Archive for the ‘winter’ Category

Top 10 Snowfest Events This Week

Thursday, February 28th, 2013

North Lake Tahoe celebrates its long winter season with SnowFest, a 10-day carnival and one of the region’s most popular annual family celebrations. SnowFest is scheduled for March 1-10 and is  held at a variety of venues throughout North Lake Tahoe.

 

Here’s a list a just a few of festivities taking place:

  1. Opening Ceremonies at Squaw
  2. Tahoe City SnowFest! Parade
  3. The 23rd Annual Gar Woods Polar Bear Swim
  4. The 37th Annual Great Ski Race 
  5. Wacky Winter Bowling
  6. Jake’s Mardi Gras on the Lake Party
  7. Rahlves’ Banzai Tour Squaw Valley
  8. Hacienda Unofficial Thursdays Grand Prize Night
  9. Kings Beach SnowFest! Parade
  10. River Ranch Annual Snow Sculpting Contest 
For more information about SnowFest and a complete list of events, visit the online 

The Great Ski Race® Returns on March 3

Thursday, February 28th, 2013

The largest cross-country ski race west of the Mississippi is slated for this Sunday, March 3. Starting near the shores of Lake Tahoe, The Great Ski Race® covers 30km with 1,200 feet of uphill and 1,800 of downhill between Tahoe City and Truckee, Calif. The current record time is one hour and seven minutes, and the final contestant typically crosses the finish line in seven hours.

 

“The event draws skiers from around the country and around the world, including Olympic Nordic skiers and serious competitors, as well as skiers who are racing to beat their buddy or to beat last year’s time,” said Doug Read, race director for The Great Ski Race. “There are also skiers are out there to enjoy a ski in the woods with a bunch of friends, great soup stations and a heck of a party at the end.”

 

Registration for the 2013 Great Ski Race is now open online.  Registration fees are $65 until March 2, $100 on race day and $25 for juniors 18 and under. The entry fee includes a pre-race package, a commemorative T-shirt, refreshments and a hot lunch at the finish, and a chance to win one of many great prizes. The party at the finish will consist of live music and lots of laughs at Truckee’s historic Cottonwood Restaurant and Bar.

 

The Great Ski Race is the main fundraising event for the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization. Currently consisting of more than 100 volunteers, The Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team was conceived in 1976 as a response to the death of a boy lost off the back side of one of the Lake Tahoe ski resorts during a blizzard. There was, at the time, no organized backcountry ski team to help search for the boy. Desperate phone calls to some local Nordic skiers produced a search party that eventually located the youth, but only after it was too late. This group of skiers, along with the boy’s father (who today still remains one of the Nordic Team’s active members), learned there was an important void to be filled. Thus, the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team was born.

 

The Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team has matured considerably over the years, but the goals remain the same: conduct fast, safe rescues and educate the public about winter safety. Collectively, the team has an extremely high level of medical, mountain, and skiing skills, with members including EMTs, emergency room nurses, firefighters, professional ski patrollers, paramedics, and MDs. The Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team has located over 300 individuals to date, ultimately saving lives and bringing lost loved ones home whenever possible.  Proceeds from The Great Ski Race and donations are the only source of funding for the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team. All funds raised are used to support the operations of the all-volunteer team throughout the year, as well as for winter survival and avalanche education programs sponsored and conducted by the team.

 

About Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue

Conceived in 1976, the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team has more than 100 members who fulfill many different functions in the organization such as rescuing lost alpine and cross-country skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers, locating downed aircraft, rescuing stranded hikers and climbers, educating the public about mountain safety, and many other support functions. More information can be found at www.tahoenordicsar.com or www.thegreatskirace.com.

