December 26, 2019 to January 8, 2020

dec. 26, 2019 - jan. 8, 2020

fun. unique. everywhere.

Tahoe Sierra SNOWGLOBE: NORDIC SKI & SNOWSHOE GUIDE

THE FUTURE OF EDM IS FEMALE TIPS FOR

MAKING A SNOWMAN WAXING SKATE SKIS // PETER JOSEPH BURTT EXPLORES LOVE AND REBIRTH // PRESERVING NATIVE BASKET WEAVING //

Great days don’t end with the last run

EVENTS 2019/20 December 14–31: Merry Days & Holly Nights December 27: WhiSKI—Farm to Table Dinner & Ski Movie December 31: New Year’s Eve Family Celebration December 31: World’s Laregest LED Torchlight Parade December 31: Rock-N-OVL New Year’s Eve Concert January 4–5: Alpenglow Sports Backcountry Demo Event at Alpine Meadows February 15–23: Kid-o-Rama March 19–22: U.S. Freestyle Mogul National Championships March 27–29: WinterWonderGrass Tahoe April 12: Easter Brunch

April 18: Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival April 18: 36th Annual Snow Golf Tournament at Alpine Meadows* May 2: 30th Annual Cushing Crossing* Ongoing Events: Sunset Happy Hour Disco Tubing Moonlit Snowshoe Tour & Dinner at Alpine Meadows Please check squawalpine.com for most up to date calendar of events. *Weather dependent subject to change

NOW FREE!

Erik Bergen

Just hop on the bus.

TAHOE TRUCKEE AREA

FREE Holiday and New Year’s Eve Shuttles to Downtown Truckee December 26, 2019 – New Year’s Eve 6pm–2am

WINTER 2020 BUS SERVICES

· Prosser · Glenshire · Sierra Meadows · Tahoe Donner · Donner Lake

REGIONAL TRANSIT FREE Park and Ride Weekends | President’s Day FREE to/from Squaw Valley and Northstar California From area Park and Ride lots

Connect between the holiday shuttle and TART’s FREE night service at Northstar and Squaw Valley.

December 2019: 28–29 January 2020: 4–5, 11–12, 18–19, 25–26 February 2020: 1–2, 8-9, 15–17, 22–23, 29 March 2020: 1, 7–8, 14–15, 21–22, 28–29 Go to TahoeTruckeeTransit.com for Park and Ride details.

89

Shore Dr.

Hourly service on Highway 267 and Highway 89 to/from Truckee. Extended 30-minute service through April 6 to: Crystal Bay, Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista, Carnelian Bay, Tahoe City, Squaw Valley, and Northstar.

RIDE Old Highschool

PARK &

I-80South

FREE Daily Regional Routes

TRUCKEE

PARK &

I-80

South Shore Dr.

Donner Lake

Donner Lake

State Park Highschool

Donner Memorial Deerfield Dr. | Crossroads State Park

VALLEY 89 SQUAW VALLEY Alpine Meadows

Gateway Center

Donner Pass Rd.

H TRUCKEE

Gateway RIDE Center OldDonner Memorial

Deerfield Dr. |SQUAW Crossroads

H

NEW this winter night service extends to Truckee until 11 pm with North Shore routes extended until 2am.

Enjoy a night out on the town within Tahoe City, Tahoe Vista, Kings Beach, Crystal Bay, Northstar, Squaw Valley and Truckee!

P

Henness Flat

Henness Flat Regional Park

Depot

Donner Pass Rd.

267

RENO

I-80 RENO

Truckee Airport Town Hall PARK &

Regional Truckee AirportRIDE Park Brockway Town Hall Rd. PARK &

267 P Depot NORTHSTAR

I-80

431

PARK &

431

RIDE KINGS Tahoe INCLINE Bilitmore 28 BEACH VILLAGE PARK & Minnow 89 P RIDE NORTHSTAR INCLINE 28 TAHOE VISTA KINGS Tahoe BilitmoreP 28 BEACH National /28 VILLAGE North Minnow P CRYSTAL BAY Tahoe P 28 P Event TAHOE VISTA 28 Diamond Cntr.

North 89 National /28 Peak Hyatt P CRYSTAL BAY Grove St. Tahoe CARNELIAN BAY P Event 28 Diamond Brockway Rd.

89

RIDE

Cntr.

PARK &

RIDE Grove St. Alpine Meadows Tahoe City Transit CenterP P

TAHOE CITY BAY CARNELIAN

PARK &

RIDE Granlibakken Tahoe City Transit Center P

Granlibakken

FREE North Shore and NEW Truckee Night Service!

89

Peak

Sand Harbor Sand Harbor

89

SUNNYSIDE

Homewood Mountain89Resort Homewood Mountain Resort

TAHOE CITY SUNNYSIDE

Hyatt

HOMEWOOD

TAHOMA HOMEWOOD

Sugar Pine Point

TAHOMA Sugar Pine PointBAY MEEKS MEEKS BAY

FREE PARK & RIDE TART P PUBLIC NIGHT PARKING to Northstar & PUBLIC SERVICE Squaw Valley BUS FREE PARK & RIDE TART P PUBLIC NIGHT PARKING to Northstar & PUBLIC SERVICE Squaw Valley BUS

TahoeTruckeeTransit.com – Text “TART” to 24587 Take the North Lake Tahoe Express: Daily airport shuttle from 5:30am–midnight. NorthLakeTahoeExpress.com | (866) 216-5222

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Volume 38 | Issue 36

Ryan Salm | Tahoe Donner

IN THIS ISSUE

DECEMBER 26, 2019JANUARY 8, 2020

15

FEATURES

New Year’s Eve

15

Sierra Stories

23

P.O. Box 87 | Tahoe City, CA 96145 (530) 546-5995 | f (530) 546-8113 TheTahoeWeekly.com

24

8

Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Guide

TM

SUBMISSIONS Events & Entertainment Submit at TheTahoeWeekly.com Click on Events Calendar Editorial Inquiries editor@tahoethisweek.com

Lake Tahoe Facts

6

Sightseeing

9

Events

Elise Manchester

OUT & ABOUT

10

FAMILY FUN

Making a Snowman

12

For the Kids

13

26

24

TAHOE’S NORDIC SIDE FROM THE PUBLISHER

24

MUSIC SCENE

SnowGlobe

26

Entertainment Calendar & Live Music

26

Morphic Euphoric

30

LOCAL FLAVOR

Roco + Como

32

Tasty Tidbits

32

Wine Column

33

Chef’s Recipe

34

ON THE COVER Tim Hauserman and Dawn Grass skate ski on the trails at Tahoe Cross Country with views of Lake Tahoe.

Read our 13th annual Tahoe Sierra Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Guide in this edition to explore the local ski areas this winter. | Courtesy Tahoe Cross Country, tahoexc.org

Tahoe is known for many things from its exceptional beauty to its downhill ski resorts, but it also boasts the largest concentration of Nordic ski areas in the country. There are 19 ski areas in the Tahoe Sierra offering groomed trail access for Nordic skiing from Royal Gorge – the largest cross-country ski area in North America – to ski areas with more than 100 trails, to small, locally owned resorts and ski areas with free trail access at local parks.

Tahoe Weekly has the details on all of these amazing cross-country areas large and small in our 13th annual Tahoe Sierra Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Guide. Our guide is chocked full of information on the resorts, new features for this season, upcoming events and great deals (several ski areas offer free passes for kids). We encourage you to find out what’s new at your favorite ski area, visit one you haven’t been to before (you should really try them all) or give the sport a try for the first time (some even offer free lessons).

NEW YEAR’S EVE It’s hard to believe 2019 has come to a close, but I for one am ready to welcome in 2020.

You’ll find information on all of the parties for kids and adults in this edition, along with all of the local fireworks shows. If you plan your night just right, I think you should be able to see four different fireworks shows on New Year’s Eve. If you do, share your photos with us #thetahoeweekly.

FREE SKI SHUTTLES Just in time for the New Year, everyone will be able to enjoy free transit service in North Tahoe and Truckee, free holiday shuttles to downtown Truckee from local neighborhoods, and free ski shuttles to Squaw Valley and Northstar from the North Shore and Truckee on the weekends. Ditch your car and leave the driving to someone else to fully enjoy your vacation in Tahoe.

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year! 

TheTahoeWeekly.com |

4

MAKING IT HAPPEN

Sales & Marketing Manager Anne Artoux anne@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 110

Horoscope & Crossword 22

Gatekeeper’s Museum The Arts

Cover Photography production@tahoethisweek.com Publisher & Editor In Chief Katherine E. Hill publisher@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 102

FUN & GAMES

ARTS & CULTURE

Entertainment Inquiries entertainment@tahoethisweek.com

Facebook.com/TheTahoeWeekly |

@TheTahoeWeekly

Art Director Alyssa Ganong production@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 106 Graphic Designer Justeen Ferguson graphics@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 101 Entertainment Editor Sean McAlindin entertainment@tahoethisweek.com Food Editor Priya Hutner priya@tahoethisweek.com Family Editor Michelle Allen michelle@tahoethisweek.com Copy Editor Katrina Veit Contributing Writers John Dee, Barbara Keck, Bruce Ajari, Mark McLaughlin, David “Smitty” Smith, Priya Hutner, Katrina Veit, Kayla Anderson, Lou Phillips, Sean McAlindin, Tim Hauserman, Alex Green, Lisa Michelle, Cam Schilling, Alex Silgalis

TAHOE WEEKLY is published weekly throughout the summer and biweekly the rest of the year, with occassional extra issues at holiday times by Range of Light Media Group, Inc. Look for new issues on Thursdays.

Subscribe to the free digital edition at issuu.com/ TheTahoeWeekly. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com.

TAHOE WEEKLY, est. 1982, ©2007. Reproduction in whole or in part without publisher’s express permission is prohibited. Contributions welcome via e-mail. The Weekly is not responsible for unsolicited submissions. Member: North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, North Tahoe Business Association, Incline Community Business Association, Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce, Tahoe City Downtown Association, Truckee Downtown Merchants Association, Tahoe South Chamber of Commerce and Alpine County Chamber of Commerce. Printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks. Please recycle your copy.

December 26, 2019-January 8, 2020

ADULT TICKETs Lake Tahoe in natural diamonds

$94

starting at WITH A 3-DAY PEAK PASS

KIDS byop

6 & UNDER SKI FREE

$20 off adult ticket

Bring Your Other Pass Deal

Purchase lift tickets & rentals online: DiamondPeak.com

Open theto

Public

Custom.

Unique.

Lake Tahoe jewelry All made here

The Incline Village Recreation Center is open to the public & features group fitness classes, a cardiovascular/strength room, massage therapy, 8 lane indoor pool, sauna, gymnasium & more. Now offering indoor pickleball for winter!

Invest in your wellness today!

1-day adult Pass: $16 ($12 w/IVGID Picture Pass) 1-Week Family Pass: $72 ($54 w/IVGID Picture Pass) 1-year adult Pass: $689 ($517 w/IVGID Picture Pass) View full list of membership options & rates online.

Located across the street in Boatworks Mall at the Tahoe City Marina SteveSchmiersJewelry.com · 530.583.5709

Holiday Hours: Dec. 31 (6am-5pm), Jan. 1 (8am-5pm)

980 Incline Way, Incline Village

InclineRecreation.com • 775-832-1300

5

TheTahoeWeekly.com

LAKE TAHOE FACTS | CLAIR TAPPAAN

Donner Summit

Truckee Donner Lake

TRUCKEE AIRPORT

DONNER MEMORIAL STATE PARK

h Ta

SUGAR BOWL

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI AREAS

SQUAW CREEK

Dollar Hill

Lake

GRANKLIBAKKEN

Spooner Lake

Tahoe

l

Eagle Rock

NEVADA NORDIC

Glenbrook o Ta h

HOMEWOOD

e Ri

m Tr a i l

Tahoma

SUGAR PINE POINT STATE PARK

Meeks Bay

Age of Lake Tahoe: 2 million years Emerald Bay

Watershed Area: 312 square miles Average Water Temperature: 42.1˚F

Cascade Lake

Average Surface Water Temperature: 51.9˚F Average Surface Temperature in July: 64.9˚F Highest Peak: Freel Peak at 10,881 feet

Ta h oe

R i m Tr ail

Average Snowfall: 409 inches

Fannette Island

Natural rim: 6,223’

Cave Rock

Zephyr Cove

Size: 22 miles long, 12 miles wide

South Lake Tahoe

Stateline

Lake Tahoe is as long as the English Channel is wide.

HEAVENLY CAMP RICHARDSON

Fallen Leaf Lake

BIJOU PARK / LAKE TAHOE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Meyers

LAKE TAHOE AIRPORT

FREEL PEAK

ECHO LAKES

Permanent Population: 66,000 Number of Visitors: 3 million annually Kirkwood

SIERRA-AT-TAHOE KIRKWOOD

6

Volume: 39 trillion gallons

Lake Tahoe sits at an average elevation of between 6,223’ and 6,229.1’.

The top 6.1’ of water is controlled by the dam in Tahoe City and holds up to 744,600 acre feet of water.

CA

Learn about the natural history of the Tahoe Sierra. Click on Nature & Environment under the Out & About menu.

Carson City

Lake Tahoe is the 2nd deepest lake in the U.S. (Crater Lake in Oregon, at 1,932 feet, is the deepest), and the 11th deepest in the world.

There is enough water in Lake Tahoe to supply everyone in the United States with more than 75 gallons of water per day for 5 years.

Homewood

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Maximum depth: 1,645 feet

Marlette Lake

NV

Sunnyside Ta h o e R i m

Average depth: 1,000 feet

DEEPEST POINT

TAHOE CROSS COUNTRY

Tahoe City

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AT

Lake Clarity: 2018: 70.9 feet avg. depth.

1968: First recorded at 102.4 feet

Crystal Bay

Kings Beach

Carnelian Bay

SNO-PARKS ai Tr

DIAMOND PEAK

Incline Village

Tahoe Vista

TAHOE CITY WINTER SPORTS PARK

ALPINE MEADOWS

CASINOS

ra Rim T

NORTH TAHOE REGIONAL PARK

Olympic Valley SQUAW VALLEY

oe

N

WEST EAST SOUTH

Lake Tahoe is located in the states of California and Nevada, with two-thirds in California.

NORTHSTAR

Truckee River

DOWNHILL SKI AREAS

MT. ROSE

RENO-TAHOE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

DONNER SKI RANCH

ROYAL GORGE

SKY TAVERN

il

SODA SPRINGS

BOREAL

Reno & Sparks

TAHOE DONNER

AUBURN SKI TRAINING CENTER

Read about how the lake was formed, Lake Tahoe’s discovery, lake clarity and more at TheTahoeWeekly.com. Click on Explore Tahoe.

HOPE VALLEY

Markleeville

Shoreline: 72 miles Lake Tahoe has a surface area of 191 square miles. If Lake Tahoe were emptied, it would submerge California under 15 inches of water.

Why is the lake blue?

The Lake of the Sky appears blue in color as other colors in the light spectrum are absorbed and the blue light is scattered back.

December 26, 2019-January 8, 2020

SKI OR RIDE FOR FREE

Purchase a CA or NV Tahoe license plate and get one free Alpine or Nordic ticket to the Tahoe resort of your choice*.

Now you can play in some deep powder without having to dig deep to make a difference.

96% of the fees generated from license plates come back to Lake Tahoe, resulting in more hiking and biking trails as well as water quality and restoration projects. For more information or to purchase your license plate online visit: tahoeplates.org.

Elyse Saugstad & Cody Townsend Professional Freeride Skiers *restrictions apply

7

OUT & ABOUT

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Out

&ABOUT

OUTDOORS & RECREATION, EVENTS & MORE

Tell us what’s happening.

Email editor@tahoethisweek.com.

FIREWORKS

5:50 p.m. | Mt. Rose 6:30 p.m. | Tahoe Donner Downhill 7 p.m. | Squaw Valley 9 p.m. | Kirkwood Village 9 p.m. | Heavenly Village

Courtesy Heavenly

9 p.m. | Northstar Village

New Year’s Eve Celebrations Get your tickets to some of the hottest parties in the Tahoe Sierra and beyond, make reservations at your favorite restaurant and be sure to book a room to stay to enjoy the all-night parties on New Year’s Eve in the Tahoe Sierra. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com for a roundup of the celebrations including Reno, Sparks, Carson City and beyond.

