’ ability with the terrain and exposure.” Dobbs said this is particularly true when young TAHOE MAGAZINE
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“THERE WERE 10 BOYS AND FIVE GIRLS, AND THEN IT GREW FROM THERE. NOW IT'S GOING CRAZY. IT'S PROVEN TO BE A GREAT THING.”
Sugar Bowl skier Blake Lawton takes flight in a Tahoe Junior Freeride Series competition last year.
– ERIC DESLAURIERS
COACH OF THE SQUAW VALLEY BIG-MOUNTAIN TEAM, TJFS CO-FOUNDER
skiers are standing at the top of a contest venue, their adrenaline and competitive juices flowing. “As kids will be kids, it might be unsafe to allow these competitions without sound coaching, because the fuel of standing in a start gate in a competitive atmosphere is important to temper to a reasonable level,” Dobbs said. “That’s a huge part of our coaching jobs. It’s our duty as coaches to be aware that we are only guiding them through features they’ve already demonstrated confidence in.” As witnesses to this new generation of skiing, and with their own children at the forefront, parents understandably have concerns about the safety of youth freeride competitions. And while coaches are tasked with maintaining a certain level of safety, skiing - like many outdoor recreational sports - can indeed be a dangerous endeavor. “The coaches and TJFS staff are committed to safety, but skiing has inherent risk whether you are skiing recreationally or competitively,” said Paul Cotter, a coach with the Sugar Bowl Freeride Team. “The venues are always analyzed for risk and some of the higher-risk options are eliminated from the venue due to safety concerns. The coaching staff works with the athletes for the best possible line choice for the athlete’s ability level to minimize the risk.”
continued growth
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27-29 at Kirkwood. In addition, Dobbs said that based on its success, the TJFS will host two national events through the International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association (IFSA) Junior Tour. They also are tentatively scheduled to host the IFSA North American Championships at Squaw Valley and Alpine from April 8-12. Some of the top talents coming up through the TJFS include Cole Harrity, the Winans sisters - Annika, Mia and Britta - Chase Whitney, Cody Atwood, Xandar Guldman and Louis Norris, among others.
“It’s just taken off like a rocket,” DesLauriers said of TJFS and its growing number of competing athletes. “We have a such high concentration of really good skiers here. (The series) is now its own thing, and it’s super competitive.” Visit tahoejuniorfreerideseries.com to learn more about the Tahoe Junior Freeride Series. - Sylas Wright is sports editor of the Sierra Sun and North Lake Tahoe Bonanza newspapers, serving Truckee and communities along Lake Tahoe’s North Shore, including Incline Village, Kings Beach and Tahoe City.
PHOTO: CHRIS SAITO
Dobbs is part of the Tahoe Junior Freeride Series’ board along with DesLauriers, Trevor Tanhoff, Jacques Fix, Wes Pryatt and Cathy Howard, the series coordinator. The board members meet throughout the year to ensure they are meeting the demands for growth while maintaining their mission of creating a competitive developmental series. That includes updating policies and judging guidelines they want emphasized, working with resorts to nail down calendar dates, and ultimately registering and executing each of the events. This winter, the TJFS will include four events instead of its previous three - Jan. 9-11 at Alpine Meadows, Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at Squaw Valley, March 6-8 at Sugar Bowl and March
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Mark Twain, circa 1870s. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: NEVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
‘Masterpiece of the universe’
Mark Twain was one of the boys, fond of women and whisky, and not much on religion. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: NEVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A look back at Mark Twain and his adventures and tomfoolery - at Lake Tahoe by mark mcLaughlin
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Interior of the Territorial Enterprise office where Twain and De Quille worked. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: NEVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
the
Truckee-Tahoe region can boast some of the most dramatic historical events in the Far West, including the opening of the California Trail, the Donner Party, and the building of the transcontinental railroad over Donner Pass. Another notable event was the surprising transformation of Sam Clemens, a young, ex-river boat pilot from Missouri, who found his true calling as Mark Twain, as he began his career as one of America’s most revered writers and humorists.
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After failing to find riches in the rough 1860s mining camps of Nevada Territory, Samuel Langhorne Clemens finally found redemption in a Virginia City saloon as a raucous newspaper writer who adopted the pen name Mark Twain. Sam Clemens’ arrival in the West was inauspicious as he lurched stiffly out of a cramped stagecoach and squinted into the unrelenting desert sun. It was August 14, 1861. The 25-yearold Clemens and his older brother, Orion, had just traveled nearly 2,000 miles stuffed into the cramped interior of a Concord stagecoach.
It had been a grueling threeweek trip of rough road, bad food and alkali dust. After what seemed like an eternity, the two young men finally arrived in Carson City, the capital of Nevada Territory. Orion had made the trip so that he could assume his duties as the newly appointed secretary to the Nevada territorial governor. Orion’s position was commissioned by a recently elected President Abraham Lincoln. His brother Sam had accompanied him for the adventure and to avoid the Civil War conflict.
Exhausted and thirsty, the brothers slapped the dust from their clothes and strolled toward the nearest saloon. Born and raised in Missouri, Clemens was shocked by the barrenness of the Great Basin. Shortly after his arrival, Sam wrote his mother back in Missouri: “It never rains here, and the dew never falls. No flowers grow here, and no green thing gladdens the eye. The birds that fly over the land carry their provisions with them. Only the crow and the raven tarry with us.”
‘the fairest picture the whole world affords’
Clemens wasn’t impressed with the western landscape, but a short trip to beautiful Lake Tahoe quickly changed his mind. Clemens had heard of the majestic pine forests surrounding the lake, so he and John Kinney, a young man from Cincinnati, decided to stake a timber claim there. They packed their supplies over the Carson Range and down into the Tahoe Basin. Their first glimpse of the lake overwhelmed them. Clemens described Lake Tahoe as “a noble sheet of blue water lifted six thousand three hundred feet above the level of the seas, and walled in by a rim of snow-clad mountain peaks that towered aloft a full three thousand feet higher still! “It is a vast oval, and one would have to use up eighty or a hundred good miles in traveling around it. As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface, I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole world affords.”
Reporter William Wright, a.k.a. Dan De Quille, and Mark Twain worked together at the" Virginia City Territorial Enterprise." CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: NEVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
After supper that night, the boys broke out their pipes. In his book “Roughing It,” Twain wrote: “As the darkness closed down and the stars came out and spangled the great mirrors with jewels, we smoked meditatively in the solemn hush and forgot our troubles and pains.” But the mellow experience was lost when the two tenderfoots accidentally started a fast-moving fire which burned through underbrush as it roared upslope. Exactly where Clemens and Kinney set up their claim has been a matter of controversy, with California and Nevada researchers split on whether it was located on Tahoe’s East Shore or on the North Shore near Carnelian Bay. In 2013 this ongoing dispute delayed approval by the Nevada Board of Geographic Names to designate a small beach on Nevada’s east shore “Clemens’ Cove.” The controversy was rendered moot in May 2014 when representatives of the Washoe Indian Tribe protested against naming anything after Mark Twain in the Tahoe Basin. The tribe is angry at perceived Indian racism by Twain in his contemporary writings, and the Board permanently turned down the request for a Clemens Cove. Regardless, Clemens found the Tahoe Basin exceptionally beautiful. He wrote, “I’ll build a county seat there one of these days that will make the Devil’s mouth water if he ever visits the earth.” In the decades ahead, Clemens, as Mark Twain, would travel the world, visiting its most famous sights, but he always considered Tahoe the most beautiful lake of all, the “masterpiece of the universe.”
from mining to newspapers
It wasn’t long before the Clemens brothers came down with gold fever. Stories of instant wealth were told over beer every night in the saloons. Freight wagons laden with rich ore, sometimes garnished with bricks of pure gold and silver, constantly rumbled down the Commercial Row in Carson City. The brothers were soon speculating, purchasing “feet” in various claims around the region. Most of the mining claims, however, were worthless. These were difficult times for the man who would later become one of America’s most celebrated writers.
Sam Clemens had been a prestigious and well-paid Mississippi River pilot, earning $250 a month before he came west. Now his money was gone and it seemed that his chance to strike it rich had eluded him. In “Roughing It,” Twain complained, “We were stark mad with excitement ... drunk with happiness ... smothered under mountains of prospective wealth ... arrogantly compassionate toward the plodding millions who knew not our marvelous canyon ... but our credit was not good at the grocers.”
The cabin where Sam Clemens first lived in Aurora, Nevada. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: NEVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Later Twain wrote that “a mine is nothing but a hole in the ground, owned by a liar.” Sam Clemens should have been wielding a quill pen, not a miner’s pick, but things were about to change. Cooped up in his cabin at Aurora during the spring 1862, Clemens wrote several burlesque sketches for the Territorial Enterprise newspaper in Virginia City. They were short, humorous stories about hard-luck miners, which Sam penned under the pseudonym “Josh.” The sketches were funny and fit perfectly with the tone of humor found on the Comstock and Sam was hired for $25 per week. After his arrival in Virginia City, Clemens teamed up with a young Enterprise staff reporter named William Wright, who wrote under the pseudonym Dan De Quille. De Quille penned serious political and mining news, but his real talent lay in writing ironic sketches and humorous hoaxes. The two young writers quickly became friends and roommates. Along with De Quille, editors Joe Goodman and Rollin Daggett helped Sam perfect his writing craft and story development; skills that he would employ to great success. Writing under the pen name Mark Twain, he became the most popular writer on the Comstock. When questioned as to his writing
style, he later stated, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter - ‘tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.” The newspaper staff regularly enjoyed restorative libations at John Piper’s Corner Saloon in Virginia City. Although the term “mark twain” is a riverboat pilot term to indicate a safe water depth of two fathoms, Nevadans like to point out that when Clemens sported for a drinking buddy, he would tell the bartender to “mark
"It is a vast oval, and one would have to use up eighty or a hundred good miles in traveling around it. As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface, I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole world affords." Mark Twain, describing Lake Tahoe
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twain” on the chalkboard, thereby adding two drinks to his account. The name stuck. Fodder for Twain’s stories was everywhere. Hordes of American and foreign miners, gamblers, toughs and prostitutes made for an interesting social dynamic. The principle industries were hard-rock mining, boisterous saloons and shady brothels. The colorful excitement and wild recklessness suited Clemens fine. His years as a riverboat pilot had toughened him and the Comstock’s robust lifestyle fed his spirit.
a grandiose exit The end of Mark Twain’s career in Nevada came suddenly. The American Civil War was raging, and like most of communities, emotions on the Comstock were running at a fever pitch. In May 1864, Enterprise editor Joe Goodman was away and Twain was acting as editor. Twain’s ego had grown mightily since his miserable mining days, and his over-the-top antics had already nearly involved him in two duels with adversaries.
This time, Twain accused the staff of the rival Virginia Daily Union newspaper of failing to honor their pledge in donating money to the Sanitary Commission. Money collected by the Commission was earmarked for medical supplies for wounded Union soldiers fighting in the Civil War. Twain’s attack hit a raw nerve. In retaliation to that accusation, James Laird, editor of the Union, called Twain a “vulgar liar.” Twain retorted, “I denounce Laird as an unmitigated liar.” He then sent a personal note to Laird: “If you do not wish yourself posted as a coward, you will at once accept my peremptory challenge.” Suddenly, the newsprint warfare had escalated into the challenge of a duel, with loaded pistols, not empty words. Reacting to the spat under the heading, “The Duello in Virginia,” the editor of the San Francisco Morning Call wrote, “It is well, perhaps, that only ink instead of blood has been shed in this affair, but it would have appeared better if neither had been spilt. The day has gone by when duels can give any man credit for bravery or honor, wisdom or truth.”
In the meantime, Twain’s unfettered pen had also stirred the ire of Carson City’s women society. Twain had alleged that the money the women raised for wounded Union soldiers was instead being sent to the St. Louis Exposition. The women were furious at his irresponsible remarks and called them a “tissue of falsehoods, made for malicious purposes.” Mark Twain was now in serious trouble in both Virginia and Carson cities. Stories of a gunfight between Twain and his editorial adversary on the Virginia City Union still persist today, but in reality, the Laird-Twain duel never materialized. Nevada had recently passed a law making it a felony to send or accept a challenge to a duel.
Threatened with a possible arrest, Twain quietly stole away from Nevada Territory and made his way to San Francisco. In March 1866, Twain sailed for the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) and upon his return, he became an established literary figure and celebrity lecturer. When Twain revisited his old Comstock stomping grounds in November 1866, thousands came to hear his entertaining lectures. After his last lecture in Gold Hill, Mark and his agent, Dennis McCarthy, walked back to Virginia City. On the way, they were robbed by five highwaymen. The bandits stole $125 and Twain’s favorite gold watch, which was worth about $300.
Twain was livid, but he put an advertisement in the morning paper offering to negotiate for the watch. He received no response. Two days later, Mark Twain boarded the Pioneer Stage for his return to San Francisco via the Donner Lake route. Just as the stage was about to leave, however, a small package was handed to the sullen celebrity. In it he found his watch and money. He also discovered the five masks that the “highwaymen” had worn that night. And then the robbers themselves revealed their identities by shaking Twain’s hand. They were old friends from the Virginia City days, but Mark Twain, the prankster, could not take the joke, and everyone could hear him yelling profanities as the stagecoach rolled out of sight.
Such was Mark Twain’s exit from the Silver State. - Tahoe historian Mark McLaughlin is a nationally published author and professional speaker. His award-winning books are available at stores or at thestormking.com. Mark can be reached at mark@thestormking.com. Check out Mark’s blog: tahoenuggets.com.
