Last year marked a record-setting ski season for U.S. resorts with 60.5 million skier visits, according to the National Ski Areas Association. As travelers begin thinking about where to find the best deals and the most snow for the upcoming season, Orbitz predicts Lake Tahoe will be this year’s most popular destination.

“While ski vacations are more popular than ever before, the current economy presents new challenges for travelers on tighter budgets than in past years,” said Heather Leisman, senior director of merchandizing for Orbitz. “Travelers looking for ski season savings need only a bit of expert advice on when and where to travel, and Orbitz has the insider knowledge to help them hit the slopes.”

2008-2009 Orbitz Insider Ski Index (Ranking* and average daily hotel rate**)

1. Lake Tahoe, CA/NEV    $116
2. Breckenridge, CO    $225
3. Park City, UT    $239
4. Vail, CO    $286
5. Aspen, CO    $227
6. Keystone, CO    $149
7. Winter Park, CO    $193
8. Whistler, BC    $292
9. Banff, Canada    $189
10. Steamboat Springs, CO    $204

*Based on hotel and vacation package bookings from 11/1/08 to 4/30/09 for bookings as of 10/14/08
** Based on average daily hotel rates from 11/1/08 to 4/30/09 for bookings as of 10/14/08

We’re barely a month into fall, and already Reno-Tahoe has had a nice dusting of snow - with more (hopefully) on the way soon. Local ski and board resorts are getting ready too, with opening dates set for next month.

If you’re not ready, here’s a taste of Tahoe powder to whet your appetite:

Warren Miller, the godfather of ski cinema, will emcee an event at Squaw Valley next month. Details from On The Snow:

The Squaw Valley Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting programs having artistic, cultural, and educational values for the surrounding community, is host a fund-raiser that is sure to be a hoot.

Legendary filmmaker - and onetime Squaw Valley ski instructor - Warren Miller will emcee A Toast to Tahoe Skiing on the evening of Nov. 15 at the Resort at Squaw Creek.

The event, which figures to be North Lake Tahoe’s biggest and liveliest party to kick-off the 2008-09 ski and snowboard season, is a celebration of the region’s deep-seated winter sports roots.

A Toast to Tahoe Skiing will feature a cocktail reception, a variety of food stations, an energetic ski/snowboard fashion and equipment show featuring local ski celebrities - Tamara McKinney, Eric DesLauriers, Shannon Bahrke and Robb Gafney are among the “models” - world-class music and lighting by Swank Audio Visual, and a live auction all commentated by Miller, whose dry wit and droll observations are known to all.

Miller also will wield the gavel as A Toast to Tahoe Skiing will auction off vacation packages to such get-away spas as Sunriver in Oregon, Palm Springs, Inn at Loretto in Santa Fe, Vail Cascade in Colorado, and Monterey Plaza Resort and Spa.

Sounds like a great event for a great cause. Check it out if you can. (In case you’re wondering, Squaw Valley is set to open for the season on Nov. 22.)

Tickets for the event - which begins with a reception at 6 p.m. and followed by dinner at 7 p.m. - cost $85 per person, with a limited number of front-row sponsored tables available. Call (530) 581-4138 for more information or reservations.

Sounds like a great event for a great cause. Check it out if you can. (In case you’re wondering, Squaw Valley is set to open for the season on Nov. 22.)

If you haven’t seen the latest issue of Ski Magazine, the cover story is the “Top 50 Resort Guide,” with Reno-Tahoe-area resorts getting some major props from readers.

In the last decade, the resort industry has definitely taken a turn, shifting its attention from a niche of solely ski/board enthusiasts, to travelers and families who want the fresh tracks, but also after-hours activities, shopping, restaurants and nightlife.

Throughout Reno-Tahoe, resorts have been keeping up with demand – and readers of Ski have taken notice. Here are some of the rankings:

• Squaw Valley USA, ranked number 15 overall, was recognized as “A giant playground. Never boring and always challenging,” with it’s 4,000 acres sprawled across six peaks.
• Heavenly Mountain Resort’s addition of a new gondola a few years back certainly helped it earn the 17th spot in the poll, along with its expansive terrain bridging two states and 300 days of sunshine a year.
• Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, ranked 23rd overall, is a local favorite, and with a “terrific” new village, its reputation is growing in the larger ski community. The resort recently added expert terrain at Lookout Mountain, and the Ritz Carlton Club under development at mid-mountain will add a touch of class when it is finalized in a year.
• Alpine Meadows, earning a ranking of 29th overall, looks like a hometown mountain at first peek, but the 2,400 acres of awesome terrain and snowfall that tops 500 inches some years tells a different story. Alpine is a good fit for skiers of every ability, but still exudes that Old Tahoe charm.

Other notable Ski Magazine rankings:

• Family Programs: 8. Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort
• Best Terrain Park: 3. Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort
• Best Scenery: 2. Heavenly Mountain Resort
• Best Terrain/Variety: 5. Squaw Valley USA
• Best Terrain/Challenge: 6. Squaw Valley USA
• Best Lifts: 9. Squaw Valley USA
• Best Apres Ski: 4. Heavenly Mountain Resort
• Best Off-Hill Activities: 5. Heavenly Mountain Resort

In other news, Squaw Valley USA received high marks in Outside Magazine’s November listing of the 15 Best Ski Resorts in North America, coming in at a respectable number nine.

What is your favorite Reno-Tahoe resort (and why)?

