SNOWSHOE ADVENTURE

BY PRIYA HUTNER

There is something magical about a nighttime adventure in nature after snowfall under a full moon. A gentle mist rose as I drove with Katherine Hill, publisher of The Tahoe Weekly, for a full-moon snowshoe. I didn’t think much of the mist as I drove.

My destination was Prosser Reservoir near Truckee where I had recently cross-country skied. I thought that the vastness of the open space would be gorgeous under a full moon. The moon was set to rise at 7:30 p.m.

We parked at Donner Camp Picnic Site and Interpretive Trail off Highway 89 and put our snowshoes on. It was a relatively warm evening considering the recent snow. We turned on our headlamps and climbed over the berm. I set my GPS and we headed in the same direction I’d skied a few days prior and followed a trail someone had snowshoed.

The mist turned to a light fog. It was dark and a quick thought crossed my mind, “I wonder if we’d see the moon tonight.”

Crossing a snow-covered bridge, we shoed over the frozen marsh and plodded forth. An eerie haze blanketed the woods as the fog thickened. The snow was deep. Half an hour into our journey, the fog became denser and there was little visibility. We soon realized we were heading in the wrong direction. There was no moon, only darkness. Our headlamps illuminated the heavy particles of fog. We could barely see in front of us. Katherine looked at her phone and determined we were on the north side of the meadow.

The thick mist was disorienting. This is how one gets lost in her own backyard where I’ve hiked, skied and biked many times. I realized I’d made several rookie moves. I didn’t check the weather. I didn’t follow my intuition when I saw the fog and my pack didn’t have the necessary items it should contain. I should have known better after writing a recent story about what to pack when heading into the backcountry. I had no extra layers, no lighter and no food. In my mind we weren’t in the backcountry, we were in a familiar place and only going out for a short hike. Katherine, on the hand, was totally prepared with a full pack that included food, an emergency blanket, a whistle and a first-aid kit.

After an hour, the moon remained safely tucked behind clouds. We saw a dim light in the distance, but the moon was not visible through the fog entombing us. We started back to the car. Prosser Reservoir on a clear evening is a beautiful place to snowshoe on a moonlit night.

If you decide to go out on your own, make sure to be prepared. A great option is a guided full-moon snowshoe tour — especially if you are in unfamiliar territory. The next full moons are Full Worm Moon on March 7 and Full Pink Moon on April 5.

Full moon snowshoeing

There are several places to snowshoe under the full moon that are easy to enjoy. Local state parks close at dusk, but Sugar Pine Point State Park does offer full moon snowshoe tours.

Lake Tahoe | Commons Beach in Tahoe City, Kings Beach State Recreation Area and Lakeview Commons in South Lake Tahoe are great places to snowshoe. Olympic Valley | Snowshoe through the meadow. Truckee | Donner Rim Trail from Glacier Way parking lot in Tahoe Donner or Coldstream Canyon Tour companies | There are also a number of tour companies that offer regular snowshoe adventures and custom tours including Tahoe Adventure Company, a long-time supporter of Tahoe Weekly, and our friends at Snowshoe Tahoe. | tahoeadventurecompany.com, snowshoetahoe.net n

Snowshoe Tours

Fridays | Sunset tours | tahoeadventurecompany.com

Saturdays | Historian-led tours, Donner Memorial State Park

| bit.ly/donner_events

Saturdays | 1960 Winter Olympic tours, Sugar Pine Point State Park

| bit.ly/sugarpineevents

Sundays | Historian-led tours, Donner Memorial State Park

| bit.ly/donner_events

Sundays | 1960 Winter Olympic tours, Sugar Pine Point State Park

| bit.ly/sugarpineevents

Feb. 23 | Nature Photography Snowshoe | tahoerimtrail.org

Feb 25 | Twilight Snowshoe Tour | northstarcalifornia.com

March 2 | Wildlife Survival Snowshoe | tahoerimtrail.org

March 4 | Twilight Snowshoe Tour | northstarcalifornia.com

March 4 | Full-moon tour, Sugar Pine Point State Park | sierrastateparks.org

March 6 & 7 | Full-moon tours | tahoeadventurecompany.com

March 10 | Evening tours | diamondpeak.com

March 11 | Twilight Snowshoe Tour | northstarcalifornia.com

March 11 | Snowshoe Star Tour | tahoeadventurecompany.com

March 16 | Wildlife Survival Snowshoe | tahoerimtrail.org

April 4 | Full-moon tour, Sugar Pine Point State Park | sierrastateparks.org

April 4 & 5 | Full-moon tours | tahoeadventurecompany.com

April 14 | Snowshoe Star Tour | tahoeadventurecompany.com at TheTahoeWeekly.com

Events are subject to change & cancellation; always check in advance for current schedules.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22