The Gould & Curry Mine was in full operation by the time Sam Clemens arrived on the Comstock. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: NEVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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A U.S. Coast Guard vessel and a member of the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District on a personal watercraft also were present for last spring’s Polar Bear Swim, all with the same mission — to ensure the safety of the swimmers. photo: margaret moran
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HERE TO
HELP PLACER COUNTY MARINE 6 ENSURES SAFETY D U R I N G L A K E TA H O E ’ S C O L D - WAT E R E V E N T S
by
Margaret Moran
A
T THE WORD “GO,” 13 PINK-CAPPED WOMEN take off into the cold waters of Lake Tahoe as part of the annual SnowFest! Polar Bear Swim at Gar Woods in Carnelian Bay. Yards away sits Placer County Sheriff ’s Lake Tahoe patrol boat Marine 6, with three dive members, two boat crew and a paramedic on board. “We don’t want anybody to need help, but in case they do need help, then we’re here,” said Mark Weisman, boat captain for Marine 6. A U.S. Coast Guard vessel and a member of the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District on a personal watercraft also were present for the SnowFest! event this past March, all with the same mission – to ensure the safety of the swimmers. The swimmers start off strong from the beach behind Gar Woods, but soon their strokes slow as they get farther out into the lake. TAHOE MAGAZINE
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Mark Weisman, boat captain for Marine 6, minutes before steering Placer County Sheriff’s Lake Tahoe patrol boat into position for the the 25th annual Gar Woods Polar Bear Swim.
“When the shock of the cold water hits them, they tire out really quick,” said Rick Wroobel, a Placer County Sheriff ’s deputy and dive team member. “It just drains all the energy in their muscles – they just slow down and eventually, you start to see their hands go up and start to wave.” That’s the signal requesting to get out of the water, which the swimmers are informed of before the start of the event. Before long, one woman is towed out of Tahoe by the NLTFPD-operated watercraft. Meanwhile, the other women continue to make their way to the end buoy, around and back to shore.
‘PREVENTING A POTENTIAL TRAGEDY’ With no wind, calm waters and a mostly clear day, conditions were
ideal for the March 2014 swim. Yet the water temperature - 44.8 degrees at the start of the race posed enough of a challenge. “(It was) freezing,” said Cassie Winkel, of Sacramento, who was the only woman to swim with the men. “... Once you stopped swimming, your body freezes, and it’s hard to get going again.” At the end of the packed pier, Winkel voluntarily got herself out of the cold water. She wasn’t the only one. Of the 24 male swimmers, one got himself out at the pier, and three were towed back to land on the back of the watercraft. Those aboard Marine 6 did not have to spring into action. “I knew that they were there ... but I didn’t want to be that guy,” said Adam Troy, of Loomis, Calif., who completed the swim. “I wanted to keep going until I absolutely had to (stop), but it was nice knowing
that they were there to help.” Marine 6 and support staff are present at other special events, such as September’s Ironman Lake Tahoe, to ensure the safety of competitors through monitoring and alerting the general boating public that an event is taking place. “It’s a good feeling because you’re preventing a potential tragedy,” Wroobel said.
C O L D WAT E R SAFETY TIPS
PAT R O L L I N G TA H O E ’ S WAT E R S
Field test gear in cold water to ensure it works properly and be aware of any weaknesses or limitations.
Marine 6 patrols Lake Tahoe full time from mid-May through September, but it is kept in a state of “readiness” at Sierra Boat Company in Carnelian Bay year-round, day and night, to respond to emergencies on Lake Tahoe, Weisman said. Marine 6 is primarily responsible for Placer County’s jurisdiction on
Always wear a personal floatation device, a life jacket, when on a vessel. Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature.
Swim test gear every time when going out on the water. Prepare for the worst case scenario. Source: National Center for Cold Water Safety
As has become an annual tradition, hundreds of encouraging spectators pack the beach and pier behind Gar Woods for the 2014 SnowFest! event.
John Lasagna, a detective for Placer County Sheriff and dive member, helps fellow dive team member Rick Wroobel, right, get his gear on before the start of 25th annual Gar Woods Polar Bear Swim.
PHOTOS: MARGARET MORAN
Lake Tahoe, but routinely assists El Dorado, Washoe and Douglas counties with calls for service and emergencies when needed. Primary duties of the Marine 6 crew include marine law enforcement, boating safety education, assisting distressed boaters, accident reporting, and search and rescues. In 2014 (March through Sept. 12), the sheriff ’s office recorded 381 safety and compliance checks, for everything from life vests to fire extinguishers, for Marine 6. It also oversaw 24 large-scale events, issued 23 citations, performed 10 search and rescues - and made two arrests for suspected boating under the influence. “I think if we don’t have this on the lake ... educating people constantly about the safety aspects of the water, you’re just going to see boating accidents go up, people getting hurt, drownings, things
Marine 6 and a U.S. Coast Guard vessel position themselves on either side of the Polar Bear Swim route, keeping an eye on the participants.
Of the 24 male swimmers who started the Polar Bear Swim last spring, four either requested or voluntarily got out of the 44.8-degree water before completing their swim in Lake Tahoe.
like that,” said Brent Deupree, first officer for Marine 6. “All the people out on the lake – all the agencies – contribute to that safety factor.” For the 25th annual Gar Woods Polar Bear Swim, all 37 swimmers returned safely to land - one way or another - under the watchful eye of the U.S. Coast Guard, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District and those aboard Marine 6. “Any time we don’t have to provide first aid for anybody and nobody gets hurt, that’s what we’re looking for,” Deupree said. “A nice, safe event where everybody has a good time is a success for us.” - Margaret Moran is a reporter with the Sierra Sun and North Lake Tahoe Bonanza newspapers, serving Truckee and communities along Lake Tahoe’s North Shore, including Incline Village, Kings Beach and Tahoe City.
“ W E D O N ’ T WA N T ANYBODY TO NEED H E L P, B U T I N C A S E T H E Y D O N E E D H E L P, THEN WE’RE HERE.” MARK WEISMAN B O AT C A P TA I N F O R PLACER COUNTY MARINE 6
of the
survival 100
WINTER 2014 / 2015
fittest
Wildlife have several strategies to endure Lake Tahoe's winters BY MARGARET MORAN
A red-shouldered hawk sits perched in a tree during a previous winter in Loyalton.
PHOTO: WILL RICHARDSON / TAHOE INSTITUTE FOR NATURAL SCIENCE
M ITH ITS LONGER NIGHTS,
colder temperatures and snowstorms, winter in the Sierra Nevada can be tough to endure. This is especially true for local wildlife. "There are a bunch of different considerations that animals that live here have to contend with in the winter that we don't, and we're lucky for it," said Will Richardson, cofounder and co-executive director of the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science. In a region where the average annual snowfall is about 430 inches, wildlife can have difficulty moving around and finding food, he said. Low temperatures, scarcity of food and storms paired with high winds don't help. At Tahoe, wildlife have three main ways of coping with winter: migration, hibernation or endurance, Richardson said.
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A Northern pygmy-owl is seen in Glenshire during a previous winter.
MIGRATION
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HIBERNATION
Other wildlife such as bears will remain in the area, but will hibernate to get through the winter. "There's a tremendous amount of energy to be saved if you can just chill out for awhile," Richardson said. "Literally drop your body temperature, not trying to fight that too much, not trying to keep your metabolism going." As for how long bears will hibernate, that depends on where they live, the amount of food available in the fall and gender, he said. When hibernating, black bears generally don't eat, drink or relieve themselves. Instead, they live off weight they gained prior to winter. Chipmunks also hibernate, but they will wake up occasionally throughout the winter to eat some previously stored food and relieve themselves. Snakes, meanwhile, hibernate in groups to keep warm.
ENDURANCE
Wildlife such as voles remain active throughout the winter by staying underneath snow where there are plants and greater protection for low temperatures and predators, Richardson said. Other techniques employed by wildlife to survive the winter include teamwork and camouflaging their bodies by changing the color of their coats or feathers to white. "Winter is when you really just have to try to shut down any thought of reproduction or growth and endure until the sun comes around next spring," Richardson said.
To learn more about the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science, visit tinsweb.org. - Margaret Moran is a reporter with the Sierra Sun and North Lake Tahoe Bonanza newspapers, serving Truckee and communities along Lake Tahoe's North Shore, including Incline Village, Kings Beach and Tahoe City.
"There's a tremendous amount of energy to be saved if you can just chill out for awhile." Will Richardson
PHOTOS: WILL RICHARDSON / TAHOE INSTITUTE FOR NATURAL SCIENCE
While migration is a popular method - particularly among birds - it is costly, as it requires a lot of energy. Additionally, it's dangerous, since it entails crossing through unknown habitats where animals migrating may have trouble finding food and shelter - or encountering new predators. Migration, however, isn't always a longdistance journey. For example, Truckee deer will go to Verdi or Loyalton, Richardson said. Mountain quail, a ground-dwelling bird, will walk to Reno or Auburn. "We have a lot of species here that only migrate as far as they have to," said Richardson, who earned his doctorate in ecology, evolution and conservation biology from the University of Nevada, Reno, where he studied bird communities in Sierra Nevada aspen habitats. "They really try to stick around as long as they can, and as long as they can meet their energetic demands, find food and don't get beat up too much by the weather." Examples are the song sparrow and the robin, which will go under snow during storms for shelter and insulation from low temperatures. Yet if the area gets a couple big storms, they'll leave and go down to Reno, Carson Valley or Auburn for the remainder of winter.
A mountain chickadee is shown hanging out on an icicle in Glenshire during a previous winter. Mountain chickadees are territorial during breeding season, but will join mixedspecies flocks in winter, which provides the benefit of finding food.
Living in harmony with Lake Tahoe's bears is simple enough, so long as you're smart and aware of what to do — and what not to do.
LIVING IN HARMONY WITH
TAHOE'S
BEARS BY ANN BRYANT Executive Director, The BEAR League
ONE OF THE MOST DELIGHTFUL
of all aspects of living at Lake Tahoe is the honor of sharing this wonderful area with the native wildlife. The birds and animals that live here have done so for thousands of years and it is up to us, the "newcomers," to move in respectfully and in a responsible manner. The most unforgettable wildlife encounter residents are likely to have is with bears. They are big and oftentimes misunderstood. There are a few precautions a homeowner should take to lessen the likelihood of a problem arising. It is important to remember, even if you really like bears and don't mind having them in your yard, other people might not feel the same way. The bear you make friends with and allow to hang out in your yard will think all people are his friends and he will then be destroyed for being "habituated to humans." So, for your sake as well as the bears, please follow these guidelines and we can all live at Lake Tahoe together. The most important rule of all is NEVER FEED THE BEARS! They can survive much better without our handouts. Once a bear finds food on your property, he will never forget and will return many times hoping for a repeat performance.
This can be in the form of pet food left out, a bird feeder within reach, an unfinished picnic, garbage put out before pickup day, a compost pile, an apple tree full of ripe fruit, a bowl of peaches inside an open window, a candy bar lying in the front seat of the car, an opened door leading into the house and all the delicacies in the kitchen, an accessible garage with food or garbage inside ... you get the picture. Feeding bears isn't always deliberate, but it might as well be. Bears follow their noses and are thinking of food whenever they aren't asleep. Make it a habit to keep anything edible completely inaccessible all the time. It is illegal to allow a bear access to your garbage. If you have a neighbor who does this, report it to the BEAR League (530-525-7297). Bears will sometimes enter houses if they smell food inside and a door or window is left open. So, always KEEP DOORS & WINDOWS CLOSED on the ground floor, especially while cooking or if you leave the house. There is a lever-type door handle that bears have no trouble opening; if you have one of these keep it locked or replace it. A screen is nonexistent to a bear; he'll go right through it. Any door that he can push or pull because it's not latched properly could also be an invitation to
come on in. Sliding windows need to be locked, otherwise they can open them. If a bear does get into your house, and this is much less likely if you've been serious about all the above tips, he will leave by the same way he entered. In other words, DO NOT STAND IN HIS EXIT ROUTE. As soon as he knows you are home, he will be thinking only of getting out of there. He knows good and well that this is your den and he has been caught! Yell at him, throw something at him - be the dominant bear! If you run and hide under the bed he will assume you have given up your den to him. He wouldn't let you in his home! If you are nervous, call the BEAR League and we'll be happy to help you. Please remember he did not come in to eat you or your dog, only to raid your fridge. Crawl spaces under houses and decks are perfect places for bears to make day beds and hibernation dens. It's a good idea to dissuade them before they decide to move in. Place several bowls of Pinesol under the house; it lasts for a couple of years and smells bad to a bear. Make sure trap doors are securely screwed shut, not just nailed. You can tell if a bear is setting up housekeeping under your house by his nest-building behavior and he will mark his new home as off limits to other bears by defecating (quite a lot!) nearby. We have a few tricks we use to persuade them to move out if you discover you have an uninvited furry guest. Please don't attempt to move him by yourself, call us and we'll take care of it for you. If your home borders a wooded area you are more likely to have bears passing by. When the kids are out playing give them a whistle or put bells on their shoes. As long as they make noise the bears will know they are there and will leave them alone. Don't teach your children to be afraid, just sensible. Remind them that all the grizzlies are gone from the state of California and any bear they see here now is a black bear (no matter what color it is). Black bears are intelligent, gentle and shy. They prefer to be left alone to go about living their lives, which they have just as much right to do as us. - Ann Bryant is executive director of the Homewood-based nonprofit BEAR League. To contact the BEAR League, email bearsnsquirrels@ sbcglobal.net or call 530-525-PAWS (7297). Visit savebears.org to learn more.