Last weekend’s snow in Reno-Tahoe reminded us of the reason for the season - skiing and boarding! Hopefully the early season flurries are indicative of a snowy winter ahead.

For regular, even semi-regular, skiers and boarders a season pass is a worthwhile investment. Here’s a breakdown of pass prices at local resorts (adult). Drop a few coins on a pass now … it will pay off when the big dumps come this winter!

• Alpine Meadows: $599-$1,074
• Boreal Mountain Resort: $199-$329
• Diamond Peak: $109-$567
• Donner Ski Ranch: $249
• Heavenly Lake Tahoe: $379
• Homewood Mountain Resort: $349-$499
• Kirkwood: $439-$569
• Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe: $599
• Northstar-at-Tahoe: $299-$749
• Sierra-at-Tahoe: $299-$749
• Soda Springs: $199
• Squaw Valley USA: $1,889
• Sugar Bowl: $299-$839
• Tahoe Donner: $270

* Prices may reflect early season specials/online discounts.

Disc Golf has been part of Reno’s master plan for years but never became a reality - until now, with the partial opening of “The Ranch” at Rancho San Rafael Park.

The Ranch, Reno’s disc golf course, is under construction at the north end of Rancho San Rafael Park behind the Reno Sports Complex. Nine holes are currently open and the other nine will be installed following additional community fundraising. The effort is being spearheaded by the Reno Disc Golf Association.

Disc Golf is on a steep growth curve, with more than 100 new courses installed each year. The game doesn’t require deep instruction or investment, so it is approachable. All you need is a disc or two, and a good attitude.

There are now more than 1,300 disc golf courses in the U.S., with hundreds more around the world. The Ranch is Reno’s first disc golf course, although there are several others in the Reno-Tahoe area

- Photo and post courtesy of Michael Jacobus, president of the Reno Disc Golf Association

“O Canada” was the anthem in Incline Village, Nev., as Canadians Mike Vine and Melanie McQuaid dominated the pro classes of the XTERRA USA Championship, which pitted some of the world’s best endurance athletes in a grueling swim, bike ride and run at Lake Tahoe’s high altitude.

Incline Village local Seth Wealing also showed strong, coming in second in the men’s professional class.

In all, more than 300 mostly amateur athletes made the trek to Lake Tahoe for the annual XTERRA event, the crown jewel in a series that tests athleticism, endurance and will power. More than a triathlon, the race demands cycling and running skills – pushed to the limits for close to three hours. Luckily for the athletes, Tahoe’s North Shore offered relatively warm temperatures, sunny skies and some enthusiastic fans.

The event also honored the spirit of 5-time XTERRA USA Champ and now cancer-stricken athlete Jamie Whitmore, who was presented the XTERRA Warrior award at dinner the night before the Sunday race.

For a full list of race results, click here. And don’t forget to check out the event photo gallery.

Most people still don’t understand why I choose to spend SO much time in Reno, NV. Until they come to visit all I can do is tell them about the awesome outdoor community and the easy access to outdoor amenities.

This week just downstream of the current whitewater park (the Truckee River Whitewater Park in downtown Reno) another was completed (the Truckee River Whitewater Park at Rock Park in Sparks). Though it is still not officially open I had the chance to test out the new features - and yes I got to be the first (there has to be some perks to being the world champ). This is the kind of park you want to bring your kids to: a picnic on the grass, swimming in the deep eddies.

I know I’ll be spending heaps of time here in the near future as they’ve managed to build a nice little wave for me to train on - thank you Jim and Mike!

- Re-post courtesy of world champion kayaker Ruth Gordon

Check out this video of Ruth on the wave of  “Double D,” one of the park features:

Alpine Meadows Ski Resort joined forces with the Jamaica Ski Team with an unprecedented partnership inspired by the newest skier cross phenom, Errol Kerr. A resident of Truckee, Calif. who has dual citizenship in the United States and Jamaica, 22-year-old Kerr will represent Jamaica at the 2010 winter games in Vancouver, Canada.

“I want to represent the land of my father,” Kerr told a reporter at the Jamaica Gleaner this spring. “That’s the dream,” he added. Kerr’s father passed away 10 years ago, which gives his journey to the Olympic podium extraordinary representation of kindred father-son connection.

“I believe everyone has to appreciate where they came from. I feel like one day in his own way, he’ll say to me, ‘I’m proud of you, son!’”

Kerr’s number-one Olympic mission is to win the newest winter ski discipline, skier cross. Emerging on the scene during the 2007/2008 on the international skier cross circuit, his performance surprised the world with his 5th place finish in his first Winter X-Games competition in 2008. Former U.S. Olympic coach, Raul Guisado will train Kerr for the Games.

For the complete story, visit Alpine Meadows online. For more Alpine Meadows photos, check out their Flickr page.

- Photo and information courtesy of Alpine Meadows Ski Resort

It’s so easy to be a fit family in Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place. The outdoor opportunities in this area are endless… and having kids does need to slow you down one bit! Our kids (2 years old and 6 months) love to get out and enjoy the beauty of this place.
Last year after posting about camping, hiking and skiing with kids Heidi Hill contacted me to see if she could ask me some questions about being an active family. She was writing a book about fit families and wanted to hear about my experience in this area. Well, her book is finally out and I got my copy a few days ago! There is a picture of me and my daughter hiking to Dry Pond. Heidi also included my suggestions in the hiking section. Very useful tips. And again, it’s so easy to be a fit family in a place that offers unlimited recreation opportunities!