Is Reno-Tahoe a good fit for a winter Olympics games?

A recent poll conducted by organizers of an effort to bring a Winter Olympics to Reno-Tahoe shows a majority of local residents supports the idea, according to a story in the Reno Gazette-Journal.

A majority of respondents (51 percent) said the “strongy support” the idea, organizers said.

The Sierra Nevada has previously played host to the Winter Olympics when the games were held at Squaw Valley in 1960. Since then, the area has seen an explosion of population, event venues, hotels and other visitor amenities. Because of consistent weather, world-class ski resorts and high-altitude training opportunities, many Olympic-caliber athletes call Reno-Tahoe home.

What do you think about the potential for a Winter Olympics in Reno-Tahoe?

-Jim Scripps

Locals refer to it as the “shoulder season” in the Sierra Nevada, the time between peak winter ski tourism and summer fun on Lake Tahoe’s beaches. But here’s a local secret: Some of the best (and least expensive) skiing happens in Spring.
This year started off strong with a flurry of cold storms that brought powder days and a large snowpack for the Sierra’s dozen-or-so resorts. Now that temperatures are in the 60s at higher altitude, the deep base is paying dividends of spring corn combined with good coverage.
Come up to the mountains for a visit to Reno-Tahoe, enjoy some of the best spring conditions we’ve had in years and take advantage of shoulder season travel deals. Check out our resorts page and plan your trip before it’s too late.

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Earlier this month, the Reno-Tahoe gang got the chance to go Backcountry skiing on Mt. Tallac.

One of Lake Tahoe’s premier backcountry destinations, Tallac offers a strenuous 3,200-foot ascent, epic views of the Lake Tahoe basin and a thrilling descent.

Check out the Reno-Tahoe YouTube channel for other Reno-Tahoe videos.Thanks to photographer Justin Cash (who was on the hill with the editorial team from Backcountry Magazine) for throwing a couple photos our way.

-Jim Scripps

The view from Mt. Tallac looking south toward Lake Tahoe (left) and Fallen Leaf Lake (right). Photo / Jim Scripps

With temperatures in the 60s, spring skiing and boarding is in the air in Reno-Tahoe, a good time for the hardier ski-hikers to make a backcountry trek up Mt. Tallac, one the Sierra’s most accessible routes and home to unrivaled views of Lake Tahoe and the eastern Sierra below.

Although Tallac’s approach may be tough for the “fitness-challenged” - it registers 9,735 feet, a 3,255-foot gain to the summit - it’s high vantage point and open, skiable terrain make it well worth the hike. MiketheBike and I escorted a three-man editorial team from Backcountry Magazine up Mt. Tallac on March 6 to give them a taste of spring corn and clear blue skies.

Chilly morning air gave way to warm temperatures as we started up the trailhead around 10 a.m. Mikethebike, Justin and Justin (keeping names straight was also a little tough) sported randonee skis, Mike skinned a split snowboard, and I snowshoed, carrying my snowboard on my back. While the snow started out bulletproof, by the time we reached about 7,500 feet it started to loosen up, a good time for soft turns. I was the first to bail - tired of lugging my board, I strapped it on and ripped a good long run down the canyon. The others would continue toward the summit.

The snow started to harden up by the time my fellow travelers headed down, give them a bone-jarring ride. It turns out the best time to descend was between 2-3 p.m. And regardless of the snow condition, Tallac on a clear sunny day offers one of the best views available for the backcountry enthusiast.

To get to the (winter) Tallac trailhead (map): From Lake Tahoe’s South Shore take Highway 89 toward Emerald Bay. Turn west on Spring Creek Road, the first road after the Baldwin Beach turnoff. The end of the road is the start of the trail. From the trailhead, the summit is approximately 2.2 miles. Climb time varies based on snow conditions … and be prepared for avalanche danger before attempting any backcountry ski trip.

(Check back for a video of backcountry on Tallac…)

- Jim Scripps

After enjoying a month of summer time down south in Argentina– tele girl is back! It’s so exciting to see (and experience) the powder and new snow in Reno Tahoe! Yeah!!!

Since we got back, we’ve been out a couple of times and it’s been awesome! First we went to Thomas Creek with our 18 month old girl and had a blast.

But last Sat got even better. My friend asked if we wanted to go out on a date she would watch Cielo, so I said “how about Sat morning so we can go skiing?!” and she agreed. So we went up to the Tahoe Meadows and hiked up and teled down while snowing the entire time. It was like heaven! Even though I am pretty pregnant (due in 4 weeks) I love to get out and earn some curves!

Here in Reno-Tahoe we guarantee fresh snow every friday. subject to black out days, some restrictions apply, no purchase necessary, store credit only, no rain checks…)

Here are some photos of a little pre-work backcountry ski session called, in the local vernacular, Dawn Patrol. Little is known about these secretive and elusive backcountry creatures. These photos were obtained by a confidential source who refuses to say where they were taken.

Info on backcountry skiing in and around Tahoe can be found @:

• The Backcountry: Shops with rental gear in Truckee and Tahoe City.
• Summitpost.com: a good mountaineering guide and a very active forum.
• Alpine Skills International: Classes and trips on all winter backcountry sports. This is a world renowned guide service with certified instructors.
• Wilderness Press: This publisher has some great books and maps written by Reno Tahoe locals. See the Tahoe Backcountry map, Snowsnow Trails Tahoe, and Afoot and Afield in Reno-Tahoe.
• Sierra Avalanche Center: The gentlemen in these photos reported seeing several avalanches that could have potentially been dangerous to skiers. NEVER go into the backcountry W/O checking this daily report usually posted by 6:00 AM. Don’t ski alone, and always cary, and know how to use, a shovel, avalanche beacon, and a probe. Cell reception is good in most areas of Tahoe, and could potentially save a life.

Have a HAPPY holiday!!! If you’re visiting Tahoe this week, we’d love to see your photos and hear your stories! Drop us a line and join our Flickr Photo Community.

Cheers!

-MTB

Even though it seemed like there wasn’t enough snow, we decided to go for a few runs on Sunday – and we were amazed!! The snow was awesome!! You could see on the Mt Rose Ski Resort web cam that it was windy and maybe even miserable. But when we got there, we parked at the Summit and hiked up to a North facing slope, between the trees - and it was perfect.

Fresh power for the last ski trip!

Is skiing in April considered Spring skiing? Maybe not - especially when you get 9 inches of pow pow!

Last Saturday we went back up again and took turns skiing. We went to the "bend on the road" on Mt. Rose Highway, coming from Reno before you hit Mt. Rose Ski Resort. It was such a perfect blue bird day!

Taking a breat to eat

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