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OFTEN OVERLOOKED, THE HARD WORK OF TAHOE-TRUCKEE SNOW REMOVAL CREWS CAN BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED
BY ISAAC BRAMBILA
The city of South Lake Tahoe is responsible for clearing approximately 130 miles of streets, a task it usually aims to complete every 12 hours. Motor graders (pictured) are one of four types of equipment that the city uses to clear its streets. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: SOUTH LAKE TAHOE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
A
s soft and feathery flakes fall during the first snowfall of the year, turning the black asphalt into paths in
a white, fluffy winter wonderland, there is one hard
truth that is easy to forget: As long as it keeps looking like that outside your window, most people will not
be able to leave their homes. Following a snowstorm,
a city such as South Lake Tahoe has 130 miles of streets that have to
be plowed, according to the city. Additionally, countless driveways and parking lots have to be cleared so that life as we know it can continue. During the 2013-14 fiscal year, the city of South Lake Tahoe spent $1.2 million on snow removal, said Azril Kalik, the streets manager for the Department of Public Works. That money was used for fuel, maintenance, repairs, de-icing and wages. The main purpose of the expenditure, of course, is public safety. Snow removal crews also are responsible for sanding icy roads and intersections. The responsibility to make all those city streets drivable belongs to seven full-time street maintenance crew members, five equipment maintenance staff members, a part-time code enforcement officer,
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and 11 seasonal employees, all of whom typically work 12 hour shifts. The city tries to plow every 12 hours, and crews use four types of machinery to perform the job: motor graders, rotary snow blowers, sanding plow trucks and front loaders.
While you were sleeping...
While cities and counties — depending on location — are responsible for keeping the streets clear, most driveways and parking lots are cleared by private companies. Darin Smith, who is president of Alpine Smith, Inc., and a 21year veteran in the snow removal
business, said snow removers are constantly in a race against time. Most of the snow must be removed before everyone has to leave home for work. For snowplow and tractor operators, work usually starts at 2 a.m. and doesn't end until the route is done. Currently, Alpine Smith, Inc. services more than 20 routes. During early mornings following snowstorms, operators show up at one of three yards, pick up their equipment, study their routes in binders and notes and head out to what will probably be about eight hours of sitting in a tractor with the occasional frosty need to step out into the cold. They spend most of their shift in the cover of night and during a time when most people are at their deepest stage of sleep. After it's all done, they get back to the yard, check the equipment to make sure it's ready for the next day and go home. "They'll go home, get some rest, and do it again at 2 a.m.," said Smith, adding that the work can feel a lot like a paper route.
Harsh conditions
Perhaps a better description, though, is a paper route in an obstacle course. Operators and other employees constantly face challenges such as mechanical problems with equipment, prolonged focus to maintain control of equipment during harsh driving conditions, and constant attention to their location and notes in order to stay on track with their route. For city employees, the size and power of the machines and the conditions in the road represent the toughest challenges, Kalik said. The lack of visibility is another big factor, and limited sleep adds to the challenge, Smith and Kalik both said. "We're backing in and out of driveways all the time and going in and out of shopping centers all day long," Smith said. "If you can picture driving out of the driveway, the snow banks are tall and you can't see. It's actually a lot safer at night because you can see headlights. During the day, you back out and you can't
see a car until it's right there." On average, operators change directions of their tractors 800 to 900 times in a day. "The hardest thing is slowing down," Smith said. "You have a lot of work to do, but you have to travel at a safe speed because a car can jump out right and front of you and you can drive right into them." In addition to safety issues, Smith said problems with visibility also make following routes challenging. "It's snowing sideways, it's dark and you can't see the street signs like you normally would," he said. "You can't see the edges of the driveway as you normally would. Cars and obstacles are much more blurred."
'Good memory and good reflexes'
In order to fight those challenges, drivers practice their routes using their everyday vehicles before the snow season begins. They also do practice runs on the tractors so they can get to know the equipment as well as they can. "You have to have good mem-
ory and good reflexes ... and a lot of practice," Smith said. There are also other variables that affect a day's work. Mechanical problems are always something to keep in mind. "With a fleet of our size, there's always something going on," Smith said. "It's pretty rare that you go a full shift where absolutely nothing goes wrong and everything is perfect." According to Kalik, serious mechanical problems are the costliest aspect the city faces with snow removal. However, it's hard not to consider the cost to the people who are out in the freezing weather doing the work that keeps the city moving. "It's hard on their body, it can be an unbelievably physically demanding job. At the end of the day you're tired - whipped," Smith said.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE GOOD MEMORY AND GOOD REFLEXES ... AND A LOT OF PRACTICE.
— DARIN SMITH
- Isaac Brambila is a reporter for the Tahoe Daily Tribune, a thrice-weekly newspaper serving Lake Tahoe's South Shore communities, including South Lake Tahoe, Stateline and Meyers.
Law enforcement at Lake Tahoe and Truckee are very strict when it comes to parking on sides of roads during the winter.
When it snows, regional highways — such as Interstate 80, seen here near Truckee — can become covered in ice and snow and become a danerous trek for motorists. PHOTO: KEVIN MACMILLAN
For example, Washoe County (which includes Incline Village and Crystal Bay) law notes that it is unlawful during a major snow event for any person operating or in charge of a vehicle to stop, park or leave standing a vehicle upon any public highway, road, street, pedestrian path, or bike path, including any portion of the right-of-way thereof, within any designated snow area. As is the case with Washoe County and other agencies,
the time period between November 1 and May 1 is considered the "Winter Enforcement Period." Rest assured: If you're parked on the side of a road when it's snowing - or, frankly, if snow is in the forecast - odds are you're going to get a ticket. Even worse, if your car is buried in snow on the side of the road, snowplows will be none the wiser, meaning your car might be in for a rude awakening.
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ENTERTAINMENT The winter nightlife at Lake Tahoe and Truckee is, to say the least, a unique experience. We host the region’s biggest winter music festival — SnowGlobe, for New Year’s weekend — and offer countless bigname concerts and events to satisfy everyone from ages 5 to 75.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA TAHOE MAGAZINE
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M U S I C
E N T E R T A I N M E N T
Let’s dance Disclosure, Skrillex, Atmosphere highlight 2014 SnowGlobe Music Festival, which returns for a fourth year to South Lake Tahoe BY ADAM JENSEN
T
PHOTO: ADAM JENSEN
here’s no escaping electronic dance music. Many of the biggest musicians in the world create their art on a laptop, and some of the best-attended music festivals globally are dedicated to gathering the largest number of thumping bass tracks in one place as possible. Lake Tahoe’s South Shore has become part of that popularity in recent years, hosting one of winter’s most massive dance music festivals. Now in its fourth year, the SnowGlobe Music Festival returns to the community play fields next to Lake Tahoe Community College Dec. 29-31. The festival attracts more than 10,000 people each night. The venue, surrounded by towering pine trees, is pure Lake Tahoe. The music is a mix designed to warm up a crowd as the mercury drops. “It’s really, really super stacked,” said event producer Chad Donnelly about this year’s lineup, which includes electronic heavyweights like Skrillex, Zedd, Disclosure, Phantogram, Flux Pavilion and Odesza, as well as hip-hop stalwart Atmosphere. “We’ve been able to bring eclectic lineups to South Lake Tahoe each of these years,” Donnelly said. “This year is really going to be just massive. People are going to be extremely excited. I’m really excited about the festival this year.” Atmosphere’s presence in 2014 is part of Donnelly’s effort to inject diversity into a lineup that has included decidedly nonelectronic acts like Fishbone and Snoop Dogg in the past.
Dance music fans crowd to the front of the main stage at last year’s SnowGlobe Music Festival. TAHOE MAGAZINE
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DJ Tiesto headlined the main stage at last year’s SnowGlobe Music Festival. PHOTO: ADAM JENSEN
SNOWGLOBE 2014 LINEUP Disclosure
Justin Martin
Graff
Flume
Cherub
Slaptop
Porter Robinson
The Floozies
Lex
Skrillex
Thomas Jack
Richie Panic
Zedd
Trippy Turtle
Sleazmore
Atmosphere
Branchez
Wooly Mammoth
Flux Pavilion
Djemba Djemba
Tasty Treat
Phantogram
Party Favor
Drome
Odesza
Overwerk
Tyr
Emancipator Ensemble
Le Youth
That Sound
Bro Safari
J. Phlip
Lady Leah
Tincup
Kerry Wheeler
TICKETS:
Three-day tickets start at $169.
More information at www.snowglobemusicfestival.com.
Bringing artists outside of the EDM world to the festival adds a sense of discovery to SnowGlobe’s lineup, which is chosen based on a wide variety of factors from an initial list of several hundred artists, Donnelly said. “Most people who are coming to see an electronic show are not expecting to see Snoop ... It switches up the rhythm and vibe in a big way. I’m definitely committed to diversity,” Donnelly said. “It’s wild science experiment in picking the acts. Each year it is a very, very new adventure.” SnowGlobe includes a large main stage with two tented smaller stages, one of which is dedicated to house music. The festival also includes off-
site late-night shows. Three nights of fireworks and a large warming hut and bar were among the new additions to last year’s festival. “I think that one of the things that I’m certainly very excited about is that I feel like each year we’re getting better at doing different things and ultimately increasing the fan experience; heightening that experience is one of the things we’re certainly most passionate about,” Donnelly said. The fans experiencing those efforts are nothing short of eclectic. An oversized printout of actor Jim Carrey’s face on a stick, a grown man pleading with security to allow him to bring his Buzz Lightyear doll into the venue, and countless brightly dressed, fist-pumping dance music fans were all spotted among the crowd in 2013. For Donnelly, who expects this year’s show to sell out, seeing the festival go on after a year of work is particularly special. “There’s nothing more magical than seeing it all come together and seeing people - friends with their arms around one another to tons of people kissing at midnight on New Year’s Eve, whatever it is,” he said. “I think that it’s really cool to see the joy that comes with an experience like a music festival.” More information on the festival is available at snowglobe-musicfest.com. - Adam Jensen is editor in chief of Lake Tahoe Action, a weekly entertainment and recreation newspaper published throughout the greater Truckee/Tahoe region.
“ I TH I N K TH AT IT’ S R EALLY COOL TO SE E TH E JOY T HAT C O ME S W ITH A N EX P E R IE NCE LIK E A MUSIC F E ST IVAL .” CHAD DONNELLY
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E N T E R T A I N M E N T
E V E N T S
Need for speed Pond skims highlight Lake Tahoe’s spring and the biggest one of all is at Squaw Valley
BY ADAM JENSEN
WINTER 2014 / 2015
skimmer falter and take a dip is part of the allure, as is seeing someone successfully take to the water on a pair of skis designed for snow. Silly costumes have never hurt the spectator-friendly nature of anything, either. The mother of all Lake Tahoe pond skims takes places at Squaw Valley toward the end of April. The Lake Cushing Crossing is attended by thousands of people each year and is among the most spirited of pond skims. "It's pretty unique as far as pond crossings go," said Kyle Crezee,
director of events, activities and terrain parks at Squaw. "It's certainly one of the longest-running, if not the longest-running, pond crossings in the nation." Crezee, who has helped organize the event the past five years and participated in the past 10, has taken to the more than 100-foot-long pond as Evel Knievel jumping school buses; Captain Morgan of rum fame; the pope on a snow bike; and as "GoPro Man," wearing 25 GoPro cameras and a GoPro wingsuit. One of the best parts of the event
PHOTOS: JEFF ENGERBRETSON
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S
omewhere between Lake Tahoe's winter and summer is a lesser-known season that wholly encapsulates the fun-loving, oddball-embracing ski culture here: Pond-skimming season. Pond skimming, in which skiers and snowboarders fly down a snow-covered hill in hopes of carrying enough speed to shoot themselves across a body of water, can be found at ski resorts all around Lake Tahoe in the spring. The events always attract a crowd. Certainly, seeing a pond
A beer-toting skier competes in the annual Cushing Crossing at Squaw Valley.
Creative costumes are an important consideration when attempting to win the annual Cushing Crossing at Squaw Valley.
is that it's open to anyone, Crezee said. About 50 people are allowed to register each year. Professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones and Olympic skier Marco Sullivan are among the event's past participants. "We've got everything from former and current Olympians to random-Joe-recreation guy off the street, so it's pretty cool," Crezee said. "Most people spend all year putting their plan together for what they are going to do for the Crossing." Truckee's JD Hoss, a past winner of the event, agreed that the fact anyone can compete is part of what makes the event special. "It's a great event," said Hoss, owner of 101.5FM Truckee Tahoe Radio. "It's the only event where I can actually compete with the Olympians."
Hoss has competed in the Cushing Crossing as a demon from KISS and as a full-metal jouster. He's also worn a collection of his daughter's tutus and threw glitter everywhere. "It's an open event for creativity," Hoss said. A unique costume and style are big parts of winning the competition, which is judged on a 50-point scale. "You must cross the pond with style, authority, creativity, and you need to be the best that day," Hoss said. "Only that moment will tell. Only that moment in time will tell who it is." For anyone looking to compete, both Crezee and Hoss have the same advice: Stay centered and embrace the speed. "Speed is your friend," accord-
“IT’ S A GR E AT E VENT. IT ’S TH E ONLY E VE NT WHERE I CA N A CTUA LLY COMP ET E WITH TH E OLY MP IANS.” JD HOSS
///
OWNER OF 101.5FM TRUCKEE TAHOE RADIO
ing to both Crezee and Hoss. "You just gotta stick the rail and let 'em run," Hoss added. "Speed check you'll lose." Although spring is a bittersweet time for skiers, pond skims like the Cushing Crossing make sure winter leaves with a bang. Hoss called the Cushing Crossing the "Super Bowl" of pond skims and a "crescendo for Squaw."
