Reno-Tahoe

The past is alive in historic Virginia City. The preserved western frontier town was once the center of commerce and culture during the gold and silver booms of the late 1800s. The old buildings, wooden boardwalk, museums, steam train and shops bring that history to life for families seeking a taste of the Wild West. Watch the Video:

Each Thursday vendors set up their tents, bands tune up on stage and the local pubs roll out the kegs for the biggest weekly party in the region at the Sparks Hometown Farmer’s Market.

The market runs throughout the summer, offering visitors a taste of Northern Nevada fun at Victorian Square in downtown Sparks.

In addition to traditional farmer’s market fare, there’s music on three stages, demonstrations, dance and plenty of partying. Check out this video to get a taste of one of Sparks’ signature events.

It’s a right of spring in the Sierra Nevada: The snow starts melting and the kayakers come out to play at the Truckee River Whitewater Park. The park, a manmade playground featuring rapids and pools, sits right at the entrance to downtown Reno, Nev., and it’s the host site of the annual Reno River Festival, taking place this weekend (May 8-10). One of the premier kayaking competitions in the country, the festival  offers a great time for visitors to Reno-Tahoe with live music, vendors and events all weekend long.

From humble beginnings

What began as a way to showcase and attract attention to the park for whitewater enthusiasts has grown with a multitude of events – some connected, some not so connected to kayaking. Last year 40,000 athletes and spectators made their way to the river’s edge for great weather and a great time under the spring sunshine.

The festival has followed the trajectory of the popularity of whitewater kayaking. In the U.S., there are few parks designed specifically for whitewater kayakers and only Reno’s is central to a metropolitan core.

Something old, something new

In addition to professional and amateur freestyle and boatercross kayaking events, the Reno River Festival features the Run Amuck fun run, where the goal may be the best costume, not necessarily the best finishing time. For a more spiritual experience, try yoga in the park or take in a fly-fishing casting demonstration. Each day’s party atmosphere is highlighted by live music in the park, craft beers and retail vendors. Dress code? Shorts and sandals.

More on the way

The wave of popularity in whitewater kayaking continues to grow and the Truckee River may become its epicenter in the West. Downriver, at Rock Park in Reno’s sister city of Sparks, a second iteration is under construction and ready to open this summer. The park’s kayaking features complement those of the Reno park, with improved riverbank landscaping, shade structures, and play structures, parking and better access for people with disabilities.

Reno River Festival

• What: Kayaking, live music, food and drink
• When: May 8-10
• Where: Downtown Reno at the Truckee River
• More: RenoRiverFestival.com

Our own Jill Stockton went for a ride aboard Amtrak’s Fun Train for a scenic ride from Sacramento to Reno. But this was no tame sightseeing tour …

There may be no easier way to get to Reno-Tahoe than aboard the Weekend Fun Train or Midweek Snow Train. There is no other train like it in America. The Fun Train is ideal for anyone looking to have a good time while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Donner Pass route – one of the most historic and scenic rail lines in America.

From departure to arrival, traveling on the Fun Train was, well, fun! I boarded the train in Sacramento and was greeted by ‘Fun Rick,’ a member of the Fun Train team. Fun Rick helped me feel welcome aboard and made finding my seat a breeze.  After boarding the train, which was decorated with a Western theme, we promptly departed for Reno. The ride through the Sacramento valley and along Donner Pass was simply spectacular. The views were amazing and fresh snow was falling, making this ride to Reno extra special.

The entertainment on board was outstanding. It was like nothing I’d ever seen before. Dozens of people dancing to the live music of the “FunAntics” while winding through the mountains headed for Reno. This is surely something that you’d never experience in a car or airplane!

If listening, not dancing, to live music is more your style, then the Piano Lounge Car is for you. With live entertainment in the Piano Car you can meet new friends, enjoy a drink from the cocktail bar and relax. The Fun Train also has strolling minstrels, musicians, and magicians to entertain you – if the beautiful scenery is not enough.

When we arrived in Reno, the good times just got better. After exiting the train, passengers were greeted by a jazz band directing them to their chartered bus which would take them to their designated hotel. The simplicity and ease of this trip was truly amazing.

The trip includes a roundtrip rail ticket from Emeryville, Martinez, Suisun, Sacramento or Roseville to Reno with reserved seat, two nights hotel accommodations, a Winner’s Book – good for discounted meals, 50 percent off the show at Harrah’s and more. For more information on packages and pricing information visit Key Holidays online or call (800) 783-0783.

(Squaw Valley, Calif.) – In an effort to jump start the winter spirit around Reno-Tahoe, Tahoe TV has launched the “Show Us Your Snow Dance” video contest, inviting viewers to submit video of their best snow dance for a chance to win up to $500 in prizes.

“We felt this would be a fun way to pump some energy into the preseason and also encourage support of local businesses,” said Eric Brandt, president of Tahoe TV. “We’re hoping to see some great videos and get the mojo workin’ for winter.”

Videos may be submitted online at www.tahoetv.com through Dec. 18. Each video will be rated online by viewers and also judged by a panel. On Dec. 22, the top-rated video will be awarded $500 in certificates to local businesses and aired on Tahoe TV’s daily local information program, Get Out! Tahoe around the lake and in Reno and Carson City.

Snow Dance videos can be elaborate or simple, and involve individual or multiple snow dancers. Participants are encouraged to be creative and show energy and appeal to the snow gods. Each video must be less than 90 seconds and under 50mb to be uploaded. For information, visit www.tahoetv.com.

Check out this snow dance video Alpine Meadows put together.

Boreal Mountain Resort is open and already boarders and skiers are hitting the park, which has new features for even bigger tricks. The fine folks over at Porters Tahoe caught some video on opening day. Check it out:

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:

Hello visitors and Reno residents!

It’s time for another installment of ERIN 411!, taking you around Reno-Tahoe to where the locals go and what the locals know!

First and foremost, here is “ERIN 411! The Best of Northern Nevada,” where I went around to my top picks from the Reno News & Review’s annual “Best Of” issue. Let me know if you agree with this year’s winners by posting a comment, or tell me your favorite places around Reno!

Next up, here’s something we’ve got going on that’s a bit alternative, a bit underground, and very wicked. It’s called Keep Reno Dirty, and it’s a house music movement. Reno freakin’ rocks!

Thanks for watching ERIN 411! The Show You Need To Know (because it’s awesome)

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

Reno Tahoe is about adventure. And that’s not a name just drawn out of a hat to appeal to itchy mid-west executives in corner offices (although we hope it does…). Real people live here who love adventure and actively pursue it every day of their lives. Below is a video trailer made by SummitSide a group of Reno-Tahoe locals which shows some of that pursuit via skiing, snowboarding, kite-boarding and mountain biking.

Here’s the home of a team of downhill mountain bikers. These guys live and breathe bikes. The trail shown here is the start of the first real, legal and purpose-built competition downhill mountain biking course in all of Northern Nevada, right here in Reno. It’s called the Entrail, or the “N” Trail because is runs from the big white N on a hillside above town. The trail is conceived, built and maintained by dhReno.com, The Poedunks (the northern Nevada IMBA affiliate), and Washoe County Parks. If you love summer more than winter, hold tight, biking is going to be big in Reno this spring!

Just examples of the many Reno Tahoe locals with the passion and drive to make adventure their life and their life an adventure.

-MTB

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