RUFF (Read up for Fun)

Truckee Library, Truckee, 4:30-11 a.m., (530) 5827846, nevadacountyca.gov/336/Truckee-Library

Storytime

Zephyr Cove Library, Zephyr Cove, 11 a.m., (775) 588-6411, library.douglascountynv.gov

Lego Robotics

Incline Village Library, 1 p.m., (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us/libraries/incline-village.php

Presidents’ Week Superstar Competitions

Downhill Ski Resort, Truckee, 1:30 p.m., (530) 5879400, tahoedonner.com

RUFF (Read up for Fun)

Truckee Library, Truckee, 4 p.m., (530) 582-7846, nevadacountyca.gov/336/Truckee-Library

“Wow! The views were spectacular yes! And the snow was epic! What I also really appreciated was the kindness of the staff all over the mountain, the heartfelt acceptance from other skiers and boarders and the smiles from everyone there.” - Georgia V. (Google Review)

Katherine E. Hill

Celebrate Viking Of The Sierra

The 21st annual Snowshoe Thompson Ski & Snowshoe Celebration is on March 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum in South Lake Tahoe.

Snowshoe Thompson, known as the Viking of the Sierra, was a legendary postman and father of California skiing. This free event will celebrate him and his achievements with a portrayal by David Woodruff, Norwegian folk dancing, a longboard ski-racer demonstration by Adam Henriques, speakers, hot drinks, cookies and a raffle. Also, Snowshoe Thompson books and merchandise will be for sale, as well. | laketahoemuseum.org

“Chasing the Line” Introduction by Daron Rahlves Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema, Tahoe City, 5 p.m., tahoearthauscinema.com

THURSDAY, FEB. 23

Golden Meet & Greet

Truckee Donner Recreation & Park District, Truckee, 9:30-10:30 a.m., (530) 582-7720, tdrpd.org

Family Storytime

Incline Village Library, 10:30 a.m., (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us/libraries/incline-village.php

Preschool Storytime (Tahoe City)

Tahoe City Library, Tahoe City, 10:30 a.m., (530) 5462021, placer.ca.gov/2093/Library

Mother Goose on the Loose

South Lake Tahoe Library, 10:30 a.m., (530) 5733185, eldoradolibrary.org

Preschool Storytime

Truckee Library, Truckee, 10:30 a.m., (530) 582-7846, nevadacountyca.gov/336/Truckee-Library

Presidents’ Week Superstar Competitions

Downhill Ski Resort, Truckee, 1:30 p.m., (530) 5879400, tahoedonner.com

Petiquette: Living Harmoniously With Pets & Kids

Pet Network Humane Society, Incline Village, 5:15 p.m., (775) 832-4404, petnetwork.org

“Chasing the Line” Introduction by Daron Rahlves Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema, Tahoe City, 8 p.m., tahoearthauscinema.com

FRIDAY, FEB. 24

Ski With a Ranger

Heavenly Mountain Resort, South Lake Tahoe, 10 a.m., (775) 586-7000, skiheavenly.com

The Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup

PURCHASE

Sierra State Parks Foundation

Free Xc Ski Day

Sierra State Parks Foundation offers the fourth annual free ski day at Sugar Pine Point State Park in Tahoma on March 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are groomed trails where you can take a beginner’s cross-country and snowshoe clinic.

The state park was a site during the 1960 Winter Olympics, Olympic history tours will be given, as well as a biathlon demo. Cross-country ski with local Olympians Glenn Jobe and Biby Xantus. Shoot a laser rifle at a target for accuracy. Hot cocoa and coffee will be provided. Register online to receive a free parking pass. | sierrastateparks. com

Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 10 a.m., (800) 4030206, palisadestahoe.com

Interpretive Mountain Tours

Diamond Peak Ski Resort, Incline Village, 10:30 a.m., (775) 832-1177, diamondpeak.com

Ski With a Ranger

Heavenly Mountain Resort, South Lake Tahoe, 1 p.m., (775) 586-7000, skiheavenly.com

Presidents’ Week Superstar Competitions

Downhill Ski Resort, Truckee, 1:30 p.m., (530) 5879400, tahoedonner.com

Nordic Nights

North Tahoe Regional Park, Johnny Winters Field (Field #1), Tahoe Vista, 5 p.m., northtahoeparks.com

Meet the Winery - La Mesa Vineyards

Tahoe Wine Collective, Tahoe City, 5 p.m., tahoewinecollective.com

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SATURDAY, FEB. 25

Wilderness First Aid

Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Stateline, 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., (775) 298-4485, tahoerimtrail.org