Meet the Four Legged Heroes of Winter

Thursday, February 28th, 2013

North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center presents

 “Meet our Four-Legged Heroes of Winter”

The Squaw/Alpine Rescue Dogs

Date: Thursday, March 7, 2013

Time: 5 pm – 7 pm

Location: North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center, 100 North Lake Blvd, Tahoe City CA 96145

Cost: FREE  EVENT

Who: Craig Noble and Furry Friends

TheNorthLake TahoeVisitorInformationCenteris looking forward to a woofing and tail-wagging good time as the Squaw/Alpine Rescue dogs come to the center for a visit. From their handlers, we will learn how they train these snuggly life savers and how we can support their efforts.   “A Day in Your Life” photographer, Donna Reid, will be here to take portraits of you and the cute canines (a portion of the photo proceeds will be donated to the Search and Rescue foundation).  Beer will be provided by Mellow Fellow GastroPub and cookies for furry friends will be provided by Scrap’s Dog Bakery.  The featured artist for this event is Keoki Gallery with his famous Dog Rescue Pictures.

Sponsored By: A Day in Your Life Photography, Scrap’s Dog Bakery and Mellow Fellow GastroPub

Contact Information: Kym Fabel, NLT Visitor Center Manager

Rahlves’ Banzai Returns to Squaw’s KT-22 for SnowFest

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

The first weekend in March marks the beginning of SnowFest, North Lake Tahoe’s most anticipated celebration, as well as the return of the Rahlves’ Banzai to Squaw Valley. The 32nd annual SnowFest will kick off March 1 with a torchlight parade and fireworks at the base of Squaw Valley. Then, March 2-3, guests can join amazing athletes and great company while participating in or watching the third leg of Rahlves’ Banzai Tour: the KT-22 Banzai.

 

Banzai Tour showcases racing in its purest form, with four racers at a time going head-to-head over natural terrain in ski and border-cross style action. The winners of each respective tour stop will have the opportunity to compete in the “Super Final” on March 9-10 against former World Champion, 12-time World Cup winner, X-Games Gold Medalist and four-time Olympic skier and Sugar Bowl Resort Ambassador Daron Rahlves. The Sugar  Bowl Silver Belt Banzai and Super Final race takes place during closing weekend of SnowFest!, so don’t miss the festive Banzai and SnowFest culminating events hosted by Sugar Bowl.

“The KT-22 Banzai is always one of the most exciting parts of the tour because of the great view of the course from the base of the mountain,” said Daron Rahlves. “Spectators get to watch athletes give it their all down the face of KT-22, which embodies everything the Banzai Tour is really about; the competition, athleticism, and most importantly, the enjoyment and camaraderie of the ski and snowboard community.”

 

Friday night before the tour stop, competing athletes, sponsors, media and special guests are invited to the event kick-off, “Rahlves’ Banzai Welcome Party” from 4-6 p.m. at Sandy’s Pub at the Resort at Squaw Creek. The welcome party ends right in time for athletes to participate in the annual opening ceremony torchlight parade. On Saturday after the solo qualifying timed runs to seed Sunday’s Finals and heats of four, all competing athletes, sponsors, media and fans are invited to celebrate all things Banzai from 3-6 p.m. at Le Chamois for the “Rahlves’ Banzai Après Party” thrown by High Fives Foundation. One dollar from each Sierra Nevada beer and Red Bull drink purchased throughout the après party will be donated to High Fives.

 

 

For those who are curious about the tour’s name, Banzai is a Japanese term expressed as an exuberant cheer meaning, “Long Life!” or “Hurray!”  An apt name for a high-spirited downhill ski and snowboard competition, the Silver Belt Race first took place in the 1940s at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort and was re-introduced with the head-to-head action by Daron Rahlves and Sugar Bowl in 2009. The race continued with one event for another year, and then Rahlves decided to take the show on the road, officially launching Rahlves’ Banzai Tour and expanding to stops at four of Lake Tahoe’s premier resorts.