"It's a great kind of end of the ski season event for us," Crezee said. "It's a highlight of the year for a lot of people." - Adam Jensen is editor in chief of Lake Tahoe Action, a weekly entertainment and recreation newspaper published throughout the greater Truckee/Tahoe region.
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F E S T I V A L S
Most years — assuming there is enough snow — a band of locals gathers before the annual SnowFest! event to create a massive snow sculpture. A dragon has been a common theme in past years.
E N T E R T A I N M E N T
SNOWFEST! TIMELINE JUNE 1981 Then-marketing director for Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, Bob Everson, meets with local business representatives, ski resort administrators and members of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce and Visitors and Convention Bureau to pitch the idea of a winter carnival.
JULY 1981 Everson is killed in a tragic boating accident on Lake Tahoe, spurring the community to found SnowFest! in his honor.
34 years strong SnowFest! – Lake Tahoe’s signature ‘winter’ event – celebrates our gorgeous spring BY ADAM JENSEN & MARGARET MORAN
O
ne of the best times to be at Lake Tahoe is the spring. The sun is out more often than not, the weather is typically warm and there tends to be plenty of snow left on the ground. The season is also the inspiration for one of North Lake Tahoe’s longest-running and most-beloved events. The idea for North Lake Tahoe’s SnowFest! came from
Bob Everson, former marketing director at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, after noticing the area drew visiting skiers in the months of December, January and February, but not in March when there is spring skiing to be had. So in the spring of 1981, Everson approached the Tahoe City Chamber of Commerce and the Visitors and Convention Bureau with the suggestion of holding a winter carnival the first week of March. At a June 1981 meeting, Everson presented his idea to members of the community, ranging
MARCH 1982 The first SnowFest! winter carnival is held to great success.
1984
from ski resorts to local service organizations. His idea was wellreceived and a follow-up meeting was scheduled for mid-July. Yet before he could attend that meeting, Everson died in a boating accident on Lake Tahoe on July 4. When the meeting was held, it was determined the community would move forward with a winter carnival called SnowFest! in Everson’s honor, with it taking place for the first time in 1982. “Probably the biggest thrill was going to Squaw Valley on opening night and there were about 100 people there,” recalled Ruth
Ford Motor Company agrees to sponsor SnowFest!, increasing the financial capabilities of the event.
1987 Patricia O’Connell, daughter of famous director Alfred Hitchcock, donates an assortment of wines from her father’s wine cellar in an effort to raise funds for cystic fibrosis.
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1988
F E S T I V A L S
Organizers commission a snow sculptor to install a 40-foot-tall by 70-foot-wide replica of the Smithsonian Institute Building at Boreal Mountain Resort to advertise the event.
1990 “Good Morning America” broadcasts from atop Homewood Mountain Resort during SnowFest!.
2000
Bobby Everson, seen here in the early ‘80s before his tragic death, was the vision behind North Lake Tahoe’s SnowFest!
Schnabel, a longtime Tahoe City resident and the original executive director of SnowFest!. “We were so excited we could hardly stand it. We thought we had a huge success on our hands.” She was right – all, of course, thanks to Everson’s vision. “I think he (Everson) would be overwhelmed,” Schnabel said. “I think those of us who started SnowFest! had no idea that it would last as long as it has, and it would become such an important part of community life at North Lake Tahoe.”
‘A REALLY GOOD EVENT’ The event has grown over the years, both in terms of fun and in economic benefit for the region. A 2010 economic impact study on SnowFest! found that attendance for that year was more than 25,000 people, generating $3.5 million for the North Lake Tahoe economy over 10 days. To refer to SnowFest! as a single event doesn’t really do it justice. “SnowFest! is a collective of 10 days from Feb. 27 to March 8 this year,” said event director Sean 120
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Nelson. “It includes numerous events. You’re talking 60-70 in between Truckee and Tahoe. An example would be the Polar Bear Run, which is a run all the way out to the middle of the lake and back hosted by Garwoods. It’s a really good event.” The polar bear swim, parades in both Tahoe City and Kings Beach and the SnowFest! Queen Contest are among SnowFest!’s signature events. The SnowFest! Queen is selected from candidates from area high schools based on the amount of money they have raised for an area nonprofit organization, an interview, an essay and the candidate’s GPA. The winner is announced at SnowFest!’s opening ceremonies at Squaw Valley. From there, SnowFest! is all laser shows, ice cream-eating contests, concerts, on-hill activities, parties, ice carving, fireworks and all manners of springtime parties. “There are options for everybody,” Nelson said. The series of events also provides a venue for fundraising for many North Tahoe nonprofits. Several area lodging properties also offer SnowFest! discounts to visitors. For more information on SnowFest!, visit www. tahoesnowfestival.com.
The board hires a new executive director who, in a failed effort to bring more international television exposure to the event, plunged SnowFest! into significant debt, meaning the carnival residents see today is scaled back from the ‘80s and ‘90s editions.
2002 Ruth Schnabel, the original executive director of SnowFest!, reassumes the helm in an effort to bring the festival back to profitability.
2010 Ruth Schnabel commissions an economic report that details the beneficial impacts the festival has for various local vendors.
2011 The festival celebrates its 30th year of existence.
2015 34th annual SnowFest! scheduled from Feb. 27 to March 8. - SOURCE: SNOWFEST!
Inside MontBleu Casino
we
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❄ Mail Boxes ❄ Copies ❄ Notary ❄ Computer Rental ❄ Passport Photos ❄ Overnight and Ground Shipping Ship to our location ahead of your arrival ... Luggage ❄ Ski & Snowboard ❄ Camping Gear
Best Selection of Premium Cigars in the largest walk-in humidor in Tahoe Sports Memorabilia Football, Baseball, Basketball, Hockey Logo Items
775.588.1677 laketahoecigar@aol.com
530.542.1943 Tel 530.542.1976 Fax ❄ 1034 Emerald Bay Rd. South Lake Tahoe
in the Raley’s & K-Mart Center at the corner of Hwy 50 and Hwy 89
Britt and Liz Brown, Owners
mtnpostal.com
open the door to a world of
fantastic gifts, home decor & so much more!
hats - candles cards - wreaths birds ~ bears birdhouses windchimes kitchen items & other treasures!
• 8623 N. Lake Blvd., Kings Beach.
530.546.3834
www.sugarpinegifts.com Guaranteed. Whether you’re into skiing, hiking, biking, rafting, fishing, stargazing, picnicking, or relaxing, it’s all waiting for you here, just 20 minutes from South Lake Tahoe, just down the hill a spell in beautiful Hope Valley. Scenery, it can’t get any grander; air, it can’t get any purer; hospitality, it can’t get any warmer.
Love AT FIRST SIGHT
Our country cafe is open every day serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. For cabin rates and events calendar, call us or visit
www.sorensensresort.com
Sorensen’s
14255 Highway 88 • Hope Valley, CA 96120 • 1-800-423-9949 or 530-694-2203
CALENDAR We take pride in our communities at Lake Tahoe and Truckee. We’re a close-knit group of locals who honor our area’s history and tradition, while opening our arms to the thousands of visitors who travel here to enjoy what we have to offer. Check out all the options in store this winter — our comprehensive list should help point you in the right direction.
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Enjoy Eclipse beers new and old at the Dec. 4 release party.
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From 5-9 p.m. at Fifty Fifty Brewing Co., 11197 Brockway Rd, Truckee. Enjoy tastings of 2014 and previous years’ Eclipse, plus other 5050 barrel-aging projects, commemorative bottle of Eclipse, gourmet cheeses, artisan breads, charcuterie and beer inspired appetizers. For more information, visit www.fiftyfiftybrewing.com.
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N O V. 2 9 Light Up the Night Thanksgiving weekend is a family favorite at Tahoe Donner. After enjoying family time on Thanksgiving Day, get ready for Santa and holiday activities at the annual Tahoe Donner Light Up the Night event at The Lodge Restaurant and Pub. Give back to the community by bringing canned items for the Project MANA food drive.
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There will also be a raffle for prizes with proceeds benefiting Project MANA. Light Up the Night is from 5-8 p.m. with several fun activities, including reindeer games, Santa’s arts and crafts workshop, hot chocolate and s’mores, letters to Santa, storytelling by Mrs. Claus, caroling, photos with Santa and the lighting of the tree. The Lodge Restaurant and Pub, 12850 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee. For more information, call 530-587-9455 or visit www. tahoedonner.com/the-lodge.
DE C E M B ER D E C . 3 - 6 Early Season Jumpstart - Northstar Led by the North American Ski Training Center (NASTC) and taught by nationally ranked instructors — the ‘teachers of teachers,’ this camp is designed to help skiers start the season off feeling strong and confident. NASTC incorporates a full immersion style of learning to help skiers make lasting improvements. This course takes place at Northstar and focuses on refining fundamentals, technique and developing stronger skill blends for overall ski improvement. Location: Northstar, 8:30am-5:30pm. For more information, contact NASTC at 530-582-4772, ski@skinastc. com or www.skiNASTC.com. D E C . 5 Parents’ Night Out From 6-10 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 390 Fairway Drive, Tahoe City. This is a child care program for children ages birth-12 years of age. You can drop in and pick up any time between 6-10 pm. A donation of $10 per child per evening is requested. All are welcome! Activities include: Recreation, Bible story, craft, music, and a movie. Please feed your children dinner before bringing them. This is a drop in program and no preregistration is necessary. For more information, call 530-583-1534 or visit www.tahoeministries.com. D E C . 5 Holiday Tree Lighting Enjoy photos with Santa, complimentary soup and cocoa, arts and crafts stations and Friends of Kings Beach Library book swap/sale. Students from Tahoe Music Institute and North Tahoe School Jazz Band will perform holiday classics. Produced by the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe, North Tahoe Public Utility District and the North Tahoe Business Association. Join the
festivities from 5-7pm at the North Tahoe Event Center, 8318 N. Lake Blvd., Kings Beach. For more information, call 530-546-9000 or visit www.NorthTahoeBusiness.org. D E C . 6 Sierra Handmade Holiday Find a unique, handmade gift at the Sierra College Tahoe-Truckee Campus. This fair features local artists and craftspeople selling their personal artworks at all price levels. Artisan applications are due by November 22 and stations are on a first-come-firstserved basis. The event is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 530-550-2225 or visit www.sierracollege.edu. D E C . 1 2 Northstar’s Holiday Tree Lights, Northern Lights and Noel Nights Northstar California will usher in the spirit of the holidays commencing with the celebratory Tree Lighting Ceremony. The triedand-true family tradition invites guests to The Village at Northstar for kid-friendly activities, S’mores, sleigh rides, holiday music and the piece de resistance — the official lighting of the Holiday Tree. The first annual Northern Lights festival will commence Friday, Dec. 12 by welcoming connoisseurs to the Brewmaster Dinner at Zephyr Lodge. The fivecourse menu will feature fresh, seasonal produce and meats from California’s finest sources. Each course will be customized to highlight select craft brews and seasonal specialties from Lagunitas Brewing Company, the featured brewery of this December’s Brewmaster Dinner. For more information, call 530-562-1010 or visit www.northstarcalifornia.com. D E C . 1 2 Sugar Bowl’s Backcountry Ball Sugar Bowl Resort’s annual Backcountry Ball is an evening of food, drink, live music, vendors, auction, drink
You’re not the only one who loves playing in the snow. Bring your pets with you and let them stay and have fun at our resort for pets
FREE DAY of Doggie Day Care (for new customers) Expires 05/20/2015.
Truckee-Tahoe Pet Lodge A mountain retreat for your pet! Day Care • Overnight Lodging • Grooming 530-582-7268 • truckeetahoepetlodge.com
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specials and more benefiting the Sierra Avalanche Center. Vendors will showcase the latest in backcountry gear and equipment. The event is held from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Mt. Judah Lodge. For more information, call 530-426-9000 or visit www.sugarbowl.com. D E C . 1 6 Winter Film Series w/ Chris Davenport World famous extreme skier and ski mountaineer Chris Davenport will present for the second installment of the Winter Film Series at Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City. Enjoy tales of global ski exploits from the biggest name in adventure skiing. Show is free to all ages with an amazing raffle from sponsors. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Sierra Avalanche Center. For more information, visit www.alpenglowsports.com. DEC. 20 TO JAN. 3 Holidays at Squaw Celebrate the Holidays at Squaw Valley! Look for Santa on the slopes, festive cheer in the Village, and enjoy skiing and snowboarding with Chief Mountain Host and Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley. In the Village, cozy up around fire pits while you listen to carolers and sip hot cocoa, or head to SnoVentures Activity Zone for snowtubing and minisnowmobiles. Squaw Valley, 1960 Chamonix Place, Olympic Valley. For more information, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com. D E C . 2 0 Santa Visits the Kings Beach Library The Kings Beach Library is hosting a Holiday Event that includes a fun craft, a reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, and a visit from Santa Claus! Please come by — all ages welcome. From noon to 2 p.m. 126
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at the Kings Beach Library 301 Secline Street, Kings Beach. For more information, call 530-546-2021 or visit www.facebook.com/ KingsBeachLibraryFriends. D E C . 2 5 Christmas Day Pancake Breakfast with Santa Who wouldn’t want to dine with Santa himself? This is a great Christmas present to children! Breakfast starts at 10 a.m. at Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area, followed by a half day of skiing and riding with Santa. The ski lifts will open at 11:30 a.m. for this special day. Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area, 11603 Snowpeak Way, Truckee. For more information, call 530-587-9444 or visit www. tahoedonner.com/downhill-ski. D E C . 2 8 Equipment Demo Day From 11 a.m.-3 p.m., reps will have the latest and greatest equipment to demo at Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area, including equipment by Fischer, Swix, Salomon, Madshus, Rossignal and others. Credit card deposit required; free with trail pass. Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area, 15275 Alder Creek Rd., Truckee. For more information, call 530-587-9484 or visit www.tahoedonner. com/cross-country. D E C . 3 1 New Year’s Eve Sunset Snowshoe Tour This scenic snowshoe hike meets at Tahoe Donner Snowplay and the tour will go from 4-5:30 p.m. Please reserve your spot(s) at least 48 hours in advance. Tahoe Donner Snowplay, 12790 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee. For more information, call 530587-9437 or visit www. tahoedonner.com/snowplay.