NORTH SHORE & TRUCKEE Mt. Rose | Ski in 2020 with the New Year’s Eve Spectacular featuring a Poker Run at 1 p.m., DJ in the Main Lodge at 3 p.m., Snow Cat Parade at 5, Kids Torchlight Parade at 5:25 p.m. and fireworks show at 5:50 p.m. | skirose.com Homewood Mountain Resort | Head to Big Blue View Bar at 3 p.m. for a complimentary Champagne toast to the last run, which will be at 3:45 p.m. From 4 to 5 p.m., enjoy complimentary s’mores around the firepit at West Shore Café. | skihomewood.com Tahoe Donner Cross Country | Celebrate the New Year with a guided snowshoe hike on Tahoe Donner’s cross-country ski trails from 5:30 to 8 p.m. | tahoedonner.com Resort at Squaw Creek | The Kids’ Night Out New Year’s Eve Bash from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. features dinner, bounce house, kid-friendly games, crafts, kid-friendly DJ and a dessert station.

There will be a celebratory balloon drop at 9 p.m., along with a late-night movie at 10.

Granlibakken | Spend a special Tahoe New Year with kids’ movies playing all night and kid-friendly activities. A balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight will ring in the New Year in style. | granlibakken.com Tahoe Donner Downhill | New Year’s Eve Light Parade and Fireworks Show is a fun free event for intermediate skiers and riders, ages 10 and older, who can ski or ride unassisted in the dark. Chair loading time is at 6:15 p.m. for participants; fireworks show will follow. | tahoedonner.com Village at Northstar | Ring in the New Year with live music, ice skating and roasting s’mores by the fire at Northstar. Enjoy a fireworks exhibition at 9 p.m. | northstarcalifornia.com 8

Village at Squaw | Ring in the New Year in style with free live music in The Village, fireworks and all-night parties. Enjoy the Torchlight Parade, a kids’ torchlight parade, fireworks and more. | squawalpine.com Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe | Guests can start celebrating at 3 p.m. with champagne and caviar in The Living Room, dinner in Manzanita from 4 to 9:30 p.m. with live music, a champagne bar in The Living Room starting at 7 along with dueling pianos performances throughout the evening. | ritzcarlton.com Olympic Village Lodge | Rock in the New Year with the Rock-N-OLV New Year’s Eve Concert with The Nomads as they return on the 20th anniversary of their legendary performance in OVL in 1999. Ring in 2020 with a midnight countdown, balloon drop and music from one of Lake Tahoe’s most popular bands. | squawalpine.com Crystal Bay Casino | Celebrate New Year’s Eve with The California Honeydrops and special guests Sal’s Greenhouse; the after party features The Sextones. | crystalbaycasino.com Tahoe Biltmore | Shlump performs more with special guests Chee, Milano, Kowta and Call Me from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. | tahoebiltmore.com

SOUTH SHORE & BEYOND “M.S. Dixie II” | The cruise celebration includes dinner, live music with dancing and special celebrations. “MS Dixie II” will begin celebrating the New Year at 6 and return at 9 p.m. | zephyrcove.com Kirkwood Ski Resort | Ring in the New Year with an evening of fun with the Kirkwood Torchlight Parade followed by a spectacular fireworks display viewable from the Village Plaza. | kirkwood.com

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com 2019-20 Tahoe Downhill Ski & Nordic Guides Click on Out & About: Winter.

Midnight | Edgewood Tahoe Midnight | Hard Rock Midnight | Downtown Reno

South Lake Tahoe Brewing | Come dressed in 1920’s attire and ring in the New Year 20’s prohibition style with a private drinking and dining experience at 6:30 p.m., then stay for the New Year’s Eve Party open to everyone starting at 8:30 p.m. with a DJ, photo booth, dessert bar and more. | southlakebeer.com

BUS & SHUTTLES North Lake Tahoe & Truckee (TART) | tahoetruckeetransit.com South Lake Tahoe (East Shore Express)

| tahoetransportation.org

Free ski shuttles to Squaw, Northstar

Heavenly | A Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Celebration is packed with world-class music, games, fireworks and the world’s only Gondola Ball Drop, along with a drone light show and fireworks. Entertainment includes an outdoor concert with local bands and DJs, as well as country superstar Jerrod Niemann. | skiheavenly.com

The free weekend ski shuttles return this year offering four free ski shuttles between park and ride lots between Truckee and Olympic Valley to Squaw Valley, Truckee to Northstar California, Tahoe City to Olympic Valley, and Crystal Bay, Nev., to Northstar. Service will be offered on weekends from Dec. 28 to March 29, as well as on President’s Day.

The Loft | This New Year’s Eve celebration is complete with food, drink, music, decorations, party favors, DJs, midnight countdown and more. The event is from 8:30 p.m. until the wee hours of New Year’s Day. | thelofttahoe.com

Truckee | Lots are at the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District Office, 11603 Donner Pass Road, and will service Olympic Valley, and at Truckee Tahoe Airport, 10356 Truckee Airport Road, with service to Northstar.

Hard Rock | Get ready to kiss 2019 goodbye at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe with Across the Decades Dance Party with The Garage Boys, starting at 9:30 p.m. and a Champagne toast at midnight. “Christina,” the yacht-turned-art-car will set sail to 2019 for the New Year’s Eve celebration at Guitar Plaza. The “Christina,” 21-foot wide, 65-foot long, 25-foot high boat will be docked for Rock the Plaza, a free admission event with DJ spinning starting at 8 p.m., a NYE light-up countdown on the Hard Rock’s guitar and fireworks at midnight.

VIP bottle service and firepit seating on the Alpine Union deck with reservations. | hardrockcasinolaketahoe.com Edgewood Tahoe | Edgewood will trade in its mountain modern flair for the timeless charm of Paris with the New Year’s Eve Black & White Ball. Celebrate the class of the Champs-Élysées, the refined flavors of fine cuisine and the clink of champagne flutes and fireworks at midnight. | edgewoodtahoe.com MontBleu Resort Casino | Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Opal Ultra Lounge starting at 9 p.m. with the Roaring 20s New Year’s Eve 2020. Dress to impress. | montbleuresort.com

North Shore | The lot for Olympic Valley/Squaw Valley is at the Tahoe City Transit Center, 180 West Lake Blvd., and the lot for Northstar is at the Tahoe Biltmore on State Route 28 in Crystal Bay. | Schedules tahoetruckeetransit.com

McIver Dairy

sled hill moved

The McIver Dairy Sled Hill located on Donner Pass Road in Truckee has been moved following meadow restoration work completed by the Truckee River Watershed Council. The former sled runs are now off limits, and sledders are being redirected to the eastern portion of the site, accessible near the historic buildings. Parking is available in the historic district. | truckee-riverwc.org

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com View the map of the sled hill open area. Click on Out & Above: Winter.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

December 26, 2019-January 8, 2020

SIGHTSEEING

Cross-country ski at Hope Valley Outdoors with beautiful vistas of Hope Valley and surrounding mountain peaks. | Anne Artoux

ATTRACTIONS

Explore Tahoe (530) 542-2908 | cityofslt.us

South Lake Tahoe

Urban Trailhead at base of Heavenly. South Tahoe

Fannette Island

Emerald Bay

(530) 541-3030 | parks.ca.gov

Lake Tahoe’s only island, home to an old tea house.

Heavenly

South Lake Tahoe

(775) 586-7000 | skiheavenly.com

Enjoy a 2.4-mile ride on the gondola to the top with panoramic views. South Tahoe

Hellman-Ehrman Mansion

West Shore

$10 parking | parks.ca.gov (530) 525-7232 Park | (530) 583-9911 Tours Located in Sugar Pine Point State Park.

(Open for tours in the summer.) TART

High Camp (800) 403-0206 | squawalpine.com

Olympic Valley

Aerial tram rides, Olympic Heritage Museum, ice skating, events and more. Ticket required. TART

Kings Beach northtahoebusiness.org

North Shore

truckeehistory.org | truckee.com Settled in 1863 as a stagecoach stop. TART

Vikingsholm Castle (530) 541-3030 | (530) 525-9529 ADA parks.ca.gov or vikingsholm.com

Emerald Bay

Tour the grounds of Vikingsholm Castle, see Eagle Falls and Fannette Island. TART

Watson Cabin

Tahoe City

(530) 583-1762 | northtahoemuseums.org

The oldest building in Tahoe City and on the National Register of Historic Places. TART

MUSEUMS Donner Memorial Visitor Center (530) 582-7892 | parks.ca.gov

Truckee

The Donner Memorial State Park features exhibits and artifacts on the Donner Party. TART

donnersummithistoricalsociety.org

Soda Springs

Gatekeeper’s Museum Daily | (530) 583-1762 northtahoemuseums.org

(530) 587-5437 | kidzonemuseum.org

Lake Tahoe Museum

Tahoe Art League Gallery South Lake Tahoe

Features Washoe artifacts and exhibits on early industry and settlers. South Tahoe

visittahoecity.com

North Shore

Stateline 169 Hwy. 50 (775) 588-4591

Tahoe Maritime Museum Tahoe City A 20,400 0 MARTIS 1,052 CAPACITY: (530) 583-9283 | tahoemaritimemuseum.org Self-guided tours, exhibits and hands-on activities. TART

Truckee River |

FLOW AT FARAD

Tahoe Science Center

3650

Incline Village

Tahoe City 100 N. Lake Blvd. (530) 581-6900 Truckee 10065 Donner Pass Rd. (Depot) Measured Cubic Feet Per Second (CFS) (530) in 587-8808

TROA.NET

U.S. Forest Service | Incline Village

Free | (775) 881-7566 | tahoesciencecenter.org

855 Alder Ave. (775) 831-0914 (Wed.-Fri.)

Exhibits include a virtual research boat, biology lab, 3D movies and docent-led tours. TART

U.S. Forest Service | South Lake Tahoe

Truckee Railroad Museum

U.S. Forest Service | Tahoe City

truckeedonnerrailroadsociety.com

Truckee

Exhibits include the train’s role in logging, fighting snow on the railway, the role of Chinese emigrants and a children’s area. TART

(530) 426-3313, ext. 113 | auburnskiclub.org Showcasing the history of skiing. TART

35 College Dr. (530) 543-2600

3080 N. Lake Blvd. (530) 583-3593 (Fridays)

U.S. Forest Service | Truckee 10811 Stockrest Springs Rd. (530) 587-3558

TRANSIT North Tahoe & Truckee (TART) | laketahoetransit.com South Tahoe | tahoetransportation.org

Truckee

Featuring exhibits of work by local artists and works for sale by local artists. TART

Tahoe City

Incline Village 969 Tahoe Blvd. (800) 468-2463

CAPACITY: 18,300 C

Featuring historic photos & memorabilia, and the Steinbach Indian Basket Museum. TART

Interactive exhibits, science & art classes, the BabyZone & the Jungle Gym. TART

Featuring local artists and workshops. South Tahoe

Kings Beach State Rec. Area (Thurs.-Mon., summer)

Tahoe City

North Tahoe Arts Center

(530) 544-2313 | talart.org

Kings Beach

Museum and 20-mile interpretive driving tour along Old 40. TART

KidZone Children’s Museum

Free | (530) 581-2787 | northtahoearts.com

VISITORS’ CENTERS

Games. Tower of Nations. Olympic Flame. Olympic CAPACITY: 9,500 C DONNER 4,690 Museum at high camp.

TART 50

Western SkiSport Museum Donner Summit

Donner Summit Historical Society

Home to the North Shore’s largest sandy beach, in the heart of downtown. TART

Tahoe City

Measured in Acre Feet (AF)

Olympic Museum Olympic Valley C 226,500 STAMPEDE 19,9661 CAPACITY: (800) 403-0206 | squawalpine.com CAPACITY: 29,840 PROSSER 11,061 Celebrate the home of the 1960 Winter Olympic INDEPENDENCE 1,3763

6,226.71

225

One of the lake’s famous natural sites, a volcanic plug on the West Shore. TART

Truckee

IN 2018:

200,000 AF

West Shore

C PACITY CITY:: 40 0,870 ,8 BOCA 12,362 CAPA

6,227.56 |

175

Eagle Rock

ELEVATION :

RESERVOIR CAPACITY

150,000 AF

The Summit, just west of Truckee, holds the record for the United States’ snowiest April in 1880 when a storm dumped 4’ of snow in 24 hours.

Readings taken on Friday, December 20, 2019

125

Truckee

Once known as the “Grandest Resort in the World.” Grounds open year-round. South Tahoe

LAKE LEVEL Lake Tahoe Natural rim 6,223’

100,000 AF

Donner Summit

South Lake Tahoe

(530) 541-5227 | tahoeheritage.org

75

Drive through the neck of an old volcano.

Tallac Historic Site

50

East Shore

25

Cave Rock

South Lake Tahoe

(530) 541-5458 | laketahoemuseum.org

Old Jail Museum (530) 582-0893 | truckeehistory.org

Truckee

One of a few surviving 19th Century jails. TART

Historical sites and Commons Beach. TART

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OUT & ABOUT

TheTahoeWeekly.com

EVENTS

DECEMBER 26, 2019-JANUARY 9, 2020 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Merry Days & Holly Nights

Ski & RIde with Jonny Mosely

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Olympic Valley | Dec. 26-31

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Olympic Valley | Dec. 26-31

Ski and ride with Chief Mountain Host and Olympic Gold Medalist, Jonny Moseley. Join Jonny on a mountain tour of Squaw Valley for free and open to any ticket or pass holder.

Must be at least intermediate level to ski with Jonny. 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | squawalpine.com

The holidays at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows begin with a welcoming reception for Santa, who will stay around until his big night on Dec. 25, followed by an opening ceremony and glow stick parade to the Merry Wonderland and Ice Garden. Enjoy musical, dance and dramatic performances, enter contests, take sleigh rides with Santa. | (800) 403-0206, squawalpine.com

Courtesy Alpenglow Sports

Conversation Cafe

Backcountry Demo Days returns

Alpenglow Sports offers the 13th annual Lake Tahoe Backcountry Demo Days on Jan. 4 and 5 at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort. The event, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, will perpetuate the enthusiasm for all aspects of in-area and back-country skiing.

There will be guides, forecasters, AIARE instructors and gear experts for a resortbased showcase of all things back country, including demos, avalanche education, guided tours and a raffle. The event is free, but participants must have a valid lift ticket or season pass for Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, along with a driver’s license and credit card for deposit. | squawalpine.com

Incline Rec Center Incline Village | Dec. 26, Jan. 2, 9

Join this drop-in forum with Incline Senior Program. Share interesting views, have discussion on engaging topics. And optional continental breakfast is available for a nominal fee. 10-11 a.m. $5 | yourtahoeplace.com

Magical Memories Resort at Squaw Creek Olympic Valley | Dec. 26-Jan. 1

Magical Memories is back for the month of December with more family activities and nightlife. Check out the full calendar online. | destinationhotels.com

Carnival

Ice Sculpture Contest

Heavenly Village South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 26-31

Heavenly Village South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 27

Heavenly Village Tree Lighting

Virtual Snowboarding

Heavenly Village South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 26-31

Heavenly Village South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 27-30

The family-friendly Carnival features the Holiday Express, with two trains running throughout the day from a holiday-inspired train depot located at the gigantic Christmas tree.The carnival will also feature the Tahoe South Ferris Wheel. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Free

The tree lighting at Heavenly Village is every night at 5 p.m. 5-11 p.m. Free | theshopsatheavenly.com

Local ice sculptors put their carving tools to the test. This multi-block competition will create beauty out of standard blocks of ice. The winner receives $500 to be donated to a charity of his or her choice. 11 a.m.7 p.m. Free

Give a try at the mechanical snowboard with the snow rider machine. Admission is $5, donated to Epic Promise Foundation.