Banked Slalom

Sugar Bowl Resort, Norden, 9 a.m., (530) 426-9000, sugarbowl.com/home

The Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup

Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 10 a.m., (800) 4030206, palisadestahoe.com

Interpreter-Guided Snowshoe Tours

Sugar Pine Point State Park, Tahoma, 11 a.m., (530) 583-9911, sierrastateparks.org

Donner Snowshoe Historical Tours

Donner Memorial State Park, Truckee, 11 a.m., (530) 583-9911, sierrastateparks.org

Petiquette: Living Harmoniously With Pets & Kids

Pet Network Humane Society, Incline Village, noon, (775) 832-4404, petnetwork.org

Presidents’ Week Superstar Competitions

Downhill Ski Resort, Truckee, 4:30-6:30 p.m., (530) 587-9400, tahoedonner.com

Twilight Snowshoe Tour

Village at Northstar, Truckee, 5 p.m., northstarcalifornia.com

SUNDAY, FEB. 26

“Fresh Tracks” 5K Snowshoe Walk and Race

Camp Richardson Resort, South Lake Tahoe, 10 a.m., (800) 544-1801, camprichardson.com

The Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup

Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 10 a.m., (800) 4030206, palisadestahoe.com

Alpenglow 10K & 20K Race

Tahoe XC, Tahoe City, 10 a.m., (530) 583-5475, tahoexc.org

Interpreter-Guided Snowshoe Tours

Sugar Pine Point State Park, Tahoma, 11 a.m., (530) 583-9911, sierrastateparks.org

Donner Snowshoe Historical Tours

Donner Memorial State Park, Truckee, 11 a.m., (530) 583-9911, sierrastateparks.org

Ski With a Ranger

Sierra At Tahoe, Twin Bridges, 1 p.m.

MONDAY, FEB. 27

Crawl Space

El Dorado County Community Hub 5, South Lake Tahoe, 10 a.m., eldoradocommunityhubs.com/hub-5

Crawl Space Baby and Toddler Program

South Lake Tahoe Library, 10 a.m., (530) 573-3185, eldoradolibrary.org

TUESDAY, FEB. 28

Play and Learn Program

South Lake Tahoe Library, 9 a.m., (530) 573-3185, eldoradolibrary.org

Family Storytime

Incline Village Library, 10:30 a.m., (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us/libraries/incline-village.php

Preschool Storytime (Kings Beach)

Kings Beach Library, Kings Beach, 10:30 a.m., (530) 546-2021, placer.ca.gov/2093/Library

Golden Hour 55+

North Tahoe Event Center, Kings Beach, 11:30 a.m., (530) 546-7249, northtahoeevents.com

Reading Furends

Zephyr Cove Library, Zephyr Cove, 3:30 p.m., (775) 588-6411, library.douglascountynv.gov

Teen Tuesday

Incline Village Library, 4 p.m., (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us/libraries/incline-village.php

Meet the Grosh Brothers Expedition Athletes

Gatekeepers Museum, Tahoe City, 5:30 p.m., northtahoemuseums.org

Pj Storytime

Incline Village Library, 6:30 p.m., (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us/libraries/incline-village.php

Play & Learn Program

El Dorado County Community Hub 5, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m., eldoradocommunityhubs.com/hub-5

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1

Meet the Grosh Brothers Expedition Athletes

The Village at Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 8:30 a.m., (800) 403-0206, palisadestahoe.com

RUFF (Read up for Fun)

Truckee Library, Truckee, 10:30-11 a.m., (530) 5827846, nevadacountyca.gov/336/Truckee-Library

Storytime

Zephyr Cove Library, Zephyr Cove, 11 a.m., (775) 588-6411, library.douglascountynv.gov

IV Quad

Incline Village Library, 3 p.m., (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us/libraries/incline-village.php

Weird Science Wednesdays

Incline Village Library, 4 p.m., (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us/libraries/incline-village.php

RUFF (Read up for Fun)

Truckee Library, Truckee, 4 p.m., (530) 582-7846, nevadacountyca.gov/336/Truckee-Library

THURSDAY, MARCH 2

Golden Meet & Greet

Truckee Donner Recreation & Park District, Truckee, 9:30-10:30 a.m., (530) 582-7720, tdrpd.org

Family Storytime

Incline Village Library, 10:30 a.m., (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us/libraries/incline-village.php

Preschool Storytime (Tahoe City)

Tahoe City Library, Tahoe City, 10:30 a.m., (530) 546-2021, placer.ca.gov/2093/Library

Mother Goose on the Loose

South Lake Tahoe Library, 10:30 a.m., (530) 5733185, eldoradolibrary.org

Preschool Storytime

Truckee Library, Truckee, 10:30 a.m., (530) 582-7846, nevadacountyca.gov/336/Truckee-Library