D E C . 3 1 Torchlight Parade on New Year’s Eve A fun event for intermediate skiers and riders ages 10 or older who can ski or ride unassisted in the dark on the Race Course run. Come to Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area early to secure a spot in the parade. There will be a DJ, plus snacks will be provided in the bar area prior to the parade. Sign-ups are from 4:305:45 p.m. with a chair loading time at 6:15 p.m. This event is free. Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area, 11603 Snowpeak Way, Truckee. For more information, call 530-587-9444 or visit www. tahoedonner.com/downhill-ski. D E C . 3 1 New Year’s Eve Celebration Families can ring in the new year at Squaw Valley with a kid-friendly dinner and East Coast midnight toast at High Camp at 9 p.m. Reservations are required for the High Camp celebration. Those 21 and older can join Squaw in Olympic House for a rockin’ party to celebrate the new beginnings and welcome 2015 in style! Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Squaw Valley, 1960 Chamonix Place, Olympic Valley. For more information, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com.
JANUARY J A N . 2 Parents’ Night Out From 6-10 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 390 Fairway Drive, Tahoe City. This is a child care program for children ages birth-12 years of age. You can drop in and pick up any time between 6-10 pm. A donation of $10 per child per evening is requested. All are welcome! Activities include: Recreation, Bible story, craft, music, and a movie. Please feed your children
dinner before bringing them. This is a drop in program and no pre-registration is necessary. For more information, call 530-583-1534 or visit www.tahoeministries.com. JAN. 5-9 AND 1 2 - 1 6 Learn to Ski Weeks Grab a friend and come learn to ski at Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area. During these periods, two participants can learn to ski for the price of one! Program includes two lessons, two trail passes and two rentals. Call in advance to reserve space(s). Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area, 15275 Alder Creek Rd., Truckee. For more information, call 530-587-9484 or visit www.tahoedonner. com/cross-country. J A N . 9 Sierra College Insights presents “Exploring Love through Bob Marley’s Lyrics” With psychology professor and Executive Dean Dr. Kim Bateman at Sierra College, Tahoe Truckee located at 11001 College Trail in Truckee. 6:30 p.m. Refreshments sponsored by Starbucks followed by program from 7 to 8:15 p.m. No cost. Reservations required. For more information, visit http:// sierracollege.ticketleap.com. J A N . 1 0 Winter Trails Day A national celebration of winter fun! Winter Trails Day offers those new to snowsports the chance to try cross country skiing and snowshoeing for free from 11 a.m.-3.p.m. at Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area. Registration is required at www.rei.com/sacramento. Donations will be accepted to help support the local school ski team. Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area, 15275 Alder Creek Rd., Truckee. For
more information, call 530587-9484 or visit www. tahoedonner.com/cross-country. J A N U A R Y 1 0 The Lake Tahoe Backcountry Demo Event at Alpine Meadows North America’s largest venue for all things alpine touring, telemark and split board, returns this January. Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City has once again partnered with Alpine Meadows Ski Resort to provide its eagerly anticipated ninth annual Backcountry Demo Event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participating vendors will include DPS, Dynafit, G3, Scarpa, NTN, Salomon, K2, Scott, Marker, Volkl, La Sportiva, Voile, Moment, Fly Low, Smith Optics, Jones Snowboards and more. For more information, visit www.alpenglowsports.com. J A N . 1 5 Celebrity Chef Dinner Featuring Dean Fearing From 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Celebrity chef Dean Fearing, Chef and Partner at Fearing’s Restaurant at The RitzCarlton, Dallas, and author of “The Texas Food Bible” will visit The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe on January 15 to host a pop-up style restaurant in Manzanita for the evening. He will prepare a special 5-course menu that hotel and local guests will be invited to enjoy. Advanced reservations are required. The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, 13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Court, Truckee. For more information, call 530-562-3053 or visit www. ritzcarlton.com/laketahoe. J A N . 1 6 - 1 8 , AIARE Avalanche Safety Level 1 The intoxicating lure of the backcountry is hard to resist. The North American Ski Training Center (NASTC) offers AIARE Certified avalanche safety courses to help prepare you
for a safe adventure in the backcountry. The Level 1 courses provides you with the basic knowledge recognize avalanche terrain and hazards, create a decision-making framework when travelling in avalanche terrain and learn effective companion rescue techniques. Location: Truckee, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call NASTC at 530-582-4772, email ski@skinastc.com or visit www.skiNASTC.com. J A N . 1 7 Winterpalooza Join Tahoe Donner Snowplay for the first ever Winterpalooza! This all-day event includes tube racing, snowman building, relay races, a snowstrider course and more. Tahoe Donner Snowplay, 12790 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee. For more information, call 530-587-9437 or visit www. tahoedonner.com/snowplay. J A N . 1 7 Ice Bar Kick-Off Party Celebrate the grand opening of Alpine Meadows’ legendary Ice Bar, recognized as one of Tahoe’s most unique spots to hang out with friends and soak up the California sunshine. Ice Bar’s atmosphere is unlike any other ski scene is the Sierra, boasting inevitable and hilarious snowball battles, live on-snow music and tasty barbecue sandwiches. The Ice Bar Kick-Off Party, located at the base of Sherwood Chair, is free to the public and open to all ages. Alpine Meadows, 2600 Alpine Meadows Road. For more information, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com. J A N . 1 7 - 1 9 Ski and Snowboarding Safety Weekend Children and adults may participate in many different
activities around the mountain at Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area to increase one’s level of safety. From fun scavenger hunts, to a national poster contest, to snow science and safety, there will be activities for everyone. By participating in safety weekend, participants receive 25 percent off Smith helmets and goggles. Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area, 11603 Snowpeak Way,
Truckee. For more information, call 530-587-9444 or visit www. tahoedonner.com/downhill-ski. J A N . 1 9 Skogsloppet Race. Organized by local school cross country ski teams as a fundraiser and starting at Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area at 10 a.m., choose either a 15-kilometer or 7.5-kilometer
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Brendan Madigan is owner of Tahoe City’s Alpenglow Sports.
WIN T E R FIL M SE R I E S W / MIKE L IBE C KI JA NUA RY 15
Enjoy one the biggest names in big wall climbing from remote mountain ranges for the third show of the WFS at Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City. Show is free to all ages with an amazing raffle from sponsors. 100% of the proceeds will benefit Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue. For more information, visit www.alpenglowsports.com.
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Get familiar with skiing the white stuff with ski orienteering.
J A N . 3 1 14th Annual Spaghetti Dinner & Bingo Night At the Truckee Recreation Center: Bingo balls will be popping at Sierra Senior Services Fundraiser benefiting Meals-On-Wheels in Truckee and North Lake Tahoe. Last year, this event helped to provide over 32,000 meals to at-risk seniors living in our community. The evening begins with a no-host bar, followed by dinner and includes raffle prizes and a silent auction. 5-9 p.m., bingo starts at 7 pm., at 10040 Estates Dr. Truckee. For more information, call 530-550-7600 or visit www.sierraseniors.org.
FEBRUARY COOL PICK SK I OR I E NTEERING J AN . 31 OR F EB . 1 This event is organized by The Truckee Orienteering Club and is open to the public. First-time orienteers are also encouraged to attend. See www.truckeeorienteering.org for more details. This event will take place at Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center, 15275 Alder Creek Rd., Truckee. For more information, call 530-587-9484 or visit www.tahoedonner. com/cross-country.
course. A 2-kilometer course option for ages 12 and under will also be available. Everyone is welcome and all participants enter the drawing for some great prizes donated by friends of the 128
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school teams. Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area, 15275 Alder Creek Rd., Truckee. For more information, call 530-587-9484 or visit www. tahoedonner.com/cross-country.
F E B . 6 Sierra College Insights presents “Four million dollars for 30 seconds: Are Super Bowl Ads Worth It?” With business instructor Kurt Heisinger, CPA, MBA at Sierra College, Tahoe Truckee located at 11001 College Trail in Truckee. 6:30 p.m. refreshments sponsored by Starbucks followed by program from 7 to 8:15 p.m. No cost. Reservations required. For more information, visit http:// sierracollege.ticketleap.com. F E B . 6 Parents’ Night Out From 6-10 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 390 Fairway Drive, Tahoe City. This is a child care program for children ages birth-12 years of age. You can drop in and pick up any time between 6-10 pm. A donation of $10 per child per evening is requested. All are welcome! Activities include: Recreation, Bible story, craft, music, and a movie. Please feed your children dinner before bringing them. This is a drop in program and no pre-registration is necessary.
For more information, call 530-583-1534 or visit www.tahoeministries.com. F E B R U A R Y 7 Tahoe Youth Ballet presents: KINETECH Named SF Weekly’s “Best Genre-Defying Sci-Artistic Collaborative,” Kinetech is a collective of artists and scientists striving to challenge possibility through collaborative creativity, founded in 2013 by dancer/ choreographer Daiane Lopez da Silva and physicist/programmer Weidong Yang. Interactive technologies developed at Kinetech’s open labs have created a visual, tactile and kinetic experience. Performance and interactive Lab with Kinetech software to follow. 7 p.m. at Tahoe Art Haus and Cinema, Cobblestone Center, Tahoe City. For more information, call 530-613-4363 or visit www.tahoeyouthballet.com. F E B . 1 2 Winter Film Series w/ Melissa Arnot Melissa Arnot holds the highest number of female Mount Everest summits and is wellknown for her high altitude exploits. At Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City. Show is free to all ages with an amazing raffle from sponsors. 100% of the proceeds will benefit Tahoe Institute for Natural Science. For more information, visit www.alpenglowsports.com. F E B . 1 4 - 2 1 Kid-ORama Squaw Valley comes alive in February with a weeklong kid’s extravaganza that includes street parties and kids’ concerts. As part of the event, Big Truck Night will also return to The Village with fire trucks, snowplows, snowmobiles and grooming machines that kids can sit in and explore. Kid-ORama is in The Village at Squaw
Valley and is free to the public. Squaw Valley, 1960 Chamonix Place, Olympic Valley. For more information, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com. F E B . 1 4 Mardi Squaw presented by Sunset Promotions Now in its third year, celebrate Mardi Gras and dance the night away at Squaw Valley. Some of the region’s best DJs will be spinning energetic beats that keep the crowd on their feet, while mixologists serve up delicious “Fat Tuesday” themed drinks. The celebration is from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Olympic House, located in the The Village at Squaw Valley, and is for those ages 21 and over. Squaw Valley, 1960 Chamonix Place, Olympic Valley. For more information, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com. F E B . 1 4 Ice Bar Party Head over to Alpine Meadows’ Ice Bar at the base of Sherwood Chair for Tahoe’s legendary Ice Bar Party, complete with epic snowball battles, live on-snow music, refreshing beverages, and the casual inviting ambiance usually reserved for the beach. The Ice Bar provides the perfect atmosphere for a mid-day break, even serving up barbecued grub for the hungry skier or rider. The Ice Bar Party is free to the public and open to all ages. Alpine Meadows, 2600 Alpine Meadows Road. For more information, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com. F E B . 1 4 Valentine’s Day Sunset Snowshoe Tour Bundle up with a companion for a special Valentine’s Day evening, beginning at 4:30 p.m. (lasting until approximately 6 p.m.). Meet at Trout Creek Recreation Center to shuttle
caravan to the trailhead. Participants are encouraged to dress in warm layers, including a hat and gloves, and bring water, a headlamp or flashlight. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Cost is $7.50 to participate or $15 with a snowshoe rental. Trout Creek Recreation Center, 12790 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee. For more information, call 530-587-9437 or visit www. tahoedonner.com/snowplay. F E B . 1 4 Sugar Bowl’s 75th Anniversary Celebration The Special 75th Anniversary Celebration at Sugar Bowl’s Mt. Judah Lodge will commemorate years of history including numerous ski industry milestones and a storied history as well as the recent $20 million investments on the mountain. The celebration will feature live music, swag giveaways and prizes, raffle items benefiting the Sugar Bowl Ski Team Foundation, drink specials and more. For more information, call 530-426-9000 or visit www.sugarbowl.com. F E B . 1 4 Black Ties & Tails At The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. Guests will be greeted by a Hollywood-style red carpet entry, immediately followed by the swankiest of champagne and hors d’oeuvre receptions complete with passed appetizers for your dogs, an elegant dining experience that only the The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe could provide, music, dancing and unexpected entertainment. For more information, visit www.hstt.org. F E B R U A RY 2 1 T O M A R C H 1 Alpenglow Mountain Festival The Alpenglow Mountain Festival is a two-week celebration of human-powered events, clinics,
find your future. Here.
A Bishop Manogue education is steeped in Catholic ideals and dedicated to shaping citizens who will learn continuously, serve compassionately, and lead confidently.