1-8 p.m. $5 | tahoesouth.com

Silent Nights

Free Truckee holiday shuttles Truckee Holiday shuttles return for the week of New Year’s Eve, starting on Dec. 26. The shuttles will service Truckee neighborhoods to and from downtown Truckee from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Service will also be provided to and from downtown Truckee and Olympic Valley from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. and Northstar from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. The shuttle will run until 2 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. The shuttle services Donner Lake, Sierra Meadows, Brockway, Gateway, Deerfield, Prosser, Tahoe Donner and Glenshire. | tahoetruckeetransit.com

Northstar California Resort | Truckee | Dec. 26

Enjoy ice skating and s’more roasting while watching Holiday classics from 5 to 6:45 p.m. on Thursdays. 5 p.m. | (800) 466-6784

Heavenly Holidays Family Festival Heavenly Mountain South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 26-31

Heavenly Holidays Family Festival, returning once again for the full month of December will be a tree lighting, fireworks, live music, rail jams, train rides, special performances, ice sculptures, breakfast with Santa, ice skating performances starring Disney characters, a Ferris Wheel, virtual reality, and more. | (775) 586-7000, tahoesouth.com

Virtual Reality Studio Incline Village Library Incline Village | Dec. 27

Experience the canals of Venice, ride a roller coaster or walk with dinosaurs. 3:30-5:30 p.m. | (775) 832-4130, libraryaware.com

Friday Fun Nights Northstar California Resort Truckee | Dec. 27, Jan. 3

The Village at Northstar offers Friday Fun Nights. Disco lights surround the ice-skating rink while DJs spin popular music from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be drink specials, complimentary face painting and treats around the fire pit. 5-8 p.m. | (800) 466-6784, northstarcalifornia.com

Give Back Tahoe Giving Season

Free North Shore bus service Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit now offers free bus service on all routes, extended winter hours on the Truckee local route and new night service connections from North Lake Tahoe to Truckee. TART’s regional routes expand daily services throughout Truckee and North Lake Tahoe with extended night service hours and 30-minute service between Crystal Bay, Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista, Carnelian Bay, Tahoe City, Northstar and Olympic Valley. | tahoetruckeetransit.com

Barracuda moves

to Old Greenwood

The PGA TOUR’s Barracuda Championship has announced that the 2020 tournament will be held from June 29 to July 5 at Old Greenwood Golf Course in Truckee, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design. | barracudachampionship. com, oldgreenwood.com 10

Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation Truckee | Dec. 26-31

Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation’s annual Give Back Tahoe campaign is through Dec. 31. Support the local nonprofits and advocate for a new modern library one for our community. Contact TTCF if you’re willing to offer a matching grant to attract additional donors. | (530) 587-1776, givebacktahoe.org

Northern Lights Area venues | Incline Village | Dec. 26-31

This month-long celebration of the holiday season offers 30 events in area venues. | northernlightstahoe.com

Twelve Days of Magic Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe Truckee | Dec. 26-Jan. 1

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, welcomes guests this winter season to celebrate the holidays with festive experiences. A multitude of exceptional offerings capture the Tahoe spirit; “Twelve Days of Magic” daily lineup consists of feasts, interactive family activities and vibrant celebrations.

Demo Days Sugar Bowl | Norden | Dec. 28

Vendor Demo Day in the Sugar Bowl Village is free to all pass holders and those with day passes. Solomon, paco’s, Fischer and Toko will be there. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free | facebook.com

Snowball Festival Soda Springs Ski Resort Norden | Dec. 28, 29

The inaugural Snowball Festival was created to celebrate the holidays and to create a fun, family-friendly atmosphere for guests of all ages to enjoy. Snowball Fest offers arts and crafts, face-painting, custom balloons, photo ops, holiday snow tubing, snow parkour, a bounce house and the world’s biggest cup of cocoa. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free

Intermediate Skate Clinic Royal Gorge Cross Country Soda Springs | Dec. 28

Martin Benes, U.S. Para-Olympic Team Coach, offers or a private Intermediate Clinic at Summit Station. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $45-$54

December 26, 2019-January 8, 2020

Holiday Snowshoe Tours

Ski Tahoe Fundraiser

Stories in the Snow kit giveaways

Winter Lecture Series

Resort at Squaw Creek Olympic Valley | Dec. 28

Northstar California | Truckee | Dec. 28

Mt Rose Ski Tahoe | Reno | Jan. 4, 5

Tahoe Maritime Museum Tahoe City | Jan. 7

Enjoy a guided snowshoe tour of Squaw Valley against the beautiful backdrop of Tahoe’s alpenglow, while learning about the history of how the Olympic Valley came to be. Offered are sunset tours, full-moon tours, Christmas Day tours and private tours. 4 p.m. | destinationhotels.com

Tahoe SAFE Alliance announces the sale of $129 lift tickets valid at any domestic Vailoperated resort including Northstar, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Vail, Breckenridge, Park City and more. Tickets are valid any day from now until the end of the 2019-2020 ski season. $129 | gotahoenorth.com

Alpenglow’s Winter Speaker Series Snowshoe Stargazing Tours Northstar California Resort Truckee | Dec. 28

Guests of all ages can take an easy to moderate snowshoe walk with an unobstructed view of the cosmos. Stargazing Snowshoe Tours are two to two and a half hours in length. Tours conclude at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe with telescope viewing and hot beverages. 5 p.m. | (800) 466-6784, tahoeadventurecompany.com

Olympic Village Lodge | Olympic Valley | Jan. 2 The Alpenglow Sports series features athlete speakers: Dave Nettle on Nov. 14, Jim Morrison on Dec. 5, Kit Deslauriers on Jan. 1, 2020, Adrian Ballinger on Jan. 23 and Hadley Hammer on Feb. 20. All shows are free and designed to motivate, educate and inspire. Bar and raffle proceeds benefit five hand-chosen, nonprofit groups. 7 p.m. Free | alpenglowsports.com

Friday Night Snow Tubing Heavenly/Kirkwood Rail Jam Heavenly Village South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 28

Heavenly/Kirkwood Holiday Rail Jam will feature both professional and amateur riders, as well as kids, Experience family fun from 4 to 6 p.m. Meet under the Heavenly Gondola in the Heavenly Village, weather permitting. Sign up the day of the event; admission is free. The public is welcome.

6 p.m. Free | tahoesouth.com

Tahoe Donner Snowplay | Truckee | Jan. 3 Bundle up to tube and sled under the lights until 6:30 p.m. 1:30-6:30 p.m. | tahoedonner.com

Truckee Litter Corps Area venues | Truckee | Jan. 4

Truckee Litter Corps is an all-volunteer, citizen-driven program to help remove litter from roadways, trails, and public gathering places. The first Saturday of each month, volunteers will gather at Truckee Town Hall to pick up supplies, including a volunteer T-shirt, before collecting litter at assigned locations.

8 a.m. Free | keeptruckeegreen.org

Receive a free Stories in the Snow kit at Mt. Rose Ski Resort. Our team will be on site to get you started as a citizen scientist taking beautiful snow crystal pictures. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free | (775) 849-0704, facebook.com

Lake Tahoe Backcountry Demo Day Alpine Meadows Ski Resort Tahoe City | Jan. 4, 5

The event provides a forum to perpetuate the enthusiasm for all aspects of in-area and backcountry skiing. The annual event is North America’s largest venue for all things alpine touring, telemarking and splitboarding.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free | chamber.truckee.com

Demo Days Royal Gorge Cross Country Soda Springs | Jan. 4

Vendor Demo day is at Summit Station, free to passholders and those with day passes. Salomon, Paco’s, Fischer, Toko will be there. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free

Twilight Snowshoe Tours Northstar California Resort Truckee | Jan. 4

OUT & ABOUT

The Winter Lecture Series is monthly at the Tahoe Maritime Museum, starting in December. Featured speakers will discuss topics such as international boat shows, personal yacht sailing experiences and local nonprofits. 5-7 p.m. | tahoemaritimemuseum.org

Level UP: HR Employment Law Update Tahoe Chamber Conference Room South Lake Tahoe | Jan. 8

Tahoe Chamber presents this workshop to provide attendees with the latest HR employment law changes coming to California and Nevada in 2020. 12-1:30 p.m. $10-$20 | business.tahoechamber.org

Lost Trail Lodge Ice Retreat Lost Trail Lodge | Truckee | Jan. 9

This winter weekend in Coldstream Canyon offers ice climbing, back-country skiing and snowshoeing. The AAC Sierra Nevada Section has lodge accommodations.

Ski or snowshoe in with your gear for the weekend, about a 3-mile trek. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $450 | allevents.in

The group will meander through the pine tree-lined forest, ultimately concluding the tour at The Village at Northstar. During the adventure, snowshoer’s will also relax around a fire pit to enjoy s’mores and hot chocolate.

Dogs on leashes are welcome. 5 p.m. $50$70 | (800) 466-6784, eventbrite.com

11

FAMILY FUN

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Family FUN

Tips for making a snowman STORY BY MICHELLE ALLEN

T

he shimmery, white snow covering the ground means it is time for family-fun activities like sledding, having a snowball fight, making snow angels and building a snowman, which is one of my son Anikin’s favorite things to do in the winter. Every snowstorm, he gets excited about building one even if the weather is not pleasant. He cannot be deterred by rain, sleet or howling winds — sometimes to my dismay.

It took almost all of the snow in the front yard to make this behemoth snowman. | Luke Allen

head. Make the structure more stable and stronger by packing snow around the sides and where the snowballs connect.

BRING IT TO LIFE Decorate it and give your snowman life.

Traditionally the features of a snowman are readily available: rocks for eyes, mouth and buttons; carrot for a nose; sticks for the arms; and a hat and scarf. If you use a carrot, remove it before nighttime to avoid it being eaten by an animal.

The snow makes the difference. Not all snowstorms are alike

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and the type of snow

TheTahoeWeekly.com

a storm can produce

Find more family-friendly activities to enjoy. Click on Family Fun under the Out & About menu.

may vary from cold, fluffy snow to wet,

Some alternatives to traditional items include balls for the eyes and mouth, wire or stiff fabric for the mouth and broomsticks or hockey sticks for arms.

Another great option is to buy a snowman kit online. Most come with fake buttons for the eyes, mouth and buttons, a fake carrot for the nose, a scarf and a top hat.

heavy Sierra cement.

The process of building a snowman is simple: make three snowballs in different sizes, stack them and decorate. But as with anything in life, there is usually more involved than one might think. Here are some tips my family has found helpful.

TYPE OF SNOW The snow makes the difference. Not all snowstorms are alike and the type of snow a storm can produce may vary from cold, fluffy snow to wet, heavy Sierra cement.

Light, dry snow is not sticky enough to bind together to form stackable snowballs.

Anikin gets rather annoyed if the snow is not sticky enough. The Tahoe area often receives heavy, wet snow, which is great construction material for a snowman.

All is not lost if the snow is like powder.

Sometimes the consistency of the snow can change and become more wet and sticky if temperatures rise above freezing or there is abundant sunshine following a storm. If it’s not the right type of snow one day, it might be by the next day.

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12

LOCATION MATTERS Remember: location, location, location. Where you build your snowman can determine how stable and how long the snowman will last. Find a flat surface with lots of snow and perhaps a little shade to lengthen the snowman’s life span. The type of surface under the snow can also affect longevity. Grass and dirt are generally colder than pavement and concrete, which traps heat and melts the snow at a faster rate.

MAKE A GIANT BALL Once you find the perfect spot, start by making a snowball with your hands. Keep packing snow on it until it is too big to hold. Then roll it on the ground, switching directions as you roll it to make it more round and less lopsided. The first snowball is your base and forms the bottom section of the snowman. When it is the desired size, place it where you’d like for it to live.

Flatten the top of the ball slightly to make a surface for your next snowball. Repeat the same process to create the middle section, making it slightly smaller in diameter than the last one. Once it is the right size, flatten one end and place on top of the first snowball. Repeat it again to create the

A snow fort is another great option for winter fun. | Luke Allen

Get creative and make your snowman unique. Use a funky hat, scarf or jacket or dress it up with a cape or costume. Sculpt facial features with kitchen utensils. Use skeleton arms and plastic vampire teeth.

Brighten it up at night with holiday lights.

Boost the snowman’s longevity by spraying it lightly with water. The water will freeze overnight making it harder and more dense.

Be careful not to overwater and melt him.

Or, if you are like Anikin, you can have fun destroying your beautiful creation by throwing snowballs at it or smashing it with a bat.  Michelle Allen is a nearly 20-year resident of Tahoe and mother to a rambunctious 7-year-old and understands the challenges of keeping kids entertained. She may be reached at michelle@ tahoethisweek.com.

December 26, 2019-January 8, 2020

FOR THE KIDS

FAMILY FUN

DECEMBER 19-26, 2019

Fun on Fridays at Northstar

Photo Aaron CreditRosen | Photographer? | Northstar California

15

The Village at Northstar offers Friday Fun Nights every Friday from Dec. 27 to April 17. Disco lights surround the ice-skating rink while DJs spin popular music from 5 to 8 p.m., with drink specials, complimentary face painting and treats around the fire pit. | northstarcalifornia.com

Carnival

Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 26-31 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Free

Code Crew

Incline Village Library | Dec. 26, 27 2-4 p.m. | (775) 832-4130

Heavenly Village Tree Lighting

Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 26-31 5-11 p.m. Free | theshopsatheavenly.com

Holiday Camps

Rideout Elementary School Tahoe City | Dec. 26-Jan. 3

8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | facebook.com

Holiday STEAM Camp 1

KidZone Museum | Truckee | Dec. 26, 27

Cafe De Padres

5-8 p.m. | (530) 546-0952

New Year’s Eve Family Celebration

Squaw Valley | Olympic Valley | Dec. 31

2-9 p.m. | (800) 403-0206, facebook.com

Preschool Story Time

Kings Beach Library | Jan. 7

10:30-11 a.m. | (530) 546-2021, placer.ca.gov

Incline Village Library | Jan. 7

11:30 a.m. | (775) 832-4130, libraryaware.com

Teen Tuesdays

IV Quad

Toddler Story Time

Meet Your Favorite Characters

Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 26-30 4 a.m. Free | tahoesouth.com

Take Photos at Santa’s Ski Shop

Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 26-31 5-9 p.m. | theshopsatheavenly.com

Friday Fun Nights

Northstar California Resort Truckee | Dec. 27, Jan. 3

5-8 p.m. | (800) 466-6784, northstarcalifornia.com

Teen Scene

Kahle Community Center Stateline | Dec. 27, Jan. 3

6:30-9 p.m. $5 | (775) 586-7271

Lego Block Party

South Lake Tahoe Library | Dec. 28

10-11 a.m. Free | engagedpatrons.org

Family Snowshoe Tours

Northstar California Resort | Truckee | Dec. 29 1 p.m. $45-$67 | (800) 466-6784

Holiday STEAM Camp 2

KidZone Museum | Truckee | Dec. 30-Jan. 3 9 a.m. $116-$144 | (530) 587-5437

Breakfast with Santa

Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 31 8 a.m. $10-$15 | tahoesouth.com

400 Squaw Creek Road, Olympic Valley, CA | 800.404.8006

Baby Story Time

Incline Village Library | Jan. 7

3-5 p.m. | (775) 832-4130, libraryaware.com

For a full list of events, use your phone camera and scan the code!

Sierra Community House Kings Beach | Dec. 31, Jan. 7

9 a.m. $116-$144 | (530) 587-5437, chamber.truckee.com

Incline Village Library | Dec. 26, Jan. 2, 9

A Month Full Of Fun Holiday Activities For The Whole Family!

4-5 p.m. | (775) 832-4130, libraryaware.com

Incline Village Library | Jan. 7

11 a.m. Free | (775) 832-4130

Mid-Day Movies

Community Arts Center | Truckee | Jan. 1, 8

1 p.m. | (530) 582-7720, indd.adobe.com

RUFF, Read Up for Fun

Truckee Library | Jan. 1, Jan. 8

4-5 p.m. | (530) 582-7846, truckeefol.org

Toddler Time TV Shows

Community Arts Center | Truckee | Jan. 1, 8

10-11 a.m. Free | (530) 582-7200, tdrpd.org

Weird Science Wednesday Incline Village Library | Jan. 1

4-4:45 p.m. | (775) 832-4130, events.washoecountylibrary.us

Kids Night Out

Northwoods Clubhouse | Truckee | Jan. 3

5-9 p.m. $22-$29 | tahoedonner.com

Twosday Morning

Kahle Community Center | Stateline | Jan. 7 9:30-11 a.m. | douglascountynv.hosted. civiclive.com

Make and Take

Incline Village Library | Jan. 8

4-4:45 p.m. | (775) 832-4130

Paws2Read

Incline Village Library | Jan. 9 4-5 p.m. | (775) 832-4130

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December 26, 2019-January 8, 2020

NORDIC SKI & SNOWSHOE SKI GUIDE

Tahoe Sierra

nordic ski & snowshoe guide Brian Walker Photography | Sierra-at-Tahoe

winter 2019-20

Chris Bartkowski | Tahoe Star Tours

t hese are the days we dream of dog friendly

biathlon

cat skiing

gondola

food

camping

tubing & sledding

back-country access

night skiing/ snowshoeing

back-country huts

ice skating

ropes course

mini snowmobiling

fat tire biking

snow shoeing

long boarding

downhill skiing

15

TheTahoeWeekly.com

auburn ski club training center

Courtesy Auburn Ski Club

NORDIC SKI & SNOWSHOE SKI GUIDE

bijou community park

50 30

20

NOVICE | INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED

% of terrain kilometers

kilometers

25

4

# of trails

10 grooming

25km warming huts

1

Events Jan. 5 | 10th Mtn. Biathlon Jan. 12 | Paco’s Freestyle Feb. 2 | Chuck Lyda Biathlon Feb. 17 | President’s Cup Freestyle March 4-15 | Cross Country Junior Nationals

Biathlon | ASC has the only Olympic distance, year-round Biathlon range in the West, with winter and summer programs, as well as group and private clinics. ASC also offers the hard-to-pass USBA Red Book Certification for biathletes.