 
The Rahlves Banzai tour is presented by Bank of The West. The Rahlves Banzai Tour is also supported by sponsors such as Red Bull, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Contour, CEP “intelligent sportswear”, North Lake Tahoe Chamber/VCB/Resort Association, Spyder, Atomic, Start Haus Ski Shop, Wend Wax, COAL, SVE/BOSE, The Bar Effect, World Cup Supply, Jagermeister, Snow Fest, Sports Insurance, Technical Equipment Cleaners, Resort at Squaw Creek, ZINKA, 101.5 Truckee Tahoe Radio, Tahoe TV, POWDER Mag, High Fives Foundation, World Cup Supply, and CRUX Events, thereby creating an alluring $80,000 prize purse.

 
For more information, to check out previous race results, videos and to register, visit online. For up-to-the-minute news, “Like” The Rahlves’ Banzai Tour on Facebook and follow @RahlvesBanzai on Twitter.

Guest Blogger Steve Talks Skiing at North Lake Tahoe

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Steve with PhotoFly Travel Club recently visited us in North Lake Tahoe and shared his take on the adventure with us. Check out the post below or the original post here. 

 

“I’m not a huge skier. In fact, I never understood why so many people wait eagerly for the frigid winter to spend thousands of dollars only to drive 5 hours back and forth every weekend. On top of that, they have to deal with the whole process of skiing or snowboarding (it’s really a lot of work: getting rentals or stuffing the equipment in and out of the car, putting it on (not as easy as you think), walking a ton in uncomfortable ski boots, getting muscle cramps and inevitable minor injuries). I should also say I’m from New England which has some good mountains but nothing like the type of snow and quality trails out west. THEN I was invited by the North Lake Tahoe Tourism Board to spend a weekend exploring the area and skiing at their top resorts. To sum the weekend up I have to say they proved me wrong; Skiing at North Lake Tahoe is awesome and now I totally get why millions of people go through all the effort and money to ski or snowboard as much as possible each winter.

 

The weekend started off typical for Tahoe enthusiasts by leaving early on Friday and driving 5.5 hours in traffic for a drive that should only takeSquaw Valley Resort 3. But once we arrived we were graciously welcomed at the Ritz-Carleton with food and drinks to go over the adventure. This place is brand new and it does the Ritz brand justice with an awesome restaurant and huge lounge area full of warm fires and comfortable couches and chairs. The view of North Star Resort is pretty stunning too. We had the pleasure of staying at the Resort at Squaw Creek. This place was perfect for a ski weekend with an awesome lobby view of Squaw Valley and very comfortable rooms with huge flat screen TVs. The view from our room was absolutely beautiful with a huge mountain and the steaming outdoor swimming pool below it.

 

Lake Tahoe in winter

The fun began on Saturday morning with my first ride to the top of the mountain at Squaw Valley. Staying at the resort is perfect because they have a designated chair lift right in front of the hotel. No need to lug everything to the crowded ski entrance 2 miles away. From the first run down to the bottom I realized what I’d been missing the past 2 years since I had last skied. These mountains and the quality of snow and skiing are awesome. We skied two full days and were pretty sore but it was so fun I didn’t care. Squaw has some excellent trails for average and expert skiers with some of the most vertical runs in all of North Lake Tahoe. On Saturday night we ate at Rocker Bar and Restaurant which had some amazing mac n cheese & beef brisket skillets. Excellent comfort food that really hit the spot after a good workout skiing all day.

 

Overall, we can’t thank Lake Tahoe North enough for having our travel club up for the weekend. They have rejuvenated our love and interest in skiing and we’ll be looking at planning a group trip to Lake Tahoe for next year! ”

 

CHECK OUT MORE FROM STEVE’S TRAVELS HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

First-Ever Lake Tahoe Nordic Festival is Feb. 8-10

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Alpenglow Sports has teamed up with Tahoe Cross Country to present the first-ever Lake Tahoe Nordic Festival Friday, February 8 through Sunday, February 10. All events are free, open to the public and take place at Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area in Tahoe City, California. A full schedule of events is found online.

 

The Lake Tahoe Nordic Festival is a three-day event that will cater to one of the fastest growing cross-country regions in the United States – Lake Tahoe. While it is no secret that Lake Tahoe is a famous alpine skiing destination, the region also offers world-class Nordic skiing and even played host to the Nordic events on the scenic West Shore during the 1960 Winter Olympics.