For more information or a campus tour, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@bishopmanogue.org or 775.336.6045. Accepting applications at www.bishopmanogue.org/admissions
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presentations, film and more. Exploring some of the best activities Lake Tahoe has to offer, participants can Nordic ski, backcountry ski, snowshoe and enjoy natural history excursions. Driven by fun, community, health, education and the embodiment of the mountain lifestyle, the festival has been designed to inspire participants to enjoy and explore North Lake Tahoe’s playground with friends and family. The event is entirely free and designed for the beginner to intermediate mountain recreationalist. For more information, call 530-583-6917 or visit www.alpenglowsports.com. F E B . 2 1 Glowstick Parade and Carnival A kids’ version of the Torchlight Parade with glowsticks for children 10 or younger who can ski or ride unassisted in the dark on our Snowbird run. Participants should plan to come early to secure a spot in the parade, and get glowsticks by playing our free carnival games. Music and snacks will be provided in the bar area prior to the parade. Sign-ups and the carnival start at 4:30 p.m. with the parade starting at 6:30 p.m. This event is free at Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area, 11603 Snowpeak Way, Truckee. For more information, visit 530-587-9444 or visit www. tahoedonner.com/downhill-ski.
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F E B . 2 2 - 2 3 All Conditions/All Terrain — Squaw Valley Embrace the challenge set by Squaw Valley’s legendary terrain while refining your technique and expanding your tactics. World class trainers will help you develop greater precision and accuracy and build wider set of tactics to ski anything the mountain throws at you. This course is your gateway to bigger adventure. Location: Squaw Valley, 8:30am-5:30pm. Please contact NASTC for more information: 10710 Donner Pass Rd Ste 100, Truckee. For more information, call 530-5824772, email ski@skinastc.com, or visit www.skiNASTC.com. F E B . 2 7 SnowFest! 2015 Kickoff Party Put on your most outrageous day-glow, gaiters & jeans, and Wayfarer sunglasses and make plans to be here for another great celebration. Every spring since 1982, North Lake Tahoe comes alive with 10 fun-filled days and nights each jam packed with events and activities for all ages. This year, the annual favorites will be back, along with a host of great new ones! On and off the mountain, you can enjoy snow-filled fun at parades, races, concerts, and other special events. At 531 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City. For more information, call 530-583-7167 or visit www. tahoesnowfestival.com.
MARC H M A R C H 1 Gone Bonkers Kids Ski & Snowboard race From 1-4 p.m. at Granlibakken Tahoe, 725 Granlibakken Road, Tahoe City. Gone Bonkers is an all out, top to bottom kid friendly race over natural
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Snowboarder Jayson Hale accepting the Chilly Miller Award after being crowned the mens overall champion last year.
RAH LV E S’ BAN Z AI T O UR FEB 21- 22, M A RCH 7- 8, A ND M AR CH 14- 15 Rahlves’ Banzai Tour is the most unique ski and snowboard race on the planet. Four at a time race top to bottom for the title of Banzai Champion and a cash purse. Men & Women compete in the Ski and Snowboard disciplines. $135 entry fee includes a comp ski lift ticket Saturday and another if qualified for Sunday Finals. $110 if no lift ticket is needed. Make sure to be at the RBT Apres Parties after Saturday’s qualifying day to rub elbows with competitors, fans and sponsors enjoying drinks and food supporting future skiers and snowboarders through the resorts’ Ski Education Foundations. For more information, visit www.rahlvesbanzai.com.
PHOTO: SYLAS WRIGHT
F E B . 2 1 Squaw Valley Prom At Squaw Valley, 1960 Squaw Valley Road, the Squaw Valley Prom is hosted by the High Fives Foundation with all ticket proceeds benefiting their amazing organization. For more information and tickets, visit www.squawvalleyprom.com.
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terrain, complete with gates, obstacles, bumps and fun. Skiers and snowboarders welcome. Ages 5-12. $5.00 race registration if you are staying at Granlibakken, $20 in advance, $25 day-of registration. The afternoon will include family fun activities for all ages. For more information, email Shawna Lee West at shawnalee@ granlibakken.com or visit www. granlibakken.com/bonkers.php. M A R C H 1 The Great Ski Race The Great Ski Race, a 30km race from Tahoe City to Truckee, is the main fundraising event for the Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team, a non-profit allvolunteer organization. Team members, along with community supporters, organize The Great Ski Race, which continues to be one of the largest Nordic ski races west of the Mississippi. Race proceeds are used primarily to purchase equipment for the Team, and to support winter survival and avalanche education programs sponsored and conducted by the Team. For more information, visit thegreatskirace.com. M A R C H 4 World Cup at Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows The fast-paced excitement of skicross and snowboardcross will come to Squaw Valley March 4-8, 2015, with the resort hosting an Audi FIS Skicross World Cup and FIS Snowboard World Cup. This will be the first time the International Ski Federation has brought a World Cup event to Squaw Valley since the FIS Alpine World Cup in 1969. The event will feature the top global stars in the sport, including local Olympian and seven-time X Games champion Nate Holland. Cross racing pits athletes against each other to race head-to-head down a course of jumps, bumps
and berms. Snowboardcross made its Olympic debut in 2006, with skicross in 2010, and both events were among the top spectator events in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. For more information, call 530-452-4331 or visit www.squawalpine.com.
are welcome! Activities include: Recreation, Bible story, craft, music, and a movie. Please feed your children dinner before bringing them. This is a drop in program and no pre-registration is necessary. For more information, call 530-583-1534 or visit www.tahoeministries.com.
M A R C H 6 - 7 Tahoe Youth Ballet’s Winter Season Tahoe Youth Ballet’s 7th annual season in its first performance at its new home! New works by Deborah Wingert, Christopher McDaniel, Constantine Baecher, and Christin Hanna, danced by the Tahoe Youth Ballet ensemble and special guest artist Christopher McDaniel (Los Angeles Ballet). Friday March 13th at 7 pm, Saturday March 14th at 2pm & 7pm, at Tahoe Art Haus and cinema, Cobblestone Center, Tahoe City. For more information, call 530-613-4363 or visit www. tahoeyouthballet.com.
M A R C H 7 Winter Beach Party Nothing beats a beach party in winter, right? Join Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area for some tropical fun, live music, food and games. This is great for the whole family and it’s free! This party kicks off at 12 p.m. Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area, 11603 Snowpeak Way, Truckee. For more information, call 530-587-9444 or visit www. tahoedonner.com/downhill-ski.
M A R C H 6 Sierra College Insights presents “Morning in America or the Second Gilded Age? The Cultural and Political Legacy of the 1980s” With history instructor Taylor Tiraterra at 11001 College Trail in Truckee. 6:30 p.m. refreshments sponsored by Starbucks followed by program from 7 to 8:15 p.m. No cost. Reservations required. For more information, visit sierracollege.ticketleap.com. M A R C H 6 Parents’ Night Out From 6-10 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 390 Fairway Drive, Tahoe City. This is a child care program for children ages birth-12 years of age. You can drop in and pick up any time between 6-10 pm. A donation of $10 per child per evening is requested. All
M A R C H 8 - 1 4 Junior Nationals At Auburn Ski Club Truckee-Tahoe XC Ski Junior Nationals is the pinnacle of U.S.A. competitive cross-country skiing. This annual event brings together more that 400 of the top 14 to 19 year old athletes to compete on a national stage. For more information, visit www. xcjuniornationals2015.com. M A R C H 1 2 Junior National Challenge Race With Junior Nationals in town, Tahoe Donner adds to the excitement by holding a fun 1.5-kilometer youth and 5-kilometer adult race for locals and visiting Junior National families and coaches. Racing starts at 3:30 p.m. Wine tasting and appetizers will be offered following the race. Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area, 15275 Alder Creek Rd., Truckee. For more information, call 530-587-9484 or visit www. tahoedonner.com/cross-country.
M A R C H 1 2 Winter Film Series w/ Lynn Hill Lynn Hill is the most famous female of all-time when it comes to rock climbing. From her young days during Yosemite’s Golden Age, to her continual pushing of the sport, Lynn is an icon that you don’t want to miss. The show at Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City is free to all ages with an amazing raffle from sponsors. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Tahoe Food Hub. For more information, visit www.alpenglowsports.com. M A R C H 1 3 - 1 4 Pain McShlonkey Dress up in outrageous ski duds and come out to Squaw Valley for a day full of belly laughs, camaraderie and philanthropy in celebration of legendary skier Shane McConkey. In addition to a costume contest and snowblade ballet competition, the highlight of the event is the Extreme Small Mountain Invitational- a downhill race, where pros and amateurs battle it out on snowblades for the highly coveted Golden Saucer trophy and ultimate bragging rights. Squaw Valley, 1960 Chamonix Place, Olympic Valley. For more information, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com. M A R . 1 4 Vertical Express for MS Skiers and snowboarders of all ages will have the opportunity to challenge themselves in a friendly on-mountain competition that includes a scavenger hunt, race and après activities all while raising money for Can Do Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a national nonprofit and innovative provider of lifestyle empowerment programs that help families living with MS. Teams of three must raise a minimum of $500 to participate in the event TAHOE MAGAZINE
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which includes on-snow events, exciting prizes, complimentary lift tickets, food and goodie bags. Squaw Valley, 1960 Chamonix Place, Olympic Valley. For more information, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com.
because this will be one tasty monster at Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area. Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area, 11603 Snowpeak Way, Truckee. For more information, call 530-587-9444 or visit www. tahoedonner.com/downhill-ski.
M A R C H 1 5 Truckee Lions Club Corned Beef and Cabbage Bash From 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at 10046 Church Street. Ticket includes dinner, a chance at $1000 door prize and one raffle ticket, music and fun. Tickets available at the Chamber of Commerce and Stones Tires. For more information, visit e-clubhouse.org/sites/truckee/.
M A R C H 2 2 Taste of Truckee Enjoy on-snow gourmet food tasting from 12-3 p.m. at Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area. This event is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and food connoisseurs alike. Beginners can rent skis or snowshoes at the Cross Country Ski Area and get a few free pointers from experienced instructors before heading out to eat. A percentage of proceeds will be donated to our local Tahoe Food Hub. Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area, 15275 Alder Creek Rd., Truckee. For more information, call 530587-9484 or visit www. tahoedonner.com/cross-country.
MARCH 20-22 WinterWonderGrass Tahoe WinterWonderGrass Tahoe is a world-class winter music and beer festival featuring three nights with more than 20 of national, regional and local bluegrass bands and acoustic roots artists, complemented by 15 California craft breweries, local wines, spirits and foods. Squaw Valley and the Sierra Nevada stand as a glowing backdrop for families and friends to dance from midday into nightfall, mingling beside crackling fire pits in the heart of the music and the spirit of true connection. The event is open to all ages, including a designated Kid Zone, and will focus on sustainability and the California lifestyle. WinterWonderGrass Tahoe is supportive of local non-profts focused to environmental sustainablity, The Tahoe Fund and the international disaster relief organization. For more information, visit www. winterwondergrassfestival.com.
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M A R . 3 0 Skinny SkiA-Thon The Skinny Ski-a-Thon returns to Squaw Valley this March to raise money for The High Fives Foundation, a local nonprofit organization that helps winter sports athletes who have experienced a life-altering
(70mm or less) and testing their stamina. Squaw Valley, 1960 Chamonix Place, Olympic Valley. For more information, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com.
COOL PICK SambaDa was among several bands featured in the 2014 Spring Music Series.
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This spring, unwind and soak up the rays every Saturday and select Sundays with Alpine Meadows’ Spring Music Series. Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the tunes of local musicians while kicking up their boots on the deck of the Alpine Meadows Lodge. The Spring Music Series is free to the public, offering families the perfect way to cap off an incredible day of spring skiing on the slopes of Alpine. Alpine Meadows, 2600 Alpine Meadows Road. For more information, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
M A R C H 2 1 200-Foot Banana Split Extravaganza Help devour an incredible 200foot banana split at 1:30 p.m. for free! Grab some spoons
M A R C H 2 9 Tour D’Euer Celebrate spring with this 20-plus year old cross country tradition of touring the Euer Valley between 8-10 a.m at Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area, followed by refueling at the Cookhouse. Delicious BBQ and live music will take place at the new cross country facility from 11 a.m. Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area, 15275 Alder Creek Rd., Truckee. For more information, call 530587-9484 or visit www. tahoedonner.com/cross-country.
injury while pursuing the sport the love. Participants will get pledges from family, friends and businesses for each lap they ski on KT-22, before strapping on a pair of skinny skis
AP R I L A P R I L 3 Parents’ Night Out From 6-10 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 390 Fairway Drive, Tahoe City. This is a child care program for children ages birth12 years of age. You can drop in and pick up any time between 6-10 pm. A donation of $10 per child per evening is requested. All are welcome! Activities include: Recreation, Bible story, craft, music, and a movie. Please feed your children dinner before bringing them. This is a drop in program and no pre-registration is necessary. For more information, call 530-583-1534 or visit www.tahoeministries.com. A P R I L 4 Annual Snow Golf Tournament Ditch the ski jacket and pants for a collared shirt and khakis- Alpine Meadows’ Annual Snow Golf Tournament is back! As the only top-to-bottom snow golf course, this highly anticipated spring event is a unique way to spend a day on the slopes with the whole family. The nine-hole course starts at the top of Summit Express Chair and meanders its way down the mountain with the last holes bringing competitors back to the bottom of Alpine Bowl Chair. Alpine Meadows, 2600 Alpine Meadows Road. For more information, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com. A P R I L 1 0 Sierra College Insights presents “Strange Faces: Lon Chaney and the Ethics of Horror” With University of Nevada, Reno English professor Dr. Katherine Fusco at 11001 College Trail in Truckee. 6:30 p.m. refreshments sponsored by Starbucks followed by program from 7 to 8:15 p.m. No cost. Reservations required. For more information, visit
sierracollege.ticketleap.com/ A P R I L 1 0 - 1 2 Shred the Love Sugar Bowl Resort hosts Shred the Love, a benefit for Boarding for Breast Cancer. The event includes a Rail jam at Sugar Bowl’s Switching Yard Terrain Park, Yoga sessions, XC skiing outing, auction items, raffle items, prizes & giveaways, live music at Judah Lodge and drink specials all benefiting B4BC. org. For more information, visit www.sugarbowl.com. A P R . 1 1 Cushing Crossing (tentative date) Spring’s most acclaimed event, The 25th Annual Cushing Crossing, returns to Cushing Pond at Squaw Valley bringing another round of colossal crashes, ultra-creative pond skimming contraptions and hilarious costumes. A panel of celebrity judges will emcee the spectacle while spectators watch the laughable thrills unfold. The Cushing Crossing starts at 1pm, followed by awards at 3pm at the KT Base Bar. Squaw Valley, 1960 Chamonix Place, Olympic Valley. For more information, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com. A P R I L 1 1 Ice Bar Party. Head over to Alpine Meadows’ Ice Bar at the base of Sherwood Chair for Tahoe’s legendary Ice Bar Party, complete with epic snowball battles, live on-snow music, refreshing beverages, and the casual inviting ambiance usually reserved for the beach. The Ice Bar provides the perfect atmosphere for a mid-day break, even serving up barbecued snacks for the hungry skier or rider. The Ice Bar Party is free to the public and open to all ages. Alpine Meadows, 2600 Alpine Meadows Road. For more information, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com.
explore WINTER at tahoe donner LIGHT UP THE NIGHT AT THE LODGE RESTAURANT & PUB NOV. 29, 2014
snowshoe TOURS AT TAHOE DONNER CROSS COUNTRY JAN. 2, 2015; JAN. 11, 2015; JAN. 31, 2015 (FULL MOON); FEB. 8, 2015; MAR. 8, 2015
CHILDREN’s glowstick parade and Carnival AT TAHOE DONNER DOWNHILL FEB. 21, 2015
A TASTE OF TRUCKEE AT TAHOE DONNER AT TAHOE DONNER CROSS COUNTRY MARCH 22, 2015 FOR PRICING AND MORE INFORMATION VISIT TAHOEDONNER.COM (530) 587-9400
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Learn all the tricks and trades of modern home design at the annual home show in Truckee.