ASC Training Center is open to the public with trail access available from Wednesday to Sunday each week. No dogs are allowed.

The Deals | Season passes are only $129 for adults and include unlimited access to the cross-country trail system, use of the Training Center facilities, five discounted guest tickets and five free nights of skiing or riding at Boreal Mountain Resort. n

Combined Alpine & Nordic | ASC Training Center is a nonprofit winter sports facility and one of the few combined venues for Alpine, Nordic, biathlon and snowboard in the United States.

warming huts

0 Centrally located in South Lake Tahoe, Bijou features 4km of marked trails that is mostly flat and great for beginners at Bijou Community Park.

Free access | There is no fee for skiing or snowshoeing. No rentals or services are available on site.

Fun for all | The park features a historic railroad exhibit, skateboard park and fenced dog park.

auburnskiclub.com

(530) 542-6056

camp richardson

clair tappaan lodge 60

40 0

NOVICE | INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED

% of terrain kilometers

35

14

# of trails

6+ grooming

10km warming huts

0

Courtesy Camp Richardson

kilometers

Events Jan. 18, Feb. 15, March 21 & April 18 | Snowshoe Cocktail Races Camp Richardson’s Mountain Sports Center provides 10km of groomed and marked trails for beginners to experts. Several trails head out from the center looping through the open forest to the shores of Fallen Leaf Lake. Two other shorter trails meander through the grounds of the resort and along the shores of Lake Tahoe.

camprichardson.com 16

# of trails

7 grooming

Snowshoe Cocktail Races | Think you have what it takes to run with a full cocktail tray in hand through obstacles up and down the beach at The Beacon Bar & Grill while wearing snowshoes? There are prizes for the fastest (and cleanest) at the obstacle course finish line. n

14km warming huts

0

This rustic Sierra Club lodge is located near the top of Donner Summit. There are 14km of trails heading out from the back door of the lodge and up to the area near the back of Boreal Ski Resort.

Guests ski free | Skiing is free for lodge guests and rentals are available. Trail passes for non-guests are $15.

clairtappaanlodge.com

Explore the back country | Clair Tappaan Lodge operates four backcountry huts – Benson, Bradley, Ludlow and Peter Grubb –for yearround recreational use. Each hut provides rustic accommodations for about 15 people and includes a sleeping loft, wood stove and outhouse. Each hut can be reached in one day or less from the nearest road by an average group with good weather. Reservations fill up fast and all huts may be difficult to locate in heavy snow years. n

December 26, 2019-January 8, 2020

donner memorial state park

NORDIC SKI & SNOWSHOE SKI GUIDE

granlibakken 75

67 20

25

13

0 NOVICE | INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED

NOVICE | INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED

% of terrain

% of terrain

kilometers

kilometers

16+

7.5

# of trails

# of trails

5

2

grooming

grooming

no warming huts

0

Donner Memorial State Park has more than 16km of trails throughout the park. Although the trails are not groomed, visitors can make his or her own route to Schallenberger Ridge, Coldstream Canyon or along the shores of Donner Lake.

Free trail access | Access to the trails is free; parking is $5. Dogs are welcome but must be on leash.

1.5 miles

Sierra history | Be sure to check out the new Visitor Center built a few years ago featuring local history and an amazing bookstore with something for all ages.

warming huts

1

Annual parking pass | Purchase a Tahoe Regional Parking Pass for $75 good at all of the state parks in the Tahoe region for a year – D.L. Bliss, Donner Memorial, Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point, Emerald Bay and Kings Beach State Recreation Area. 

parks.ca.gov

Events Dec. 31 | New Year’s Eve Party Feb. 17 | Tru Retreat May 15 | Kaia Fit Retreat Cross-country skiers and snowshoers can explore the historic resort’s 74 acres. Follow a 1.5mile trail around the property and a groomed access trail to Paige Meadows (flat-groomed, without stride-skiing tracks) when weather and snow conditions permit.

Kids sled free | Kids younger than 3 sled for free.

The Deals | Unlimited sledding pass is $100; lodging guests receive halfoff sledding and lift tickets. 

granlibakken.com

Courtesy Hope Valley Outdoors

hope valley outdoors

kilometers

60 # of trails

8 grooming

30km warming huts

0

Events Jan. 18 & March 14 | AIARE Rescue Course Jan. 24-25 & March 13-14 | Backcountry Ski Touring Feb. 11-13 | AIARE Level 1 Avalanche course March 6-8 | AIARE Level 2 A valanche course Hope Valley Outdoors, or Hope Valley Cross Country, is a sustainable, off-the-grid, small winter resort operating out of a yurt at Pickett’s Junction in Hope Valley offering guests great outdoor winter recreational opportunities.

Owner Joyce Coker launched the yurt to offer her cross-country skills and back-country knowledge to help visitors explore the outdoors and improve his or her skills.

Hope Valley Outdoors offers cross-country skiing, back-country skiing, snowshoeing, rentals and guided tours. Hope Valley maintains a limited number of trails around the Yurt. Trails are skier packed and easily accessed, along with limited grooming for classic cross-country skiing.

TAHOE’S

BEST XC

TAHOE DONNER CROSS COUNTRY SKI CENTER CONSISTENTLY VOTED ONE OF NORTH AMERICA’S

BEST XC SKI AREAS

BY USA TODAY

Over 100km of trails across 2,800 acres of world-class terrain

Professional ski school offering lessons, programs and clinics

Pristine grooming for skating and classic skiing

State-of-the-art lodge including cafe and bar

VISIT TAHOEDONNER.COM/XC FOR MORE INFO

Free trail access | Trail access is free, but donations are needed to maintain operations. Services are provided by check or cash only; there’s no cell service. 

hopevalleycrosscountry.com 17

TheTahoeWeekly.com

kirkwood’s cross country &

ltcc nordic center country

snowshoe center

Courtesy LTCC

NORDIC SKI & SNOWSHOE SKI GUIDE

60 20

20

NOVICE | INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED

Courtesy Kirkwood

% of terrain kilometers

60 # of trails

18 grooming

60km warming huts

3

Events Jan. 10-11, Feb. 8-9, & March 8-9 | Moon Light Snowshoe Trek Jan. 11-12 | Learn to Ski Month half-price weekend Feb. 14 | Scott Hudson Relay Race March 7-8 | Operation Rebound: A Winter Sports Clinic for Veteran Athletes Jan. 18, 25; Feb. 1, 15, 22, 29; March 14, 21, 28 | Sunset Snowshoe Trek Kirkwood’s Cross Country & Snowshoe Center offers 60km of groomed trails at 7,800 feet featuring spectacular scenery and three interconnected trail systems nestled in a beautiful alpine valley.

Fat Bikes | Rent a fat bike or bring your own to explore three interconnected trail systems.

kilometers

5-7 # of trails

5 grooming

Guided tours | Along with daily lessons, Kirkwood offers guided cross-country and snowshoe tours.

5-7km

Historic eats | Finish the day with a scrumptious meal at the historic Kirkwood Inn, opened in 1864. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com; click on Local Flavor to read about Tahoe Weekly’s recent visit to the Kirkwood Inn.

0

warming huts

The Nordic Center on the campus of Lake Tahoe Community College provides up to 7km of trails for classic and skate skiing. The trails provide views of Freel Peak and Job’s Sister.

The center is operated by volunteers, and trails are groomed several times a week. Dogs are welcome; dogs must be leashed at trailheads and in parking lots. The center offers a variety of day and season passes. n

Dogs welcome | Dogs are allowed on the High Trail located behind the Kirkwood Inn and the Outer Loop on the meadow for only $5. n

kirkwood.com

ltccnordiccenter.weebly.com

nevada nordic

northstar cross country telemark & 47

32

21

NOVICE | INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED

% of terrain kilometers

2+

35

# of trails

2+ grooming

2km+ warming huts

0

Courtesy Tim Hauserman

kilometers

Nevada Nordic is a nonprofit organization bringing a groomed cross-country ski presence back to the state of Nevada. Trails are offered at several locations in the region and are groomed and open depending on conditions.

# of trails

18 grooming

Trails are operated at Tahoe Meadows near the Mount Rose summit off Highway 431 with 2km of groomed skate trails (plans are in the works for classic trails), and at Spooner State Park on the East Shore of Lake Tahoe. Future plans are for a trail to be offered in the Incline Meadows area. Check for updates and grooming reports at facebook.com/inclinemeadowsxc. n

35km warming huts

2

Aaron Rosen | Northstar California

snowshoe center

Events Dec. 28, Jan. 18 & 25, Feb. 15 & 29 | Stargazing Snowshoe Tours Dec. 29, Jan. 19, Feb. 16 | Family Snowshoe Tours Dec. 29, Jan. 19, Feb. 23, March 9 | S’moresapalooza Jan. 4 & 11; Feb. 1, 8 & 22; March 7 | Twilight Snowshoe Tours Northstar California provides 32.5km of Nordic terrain right in the middle of a world-class downhill ski resort.

Telemark skiers welcome | Northstar is one of the few resorts offering a full line of downhill telemark equipment and instruction.

Family friendly | Northstar offers an optimal place where families can

nevadanordic.org 18

northstarcalifornia.com

enjoy all of their favorite activities such as cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, fat tire biking, ice skating and more.

Kids ski free | Kids 4 and younger ski free.

Fat tire biking for everyone | Northstar offers fat tire bike rentals, as well as rentals for pedal assist e-bikes.

Stargazing Snowshoe Tours | All ages can join in an easy to moderate snowshoe walk with an unobstructed view of the cosmos. Stargazing Snowshoe Tours end at The RitzCarlton, Lake Tahoe with telescope viewing and hot beverages. n

December 26, 2019-January 8, 2020

45

plumas-eureka state park

Courtesy Johnsville Ski Bowl

north tahoe regional park

NORDIC SKI & SNOWSHOE SKI GUIDE

50

Daphne Hougard | North Tahoe Regional Park

5 NOVICE | INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED

% of terrain kilometers

11 grooming

11km

Free access | Trail access is free, but parking is $5. No rentals are available on site.

warming huts

0

Snowshoe tours | Guided snowshoe tours are offered through Tahoe Adventure Company including full moon, sunset and star tours. Visit tahoeadventurecompany.com for upcoming dates.

Sled hills | North Tahoe Winter Adventures operates the main groomed sled hill and a sled is included with a sled hill ticket. A children’s sled hill is located at the entrance of the park and is not groomed; bring your own sled or tube.

kilometers

12 # of trails

8

Snowmobile track | The park boasts a snowmobile track for those wanting to try out a snowmobile; personal snowmobiles are not permitted.

Events Jan. 19, Feb. 16 & March 15 | Longboard Revival Races

grooming

12km

Ropes course | Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park consists of 70 tree platforms connected by a variety of bridges and/or ziplines open on select dates in the winter. Visit tahoetreetop.com for details.

warming huts

0

Grooming | The trails are groomed about three times a week and has a new snowcat/groomer for this season. Check the North Tahoe Regional Park Facebook page every Friday for weekend park updates. n

northtahoeparks.com

Plumas-Eureka State Park in the Lost Sierra offers 12km of groomed trails for skating and classis skiers, along with three designated snowshoe trails that are snowmobile groomed. The trail system is managed by Plumas-Eureka State Park Association volunteers and trail maps are available at each trailhead.

Visit plumas-eureka.org for grooming reports and information on the trails.

Free trail access | The use of the trails is free, but donations are requested to maintain the trails for $5 per day or $20 for the season.

Longboard races | The Plumas Ski Club hosts the Historic Longboard Revival Races each year at the Plumas Eureka Ski Bowl at Johnsville in the park. The races are open to everyone. Visit plumasskiclub.org for details.

Skiing with Fido | Dogs are not allowed on the main trails, but a separate dog trail is groomed and accessible across from the Jamison Trailhead, a beginner, 1 mile out and back trail. n

parks.ca.gov

resort at squaw creek 70 20

10

Courtesy Resort at Squaw Creek

NOVICE | INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED

% of terrain kilometers

18 # of trails

8 grooming

18km warming huts

1

Events Until Jan. 1 | Magical Memories Dec. 27 | Holiday Mixology Craft Cocktail Dec. 27 | Glow Golf Dec. 28 | Sunset Snowshoe Tour Dec. 29 | Disco Skate Dec. 30 | Sled Races Dec. 31 | New Year’s Eve Bash Venture onto the 18km of groomed trails at Resort at Squaw Creek for a quiet refuge from the crowds of Olympic Valley where the views of the mountains are spectacular. The trails are just outside the door of the resort to enjoy between spa appointments, a visit to the skating rink and dining at one of the restaurants.

Sledding | Enjoy a day of sledding on the designated hill beyond the Squaw Creek chairlift. Sleds and snow boots can be rented at the Nordic Center.

TAMARACK CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTER Kick your winter up a notch and explore the Mammoth Lakes Basin on cross-country skis or snowshoes for some scenic family adventures or butt-kicking fun across 19+ miles (30+ km) of secluded, groomed, world-class trails. Rentals, lessons, guided tours and season passes are available from the Tamarack Cross-Country Ski Center, located at Tamarack Lodge.

Ice skating | Glide around the resort’s outdoor ice rink with a view of Squaw Valley’s six peaks. Rentals for figure and hockey skates, as well as helmets, are available. n

squawcreek.com 19

NORDIC SKI & SNOWSHOE SKI GUIDE

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Waxing your skate skis

royal gorge

S T O R Y B Y T I M H A U S E R M A N | P H O T O S B Y A LY S S A G A N O N G

Tim Hauserman irons wax that has been crayoned on, then scrapes it after it has cooled.

It is not that complicated to wax your skate skis, but sometimes waxing gurus make the process seem so complicated and arduous that many folks say screw it and don’t bother. But a simple wax can be completed quickly with the most timeconsuming part being twiddling your thumbs waiting for the wax to cool.

Waxing does require a financial commitment: you need to acquire a waxing iron, a device to hold the ski while you wax, several different types of wax, a plastic scraper, a groove scraper, both rough and smooth brush, and a structure tool. This will set you back several hundred bucks. If you are already waxing downhill skis though, some of the tools will work on both.

THE PROCESS 1. Make sure you are in a well-ventilated area.

2. Clamp the ski into its holder.

3. Set the iron temperature hot enough to melt the wax, but not so hot to make it smoke.

This might take a bit of adjustment as you go.

4. Get some wax on the ski. You can crayon it or drip it. If you crayon it on, you take the wax and touch it to the iron then rub it along the ski like a crayon. Dripping just means taking a corner of the wax, touching the iron and rolling the drips down the ski. Crayoning uses less wax and spreads the wax evenly. Dripping is faster. You want enough wax to create a thin layer, but not too much because you are just going to scrape it all off anyway.

5. Take the iron smoothly down the length of the ski several times. Keep the iron moving or it will burn the ski. Once it looks like you have a good even coat, lay this ski aside and do the same thing on the other ski.

6. Now, go grab a cup of coffee, check your e-mails or chat with friends while you wait for it to cool. Or, put the wax on a second pair of skis.

20

32

50

NOVICE | INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED

% of terrain kilometers

140+ # of trails

92 grooming

140km+ warming huts

9

CLEANING If your skis are dirty or haven’t been waxed in a while, do a hot clean before the normal wax. To clean, iron wax onto the skis and scrape the wax off right away while it is still warm. Then brush and start the regular waxing process.

STRUCTURE When the snow gets older and wetter, it’s time to structure your skis. One or two passes down the ski with a structure tool after you have waxed, scraped and brushed does the trick. When completed, your ski should have grooves like you see on the freeway and the concept is the same: Get the water away from your ski — or tires.

CLASSIC SKIS What about classic cross-country skis?

For waxless skis, the process is the same as waxing skate skis, except you only wax the tips and tails of the skis. Just be sure and don’t get wax on the fish scales in the middle. When classic skiing it’s a good idea to bring along a universal rub on wax while you ski that you can apply on the ski if things start getting sticky. 

Events Dec. 28, Jan. 4, 11 & 18 | Demo Days Dec. 28 & Feb. 29 | Intermediate Skate Clinic Jan. 10 & Feb. 8 | Full Moon Ski & Snowshoe Tour Feb. 15 | Advanced Skate Clinic Feb. 22 | Women’s Skate Clinic The largest cross-country ski area in North America, Royal Gorge is known for its sweeping views of the Northern Sierra and eight distinct trail systems. Featuring 92 trails with more than 140km of groomed, tracked trails for human-powered outdoor recreation spread across 6,000 acres, guests of all ages and ability levels are invited to try classic cross-country skiing, skate skiing and snowshoeing.