 

Friday evening kicks off the festival with a community-oriented party and film presentation by local athletes. An on-snow demo with all the latest and greatest in Nordic equipment from all industry brands will take place on Saturday from 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday are filled with technical and health clinics, group skis, historical snowshoe tours and race series.

 

The festival has gathered the local Nordic ski and snowshoe community to lead its clinics, groups skis and races, including Olympians Marcus Nash and Glenn Jobe, Far West Nordic Head Coach Ben Grassechi, Tahoe Peak Endurance’s Colleen Connors-Pace, Andy Pasternak and Julie Young of Silver Sage Sports Performance, Tim Hauserman of Tahoe Cross Country, Kara LaPoint of North Tahoe High School Nordic, and Peter Fain of Atlas Snowshoes. Local organizations Tahoe Institute for Natural Science and the Tahoe Rim Trail Association will also lead a Natural History Snowshoe Tour and Snowshoe Hike, respectively.

 

“We are excited to be hosting this first event at Tahoe Cross Country with Brendan and Alpenglow Sports,” said Kevin Murnane of Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area. “We have had a long standing partnership in Tahoe City promoting Nordic skiing together. The Lake Tahoe Nordic Festival will bring out the entire Nordic community to celebrate this great sport. Our goal is to offer something for everyone: from the complete beginner looking for a first lesson, to the veteran racer looking for the best equipment available, to the trail runner looking for a great snowshoe to help them stay fit in winter. When Brendan approached us with the idea of modeling this event after his successful Alpenglow Backcountry Festival and Demo Day, we jumped right in.”

 

The Lake Tahoe Nordic Festival has been made possible through a grant from the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, as well as partnerships with Atlas Snowshoes, Fischer, Leki, Madshus, Rossignol, Salomon, Swix, Toko, Silver Sage Sports Performance, Tahoe Peak Endurance, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Far West Nordic, Sugar Pine Cakery, Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships, Tahoe Institute for Natural Science and Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue.

Be sure to enter their contest on Facebook. They’ll be giving away $1,300 skate ski package from Fischer and Salomon! Enter here. 

 

 

 

About Alpenglow Sports:

Established in 1979, Alpenglow Sports is Tahoe City’s original mountain shop and specializes in backcountry and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, trail running, backpacking, hiking, camping and mountain lifestyle apparel.

 

About Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area:

The Tahoe Cross Country Ski Education Association (TCCSEA) is a nonprofit 501©(3) corporation whose mission is to promote the sport of cross-country skiing through educational activities for children and adults.

North Tahoe Snow Transformed Into Art at Carve Tahoe

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Prestigious snow carvers from around the world will call North Lake Tahoe home Feb. 8-12, 2013 for the region’s first-ever Carve Tahoe competition, with the judging take place Feb. 13, 2013.

 

The week long international snow sculpture contest is specifically geared for spectators who will view firsthand 20-ton blocks of pure snow shaped and carved into breathtaking masterpieces. The competing teams are the best of the best – selected from the event’s top applicants and representing more than 20 countries.

 

Lawrence Nobel, the lead judge of Carve Tahoe, is an award-winning sculptor and illustrator who previously designed a Gold Medal for the 1984 Olympics and created George Lucas’ Yoda Sculpture in the Presidio of San Francisco.

 

This is a unique opportunity to introduce visitors and local residents to the extreme and rugged art challenge of snow sculpting at a destination that celebrates all things snow.  North Lake Tahoe is proud to host these illustrious and celebrated carvers.

 

Northstar California is also eager to present the first Carve Tahoe. “We’re thrilled to host Carve Tahoe at Northstar this winter,” said Director of Village and Base Area Operations Nadia Guerriero of Northstar California. “The Village at Northstar is an ideal location to showcase these incredible snow sculptures. Our guests are going to love watching the snow come to life in such a unique way, and seeing the work of these talented artists in person.”