COOL PICK T RUCKE E HOME & B UI LD ING SH O W At 11725 Donner Pass Road, Truckee High School. Presentations and much more. See the latest in home remodeling resources. For more information, visit www.truckeehome show.com.
MAY M AY 1 Parents’ Night Out From 6-10 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 390 Fairway Drive, Tahoe City. This is a child care program for children ages birth-12 years of age. You can drop in and pick up any time between 6-10 pm. A donation of $10 per child per evening is requested. All are welcome! Activities include: Recreation, Bible story, craft, music, and a
movie. Please feed your children dinner before bringing them. This is a drop in program and no pre-registration is necessary. For more information, call 530-583-1534 or visit www. tahoeministries.com. M AY 1 7 Best of Tahoe Chefs, 16th annual Each year a sell-out crowd gathers to support the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center at the Best of Tahoe Chefs fundraiser held at the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. Presented by the Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation, all proceeds from this evening of fine dining and dancing support Patient and Family Programs at the cancer center. Tahoe’s best local chefs donate their time and talent to make the evening extraordinary and also offer amazing dining packages for auction. Come enjoy the event with us this year at 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.bestoftahoechefs.org.
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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: TRUCKEE HOME & BUILDING SHOW
M AY 23-24
A P R I L 1 2 Billy Dutton Uphill In a true test of endurance, the annual Billy Dutton Uphill returns to Squaw Valley. Participants start at the base of KT-22 and go up the Mountain Run to High Camp via skiing, skinning, running, snowshoeing or even hiking. Participants climb 2,000 feet in elevation over the 3.2 mile course to High Camp. The event also includes food and beer, raffle prizes, silent auction and awards ceremony with prizes. Squaw Valley, 1960 Chamonix Place, Olympic Valley. For more information, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com.
A P R I L 1 8 TahoeTruckee Earth Day Celebration Celebrate the earth and join Squaw Valley for live music, a “Trashion” show, and environmental fun at the largest eco-event in the North Lake Tahoe and Truckee area. The event gives participants the opportunity to learn about earthfriendly practices including recycling, composting, alternative energy, and sustainability. The Tahoe-Truckee Earth Day Celebration is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free to the public. Squaw Valley, 1960 Chamonix Place, Olympic Valley. For more information, call 800-403-0206 or visit www.squawalpine.com.
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Get your ski on at Heavenly Mountain Resort.
N OV E M B ER N O V. 2 9 Tower of Power 7:30 p.m., South Shore Room at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. Tower of Power brings its original style of soul music to this Lake Tahoe concert. Since 1968, Tower of Power has appeared before sold out crowds. The band’s leader and founding member, Emilio Castillo, labeled the sound as Urban Soul Music. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. in
the South Shore Room inside Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, located at 15 Highway 50, Stateline. For more information, visit www. harrahslaketahoe.com/shows. html or call 775-588-6611. N O V. 2 9 Bret Michaels concert Bret Michaels, is an American singer-songwriter, musician, actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and reality television personality. He first gained fame as the lead vocalist of the glam metal band Poison at has sold more than 45 million records worldwide and 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted 10 singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, including six Top 10 singles and
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Dust off your skis and give your party legs a stretch, it’s time to celebrate new snow, new experiences and new friends. Heavenly will ramp up the excitement with a series of events to jumpstart the season, including pop-up D.J. Cat parties, ski film screenings, Unbuckle après kick-off parties, casino sponsored shows and a headliner to play the Winter Ignite concert. For more information visit www.skiheavenly.com/nightlife-andactivities/events/winter-ignite, or call 775-586-7000.
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the number-one single, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” The show takes place at MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa 55 Highway 50 in Stateline, Nevada. For information visit www.montbleuresort.com/ entertainment/entertainmentcalendar or call 775-588-3515.
DECEM BER
COOL PICK
Enjoy music with heavenly views at the Boathouse.
DE C . 1 At the Boathouse on the Pier 3411 Lake Tahoe Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, Calif. For more information visit www.tahoebeachretreat.com or call 530-600-1846
D E C . 5 - 8 Barton Health’s Festival of Trees and Lights At MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa. The fifth annual festival features designer decorated trees, holiday décor, crafts for children, live entertainment and of course Santa Claus. MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa’s Convention
D E C . 6 Lake Tahoe Blue Hockey At the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena at 7:30 p.m. The Lake Tahoe Blue Hockey Club is a member of the WSHL Western States Hockey League. The club plays out of the Lake Tahoe Ice Arena and competes inside the WSHLs Western Conference. Players are from all over the world - USA, Canada, Switzerland, Argentina, Sweden, Russia, Latvia, etc. For more information visit www. laketahoebluehockey.com or call (530) 544-RINK (7465). D E C . 6 Barton Health Gala The Barton Health Gala is the Foundation’s largest annual fundraising event. Featuring a live auction, silent auction, golden ticket raffle, multi-course dinner, champagne greeting, wine, and featured cocktail (the winning cocktail from Cocktail Contest), the Gala is the black-tie fundraising event. Proceeds from the gala benefit the Foundation’s Community Health Endowment, which allows us to continually provide funding for our local continued on page 140
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• custom cut meats including carne asada • fresh produce • mexican pastries & churros • mexican soft drinks • beer & liquor • tacos • burritos / breakfast burritos try our famous wet burritos! • tortas • chimichangas / enchiladas • quesadillas • tamales • tostadas / nachos • chile rellenos • vegetarian dishes
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: BOATHOUSE ON THE PIER
L I V E M USIC
D E C . 3 The Improv at Harveys Howie Nave: Host and Emcee, featuring Tom Rhodes and Ahmed Bharoocha. 9 p.m. The Improv is for adults age 21 and older. Show times, comedy line-ups and prices are subject to change. Harveys is located at 18 Highway 50 in Stateline, Nevada. For more information visit www.harveystahoe.com/ shows/the-improv-at-harveys or call 775-588-2411.
Center is located at 55 Highway 50 in Stateline, Nevada. For more information visit www. festivaloftreeslaketahoe.org, festival@bartonhealth.org or call 530-543-5614.
Meet Santa Claus Dec. 6 in Stateline on the South Shore.
COOL PICK BRE AKFAST WIT H S A NTA DEC. 6
Sponsored by Mott Canyon at Kahle Community Center from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. A memorable experience for each child. Come join Santa for a delicious pancake breakfast and get your picture taken with him afterward. Breakfast with pancakes, orange juice, hot chocolate and coffee included. Photos with Santa will be available for additional cost. Kahle Community Center is located at 236 Highway 207 in Stateline, Nevada. For more information visit www.douglascountynv.gov or call 775-586-7271. PHOTO: SHANNON LITZ
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S H O R E Tommy Castro will rock the socks off Harrah’s on Dec. 20.
COOL PICK TOMMY CASTRO WITH THE PAINKILLERS DEC . 20
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D E C . 1 1 Live Music At the Classic Cue Sports Bar & Grille located at 1961 Lake Tahoe Blvd. in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. For more information visit tahoeclassiccue.com or call 530541-8704. D E C . 1 1 Pint & Paddles Cruise with Ike & Martin On the M.S. Dixie II, 5:30 p.m. Departing from Zephyr Cove Resort on Wednesdays 5:30 - 7
D E C . 1 2 Mother Goose on the Loose At 10:30 a.m., South Lake Tahoe Library. This 30-minute interactive program is designed specifically for babies by using nursery rhymes, music and movement to develop early literacy skills. Perfect for children ages 0-2 years old with their parents and caregivers. Program starts promptly at 10:30 a.m. Early Literacy Storytime 10:30 a.m., South Lake Tahoe Library, 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe. This 30-minute program is filled with stories, rhymes, finger plays and songs to strengthen love of reading. Perfect for children ages 3-5 with their parents and caregivers. Program starts promptly at 10:30 a.m. No Late Entry. Sponsored by El Dorado County Library. D E C . 1 3 Lake Tahoe Film Festival At MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa, Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Begins at 7:30 9:30 p.m. Get ready to attend a showcase of adventure in
one of the most scenic places in the world. Lake Tahoe is home to year-round opportunities for adventure so it is only fitting that it would play host to the celebration of adventure of all kinds. MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa’s Convention Center is located at 55 Highway 50 in Stateline, Nevada. For more information visit www.laketahoefilmfestival.com or call 775-588-3515. D E C . 1 2 Daniel Tosh At MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa, 7 p.m. The stand-up comedian and television host of the wildly-popular Comedy Central video clip show, Tosh.0. comes to Lake Tahoe for a raucous stand-up session. For more information visit www.montbleuresort.com. D E C . 1 9 Christmas Dance with the Tahoe Dance Band At South Lake Tahoe Senior Center from 7:30 to10 p.m. Features a 17-piece Tahoe Dance Band. Not necessary to come with a partner. Appetizers, wine, desserts, dancing, door prizes, raffle and all ages are welcome. $10 per person at the door. Younger than 21 $5. South Lake Tahoe Senior Center is located at 3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd. in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. For more information visit cityofslt.
PHOTO: LEWIS MACDONALD
At 7:30 p.m. South Shore Room inside Harrah’s Lake Tahoe 15 Highway 50 in Stateline, Nevada. For more information visit www. harrahslaketahoe.com/ shows.html or call 775-588-6611.
hospital and community health needs. MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa’s Convention Center is located at 55 Highway 50 in Stateline, Nevada. For more information visit www. bartonhealth.org or call 530543-5909.
p.m. $15 per adult in advance or $20 at the ticket booth. Food and drink menu available aboard the cruise. M.S. Dixie II Paddlewheeler is located at 760 Highway 50 in Zephyr Cove, Nevada. For more information visit www.zephyrcove.com or call 530-543-6191.
us/index.aspx?nid=282 or call 530-541-8380. D E C . 2 0 - 3 1 Heavenly Holidays At the Heavenly Village. Experience a holiday winter wonderland in Heavenly Village with lights, decorations, carolers, magicians, jugglers, live ice sculpture making, a Ripperoo Parade, and more family-friendly events. For more information visit www.skiheavenly.com. D E C . 3 1 New Year’s Eve Fireworks and Torchlight Parade At Kirkwood Mountain Resorts. Fireworks, fire dancers and aerial artists will be featured. An adult party will take place at Red Cliffs. For more information, call 209-258-6000. D E C . 3 1 New Year’s Eve at MontBleu A New Year’s Eve bash that includes three party zones for one price — Blu Nightclub, Opal Ultra Lounge and the Convention Center, featuring live music by San Francisco’s party band Glam Cobra. This an adultsonly evening, featuring go-go dancers, body painting, party favors, and DJs playing of music. The celebration begins at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $55 in advance, $75 at the door. For more information call 888-829-7630 or visit visit www.montbleuresort.com.
D E C . 3 1 New Year’s Even at Harrah’s PEEK Nightclub will be throwing a New Year’s Golden Dreams Party, featuring the electro-house duo of DJs From Mars, one of the biggest names in the mash-up scene. Doors open at 9 p.m. For more information, call 775-5866705 or visit isit www.harrahslaketahoe.com. DEC. 29-31 Snowglobe Festival Noon, Lake Tahoe Community College Library, 1 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe. Snowglobe is a one-of-a-kind festival experience that seamlessly fuses music and mountains. Hosted each new years in the heart of one of the country’s most stunning mountain landscapes. Snowglobe is a music festival, ski/snowboard adventure, and destination New Year’s Eve celebration all rolled into one. Join the Snowglobe family. For more information visit www. SnowGlobeMusicFestival.com.