Nine warming huts offer respite from the elements and a chance to take a break and soak in the peaceful tranquility of the mountains.

Kids ski free | Kids 12 and younger ski free, and ages 13 to 22 receive one free trail pass with every paid adult trail pass.

The Royal Gorge | One of the most breathtaking experiences in the Tahoe Sierra is skiing to The Royal Gorge. The Gorge is one of the natural wonders of the Sierra – a 4,417-foot deep gorge that is the namesake for the ski area. 

royalgorge.com

sugar pine point state park

WAX CHOICE There are a lot of different wax choices for snow conditions. Colder waxes are harder and last longer and take a warmer temperature to apply. Warmer waxes are softer, melt quicker and don’t last as long on your skis. Recently, some good universal waxes have become available for a wider range of temperatures. In general, right after a cold storm early- to mid-winter, you use blue wax, which then moves into the purple middle range and red for the warm spring conditions. It is best to error on the colder wax. You can use the less expensive hydrocarbon waxes, which are fine in most situations or spring for the extra bucks (and extra danger to your lungs) of the fluorocarbon waxes. Most folks for everyday skiing are fine with the hydrocarbon waxes.

18

Courtesy Royal Gorge

7. Once the skis are cool, you can scrape the wax off. Personally, I feel that the more time the ski sits with the wax on it the better — I’m not sure there is any scientific basis for that theory, however.

First, take your groove scraper and run a few passes down the groove. You do this first so that if the scraper jumps out of the groove it will land on wax instead of a freshly scraped ski. Then, scrape starting at the tip of the skis and with even pressure firmly scrape the wax off the ski down to the tail. It will take several passes down the ski to get most of the wax off. Once you are only getting a teensy bit of wax with your scrapes, it is time to go to the brush.

8. Start with a more aggressive, copper brush and work your way down the ski.

You are trying to get the wax the scraper didn’t get. The goal is to have a bit of wax that adheres to the base. Then follow it up with the smoother nylon brush to get the last vestiges of flecks of white and make that surface smooth and black — so your skis are fast.

9. If this all seems like to much work, drop off your skis for waxing at a local shop.

Courtesy California State Parks

S

kate skiing is an excellent form of exercise and a great way to enjoy Tahoe in the winter away from the crowds at the downhill resorts. After waxing skis at Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area for nearly 20 years, I can say unequivocally that most people don’t wax their skis enough — or in some cases, at all. It’s time to wax those puppies yourself or have someone else do it. Either way, you will be glad you did.

kilometers

20 # of trails

5 grooming

no warming huts

0

Events Jan. 11, Feb. 8 & March 7 | Full Moon Tours

Free trail access | Use of the trails is free; it is $5 to park. No dogs are allowed.

The Ed Z’berg/Sugar Pine Point State Park is a spectacular spot to crosscountry ski and snowshoe along the dense forests of the West Shore or along Lake Tahoe’s shores. The park offers more than 20km of marked cross-country ski trails for all levels.

Winter camping | Sugar Pine Point is one of the only winter campgrounds open year-round in the Tahoe area, offering 16 campsites on a first-come, first-served basis.

Follow the path of the Nordic events of the 1960 Winter Olympics in what is now Sugar Pine Point State Park. Starting at the Blue Trailhead, visitors will come across a series of interpretive panels that share the region’s Olympic and Nordic skiing history found at the park. For trail conditions, call the snow phone at (530) 525-9528.

parks.ca.gov

Full Moon Snowshoe Tours | Explore the forests and shoreline at night during a guided Full Moon Tour.

Book at sierrastateparks.org.

Annual parking pass | Purchase a Tahoe Regional Parking Pass for $75 good at all of the state parks in the Tahoe region for a year – D.L. Bliss, Donner Memorial, Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point, Emerald Bay and Kings Beach State Recreation Area. 

tahoe city winter sports park

NORDIC SKI & SNOWSHOE SKI GUIDE

tahoe cross country 50

Courtesy Tahoe Cross Country

December 26, 2019-January 8, 2020

30

20

NOVICE | INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED

% of terrain kilometers

4

65 Courtesy TCPUD

kilometers

# of trails

2 grooming

The Tahoe City Winter Sports Park offers ice skating, sledding, crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing and is a great spot for family fun. Enjoy the on-site restaurant Café Zenon for a bite to eat or a warm drink. The park provides 4km for both skating and striding, as well as a snowshoe loop/walking trail.

warming huts

0

Take it to the ice | Take advantage of the youth hockey clinics and the adult Broomball League.

65km

SnowFest! fireworks | The Winter Sports Park will be the site of the annual SnowFest! fireworks in early March. n

3

warming huts

The park is an inexpensive way to entertain the kids and enjoy family time together. Spring for all-access season passes for the entire family; it’s inexpensive and great fun.

Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Area celebrates 20 years of operating as a nonprofit ski area in Tahoe during the 2019-20 winter season. Stunning lake views along the trails at Tahoe Cross Country make it one of the area’s best spots for cross-country skiing. The ski area offers lessons and equipment rentals for crosscountry, skate skis and demos.

wintersportspark.com

tahoexc.org

40

NOVICE | INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED

% of terrain kilometers

# of trails

79 grooming

100km+ 4

Ski free | Youth ages 18 and younger and seniors ages 70+ ski for free.

Track your progress | Track yourself on the new interactive trail map from tahoexc.org while you ski or snowshoe. Details online.

New trail cam | A new web camera has been installed at the trailhead on Yellow Trail. Navigate to all the web cams, weather and snow gauge by clicking the camera icon on the top corner of the website.

Carpooling program | Sign up with staff to get your Carpool Punch Card. Claim a punch every time you carpool with two or more adults in one car and claim incentives for every five punches. n

Tahoe Donner | Tahoe Donner

24

100+

Free lessons | Try the free beginner cross-county lessons on Mondays with free beginner skate skiing lessons every Wednesday during non-holidays.

Connect with Family

tahoe donner cross country

warming huts

22 grooming

4km+

36

# of trails

Events Jan. 1 | New Year’s Pancake Breakfast Jan 12 | Old Skool Klassic Race Jan 26 | Tahoe Rim Tour Feb 2 | Shooter Bowl Sunday Women’s Laser Biathlon Relay Feb 14 | Share the Love Valentine’s Day Ski Feb. 15-23 | Alpenglow Mtn Festival Feb. 23 | Alpenglow 20k March 1 | The Great Ski Race March 15 | Kevin Murnane Scholarship Fund Drive April 12 | Easter Egg Hunt & Customer Appreciation Day

Events Dec. 31 | New Year’s Eve Snowshoe Tour Jan. 18, Feb. 15, March 21 | Wax Clinic Feb. 9 | Tahoe Donner Challenge Feb. 23 | Captain Nordic’s Dress-Up Day March 22 | Sierra Skogsloppet Race Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center offers more than 100km of world-class trails open to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat tire biking.

Skills clinics | Try out 4-Week Skills programs that include Learn to Skate, Sisters in Skating, Seniors Learn to Ski, Weekend Clinics and Technique and Fitness.

Expanded grooming | Grooming conditions are at the peak as a result of expanded grooming with new PistenBully machines last year and trail and road work over the summer.

Kids ski free | Youth ages 6 and younger ski for free.

Expanded snowmaking | Preparations have begun to expand snowmaking at the Cross Country Ski Center in 2020.

Dinner time | Alder Creek Café and Trailside Bar at the Cross Country Ski Center will be open nightly for dinner serving a mountain casual menu with beer and wine options.

The Deals | Tahoe Donner is including Bonus Days at partner resorts for passholders including four days at Diamond Peak and two days at Homewood Mountain Resort. n

tahoedonner.com

www.tahoexc.org

925 Country Club Drive, Tahoe City, CA 96145 530.583.5475 21

FUN & GAMES

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Horoscopes

FIRE

EARTH

AIR

WATER

Puzzles

Michael O’Connor is an astrologer, counselor and life coach | SunStarAstrology.com

Capricorn (Dec 21-Jan 19)

This eclipse will manifest as a second powerful activation after the Sun entered your sign last week. It is pushing you to be more empathetic and attentive to your own and the needs and welfare of others. Balance is ever an important word and theme in your life so make sure that you are including yourself or redirecting more focus to significant others.

Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22)

Changes on relationship fronts will be activated by this eclipse. These may come about suddenly and unexpectedly. However, the writing has probably been on the wall for some months now. They have and will produce changes in your associations. This includes who you choose to spend time with and why. In some respects, you are focusing to invest in your future.

Aquarius (Jan 19-Feb 19)

Seed activations that have been lying dormant in your subconscious mind are getting awakened thanks to this eclipse. They will lead to changes in your career and will especially affect your finances.

These could well produce changes close to home with your family and may even affect a move sometime in 2020, if it is a feature of your deeper destiny.

Leo (Jul 22-Aug 23)

Some changes in your lifestyle linked to your career will be activated by this eclipse. You could change careers, get a promotion, experience more business or your position at work could end. These changes could also simply affect your public status and reputation. Focus on improvement for best results and be open to learning new strategies.

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20)

How you perceive yourself and the world and your role, purpose and place in the world are subject to change due to this eclipse. This process already began in spring 2019 but will undergo their next effective shift starting now and extending into spring 2020.

Expect to increase your overall scope of exposure and subsequently of influence.

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22)

A creative boost is usually gladly received, and you are the lucky recipient. It includes seeing a bigger picture of possibility and a willingness to invest.

Perhaps you need more tools, supplies or training or maybe the emphasis is on increased exposure linked to marketing. Either way, it appears that the gods are smiling on you so be confident.

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20)

Looking back to 2019 you probably directed a lot of focus to your home and family. Securing your base and yet also making it comfortable was the main focus and this will continue, until mid-Spring. You may also have embarked upon a healing focus somehow, whether physically, financially, in your relationships…

Changes in your economic strategy will continue.

Libra (Sep 22-Oct 22)

The next installment of change close to home has been activated. It will push you to reassess your financial interests and approaches. It is quite likely that you qualify to earn more than you do currently and/or at least do work you enjoy more, and which aligns with your priorities. The changes could also involve other family members.

Taurus (Apr 20-May 21)

Pushing rather forcefully into new territory was a strong theme in 2019. At worst, this caused trouble. At best, you breached old barriers once and for all. You were in a visionary mood and were determined to make significant changes and probably assumed a posture of leadership and determination to do so. This theme will continue in 2020.

Scorpio (Oct 22-Nov 21)

When it comes to perceiving reality, you tend to be a realist and perhaps also a pragmatist. On the other hand, you are also very creative and imaginative.

Emphasizing this winning combination in your public and professional life is likely now. Yet, you should be aware that these could come with major, sudden and unexpected changes in your relationships.

Gemini (May 21-Jun 21)

Deep and powerful changes have been underway for you for some time now. The eclipse on December 26 will produce another big push to this end. Although this process of change will continue throughout the year, it will go to the next effective level right away. The main emphasis is on health.

Positively, you are rejuvenating.

Sagittarius (Nov 21-Dec 21)

Everyone is feeling the shift of change directly or indirectly due to this eclipse. It is and will probably have a direct impact on your personal finances. Positively, you could receive an insurance claim or an inheritance or maybe you will win a lottery. In any case, you should expect changes in your daily routine and perhaps even your entire lifestyle.

CryptoQuip

When the rookie joined the chickens’ baseball team, its name was added to the rooster roster.

Hocus Focus differences: 1. Plant on mantel is missing, 2. Man has moustache, 3. Fireplace has more stones, 4. Mitten is black, 5. Shirt zipper is gone, 6. Earmuff has added band.

22

December 26, 2019-January 8, 2020

FEATURE

SIERRA STORIES

BY MARK McLAUGHLIN

Suga r Bowl | B i r t h o f a H i s t o r i c S k i R e s o r t , P a r t I I In 1938, Schroll quit his position at Badger Pass and together with a group of wealthy pupils from the Bay Area, incorporated the San Francisco-based Sugar Bowl Corporation. Schroll was elected as first president of the company. The company purchased the necessary acreage for less than $7,000 from two sisters who lived in Sacramento. The women had been leasing the lush meadow area to sheepherders each summer. Money was tight during the Great Depression, but when a story circu-

Sugar Bowl Lodge, designed by the noted architect William Wilson Wurster, was the first ski lodge on the Pacific Coast built within walking distance of the lifts.

W

hen the Sugar Bowl ski area first opened for business on Dec. 15, 1939, the resort turned out to be everything its founders had hoped for. It was the perfect blend of European charm and grace coupled with the vitality and exuberance of early California.

The rustic resort quickly became the darling of wealthy San Francisco socialites, as well as the Hollywood crowd. It was the largest and most challenging ski area in California and boasted the Golden State’s

S I LV E R B E LT SERIES M A R C H 7 | Q UA D C R U S H E R M A R C H 14 | B A N K E D S L A L O M

first chairlift that whisked riders up to the top of Mount Lincoln in just more than 6 minutes. Sugar Bowl Lodge, designed by the noted architect William Wilson Wurster, was built in the Tyrolean Modern style with a broad porch and balcony that overlooked the spectacular alpine scenery.

It was the first ski lodge on the Pacific Coast built within walking distance of the lifts.

The scenic location caught the attention of Bill and Fred Klein on their arrival to Donner Summit in 1936. The brothers ran a ski school nearby and took their most advanced clients out to Sugar Bowl to climb and schuss down. They dreamed of building a first-class alpine ski resort there but didn’t have the money or business connections. Fortunately, the Kleins had met fellow Austrian Hannes Schroll at the Badger Pass Ski Area in Yosemite National Park where he was ski school director. In his role as head instructor, the Kleins knew that Schroll had developed friendships with prominent Bay Area businessmen and families who took his classes at Badger.

Hannes Schroll, circa 1937. | Mark McLaughlin

At the request of Bill and Fred, Schroll toured Donner Summit in July 1937 and was impressed. If anyone could get financial support for developing Sugar Bowl, the charismatic Hannes Schroll could. He was 26 years old when he blew away the competition on the fledgling U.S. alpine racing circuit. The man was dashing, athletic and so fast on his boards that he had won more than 100 international ski titles in Europe by the time he immigrated to the United States in 1935. Opponents called him the “Red Devil of Tyrol.”

Shortly after his arrival in America, Schroll crushed the competition at the 1935 Winter Olympic Alpine Trials at Mount Rainier, Wash. These races represented the beginning of America’s national downhill racing program. On race day the course was plagued by poor visibility and icy, rutted snow, but Schroll flew down the cloud-shrouded course with confidence, yodeling as he went. Schroll finished a stunning 1 minute, 7 seconds ahead of America’s best racer, Dartmouth freshman Dick Durrance, who took second place.

With his superior technique and daredevil style, Schroll easily won the slalom, too, which gave him a sweep of the downhill, slalom and the combined. After his impressive victory, Schroll was hired to run the ski school at Badger Pass, California’s premier ski resort at the time. It was a great opportunity for the new immigrant, but it was also a paid job that eliminated him from future Olympic competition.

He later said, “I arrived in America with $25 in my pocket, holes in my pants, skis on my back, and not able to speak a word of English, yet I was still able to see my dreams come true.”

lated that skier, cartoonist, animator and movie producer Walt Disney was one of the principal investors, it gave the company credibility to sell more stock. As the resort developed, one of the peaks was named Mount Disney.

Sugar Bowl’s’ $39,000 chairlift was an attraction in its own right. The ski area was the second U.S. resort to install a chairlift (Sun Valley in Idaho was first), and the novelty of an airborne conveyance drew the curious, skier or not. Thirty-two hundred feet in length, it carried skiers from the lodge to an elevation of nearly 8,400 feet.

Non-skiing guests paid 25 cents for a ride up and down on the single-chair lift. The lift cost skiers $2 per day or $10 per week for unlimited rides. A 1939 press release read proudly: “With a ski school under the supervision of Hannes Schroll and featuring the Arlberg Technique, and with an open-air ice rink in front of the Lodge among its other new facilities, the Sugar Bowl takes its place this winter among this country’s and Europe’s most complete and modern winter resorts.”

There was a ski shop, rental department, lockers and rest rooms — all open to the public. The lodge could accommodate up to 20 people in private rooms, with men’s and women’s dormitories that could each sleep 10.

The Sugar Bowl Lodge and chairlift were about 1.5 miles away from Southern Pacific Railroad’s special loading platform for skiers at Norden Station, so transporting winter guests was a significant problem.