Snowshoe Tour & Chalet Dinner

The Chalet at Alpine, Alpine Meadows, 4 p.m., (800) 403-0206, palisadestahoe.com

Alpenglow Sports Winter Speaker Series

Olympic Village Event Center, Olympic Valley, 7 p.m., palisadestahoe.com/events-and-activities

Garwoods Kick-Off / King & Queen Coronation

With the Blues Monsters

Gar Woods, Carnelian Bay, 5-10 p.m., garwoods.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

Ski With a Ranger

Heavenly Mountain Resort, South Lake Tahoe, 10 a.m., (775) 586-7000, skiheavenly.com

Interpretive Mountain Tours

Diamond Peak Ski Resort, Incline Village, 10:30 a.m., (775) 832-1177, diamondpeak.com

Ski With a Ranger

Heavenly Mountain Resort, South Lake Tahoe, 1 p.m., (775) 586-7000, skiheavenly.com

Snowfest Fireworks with the Nomads

Tahoe City Golf Course, Tahoe City, 5-8 p.m.

World Cup Action At Palisades Tahoe

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

The Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup, a stop on the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Tour, will host men’s slalom and giant slalom events on Palisades Tahoe’s Dog Leg and Red Dog Face, from Feb. 24 to 26. Check out the course and the action from the base area, cheer on the world’s best male athletes, catch outdoor concerts, fireworks and a vendor village. Premier viewing and experience packages include heated viewing areas, farm-to-table dining options, activities and events, as well as premium parking and other benefits. Tickets are on sale online at worldcup.palisadestahoe.com.

The best way to get information during the event will be to download the Palisades Tahoe app at bit.ly/palisades_app.

In addition to the World Cup events, Tahoe Art Haus in Tahoe City will host showings of “Chasing the Line” about Austrian downhill skier Franz Klammer, who won the 1976 Olympics, in honor of the World Cup, at 5 p.m. on Feb. 22 and 8 p.m. on Feb. 23. Olympian Daron Rahlves, who was the stunt double in the movie, will introduce the film both nights. | tahoearthauscinema.com

Transportation, parking info

Parking will be limited and traffic will back up to Truckee and Tahoe City. If driving, plan on arriving to Palisades Tahoe by 7:30 a.m. and expect to sit in traffic for prolonged periods during peak times. Parking updates may be found in the Palisades Tahoe app.

Mountaineer | Free on-demand, doorto-door shuttle service within Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows. Download the app. Runs Friday-Monday 7 a.m.-5 p.m. in Alpine; Friday-Sunday 5 a.m.10:30 p.m. in Olympic Valley. | mountaineertransit.org

Park & Ride | Free Park & Ride shuttles will run on Feb. 25 and 26. Lots are in Truckee (behind Wild Cherries and the fire department on Donner Pass Road) and Tahoe City (Tahoe City Transit Center) with free shuttle services to Olympic Valley. Shuttles runs 5:33 a.m.5:33 p.m. for Truckee and 6 a.m.-6 p.m. for Tahoe City.

TART bus | Free bus service from Tahoe City and the North and West shores with a direct stop in Olympic Valley. Runs 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | tahoetruckeetransit.com

TART Connect | Free on-demand, door-to-door shuttle service for Tahoe City, Truckee and the North and West shores using the TART Connect app. Runs 5:30 a.m.–6 p.m. | (530) 214-5811, tahoetruckeetransit.com

Alpine parking | There are about 75 premier parking spots that can be reserved in advance online for $60 each. All other parking is first-come, firstserved. There will be lots at Deer Park and Hidden Valley with shuttle service to the base lodge.

Palisades parking | Club ticket holders receive premier parking. All other parking is first-come, first-served. Find updated information, schedules, mountain closures and parking details at worldcup.palisadestahoe.com.

World Cup

Feb. 24

8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Vendor Village

5:15 p.m. | Kick-Off Parade

5:45 p.m. | Welcome Ceremonies

6:15 p.m. | Public Bib Draw

7 p.m. | Black Jacket Symphony featuring Marc Martel

Feb. 25

8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Vendor Village

9:40 a.m. | Giant Slalom Opening Ceremonies

10 a.m. | Giant Slalom Run 1

1:15 p.m. | Giant Slalom Run 2

6:30 p.m. | Noah Kahan concert

8 p.m. | 311 concert

9:30 p.m. | Fireworks

Feb. 26

8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Vendor Village

9:40 a.m. | Slalom Opening Ceremonies

10 a.m. | Slalom Run 1

1:15 p.m. | Slalom Run 2