 

While the highlight of Carve Tahoe is the talent and skill of the carvers from Finland, Germany, Japan, Russia, Canada and the United States, charitable donations also play a key role. According to event organizers, every dollar donated per spectator per vote will go directly to a local non-profit.

Touch the Lake

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

Sometime about the 200th run down the mountain, it hits you: I think I need a break. Luckily, you are in North Lake Tahoe, with many ways to spend your “day-off.”

 

Eat. North Lake Tahoe has roughly 36 miles of shoreline stretching from Incline Village in Nevada to Tahoma on the West Shore, with more than 100 restaurants in between. Every imaginable cuisine? Check. Romantic lake views? Check. Hipster hangouts? Got ‘em.

 

Do. Try kayaking across the “glass” on a calm winter day. Go snowshoeing at Sugar Pine Point State Park. Or try cross-country skiing at Tahoe X-Country or North Tahoe Regional Park.

 

Stroll. Then there is the shopping. Yes, you could use that charming walking stick. Lakeside art galleries, home furnishing and clothing stores abound.

 

Check out a full list of things to do in North Lake Tahoe:


West Shore

Cross Country Skiing, Snowshoeing & Sledding
Sugar Pine Point State Park
and Meeks Bay, Explore 18.7 kilometers of groomed Nature Trails through the forest and along the lake. This is a great way to take in views of the lake and experience historic trails of the 1960’s Olympics.


Tahoe City

Cross Country Skiing, Snowshoeing & Snow Play
Tahoe XC
has 5 open trails and 15 groomed kilometers and some dog friendly trails as well.

Granlibakken has 2 trails and 3 groomed kilometers, and is an amazing place to bring small children to sled and play in the snow.

Tahoe City Winter Sports Park has Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, a small sled hill and snow-play area.

Commons Beach is Tahoe City’s lakefront park. A great place to frolic in the snow or build a snowman while taking in amazing views of Lake Tahoe.

 

Sightseeing & Adventure
Get out on the lake at the Tahoe City Marina with year round boat rentals.

Swing from the trees at Granlibakken’s Tree Top Adventure Park. A blast is to be had with a series of courses linking tree to tree platforms with a variety of bridges and zip lines!

North Shore

Outdoor Activities
Paddle the lake… An amazing time of year to get out on the lake at Waterman’s Landing in Carnelian Bay. They rent out paddleboards year round, but don’t worry, there is a wonderful café to warm your bones upon your return!

Go play in the snow at North Tahoe Regional Park – off National Ave in Tahoe Vista. With captivating views and groomed hills, this facility has been a favorite of snow play lovers for decades. Snowmobiling is also available at the park.

 

Take in a View of the Lake
Soak up the view at Kings Beach State Park. This is a lakefront park with a playground, picnic areas and room to play all day.

Sand Harbor has some of the most wonderful Lake Tahoe Views. Sand Harbor can’t be missed!

Here’s a list of things to see in North Lake Tahoe:


Tahoe City

The Gatekeeper’s Cabin is home of the North Lake Tahoe Historic Society museum and located adjacent to the Truckee River outlet dam in Tahoe City. Go check out the Ursus Among Us, The American Black Bear in the Tahoe Basin exhibit.

Fanny Bridge, just south of the intersection of Highways 89 & 28, at the traffic light in Tahoe City. In summer people bending over the rail of the bridge to watch trout frolic below Lake Tahoe’s only outlet, the Truckee River, gives the bridge its name.


West Shore

Tahoe Maritime Museum, This museum gives insight into Lake Tahoe’s rich maritime history. Step back to the time when grand steam-ships and gleaming wood boats plied the waters of the lake.


North Shore

Head over to UC Davis Education Center in Incline and discover what makes Lake Tahoe so unique. Guided tours include a virtual research vessel, virtual laboratory and green building tour. See the new 3-D movie “Lake Tahoe in Depth”.

Cal-Neva Lodge Take a tour on this historic property from 1936 thru the early 1960’s at which time Frank Sinatra owned the lodge and hosted his Rat Pack buddies, Marilyn Monroe and other infamous characters.