A road was considered too expensive to build and plow; two Ford station wagons equipped with half-tracks on the rear axle and skis on the front were employed to haul guests. But the vehicles proved impractical in deep snow. Next, horse-drawn sleighs were utilized, which worked for a while until several horses broke loose and were killed by a train. Mechanical tractors pulling sleds was the next phase, later followed by Army surplus tractors known as Weasels.

With his flamboyant style, Schroll was a natural at attracting publicity and he began thinking of ways to entice some of the best skiers in the world to his new resort.

Schroll wanted a challenging competition, something to rival Sun Valley’s famous Harriman Cup begun in 1937.

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com Click at Explore Tahoe: History: • Part I on Sugar Bowl’s history • About Hannes Schroll In April 1940, Sugar Bowl hosted its first annual Silver Belt race, a giant slalom run that began near the top of Mount Lincoln at 8,383 feet and then plummeted 1,300 vertical feet down steep terrain through gullies, cliffs and bumps. Before the formation of the international World Cup ski competition, Sugar Bowl’s legendary Silver Belt was considered one of the most challenging races of its era.

Read Part III in the next edition or at TheTahoeWeekly.com; click on Explore Tahoe: History.  Tahoe historian Mark McLaughlin is a nationally published author and professional speaker. His award-winning books are available at local stores or at thestormking.com. You may reach him at mark@ thestormking.com. Check out his blog at tahoenuggets.com or read more at TheTahoeWeekly.com.

Click on History under the Explore Tahoe tab.

Steve Schmier’s

Boatworks Mall • SteveSchmiersJewelry.com • 530.583.5709

23

THE ARTS

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Arts

& CULTURE

CREATIVE AWARENESS

Serve on

public art

advisory group

Preserving native basket weaving MUSEUM HOUSES 700 HISTORIC BASKETS S T O R Y A N D P H O T O S B Y K AY L A A N D E R S O N

O

n a lovely autumn afternoon, people filter in and out of Gatekeeper’s Museum in Tahoe City. Many are admiring the building, especially its proximity to the lake. But inside, there is a wealth of historic artistic beauty in the woven basket collection. At any given time, the museum has 270 baskets on display made between 1890 and 1940 out of North Lake Tahoe Historical Society’s collection of 700 woven relics.

Perfectly preserved in glass cases, the woven baskets range from tiny baskets given as gifts to large functional baskets used for cooking, carrying food or babies and in ceremonies. Some feature intricate designs of people or animals. They are made from indigenous willows, redbud, bracken fern root and other strong, natural threads.

“The Ants,” Matthew Johnson Parkhurst

Volunteers are needed to serve on the Town of Truckee’s Public Art Advisory Body, to oversee the implementation of the newly adopted Public Art Master Plan. Responsibilities will include assisting with developing public-art program priorities and processes, as well as overseeing program implementation, project prioritization, artist selection and public outreach.

The Public Art Advisory Body will meet the first Tuesday of the month from 4 to 6 p.m. at Town Hall; the first meeting is scheduled for March.

The museum has 656 of Marion Steinbach’s baskets, which makes up about two-thirds of the exhibit, that were

ABOVE: Jerome Evans in front of the basket display.

LEFT: Portrait of Marion Steinbach.

donated in 1995.

Many of the baskets in the Gatekeeper’s Museum were inherited from Marion Steinbach’s collection; she began collecting baskets when she was 16 years old. Four years after her death, her husband donated them to the museum.

“Like most collectors, Marion had a large number of baskets that she wanted to keep intact. This small community got its act together and built this wing of the museum to support the collection,” says museum curator Jerome Evans.

The museum has 656 of Steinbach’s baskets, which makes up about two-thirds of the exhibit, which were donated in 1995.

To Evans’ knowledge, Steinbach became a serious collector of woven baskets in the 1960s and regularly bought, sold and traded the American Indian artifacts. In

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com Explore the vibrant arts scene in the Tahoe Sierra. Click on Arts & Culture.

1967, Steinbach acquired fine and utilitarian baskets from Dorothy Atkinson, whose mother Nellie, started her collection in Yosemite in the late 1800s. While the interest in Native American artwork subsided after World War I, an event called Indian Field Days at Yosemite in the late 1920s regen24

erated the art of basketry that took on a new trend that lasted through the 1930s.

Evans does appraisals and a little buying and selling, but mostly volunteers at the museum and answers questions about the baskets.

“It was like a bear to honey, me coming here,” he said.

Evans is drawn to the aspect of weaving, the individualism and Native American history embedded in basket weaving. He collects baskets from all over the world and especially likes Japanese and American Indian varieties. When admiring a basket, he pays attention to the shape, design, decoration and technique used in making it.

“Among collectors, the Washoe Degikup and Pomo gift baskets are the most popular,” he said.

What makes basket weaving a specialized art is that it takes as much time to collect the materials as it does to weave one.

It can take four to five years to learn how to weave baskets; the time it takes to make one depends on the size, access to materials and how much time one can dedicate to weaving.

A museum visitor asks Evans what a

devil’s claw was — something he saw in the making of a basket. Evans immediately flipped open a book and stopped at a picture. He explained that devil’s claw is a type of weed with a barbed pod used to make a basket — which was indeed creepy looking. The most popular materials used by Washoe basket weavers are willow and redbud, only harvestable in the spring and fall.

Most of the baskets in the museum were made in California, but the collection includes baskets from Alaska, Arizona, British Colombia, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and New Mexico.

Evans enjoys volunteering at the museum, to be among the baskets and chat with people who are interested in them.

He once met a couple from Hungary who had read about the Gatekeeper’s Museum in a travel guide and visited Tahoe just to check out the collection.

Gatekeeper’s Museum happily accepts donations of fine baskets, especially when the name of the weaver is known, and the basket has an attractive and intricate design. Evans appraises baskets free of charge; he is primarily interested in Washoe baskets because Tahoe is in Washoe territory.

“I have so much respect for the people who make them,” he said.

Gatekeeper’s Museum offers basketweaving kits for sale; visitors can try their hand at making a basket and bring in the finished product. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | northtahoemuseums.org. 

Suitable, qualified members include arts advocates, youth arts representatives, public art experts, performing arts representatives, visual arts representatives, technical experts and community members who are not artists or arts businessowners.

Three members will be appointed for a term of two years and four will be appointed for a term of four years.

Applications are at the Town Clerk’s Office in Town Hall or online. The deadline to apply is at noon on Jan. 17. | townoftruckee.com

THE ARTS SEPTEMBER 19-26, 2019

Andy Skaff art exhibit

Wolfdale’s | Tahoe City | Dec. 26-Jan. 31 5 p.m. | wolfdales.com

Ceramics Class

South Lake Tahoe Senior Ctr | Tuesdays

1:30-4:30 p.m. | (530) 544-1482, talart.org

“Fall Into Art”

Truckee Community Rec Center | Dec. 26-Feb. 29 tdprd.org

“Going Places: Sailing By Stars” Tahoe Maritime Museum Tahoe City | Dec. 26-Jan. 23

10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | (530) 583-9283, tahoemaritimemuseum.org

Holly Arts

North Tahoe Arts | Tahoe City | Dec. 26-31 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | (530) 581-2787, northtahoearts.com

“Outboards: In-Style”

Tahoe Maritime Museum Tahoe City | Dec. 26-Jan. 23

10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | tahoemaritimemuseum.org

December 26, 2019-January 8, 2020

Arts

THE

THE ARTS

Photo Credit | Photographer?

18th annual

January 16-20, 2020

“Sledflakes” Mark Salinas | Boatworks Mall

“SLEDFLAKES” INSTALLED IN TAHOE CITY

Fiber Art Friday

South Lake Tahoe Library | Dec. 27-June 4 1 p.m. | engagedpatrons.org

Gallery Keoki Holiday Reception

Five days of films, workshops, speakers, music, art, & celebration W I L DA N D S C E N I C F I L M F E S T I VA L .O R G

Gallery Keoki | Olympic Valley | Dec. 28

5-7 p.m. | (530) 583-1404, gallerykeoki.com

The nonprofit Tahoe Fund has joined with Boatworks at Lake Tahoe in Tahoe City to raise awareness and encourage environmental stewardship of the region with the recycled art installation “Sledflakes,” created by local artist Mark Salinas. Take Care Tahoe exhibit is also on display.

Open Studio

Comprised of dozens of broken plastic sleds collected by Salinas from the Spooner Summit sled corral, “Sledflakes” was designed as a reminder of nature’s beauty and the negative impact plastic waste has on Lake Tahoe. Sled corrals were first introduced at Spooner Summit in 2017. Since that time, thousands of broken, discarded sleds have been collected. The sculpture was unveiled at a public event on Dec. 13.

Evening of Poetry

The Take Care Tahoe exhibit features a photo booth and opportunity for visitors to learn more about how they can connect with and protect the natural environment. Visitors can make their pledge on the wall about how they will take care of Tahoe. The exhibit will be open throughout the winter season.

Nevada City + Grass Valley, CA

South Lake Tahoe Senior Center | Dec. 31, Jan. 7 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | (530) 544-2313

Diamond Cut Video Competition Diamond Peak Ski Resort Incline Village | Jan. 1-March 15

(775) 832-1177, diamondpeak.com

Kings Beach Library | Jan. 1

6-7 p.m. | (530) 546-2021, placer.ca.gov

Wine and Wool Wednesdays

Glasses Wine Bar | Incline Village | Jan. 1-Aug. 11 5:30-7 p.m. | (530) 270-9463, glasseswinebar.com

“A Series of Ricochets”

Sierra Nevada College Incline Village | Jan. 3-Feb. 14

10 a.m. | (775) 831-1314, sierranevada.edu

Fab and Funky Art Sale

North Tahoe Arts | Tahoe City | Jan. 3-Feb. 4

11 a.m.-5 p.m. | (530) 581-2787, northtahoearts.org

What’s Your Story?

Sierra Nevada College Incline Village | Jan. 3-11

| (775) 831-1314, sierranevada.edu

Public Tour

Truckee Roundhouse | Thursdays

2-2:45 p.m. | chamber.truckee.com

Regine Bandel art exhibit

City Hall Lobby South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 26-March 31

8 a.m.-5 p.m. | cityofslt.regroup.com

First Tuesdays for Planet Earth

Truckee Roundhouse | Jan. 7-Feb. 4 4-6 p.m.

Gathering of Artists

North Tahoe Arts | Tahoe City | Jan. 7

10 a.m.-2 p.m. | (530) 581-2787, northtahoearts.com

Tia Rancourt and Joan Davis art exhibits Incline Village Library | Dec. 26-31 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | (775) 832-4130

530.583.1874

400 SQUAW CREEK ROAD

OLYMPIC VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 25

MUSIC SCENE

Music SCENE TheTahoeWeekly.com

LIVE MUSIC, SHOWS & NIGHTLIFE

SnowGlobe Music Festival

E N T E RTA I N M E N T

CALENDAR

DECEMBER 26, 2019-JANUARY 9, 2020

THE FUTURE OF EDM IS FEMALE STORY BY SEAN McALINDIN

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AT

Dec. 29-31 | 2 p.m. | Community Playfields & Bijou Park | South Lake Tahoe

“I

t’s definitely still a boys’ club although it is certainly starting to change,” says LP Giobbi of the electronic-dance-music artist community. “There is sometimes this idea that since there are so few women, there is only room for one at the top. We’re proving that wrong. The more we work together, the stronger we become.”

While two out of three acts at most major festivals are all-male, EDM is even more of a cave rave. With ticket buyers basically equal in gender representation, females make up only 17 percent (9 out of 53) of the artists on this year’s SnowGlobe lineup. Still, it’s better than in the past for a genre that’s been slower than almost any other to put women at the top of the bill.

UNIIQU3

TheTahoeWeekly.com Check out the Tahoe Music, Events & Festivals guide for all the winter fun.

Click on Music Scene.

DECEMBER 26 | THURSDAY

“ Representation matters.

Elise Manchester

I used to feel really isolated in the beginning.

Now more than ever we are getting to show

“It’s another way of affirming we can do things,” says Giobbi, the musician whose newest track “Jungle Queen” is a steamy collaboration with Baltimore club queen TT the Artist. “I think camaraderie and uplifting each other up is so important.”

LP Giobbi is a guiding light for a new generation of female artists, turning the music industry on its head by writing, recording, producing and marketing her music from the ground up. Along with Sophie Hawley-Weld of German-American dance duo Sofi Tukker, she is co-owner of Animal Talk Collective and founder of FEMME HOUSE, an educational platform created to address the lack of representation and equity in electronic music by empowering women to learn the language of the recording studio at free monthly sessions in Los Angeles.

“My first Ableton course was me and 250 dudes, not that I wasn’t fine with it,” she says. “Still, I think it’s important to create safe spaces for women to learn this stuff.”

was hitting me up and wanting to work with me. I got introduced to a whole different world and I stuck with it.”

When an inspiring track called “Stronger Than I’ve Ever Been” ran on a commercial featuring a Paralympic athlete during Superbowl LII and the PyeongChang Olympics, her career reached yet another level.

“It changed my whole entire life,” says the gifted vocalist. “It has put me in more rooms writing with higher-caliber artists.

By the grace of God or the universe, I am a completely independent artist.”

Zanders produces like the legendary Rick Rubin in that she doesn’t press the buttons; rather, she directs the scope of the process like a composer or maestro at the helm of a musical vision — something that was once practically unheard of for a female artist.

“As a gay woman of color in the electronic dance music scene, I quickly realized there is not anyone doing this from my race,” she says. “We’re not always seen for our value although we often make the song. I do think it’s changing. There have been more women on bills and audiences coming to support woman in heavy waves.

We’ve been given the spotlight and we’re fighting for change.”

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS

THE JERSEY CLUB QUEEN

Once an emo theater kid who started a funk rock band in college, Studio City recording artist Kaleena Zanders got her first big break when club hit, “California”

by SNBRN, went viral worldwide in 2015.

“It’s insane,” Zanders says. “Everyone

Growing up in Newark, N.J., Cherise Gary was an actress and ballerina. In high school, she found electronic music, became UNIIQU3 and has since gone on to conquer the world as one of the principal purveyors of Jersey club, a sub-genre of

what we can do.”

–UNIIQU3

26

EDM derived from Baltimore house.

“It’s fast-paced, made for the dance floor and very instructional,” she says. “The lyrics basically translate to get down, let loose and turn up.”

Ten years into her career, UNIIQU3 has performed as an independent solo female EDM artist on every continent except for Africa and Antarctica.

Catch the women of SnowGlobe Dec. 29 Elohim Dec 31 Kaleena Zanders VenessaMichaels

Dec. 30 Doja Cat LP Giobbi Kah-Lo GG Magree Kendoll UNIIQU3

“I think about it all the time, how far I come,” she says. “Representation matters.

It shows it’s possible for female acts to achieve that level of success based off of pure talent. I used to feel really isolated in the beginning. Now more than ever we are getting to show what we can do.”

Her songs “LSD” and “Freaking in the Club” are in-your-face bangers with the role reversal of a woman telling a man what to do rather that the other way around.

“If you come to the UNIIQU3 set, you have to expect the unexpected,” she says.

“I know we’re in Lake Tahoe and it’s going to be snowing, but I’m going to melt that bitch down.” | snowglobemusicfestival.com 

Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m.

Ron Josol Art Truckee, Truckee, 7-9 p.m.

Golden Dragon Acrobats Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Sierra Night DJ McP’s Tahoehouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

McP’s Pray for Snow Party Sierra, Twin Bridges, 8 p.m.

Dueling Pianos Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30-10:30 p.m.

The Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Robert Hall The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

Live Music Bar of America, Truckee, 9-11:30 p.m.

Hellbound Glory Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 10 p.m.

Live Music/DJ Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

DECEMBER 27 | FRIDAY Ice Sculpture Contest Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Carnival Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com Explore more events in the Tahoe Sierra or submit your event.

Click on Event Calendar. FREE! Kris Diehl The Idle Hour, South Lake Tahoe, 2 p.m.

Live Music Northstar California Resort, Truckee, 2 p.m.

Live Music Hard Rock - Hotel Lobby, Stateline, 3-6 p.m.

Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m.

Live Music Gar Woods Lake Tahoe, Carnelian Bay, 6:30 p.m.

Disney Characters Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

December 26, 2019-January 8, 2020

MUSIC SCENE

C A L E N D A R | DECEMBER 26, 2019-JANUARY 9, 2020

Courtesy Golden Dragon Acrobats

Golden Dragon Acrobats Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Live Music Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats, Truckee, 8-11:55 p.m.

Chris Costa Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m.

The Greg Golden Band Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m.

Dueling Pianos Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30-10:30 p.m.

