This summer’s alfresco event, scheduled from noon to 4 p.m., will again focus on varietals from regional California wine producers and will also feature gourmet bites from North Lake Tahoe’s top restaurants and catering companies.
What has stayed the same is the ideal event location. The Tahoe City Wine Walk runs along scenic North Lake Tahoe Boulevard and provides some of the best views of Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the country. Many take the opportunity to sip while shopping at Tahoe City’s unique establishments for signature wares and wrap up the day with dinner at one of Tahoe City’s many restaurants – all within walking distance of the event.
Tickets are now on sale and run $35/person in advance and $45/person at the event (cash only). Ticket price includes admittance, wine tasting, commemorative wine glass, delicious bite-sized offerings, live music and free on-site parking. Attendees must be 21 years or older and show valid ID when purchasing tickets and registering the day of the event.
The Tahoe City Wine Walk is a fundraiser for the Tahoe City Downtown Association. This non-profit organization consists of local merchants, property owners, community associations, residents, professionals and contributors whose goal it is to enhance and promote a vibrant and prosperous commercial and social center for the residents and visitors to Tahoe City.
For more information about the event, lodging specials, public transportation options, parking map and to purchase tickets online, click to the official website. The site is also home to social media channels, volunteer opportunities, as well as subscription to the Tahoe City Wine Walk mailing list. Day-of-event registration booths will be located at Boatworks Mall, Heritage Plaza and the North Tahoe Art Center in Tahoe City. Event sponsorship opportunities are available.
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:
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.
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
It might have been raining across much of Northern California, but last week’s storm brought snow to North Lake Tahoe ski resorts – more than 3.5 feet of the white stuff, making for a great ski weekend.
You just never know how these storms are going to play out. But Mother Nature cooperated and we’ve got new snow on the mountains!
With a base elevation of 8,260 feet, Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe welcomed 45 inches of snow throughout the series of storms and has received a total of 100 inches of snowfall to date. On Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort at an elevation of 6,883 feet is reporting storm totals of 44 inches. Squaw Valley’s upper mountain at 8,200 feet got 42 inches of snow.
Reservations are not required, but participants should arrive early. Lesson packages can be purchased at each individual resort the day of lessons. Students should contact resorts directly for resort-specific information. Some restrictions apply. Resorts not open December 8-9 may offer a Learn to Ski Weekend later in the season.
With 2 snow storms officially under our belts, North Lake Tahoe ski resortsare gearing up for an epic season. Dust off your skis or board and go north.
“Plates for Powder” is back. With the official start to the Tahoe ski season days away, the Tahoe Fund is launching the popular promotion to raise money for important environmental projects in Tahoe. From now until April 15, anyone who purchases a newLake Tahoe license plate in either California or Nevada is eligible to receive two free ski tickets to one of the 11 Tahoe resorts participating in the program.
Over 96% of the funds raised through the plate sales go directly to the state agencies, the California Tahoe Conservancy and Nevada Division of State Lands, to fund hiking andbiking trails and watershed restoration projects. The Tahoe Fund, a bi-state non-profit dedicated to raising money for environmental improvement projects that support lake clarity, recreation and stewardship in the Tahoe Basin, is organizing the program on behalf of the public agencies.
Although you might not feel it, the weather is starting to change in North Lake Tahoe. Days are still warm, with temperatures averaging in the 60s, but nights are dropping to approximately 35 degrees. It’s the time of year that the region’s upper elevations start seeing a dusting of snow.
We’ve been reviewing all the long-range forecasts, and if Mother Nature keeps up her end, we should have above-average snowfall this winter.
That’s music to the ears of North Lake Tahoe ski resorts, many of which have been pumping millions of dollars into their ski and non-ski products to enhance the winter enthusiast’s experience.
This season marks year two of Squaw Valley’s $50 million renaissance. The improvements, unveiled for winter 2012-2013, will greatly enhance the first-time and beginner experience, the terrain park and improve the overall flow of the upper mountain.
The resort will install Big Blue Express, a new, high-speed six-pack chairlift, to replace the High Camp chairlift. The base terminal of Big Blue Express will start where the base of the High Camp lift was formerly located and will extend to the top of the ridge, providing easy access to the Shirley Lake, Solitude and Granite Chief chairlifts. The Links double chairlift will be removed and replaced with a triple chairlift call Mountain Meadow, which will be realigned to bring skiers and riders up to the ridgeline near the top of the terminals of the Solitude and Silverado lifts. Additional changes include Squaw’s three million snowmaking improvements and grooming initiatives.