JANUARY J A N . 9 - 1 6 Tahoe South Restaurant Week: Made with Altitude Experience some of the best wine and food in Tahoe South. Special menus and
spreading the winter love
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featured items will showcase the flavors of the destination along with altitude. For more information visit www.tahoesouth. com/restaurantweek or call 530541-5255. J A N . 1 5 Author & Psychic Medium John Edward At Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m. Do the dead speak? A John Edward Seminar event lasts for 2 hours and consists of Questions & Answer sessions, and exciting opportunities to experience messages from the other side. For more information, visit www. harrahslaketahoe.com. J A N . 1 7 Tainted Love concert Inside the Harrah’s Lake Tahoe South Shore Room, 7:30 p.m. High-energy dance band Tainted Love brings the sounds of the 80s like you’ve never heard before. For more information, visit www.harrahslaketahoe.com. J A N . 1 7 Kool and The Gang At MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa, 9 p.m. Kool & The Gang has sold over 70 million albums worldwide and influenced the music of three generations. See them live at Lake Tahoe. For more information visit www. montbleuresort.com.
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J A N . 3 1 The Guess Who At MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa, 9 p.m. The Guess Who, the band that became Canada’s first international rock music superstars, will rock the South Shore. For more information visit www.montbleuresort.com.
APR IL A P R I L 2 4 - 2 5 Lake Tahoe Home and Garden Show At South Lake Tahoe Recreation Complex. The Home and Garden show will feature live music, door prizes every 20 minutes, drawing prizes, food, and classes with tips on how to re-purpose dozens of items people normally throw away. The recreation complex is located at 1182 Rufus Allen Blvd. in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. For more information visit goldenbearevents.com/ Lake_Tahoe_Home_and_ Garden_Show.html, email: goldenbearevents@gmail.com or call 530-544-7412.
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YES FREE! If you buy a package on your first day, you get 10% off any package that’s not on promo TAHOE MAGAZINE
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ENJOY ALL THE BENEFITS OF THE “NEVADA SIDE” OF TAHOE • Condos starting at $150K • Homes starting at $30 K • Lake View Homes starting at $60 K • Lakefront Homes starting at $2.5K
COMEWhy LIVE THE TAHOETahoe LIFESTYLE Lake Nevada? Lake Tahoe, NV provides unparalleled beauty and best of all, ZERO Income Tax
• Are You tired of being taxed to death in California? • Are You aware of Nevada’s Zero income tax? • Plus maximum flexibility, maximum benefits and minimum regulation for businesses in Nevada. • Are you tired of the bumper to bumper scenario? Let Craig help you become a Nevada resident.
Contact Craig for his FREE “Why Nevada?” package. Since 1989, Craig Zager has been “One of Tahoe’s Natural Resources” when it comes to buying and selling in Lake Tahoe, NV. Highly accredited, Craig was awarded Coldwell Banker Select’s Top Real Estate Agent in Nevada for the third year in a row! See what others are saying about their experience using Craig Zager of Coldwell Banker Select… I worked with Craig on a very short timeline escrow (1031 tax deferred exchange) during • Are you tired of being taxed to death by California? the Christmas and New Year holidays. He was instrumental in helping move the negotiations along with price and terms as well as always remaining available during a time • Are you aware of Nevada’s ZERO income tax? when businesses were shutting down for the holidays. A very honest, professional realtor • Imagine NO personal state income tax, NO estate tax, NO gift tax plus a cap on property taxes. that knows his business is organized and easy to work with.
-Bill Tutton
Craig is not only the best Realtor I have ever worked with, he is quite possibly the best professional I have ever worked with in any field. Craig made the process extremely easy. He was thorough, detailed and comprehensive in all aspects of the purchase and sale. Craig helped to arrange cleaning services, repair services, estimates, and appraisals and handled all the paperwork with the city and county. Craig knows Lake Tahoe real estate and he knows how to treatCraig every are theever only onewith, he is with.theI am is notclient only thelike bestthey Realtor I have worked hedealing is quite possibly best sure that was not the case,professional but thatI have is certainly how made is not possible ever worked withhe in any field.me I am feel. a smallItcompany owner who not for you to make a better choice than to work with Craig Zager on any real estate deal. only works the stereotypical 20 hours a day, I am on the road 300 days a year to do it. I
- Steve Henderson
Craig Zager
Lake Tahoe, NV Aerial Photo Taken By: Craig Zager
needed a team to work with that would not only do their jobs to perfection, but to make up for the fact that I was paying no attention to the process what so ever. Craig and his assistantpurchasing Jennifer madeathevacation process extremely They were thorough, detailed and Craig Zager guided me through rentaleasy. property sight-unseen from comprehensive in all aspects the purchase and asale. They handledprocess the sale ofthat my existing over 3,500 miles away without a hitch. And thenof he managed renovation home and purchase newhis home. Theyproperty, became project managers of both jobs. They went on for three months after thethesale as ifofitmy was own at no additional helped to arrange appraisals cost to me. I buy and develop real estatecleaning for a services, living, repair and Iservices, wish Iestimates, could plug him and intohandled all the paperwork with the city and county. They found me a caretaker for my new property every deal I do. He has my highest recommendation. and helped me set up the actual move. All in all, working with Craig and his assistant was a - Michael Hambleton, President Integrated Project tremendous experience. They know their jobs,Solutions, they know LakeInc Tahoe and they know how to treat every client like they are the only one they have (which I am sure was not the case, but that is certainly how they made me feel). It is not possible for you to make a better choice than to work with Craig Zager on any real estate deal. — Steve Henderson
ENJOY ALL THE BENEFITS OF THE “NEVADA SIDE” OF TAHOE
(80 ) 827-4541 mail@craigzager.com 18 Hwy 50, Zephyr Cove, NV
Enjoy
• Condos starting at $150K Homes at $300K all the benefits •of thestarting “Nevada side” of Lake Tahoe • Lake View Homes starting at $600Kat $350,000 Condos starting at $150,000 • Homes starting • Lakefront Homes starting at $2.5K Lake view and lakefront properties starting at $1,000,000
Craig Zager
(800) 827-4541 mail@craigzager.com 188 Hwy 50, Zephyr Cove, NV
COLDWELL BANKER SELECT REAL ESTATE
Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist
WWW .LAKETAHOEAGENT. COM
DIRECTORY
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ADVERTISERS
Alpine Mini Storage........................................79
Lake Tahoe Specialty Stove & Fireplace............115
SS House 2013.............................................72
Ann Nichols & Co........................................115
Lake Tahoe Yoga..........................................129
Suddenlink Comm. IVGID/Rec. Center...............53
Austin’s Restaurant...........................................47
Lakeshore Realty Associates................................4
Sugar Bowl Resort..........................................11
Barifot/Baricolor............................................34
Lakeshore Realty/ Diane Brown........................57
Sugar Pine Gifts...........................................122
Barton Health................................................63
Lakeside Inn & Casino.....................................55
T’s Mesquite Rotisserie.....................................25
Basecamp Hotel............................................49
Lasher Auto Group..........................................13
Tavern at Tahoe, Beach Retreat.........................63
Beacon Bar & Grill...........................................1
Lather & Fizz...............................................122
Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema.............................109
Bishop Manogue..........................................129
Lather & Fizz...............................................108
Tahoe Bleu Wave.........................................138
Bite, LLC.......................................................65
MacDuff’s Pub...............................................89
Tahoe Blue Vodka.............................................2
Bluestone Jewelry.........................................109
Marynell Hartnett...........................................72
Boathouse on the Pier, Beach Retreat..................65
Montbleu Resort Casino & Spa...........................5
Tahoe Cakes by Grace.................................134
BoBo’s Ski & Patio..........................................55
Montbleu Resort Casino & Spa....... South Shore IFC
Bowl Incline................................................110
Monte Vista/Highland Estates..........................36
Burger Me!.................................................118
Mountain Hardware.......................................51
Burton Creek Veterinary Clinic...........................35
Mountain High Deli......................................140
Chase International-Incline Village/
Mountain Home Center...................................53
Tahoe City................................. North Shore IBC
Mtn. Postal Pack & Ship.................................121
Chase International-South Lake Tahoe.................66
North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce........112
Cobblestone Center......................................108
North Lake Tahoe Historical Society...................35
Coldwell Banker McKinney & Assoc..................89
North Tahoe Snow Festival.............................110
Coldwell Banker/ Melanie Stewart.....................8
Northstar Retail - Icebreaker..............................25
Coldwell Banker/ Melanie Stewart.....................9
Northstar Retail - Patagonia..............................43
Craig Zager, Coldwell Banker Select...............142
Obexer’s General Store...................................72
Dickson Realty...............................................18
Pablo’s Gallery & Frame Shop........................108
Don Kanare.....................North Shore Back Cover
Paco’s Truckee River Bicycle............................110
Edgewood Tahoe.............. South Shore Back Cover
Paradise Real Estate Inc...................................49
Edward Jones/Bryan Sintay.............................71
Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation................82
Eskaton Village..............................................83
Pineapple Tahoe LLC.....................................109
Firesign Cafe.................................................72
Powder House Ski & Snowboard......................65
Gallery Keoki..............................................121
Resort at Squaw Creek....................................29
Gateway Urgent Care.....................................61
Rookies Inc....................................................61
Geared for Games.........................................34
Scott Wadsworth, RE/MAX Realty Today..........135
Granlibakken.................................................34
Scraps Dog Bakery.......................................108
Gravity Shop...............................................108
Scusa Italian Ristorante....................................71
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino...............................15
Sears Authorized Store....................................47
Harrahs Tahoe...............................................45
Serenity Spa..................................................16
Truckee-Tahoe Pet Lodge................................125
Heavenly Lake Tahoe........................................3
Sidestreet Boutique...........................................7
Trunk Show.................................................109
Incline At Tahoe Realty.....................................59
Sierra Nevada Properties.................................28
Uncorked Tahoe City.....................................108
Incline Vacation Rentals...................................47
Sierra Sports Care & Chiropractic...................109
Vacation Resorts International............................22
Jack L. Semmens, DDS...................................108
Sierra Verde Interior Design..............................10
Village Ski Loft...............................................51
La Mexicana...............................................136
Sorensen’s Resort..........................................122
West Lake Properties.......................................34
Lake Tahoe Cigar Company...........................121
South Tahoe Public Utility District........................79
West Shore Sports..........................................72
Lake Tahoe Cruises/Snowmobile Center.............41
Sport Haus....................................................43
Willard’s Sport Shop.......................................35
Lake Tahoe School..........................................82
Sports Hub....................................................29
Yoga Studio Tahoe.......................................125
Tahoe City Downtown Assoc............................34 Tahoe City Downtown Assoc............................35 Tahoe Dave’s Skis & Boards.............................59 Tahoe Donner Association..............................133 Tahoe Expedition Academy..............................17 Tahoe Oil and Spice.....................................139 Tahoe Rug Studio.........................................109 Tahoe Sport Fishing........................................22 Tahoe Urgent Care.......................................137 Tahoma Lodge...............................................72 Tep’s Villa Roma.............................................71 Terry Lee Wells Discovery Museum..................118 The Bar Effect..............................................141 The Chart House-...........................................51 The Fresh Ketch................................................6 The Getaway Cafe.........................................59 The Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe...........North Shore IFC The Store......................................................35 The Treat Box...............................................139 The Tree House..............................................25 The Village Center........................South Shore IBC TNT TMA.....................................................79 Truckee Donner Park & Rec...............................29 Truckee-Tahoe Community Found.......................63
TAHOE MAGAZINE
143
parting thought Tales from the Sierra’s snowy roads BY KEVIN MACMILLAN
H
PHOTO: CHRIS TALBOT
aving grown up in Michigan, I like to think I’m familiar with driving in the snow. But that did nothing to prepare me for a Tahoe winter, and my first — the snow-rich winter of 2007-08 — made sure I understood things would be drastically different. But I learned and adapted. Quickly. Gone is my old 4-cylinder, front-wheel drive, tiny Mercury Tracer, replaced with a 4-wheel drive SUV and an increased wisdom as to what works and what doesn’t when traversing the gnarliest of highway passes. It’s always those “what doesn’t” tactics and consequences that I see and marvel at on countless winter drives, and a trip during a storm (one of the few we got during the 2013-14 winter) last December from Incline Village to Truckee was no exception. Normally a half-hour drive, the commute took a shade more than 45 minutes due to the blustery conditions as the mini snowstorm started to complicate things over Brockway Summit and on Interstate 80. Here are a few highlights: • Three slide-offs on the slow trip from Brockway Summit toward Northstar — one car, one SUV and one big-rig semi. • The sight of Caltrans personnel at the Northstar intersection on Highway 267, waving through chained-up cars and SUVs driven by locals who know how to give
the familiar 4-finger salute… • … followed shortly by a passenger in an aggressive SUV giving a just-as familiar 1-finger salute to the driver of a sedan who was struggling on the snow and had to pull over (very slowly) off 267 in the Martis Valley. • And, of course, your typical scene of madness on I-80 — vehicles humming at 70 mph and blasting past 35-mph drivers; vehicles spun off into the walls and dividers; the endless line of big rigs disposing of chains after making it over Donner Summit; and so on.
Often, watching the inexperienced winter driver share the roads with the experienced can be comical. There’s no doubt several longtime residents and visitors have been in the same boots as me, driving carefully and watching it all happen, at times chuckling as the sights unfold. But, alas, while it can be comforting to poke fun while knowing deep inside, “I’m a good driver in the snow,” it’s important we all remember that winter driving at Tahoe can be a dangerous game, and it never hurts to constantly
remind people to be careful. With that in mind, my point here is simple: Take a cue from the calming and serene photo above, take a deep breath, relax, and remember to drive safe out there. After all, I’d very much rather continue sharing funny stories than reporting on severe or fatal accidents this winter. - Kevin MacMillan is managing editor of Tahoe Magazine and the Sierra Sun and North Lake Tahoe Bonanza newspapers, serving Truckee and the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.
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