Free Lift Tickets, Free Ski Gear and Way More from North Lake Tahoe

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013

This winter is the time to score free swag from North Lake Tahoe. With 3 giveaways running on their Facebook page, there’s sure to be something for everyone. Are you going to be a winner?

1. Escape to North Lake Tahoe Lift Ticket GiveawayWin a pair of lift tickets in the Escape to North Lake Tahoe Lift Ticket Giveaway. A winner will be selected each weekday based on their creativity and unique photos showing what they are “escaping from.” Winners score a pair of lift tickets that can redeemed at 6 North Lake Tahoe ski resorts. The contest runs now through Thursday, January 31. Fans and followers can also enter by tweeting/instagramming a photo with the hashtag #escapecontest and an @TahoeNorth mention in your messaging. For contest details, click here

 

2. Video Finalists in IRONMAN Lake Tahoe Giveaway – after a round of photo entries showing what “drives your personal IRONMAN,” 5 finalists were asked to submit a short video to tell their story. Winners will be receive an entry in the SOLD OUT IRONMAN Lake Tahoe 2013.  Talk about a priceless prize! Vote for your favorite here. 

 

3. The Rahlves’ Banzai Tour Sweepstakes -Enter to win one of 4 Rahlves’ Banzai Tour prize packages! Kirkwood Contour Prize Package: February 2-3, Alpine Meadows CEP Prize Package: February 9-10, Squaw Valley Bank of the West Prize Package: March2-3, and Sugar Bowl Super Final Prize Package March 2-3. Click here to enter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lake Tahoe’s Olympic Heritage Celebration is Jan. 12-21

Friday, January 11th, 2013

North Lake Tahoe pulls out all the stops to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics with the Olympic Heritage Celebration, January 12-21, at venues throughout the region.

 

The event, which is sponsored by the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association, kicks off Sat., Jan. 12 with the REI Winter Trails Day at Tahoe Donner Cross Country Resort in Truckee.

 

The following day, Sun, Jan. 13, at noon there will be Cross Country and Snowshoe Tours of the 1960 Olympic Trails at Sugar Pine Point State Park on the West Shore. The site marks the venue for the 1960 Olympic Nordic events. Squaw Valley hosted the downhill events, as well as the ice skating competitions.

 

On Tues., Jan. 15, the Robbie Burns Olympic Reception takes place at the Gatekeeper’s Museum in Tahoe City, 5-7 p.m., with Olympic exhibits on display.

 

Scholastic Olympic Heritage Day is Wed., Jan. 16, 6 p.m., with the Grand Opening of the museum that will feature the 1960 Olympic Games Collection. The museum is located at the Boatworks Mall in Tahoe City.

 

The Olympian Dinner is scheduled for Fri., Jan. 18, 5-9 p.m., at Granlibakken Resort’s Cedar House Pub and is open to the public. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Olympic Trails Restoration. The event will honor participants from the 1960 Nordic events, including coaches, course designers and groomers. These participants will also share stories with dinner attendees, reminiscing about events and historical significance of the era leading up to the Olympics in Tahoe. Granlibakken Resort is located just outside of Tahoe City on the West Shore.

 

The Eagle Wings Pageant Dancers will perform Sat., Jan. 19, 5-9 p.m., in Tahoe City next to the North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center near the Tahoe City Dam.

 

Sun., Jan. 20, marks the Olympic History Walking Tour of Squaw Valley, noon, with attendees meeting in front of the Squaw Valley Tram Building.

 

The Olympic Heritage Celebration concludes Mon., Jan. 21 with the Citizens Against the Clock Biathlon race, 10 a.m., at the new Tahoe City Winter Sports Park.

 

In addition to the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association, the Olympic Heritage Celebration is sponsored by California State Parks, Sierra State Parks Foundation, Lake Tahoe’s West Shore Association, Olympic Trails Restoration Committee, West Shore Sports and Granlibakken Resort.