Building on the $30 million recently invested at Northstar California, the resort celebrates this winter and its 40th anniversary with more glade skiing on The Backside, first-ever snow cat and backcountry tours on Sawtooth Ridge, a new Burton Riglet Park that introduces snowboarding to 3-6 year olds and EpicMix Racing that has participants comparing their race times against accomplished Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn. Also new this season is Tavern 6330’ in the Village at Northstar with seating for up to 200. The new restaurant features American grill dishes inspired by California farm fresh ingredients served up in a cozy, tavern-esque atmosphere suitable for the whole family.
Making headlines around the country is Northstar’s new CMO, canine marketing officer, “Marsh Mellow.” The lovable three-month-old pup was abandoned at the resort last August. After a long search in which no owner was found, the resort’s marketing team adopted him. Over the last few months, Marsh Mellow has developed a following of guests who keep up to speed with his activities via the resort’s social media channels and who regularly visit the Village at Northstar to see him.
On Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort signed an agreement October 1 to operate Royal Gorge Cross Country Resort, America’s largest cross-country operation, which is being purchased by the Truckee Donner Land Trust, the Trust of Public Land and the Northern Sierra Partnership. The resorts are already connected by an “interconnect” trail that allows skiers to ski back and forth between the two, with plans in the works to further enhance the connection with two additional beginner-friendly routes. Sugar Bowl, who plans to invest $500,000 in Royal Gorge this season, is now offering a season pass that allows holders to downhill at Sugar Bowl and cross-country ski at Royal Gorge. Sugar Bowl pass holders can add on an unrestricted Royal Gorge pass for $149 (adult price), and can purchase an unrestricted, standalone Royal Gorge pass for $299.
Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe, just outside of Incline Village on Highway 431, has continued to work on a multi-year forest management project in cooperation with the Nevada Division of Forestry. The project stretches from the Galena trail to the Mt. Rose Highway and involves concentrated efforts for selected thinning and the removal of dead, damaged and diseased trees with the goal of a healthier forest. Other resort projects include the realignment of the Little Mule conveyor lift and improvements to the Rosebuds teaching terrain. Decorative rock walls were added around the Main Lodge with the added perk of aiding in erosion control.
Woodward Tahoe, a world-class action sports training center and youth camp which originally opened in June, will be open seven days/week for public access and daily drop-in sessions through the winter until April 14, 2013. The 33,000-square foot indoor facility at the base of Boreal Mountain Resort on Donner Summit, offers multi-level Olympic trampolines, a Super Tramp, a concrete skate park for skateboarding and BMX biking, a pump track and skatelite ramps to foam pits for aerial ski, snowboard, BMX and skateboard training. A season pass, called the “Bunker Pass,” is available for $279 and includes eight months of access, seven days/week for two-hour sessions.
The Fat Tire Festival returns to Squaw Valley September 20 through September 23. The festival will include five race events, a mountain bike stage race, group mountain bike rides, skill clinics, vendors, movies, trail work classes and music. The Squaw Valley bike park and trail network will also be open throughout the four-day event.
Tough Mudder, one of Lake Tahoe’s most dynamic spectator events, comes to Northstar California the weekend of September 22-23. This 10 to 12-mile obstacle course was designed by British Special Forces to test all around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie. Spectator tickets are $20/person online and $40/person onsite (if still available).
Now is one of the most ideal time to sail Lake Tahoe. Tahoe Cruz is offering ½ off their afternoon sails and 25% off their sunset sails. Discounts are also available on private charters. The Tahoe Cruz is a 50-foot sailing yacht captained by U.S. Coast Guard certified skippers.
Two ride for the price of one on the North Lake Tahoe Water Shuttle during the month of September. The vessel carries 12 passengers, crew and up to eight bikes and is ideal for those taking public transit from one side of the region to the other. The program employs a paperless reservation system, with tickets booked ahead of time. Participating docks are West Shore Café, Tahoe City Marina, Gar Woods Grill & Pier and Captain Jon’s Restaurant in Tahoe Vista. One-way rates start at $10/adult and $7/child 10 years and younger. Two passengers ride for the price of one in September.
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Wine aficionados take note.
What has stayed the same is the ideal event location. The Tahoe City Wine Walk runs along scenic North Lake Tahoe Boulevard and provides some of the best views of Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the country. Many take the opportunity to sip while shopping at Tahoe City’s unique establishments for signature wares and wrap up the day with dinner at one of Tahoe City’s many restaurants – all within walking distance of the event.
The Tahoe City Wine Walk is a fundraiser for the Tahoe City Downtown Association. This non-profit organization consists of local merchants, property owners, community associations, residents, professionals and contributors whose goal it is to enhance and promote a vibrant and prosperous commercial and social center for the residents and visitors to Tahoe City.