Lexi Scatena Fat Cat Bar & Grill, Tahoe City, 8:30-11:30 p.m.

The Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Nomads Bar of America, Truckee, 9-10 p.m.

DECEMBER 28 | SATURDAY DJ Music Homewood Mountain Resort, Homewood, 12-3 p.m.

Kris Diehl The Idle Hour, South Lake Tahoe, 2 p.m.

Live Music Northstar California Resort, Truckee, 2 p.m.

Live Music Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, Tahoe City, 2-5 p.m.

Live Music Hard Rock - Hotel Lobby, Stateline, 3-6 p.m.

Live Music Village at Squaw, Olympic Valley, 3-6 p.m.

Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m.

Golden Dragon Acrobats perform at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe on Jan. 2.

Magic After Dark Starring Robert Hall The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 9-10:30 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Arty the Party Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

DJ in Center Bar Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.

DJ David Aaron MontBleu Resort, Stateline, 10 p.m.

The Nevada Show Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Noche Latina Rojos Cavern, South Lake Tahoe, 10 p.m.

Live Music/DJ Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Twelve Days of Magic Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, Truckee

A Holiday Theater Spectacular Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 6-9 p.m.

Live Music Glasses Wine Bar, Incline Village, 7:30 p.m.

Golden Dragon Acrobats Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

TJ Miller MontBleu Resort, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Live Music Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats, Truckee, 8-11:55 p.m.

Riffs Comedy Club Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 8 p.m.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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NEW

MASTERSOUNDS

DECEMBER 31 | TUESDAY

Dec. 29 | 9 p.m.

Crystal Bay Casino | Crystal Bay, Nev.

FROM ACROSS THE POND in Leeds, England, The New Mastersounds have unearthed the soul of funk since 1990.

Nebraska blues act Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal will open. There’s a free after party in the Red Room with Los Angeles-based, afro-beat combo Mestizo Beat. | crystalbaycasino.com

COBURN STATION

FUNK & SOUL

BLUES MONSTERS

DEC. 28 | SATURDAY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

THE

Chris Costa Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m.

Dueling Pianos Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30-10:30 p.m.

The Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Nomads Bar of America, Truckee, 9-10 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Arty the Party Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Petty Theft Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 9 p.m.

DJ in Center Bar Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.

DJ David Aaron MontBleu Resort, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Live Music/DJ Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

JAM ROCK

Dec. 31 | 10 p.m.

Alibi Ale Works Public House | Truckee NORTH LAKE’S HOMETOWN jamband Coburn Station will be rocking way past midnight with psychedelic light show in tow. Don’t drop the ball. Tickets may sell out. | alibialeworks.com

BLUES ROCK

Dec. 28 | 2 p.m.

Northstar California | Truckee Dec. 31 | 9 p.m.

Za’s Lakefront | Tahoe City

NEVADA CHAMBER

Shayne Gray

CLIVE GREENSMITH

MUSIC FESTIVAL

THE BEST BLUES band in Lake Tahoe, The Blues Monsters, rings in the New Year on the North Shore alongside the supreme horn section of Groove Foundry — sure to be a grand ol’ time. | northstarcalifornia.com, zaslakefront.com

PETER APFELBAUM AND JOSH JONES

CLASSICAL

Dec. 26 | 7 p.m.

St. John’s Presbyterian Church | Reno, Nev. Dec. 27, Jan. 1 | various times Trinity Episcopal Cathedral | Reno, Nev.

28

Michael Weintrob

Dec. 29 | 5 p.m. | Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel | Reno Nev.

ACCLAIMED CELLIST Clive Greensmith marks his inaugural season as artistic director of the Nevada Chamber Music Festival with an international cast of musicians exploring classical string ensemble music from Bach, Schubert, Vivaldi, Ravel, Beethoven, Debussy and so many more. | renochamberorchestra.org

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 2-5 p.m.

MTV’s SnowGlobe Music Festival 2019 South Lake Tahoe Community Playfields & Bijou Park, South Lake Tahoe, 2 p.m.-1 a.m.

Live Music Northstar California Resort, Truckee, 2 p.m.

Live Music Sierra-At-Tahoe, Twin Bridges, 4 p.m.

Bluegrass Jam Alibi Ale Works - Truckee Public House, Truckee, 6-9:30 p.m.

Golden Dragon Acrobats Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

The Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

The New Mastersounds w/ Josh Hoyer Soul Colossal Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 9 p.m.

Live Music/DJ Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

DECEMBER 30 | MONDAY

Dec. 28 | 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship | Reno, Nev.

Dec. 30, 31 | various times UNR Hall Recital Hall | Reno, Nev.

DECEMBER 29 | SUNDAY

JAZZ

Dec. 27-28 | 8 p.m.

Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats | Truckee PERCUSSIONIST JOSH JONES joins multi-instrumentalist composer Peter Apfelbaum for two special nights of music at Truckee’s downtown jazz joint. | moodysbistro.com

MTV’s SnowGlobe Music Festival 2019 South Lake Tahoe Community Playfields & Bijou Park, South Lake Tahoe, 2 p.m.-1 a.m.

Song Group Tahoe Truckee School of Music, Truckee, 5:15-6:30 p.m.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live MontBleu Resort Casino, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Dead Winter Carpenters Alibi Ale Works - Truckee Public House, Truckee, 9 p.m.-12 a.m.

Mestizo Beat Alibi Ale Works, Truckee, 9 p.m.-12 a.m.

The California Honeydrops Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 9 p.m.

MTV’s SnowGlobe Music Festival 2019 South Lake Tahoe Community Playfields & Bijou Park, South Lake Tahoe, 2 p.m.-1 a.m.

DJ CashMaster Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 2-3 p.m.

New Year Dinner & Dance with VooDooDogz Red Dog Saloon, Virginia City, 6 p.m.

MS Dixie II Zephyr Cove Resort, Zephyr Cove, 6 p.m.

Tuesday Night Blues Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Across the Decades New Year’s Eve Countdown Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Jerrod Niemann Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 8:30-9:30 p.m.

New Years Eve 2020 The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 8:30 p.m.

The California Honeydrops Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 9 p.m.

Boot Juice The Divided Sky, Meyers, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Shlump NYE 2020 Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay, 9 p.m.

Rock-N-OVL New Year’s Eve Concert Olympic Valley Lodge (OVL), Olympic Valley, 9 p.m.

Coburn Station Alibi Ale Works - Truckee Public House, Truckee, 9-9:30 p.m.

The Blues Monsters Za’s Lakefront, Tahoe City, 9 p.m.

Chango Bar of America, Truckee, 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

JANUARY 1 | WEDNESDAY Unplugged Truckee Philosophy, Truckee, 6-9 p.m.

Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m.

Live Music CB’s Bistro, Carnelian Bay, 6-9 p.m.

Golden Dragon Acrobats Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

The Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

JANUARY 2 | THURSDAY Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m.

Live music Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar, Truckee, 6:30 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Kyle & Mistie Knight The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Golden Dragon Acrobats Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Live Music Atlantis Cabaret Bar, Reno, 8 p.m.

Sierra Night DJ McP’s Tahoehouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Dueling Pianos Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30-10:30 p.m.

The Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Live Music Bar of America, Truckee, 9-11:30 p.m.

Live Music/DJ Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

December 26, 2019-January 8, 2020

MUSIC SCENE

BOOT JUICE Dec. 31 | 9 p.m.

The Divided Sky | Meyers

INSPIRED BY THE HUMBLE melodies of Railroad Earth and soulful harmonies of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Davis rockers Boot Juice find a sense of freedom floating from downhome soul to progressive bluegrass. | thedividedsky.com

THE

CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS

R&B

Dec. 30-31 | 9 p.m.

Crystal Bay Casino | Crystal Bay, Nev.

AMERICANA

JANUARY 3 | FRIDAY Kris Diehl The Idle Hour, South Lake Tahoe, 2 p.m.

Live Music Northstar California Resort, Truckee, 2 p.m.

Live Music Hard Rock - Hotel Lobby, Stateline, 3-6 p.m.

Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m.

Live Music Gar Woods Lake Tahoe, Carnelian Bay, 6:30 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Kyle & Mistie Knight The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Golden Dragon Acrobats Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Jaime Rollins Fat Cat Bar & Grill, Tahoe City, 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Live Music Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats, Truckee, 8-11:55 p.m.

Our Mission: We connect and empower our community through family strengthening, crisis intervention, hunger relief, and legal services.

Hunger Relief Program (formerly Project MANA):

775-298-4161

WEEKLY FOOD DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS AND TIMES:

MONDAYS TAHOE CITY | 3:00pm to 3:30pm Fairway Community Center, 330 Fairway Drive

Chris Costa Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m.

Dueling Pianos Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30-10:30 p.m.

The Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Mike Schermer Bar of America, Truckee, 9-10 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Kyle & Mistie Knight The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Arty the Party Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

SV Snow Removal

d Squaw Valley d 10 years experience d Local references d We use shovels & snow blowers Call Bob at (530) 412-2703

Tahoe Science Center Hands-on science activities, Guided tours & 3-D movies Open Tues.–Fri., 1–5 p.m.

TUESDAYS TRUCKEE | 3:30pm to 4pm Sierra Senior Center, 10040 Estates Drive

(or by appointment, closed all holidays)

WEDNESDAYS KINGS BEACH | 3:00pm to 3:30pm Community House, 265 Bear Street

TahoeScienceCenter.org

THURSDAYS INCLINE VILLAGE | 3:00pm to 3:30pm St. Patrick’s Church 341 Village Blvd. sierracommunityhouse.org

DJ in Center Bar Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.

DJ David Aaron MontBleu Resort, Stateline, 10 p.m.

The Nevada Show Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Noche Latina Rojos Cavern, South Lake Tahoe, 10 p.m.

Live Music/DJ Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Peter Joseph Burtt & the King Tide Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 10 p.m.

BAY AREA FAVORITES The California Honeydrops return for two nights of New Year’s Eve celebrations with special guests The Brothers Comatose on Dec. 30 and with Sal’s Greenhouse on Dec. 31. After parties will include More Fatter and The Sextones. | crystalbaycasino.com

(775) 881-7566

Major Motion Pictures · Independent Films Live Music · Dance Performances

Star Wars: the Rise of Skywalker Dec. 26-Jan.16: 2, 5:30 & 9pm

1917

Jan. TBD

Bombshell Jan. TBD

The Gentleman Jan. TBD

Visit TahoeArtHausCinema.com for showtimes, schedule, events + tkts

THE COBBLESTONE CENTER 475 N LAKE BLVD., TAHOE CITY, CA | 530-584-2431

29

TheTahoeWeekly.com

EXPLORES LOVE AND REBIRTH STORY BY SEAN McALINDIN

Jan. 3 | 10 p.m. | Crystal Bay Casino | Crystal Bay, Nev.

ALBUM REVIEW

T

he third full-length album by Peter Joseph Burtt and The Kingtide reaches a new territory of style within the King Beach songwriter’s distinctive soulfulness.

“Morphic Euphoric” was locally recorded by John Riley at Steel Tree Studio with a familiar cast of area musicians.

Sam Ravenna’s bass hits fat, smooth and precise on stripped-down opening track, “Get Down Rodney.” Burtt explores loss and love, the still-fresh emotions absolutely dripping from his sandpaper voice.

Although Peter Joseph Burtt has always been known for his laid-back approach, this album reaches a new level of depth and chill surpassing both 2013’s “Bone to Stone” and 2016’s “Mermaid’s Curse.”

“Lazarus” returns quickly to Burtt’s upbeat, danceable world-music roots with Zebuel Early’s lilting guitar interlacing easily amidst the polyrhythmic drumming of Mike Adamo. It also continues the theme of change and rebirth permeating the record.

“Can’t Kill a Weed” possesses a deep-roots reggae beat and militant message reminiscent of Bob Marley’s “Survival,” circa 1979, perhaps serving as a tip of the hat to Burtt’s steadfast recovery from heart surgery in 2015.

“Hello Stranger” takes us even farther back in time to the slowed-down ska vibe of a 1960s Kingston corner shop. Although Burtt has always been known for his laidback approach, this album reaches a new level of depth and chill surpassing both 2013’s “Bone to Stone” and 2016’s “Mermaid’s Curse.” It’s almost as if the singer has given up to the mysteriously haunting inspiration that moves him. There is an honesty pervading the lyrics, which hooks the listener and never really lets go.

The longest track on the album clocking in at more than 8 minutes, “Orphan Boy” features Todd Holway’s keyboards weaving about a deep, unhurried sonic feeling. As his voice cracks and bends over revealing lyrics referencing the artist’s innermost fears, joys,

30

insecurities and heartbreak, I can’t help but think again that this is Burtt’s most powerfully introspective work in years.

“Where the Rivers Meet” is a bluesy track recalling the brown, muddy delta where diverse styles of music congregated in early America. In fact, Burtt is a lifelong musician who draws from the Earth itself to inform his sound. He was completing a Master of Arts degree in San Francisco in creative writing and African drum and folklore when he began looking to cultures that maintain oral histories between rhythm and the spoken word. On discovering the harmonious poetry of the Shona people, he travelled first to Zimbabwe, then Ghana and Gambia, lingering in each place, living and studying within a society of traditional musicians.

Much of his music is played on traditional West African instruments, notably the harplike kora and the mbira or thumb piano.

“The Blue and the Green” returns to reggae roots with Ravenna’s strong, melodic bass pushing a song about the meaning of life’s creation while “Soldier of Fortune” drives heart beats around the ascending and descending scales of the magical kora.

Burtt’s live show is as captivating as it is soulful; he is a rare talent whose inimitable approach to contemporary music is impossible to forget.

“Soul Lover” opens up a free, loose air between Burtt’s weathered vocals and The Kingtide’s ultra-natural groove. The music is real, earthy and grounded, yet at the same time uplifting, inspiring and energetic. It’s a combination that comes off as effortless because of its truthfulness. As much as we try to stay the same, things always change. By life’s grace, we lose love, meet someone new, morph and transform into the unrecognizable and euphoric, “unending, not pending, impending …” Needless to say, the band sounds absolutely perfect as it draws out the jam into a soaring, free exploration of Burtt’s sundry influences.

Album closer “Put It to Use” is jazzy fusion reminiscent of Miles Davis 1970 “Bitches Brew.” Forty-five minutes into Burtt’s soul expression, I’m enchanted. Like a melodious North Star, when the muse calls, Burtt responds. And as the sound fades out, it’s clear he’s created some of the realest original music to come out of Lake Tahoe — ever. | crystalbaycasino.com 

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

JANUARY 4 | SATURDAY DJ Music Homewood Mountain Resort, Homewood, 12-3 p.m.

Kris Diehl The Idle Hour, South Lake Tahoe, 2 p.m.

Live Music Northstar California Resort, Truckee, 2 p.m.

Live Music Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, Tahoe City, 2-5 p.m.

Live Music Hard Rock - Hotel Lobby, Stateline, 3-6 p.m.

Live Music Village at Squaw, Olympic Valley, 3-6 p.m.

Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Kyle & Mistie Knight The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Live Music Glasses Wine Bar, Incline Village, 7:30 p.m.

Golden Dragon Acrobats Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Live Music Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats, Truckee, 8-11:55 p.m.

Riffs Comedy Club Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Chris Costa Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m.

Dueling Pianos Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30-10:30 p.m.

The Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Mike Schermer Bar of America, Truckee, 9-10 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Kyle & Mistie Knight The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Arty the Party Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Too $hort plus DJ Aspect MontBleu Resort, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Jelly Bread Alibi Ale Works - Truckee Public House, Truckee, 9 p.m.-12 a.m.

DJ in Center Bar Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.

DJ David Aaron MontBleu Resort, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Live Music/DJ Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Nesha, Heidilicious & Danger Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 11 p.m.-3 a.m.

Improv Comedy Art Truckee, Truckee

JANUARY 5 | SUNDAY Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 2-5 p.m.

Live Music Northstar California Resort, Truckee, 2 p.m.

Brrroque Masters Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church, South Lake Tahoe, 3 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Kyle & Mistie Knight The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 4:30 p.m.

Bluegrass Jam Alibi Ale Works - Truckee Public House, Truckee, 6-9:30 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Kyle & Mistie Knight The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Golden Dragon Acrobats Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

The Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Live Music/DJ Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

JANUARY 6 | MONDAY Song Group Tahoe Truckee School of Music, Truckee, 5:15-6:30 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Kyle & Mistie Knight The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

JANUARY 7 | TUESDAY Magic Fusion Starring Kyle & Mistie Knight The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Tuesday Night Blues Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

JANUARY 8 | WEDNESDAY

Galen Oakes

Peter Joseph Burtt

C A L E N D A R | DECEMBER 26, 2019-JANUARY 9, 2020

DESERT HEARTS

MUSIC SCENE

Powabunga

coming to Crystal Bay

Powabunga Lake Tahoe, Crystal Bay Takeover is a music festival scheduled to take place in Crystal Bay, Nev., from March 20 to 22. The event promises three days of music and mountain activities. Musical acts so far include Bob Moses, Taches, Desert Hearts, Kazy Lambist, Fleetmac Wood, Housewives and more. Tickets are on sale now. | powabungafestival.com

Mr. D River Ranch, Tahoe City, 4-7 p.m.

