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:
Other notable Ski Magazine rankings:
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!
* Prices may reflect early season specials/online discounts.
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
Reno is again earning accolades as a four-season adventure epicenter, this time in the pages of National Geographic Adventure magazine.
In the magazine’s September issue cover story, “The 50 Next Great Adventure Towns,” Reno is ranked tops among some great destinations. Those of us who already live here know why: 300 days of sunshine a year, a quick drive to Lake Tahoe and 18 ski/board/cross-country resorts, golf, mountain biking, the Truckee River, etc.
The magazine cited criteria including lifestyle and career opportunities in its list.
“So this year we selected 50 innovative towns that aren’t just prime relocation spots right now, but smart choices for the future,” the magazine wrote. “Not only do they have the action. They’ve got a plan. Now we’re giving you a plan too. Inside, you’ll find hometown picks that range from adventure 24/7 hubs loaded with outdoor options to urban players that offer a variety of jobs and cultural activities without sacrificing green space.”
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.
YouTube, MySpace, Google, Blip.tv and Veoh
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