Unplugged Truckee Philosophy, Truckee, 6-9 p.m.

Live Music CB’s Bistro, Carnelian Bay, 6-9 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

The Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

JANUARY 9 | THURSDAY Golden Dragon Acrobats Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Sierra Night DJ McP’s Tahoehouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Dueling Pianos Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30-10:30 p.m.

The Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Live Music Bar of America, Truckee, 9-11:30 p.m.

Live Music/DJ Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Local

flavor

FOOD & WINE, RECIPES, FEATURES & MORE

Roco + Como

TA S T Y TIDBITS

Send Tidbits to editor@tahoethisweek.com Courtesy Gastromaniac

LOCAL FLAVOR

S I S T E R R E S TA U R A N T S U N D E R O N E R O O F

Gastromaniac

S T O R Y A N D P H O T O S B Y P R I YA H U T N E R

T

he Día de Los Muertos colorful mural reets me when I arrive at Como, the newest Mexican restaurant located in Brickelltown in downtown Truckee. The mural is painted on the light beige bricks of the mission-styled room. As I walk past the kitchen and into the back area, the setting shifts to a Japanese-inspired ambience and I am in Roco, which features a mural of a female samurai. The sister restaurants under one roof operate out of a shared kitchen. It’s the brainchild of restaurateurs Ryan Dierks and Chris St. Martin, owners of Truckee Tavern and Grill.

opens

A new Italian restaurant, Gastromaniac, has opened featuring homemade pasta and gnocchi, along with authentic Italian pizza, Italian street food, and a variety of wines and beers.

Located at 3091 Harrison Ave. Suite 120 in South Lake Tahoe. | (530) 600-1520, Gastromaniac Homemade Pasta & Pizza on Facebook

Cottonwood

debuts new menu

“ We wanted to create something affordable and decided on tacos and ramen.

TOP TO BOTTOM: Owners of Roco + Como, Chris St. Martin, Ryan Dierks with Chef Nathan Lapating and the Street Taco Flight; Chicken ramen bowl; Seared Ahi Tuna with miso aioli.

We like both cuisines.”

–Chris St. Martin “When we were coming up with the design, we wanted a counterbalance to what we built with the tavern in terms of price point and menu. We wanted to create something affordable and decided on tacos and ramen. We like both cuisines” said St. Martin.

Dierks and St. Martin spent time researching options; they traveled to New York, San Francisco and the Bay Area to check out other Mexican and ramen restaurants that had received great reviews.

Ambience, service, food and bar programs were all key factors they explored.

“We have two full bars, one featuring Mexican cocktails and agave spirits and Roco features Japanese spirits, Japanese whiskey, gin, sake and shochu, a Japanese distilled rice spirit,” said Dierks, one of the best cocktail mixologists in Truckee.

“Chris and I are both fans of hip-hop.

We inject that into the space along with the graffiti to create a unique experience.

Hip-hop is a cultural movement that spans the globe.”

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com Enjoy the tastes of the Tahoe Sierra. Click on Local Flavor.

French-trained executive chef Nathan Lapating has worked at Truckee Tavern for the last three years and was the natural choice for running the kitchen for Roco + Como. He was instrumental in the design of the kitchen.

Chef Lapating brought out a new item from the Roco menu: a scallop crudo app32

etizer served with grapefruit, red onions and micro radish from Tahoe Microgreens, topped with a delightful aqua chile. It was delicious, light and fresh.

Next was a seared ahi tuna with black garlic and a miso aioli. It was amazing.

I loved the aioli and garlic. Next he served Como street tacos: al pastor braised pork with pineapple cilantro and red-onion salsa; carne asada topped with a pico de gallo and fish tacos with mango habanero salsa. Each taco had the perfect spice temperature and was tasty. The last dish I had was the chicken ramen bowl served with arugula, shredded carrots and a softboiled, marinated egg; it was awesome.

The broth was rich and flavorful and I loved the arugula and carrots with the ramen noodles.

Dierks hopped behind the bar and returned with three cocktails: a Shiso Old Fashioned made with Japanese whiskey; the Cho Matcha made with Japanese gin, lemon, ginger, rosemary, matcha and egg

whites; and a Tepache Cocktail prepared with tepache, mezcal, pineapple, lime and nutmeg. Each was unique and creative.

I am a fan of Japanese whiskey, so I loved the Shiso Old Fashioned. Flights of tequila are offered on the Como menu and Japanese whiskey flights on the Roco menu. We finished with homemade flan and it was excellent.

Roco opened in June and Como in September. Some new items for fall include a roasted half chicken, Spanish rice and mole on the Como menu and fried rice bowls on Roco’s. Dierks and St. Martin are committed to the same philosophy they employ at Truckee Tavern.

“We use the best products. All of our products are made in house; there’s no cutting corners. We are just offering good food, good drinks at an affordable price.

The only thing that isn’t made in house is the ramen, which is prepared offsite by Sun Noodle,” St Martin said.

Patrons can order from either restaurant whether they are seated in Roco or Como.

There are options for every palate and dietary preference.

“Our goal is to create a neighborhood vibe,” Dierks said. | (530) 587-6247, rocotruckee.com.  Priya Hutner is a writer, personal chef and workshop facilitator. She is the owner of the Seasoned Sage, which prepares organic artisan meals for dinner parties and events. She also offers in-home cooking classes, parties and local pop up dinners. As a breath meditation teacher and long-time yogi, she facilitates workshops and classes that focus on gaining a deeper awareness of self. Read more at TheTahoe-Weekly.com; click on Local Flavor. Send story ideas to priya@tahoethisweek.com. | (772) 913-0008, pria78@gmail.com, seasonedsage.com

Cottonwood Restaurant recently completed a 1,100-square-foot expansion of its kitchen and welcomed the addition of Chefs Ben Deinken and Chef Joe Bell. Cottonwood has also rolled out a new menu featuring entrees including Hickory Smoked Salmon, Pork Medallions, Delta Farms Herb Roasted Chicken and Vegan Meat Loaf, among others. | (530) 587-5711, cottonwoodrestaurant.com

S’Mores Holiday

Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 26-30 2-5 p.m. | theshopsatheavenly.com

Farm to Table Dinner with Olympians

Olympic Village Lodge | Olympic Valley | Dec. 26 squawalpine.com

Holiday Mixology

Resort at Squaw Creek | Olympic Valley | Dec. 27

4 p.m. | (530) 581-6610, destinationhotels.com

WhiSki Farm-to-Table Dinner & “Winterland”

Olympic Village Lodge | Olympic Valley | Dec. 27 5 p.m. | squawalpine.com

Meet the Winery

Uncorked Truckee | Truckee | Dec. 27, Jan. 3

5 p.m. | (530) 550-5200, uncorkedtahoe.com

Meet the Winery

Uncorked Squaw Valley | Olympic Valley | Dec. 28

5 p.m. | (530) 584-6090, uncorkedtahoe.com

Art of Mixology

Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe | Truckee | Dec. 29, Jan. 5 4-5 p.m. | chamber.truckee.com

Farm-to-Table Dinner & movie Olympic Village Lodge Olympic Valley | Dec. 29, 30

5:30 p.m. | squawalpine.com

New Year’s Pancake Breakfast

Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Area | Tahoe City | Jan. 1 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | tahoexc.org

Meet the Winery

Petra | Truckee | Jan. 4

6-8 p.m. | (530) 562-0600, uncorkedtahoe.com

December 26, 2019-January 8, 2020

LOCAL FLAVOR

F R A N C E ’ S T R I P L E P L AY Part I I

STORY BY LOU PHILLIPS

I

n my last column, we looked at the climate factors that made 2015 to 2017 a magical era for French wines, as well as three classic regions. Let’s thicken this information stew with the other factors that made for some truly Grand Vin. Beyond climatic blessings, human hands also had an influence on the wonderful wines of this era. The first human factor was after the dismal 2011 to 2013 vintage run and world-wide economic decline that preceded our magical trilogy of vintages.

French winemakers realized consumers were not going to blindly shell out

LEFT: 2015 and 2017 Rhône gems. | Lou Phillips; RIGHT: 2016 and 2017 Loire wines. | Lou Phillips

beaucoup bucks for just the name on the bottle. This led to some good old-fashioned humility and a resolve to up the game in the vineyards and wineries, not to mention more humble pricing. Then when Mother Nature blessed the climate, French wineries were locked and loaded to excel.

Now, on to today’s wine tour.

Making wine in the top vineyard areas of the Northern Rhône Valley has always been an uphill battle, literally, since these are some of the steepest places on earth where wine grapes grow and figuratively, since the temperatures have historically been marginal to ripen grapes. The winds called mistrals, or masters, are so fierce that vines need to be tethered and the very, thin soils are blown downhill and have to be carried back up to the vineyards by workers.

In this magic vintage era all of that changed when temperatures were higher and winds were down. This increased both quality and yields to historic levels. The Southern Rhône prospered, as well, because the usually scorching tempera-tures were moderated and less volatile in their changes from month to month. Even the entry-level Côtes du Rhône wines are stellar.

The Loire Valley has always produced outstanding white wines from Chenin

Petra Restaurant and Wine Bar located in the village of Northstar.

Petra focuses on Mediterranean Farm to Table Cuisine that rotates throughout the season, such as Oven Roasted Fulton Valley Chicken, green beans and polenta, Coco rubbed Bavette Steak with shoe string fries and spring mix.

Steep vineyards of Northern Rhône. | Courtesy M. Chapoutier Wines

Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, but even these had extra levels of complexity in 2015 to 2017 because the riper grapes gave vignerons greater leeway to add layers to their palates. Red wines, primarily from Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir, had a reputation of being an acquired taste being quite lean of body and green in flavor.

These wines needed their three-vintage sun bathing as much as any grapes anywhere. They feature real complex fruit components without any apparent loss of freshness and minerality.

Even under the radar regions such as Alsace, Provence, Cahors, Languedoc-Roussillon

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com Read Part I. Click on Local Flavor: Wine Column. and the Jura have ridden with the rising tide of France’s triple play of vintages.

Almost without exception, these wines have added fruit components without compromising their old-world charms. With these three vintages are still widely available and maybe the last of the pre-tariff French wines. There may never have been, or will be, a better time to visit the world of French wine. 

uncorkedtahoe.com petra@uncorkedtahoe.com | 530.562.0600

THE SOULE DOMAIN

CREATIVE HOLIDAY DINING IN AN ELEGANT LOG CABIN Vegan Sauté • Sustainable Fresh Fish • Filet Mignon Organic Chicken • Local Seasonal Produce

Open at 5 pm for Christmas Week & New Years Week 12/21/19-1/2/20 with extensive holiday additions every night

Open for dinner nightly at 6pm Please make reservations

530-546-7529

www.souledomain.com Stateline Dr. next to Tahoe Biltmore, Crystal Bay, North Lake Tahoe

Open for Dinner Call for hours

530.583.3324

2905 Lake Forest Road, Tahoe City

BacchisTahoe.com

Lou Phillips is a Level 3 Advanced Sommelier in Tahoe and his consulting business wineprowest. com assists in the selling, buying and managing wine collections. He may be reached at (775) 5443435 or wineguru123@gmail.com. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com for more wine columns. Click on Wine Column under the Local Flavor tab.

Nightly 5-6 p.m.

Eclectic old world Ambiance Home made Pastas Wide-ranging Wine list DINNER AND BAR NIGHTLY FROM 5-9 PM Reservations Recommended

Happy Hour

Sun-Thurs | 5-6 pm Christmas Holiday Excluded Dec 22-Jan 2

Downtown Truckee | (530) 587-4694

PianetaRestaurantTruckee.com

ChristyHill.com 115 Grove St., Tahoe City CA 530-583-8551 33

LOCAL FLAVOR

TheTahoeWeekly.com

MINI CHEESECAKES B Y C H E F D AV I D “ S M I T T Y ” S M I T H

Kings Beach Lunch Specials Daily Early Bird Special 4-6pm

Dinner Special 4-10pm

$4.00 Margaritas $3.50 Dos Equis $2.50 Draft Bud

25% Off Mexican Combo Dinners

Full

Bar

Open 11:30am-10:00pm (530) 546-4539 8345 North Lake Blvd. - Across from the State Beach in Kings Beach

T

BREAKFAST

|

LUNCH

|

DINNER

hey say this is the time of year for miracles between Christmas and the New Year. Every Christmas show that comes on is about miracles from “It’s a Wonderful Life” to “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

spilled the beans about Santa.

This simple cheesecake recipe just might help you save some time on New Year’s Eve so you can have plenty of time to enjoy the party yourself. This is a recipe that my mom would use for holidays and events that were not dinner-oriented feasts such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. These were crowd favorites at parties. She would use canned fruit pie toppings, cherry or blueberry, but you can boil fresh or frozen strawberries, blueberries or cherries in a little simple syrup and jam and they will be even better.

Open Daily at 8:00 am

HAPPY HOUR 4:30-6:00 pm daily Martini Mondays $8 spindleshankstahoe.com

This simple cheesecake recipe just might help you save some time on New Year’s Eve so you can have plenty of time to enjoy the party yourself.

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com

400 Brassie Ave, Suite B · Kings Beach

(530) 546.2191

Fine Italian Food & Spirits

Locals Love Lanza’s!

Famous for our Mexicans!

(530) 546-2434 BAR - 4:30 p.m. DINNER - 5 p.m.

7739 N Lake Blvd - Kings Beach

LanzasTahoe.com

Make more of Chef Smitty’s dishes.

Click on Local Flavor: Chef’s Recipe

Now, I’m a glass-half-full kind of guy.

I really try to always find the positive in everything and realize that when things aren’t great, they could certainly be a whole lot worse. But, do I believe in miracles? I guess to be honest, I would have to say: Kinda. I would like to believe it is possible for miracles to occur with happy endings for some people. It’s just not going to happen to me. Wait, wait, wait — I’m not complaining at all. The fact of the matter is: I am a glass-half-full kind of guy and I don’t need a miracle to make me happy.

Would I like a Ferrari? Of course, but the speed limit is 65 mph and my Subaru will do that comfortably and get me to my fishing holes — so no big deal.

That has been pretty much how I felt about miracles since my older brother

For a quick and simple desert snack for this New Year’s Eve, try these simple treats and have a happy time.  Smitty is a personal chef specializing in dinner parties, cooking classes and special events. Trained under Master Chef Anton Flory at Top Notch Resort in Stowe, Vt., Smitty is known for his creative use of fresh ingredients. Contact him at tmmsmitty@gmail.com or (530) 412-3598. To read archived copies of Smitty’s column, visit chefsmitty.com or TheTahoeWeekly.com. Click on Chef’s Recipe under the Local Flavor tab.

(530) 587-3557 10186 Donner PassSunday Rd - Truckee through Thursday not valid with any other offer | Expires May 22, 2019

MINI CHEESECAKES

From the kitchen of: Chef David “Smitty” Smith

20% OFF ENTIRE FOOD BILL Sunday through Thursday not valid with any other offer | Expires Jan. 8, 2020 | Excludes holidays

16 oz. cream cheese 2 eggs 1 box small vanilla wafers (Keebler seem to fit best) Mini-muffin paper cups

¾ C sugar

1 t vanilla extract Mini-muffin tins

Beat the cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Place paper muffin cup in the muffin tin. Place 1 vanilla wafer in the bottom of each and fill three quarters of the way with the cheese mixture. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees and bake for 10 minutes. Cool for a few hours or overnight. Place a spoon of pie fruit filling on each one.

FRUIT PIE TOPPING FEATURING: Slow-Roasted Prime Rib | Baby Back Ribs Steaks | Full Bar | Seafood Pasta | Gourmet Hamburgers 12 ft. Long Salad Bar | Kid’s Menu

JasonsBeachSideGrille.com

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(530) 546-3315

8338 NORTH LAKE BLVD., KINGS BEACH, CA

34

1 C fresh or frozen fruit ½ jar of jam, same flavor as fruit

1 T sugar ⅛ C water

Combine water, sugar and jam. Bring to a boil and let reduce a little. Add the fruit and let boil for about 3 minutes or so for frozen fruit or until fresh berries start to soften.

If too thin, thicken by dissolving 1 t corn starch in cold water and add it slowly to the boiling fruit mix. Let cool completely before spooning on mini cheesecakes.

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