So what do you do when Mother Nature doesn’t deliver fresh powder? You make it.
North Lake Tahoe ski resorts are blowing millions of gallons of snow this season, creating a solid base that has most resorts open for some solid skiing and riding.
Northstar-at-Tahoe is open top-to-bottom (that’s 2,280 vertical feet) due to significant improvements in snowmaking – 11 lifts, 19 trails and tons of acres for beginners, intermediates and advanced winter enthusiasts. This North Shore resort currently has the most open ski resort terrain in the Lake Tahoe region, and plans to open Martis Camp Express this Saturday, which will provide access to Lookout Mountain.
Northstar-at-Tahoe’s Pinball Park, which offers a wide variety of jibs and snow features with everything from street rails to boxes along with tabletops, step-downs, hips and rollers, is also open with 31 features available.
Boreal Mountain Resort was the first resort to open in California, opening for business October 28, and also offers top-to-bottom skiing and snowboarding.
Credit by Boreal Mountain Resort
So far, Borealhas blown more than 32 million gallons of snow this season – that’s an all-time record for the resort. It only took over 500 hours with an automated Snow Machines Inc. gun system. It cost $2.5 million over the past three years, but this has actually saved 40% of their snowmaking operation costs annually and reduced carbon output by 300 tons annually.
Diamond Peak Ski Resort(originally Ski Incline) was the first ski resort in the West to have snowmaking, which has come a long way since its opening in 1966. Over the past 11 years, Diamond Peak has continuously upgraded it snowmaking system.
Cold temperatures over the last month have allowed them to produce snow in record amounts and open with top-to-bottom skiing and riding a week earlier than expected. They plan to have five out of six lifts available by Christmas with or without natural snow.
Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe probably wouldn’t have been able to open without snowmaking, but the resort pulled through with the Northwest Magnum lifts and Ponderosa lifts turning 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily accessing the Kit Carson Traverse, Kit Carson Bowl and Ponderosa Trails. Luckily with cooler temperatures this week, the resort was able to operate snow guns practically non-stop and are planning to get the Flying Jenny surface lift and more trails on the Ponderosa lift open by next weekend.
Credit by Sugar Bowl Ski Resort
Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, near Borealon Donner Summit, has taken advantage of the recent cold temperatures running their snow guns 24 hours a day, resulting in the opening of additional terrain at the resort. Starting Saturday, December 17, Sugar Bowl will operate seven days a week. The resort will spin Jerome Hill Express, Nob Hill, Christmas Tree Express and White Pine this coming weekend, providing sufficient terrain for all levels of ability. Sugar Bowl also plans to open the Caboose Terrain Park this weekend, with medium and large features accessible via the Emigrant Gap run.
Seventy feet of snow last winter combined with a massive amount of improvement projects underway and planned for the near future in North Lake Tahoe, has visitors to the area pumped with anticipation of what the 2011/12 season may bring us. And we aren’t just boasting with pride of our mountains. Advance bookings are actually up 35%* compared to the same period in 2010.
This “bounce effect” (although we would like to think we are unique to this spike in numbers; we are indeed labeled and sorted into a category with like others) occurs after a phenomenal snow year. We also refer to this as “FOMO” – a condition of suffering from the “fear of missing out.” Consumers are making lodging arrangements early for this winter based on last year’s banner snow conditions – and we all know that La Niña brought us some epic days on the mountain last year.
But it’s not just the snow bringing our outside friends. There is also $100 million in improvement projects focusing on just our ski region. Between Vail Resorts acquiring Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort and Squaw Valley owners KSL Capital Partners purchasing Alpine Meadows, North Lake Tahoe is seeing both resorts upping their game and enhancing their products. Millions more are soon coming to North Tahoe with proposed redevelopment plans for Homewood Mountain Resort and the historic Crystal Bay casino corridor.
Who wouldn’t want to come see what all the fuss is about? It goes on…
In addition to Vail Resort’s $30 million, which has already been implemented this season, KSL Capital Partners $50 million, five-year capital revitalization commitments and $20 million spread across other Lake Tahoe ski resorts and community projects, JMA Ventures – owners of Homewood Mountain Resort - are one step closer to creating a pedestrian friendly village on the scenic West Shore that would not only help our friends in economic development but would also create another robust playground for our tourists.
The redevelopment plans include a five-star boutique hotel with up to 75 rooms at the resort’s North Base, as well as a full-service restaurant, spa, fitness facility, meeting space and 15,000-square feet of retail space, in addition to underground parking. The first phase of construction is slated for some time between 2014 and 2017, with the second phase beginning and ending between 2018 and 2020.
On the Nevada side of the North Shore, Boulder Bay is also moving forward on approvals for creating a vibrant, cultural village that will transform the existing Tahoe Biltmore casino property in Crystal Bay into an environmentally sustainable, yet affordable wellness resort. Updated plans, revised based on community feedback and input, call for a 275-room hotel with a 10,000 square-foot casino, 59 whole-ownership units, 14 on-site affordable housing units, 10 off-site affordable housing units, a spa and other amenities. Start and completion of construction is to be determined.
So although we threw a bunch of numbers at you, it’s clear that North Lake Tahoe is gearing up for 2012 and securing its seat at the popular table for winter destinations. Are you suffering from FOMO yet?
*North Lake Tahoe’s booking numbers come from the Mountain Travel Research Program, which provides lodging performance benchmarking to mountain resorts throughout the western U.S.
So you’ve taken time off work and booked a trip to Tahoe this winter. Check item #1 off your list. Now you’ve got an entirely different task ahead: figure out how much you can pack into your trip to make it the best ever. We could come up with a thousand things to do, but that’s what GoTahoeNorth.com is all about.
Here are some tips from fans of North Lake Tahoe on the can’t-miss, must-do, make-plans-to-enjoy things you should add to your list.
Outdoors
Snowshoe(from Esther B.). You can snowshoe in a ton of places around Tahoe, from designated trails and hiking areas, like the Tahoe Meadows at the Mt. Rose Summit, to resorts including Tahoe-Donner Cross Country Ski Area, Northstar California and Squaw Valley. Several companies, such as Tahoe Adventure Company, offer snowshoe tours, and many more shops have rentals available for day trips.
Dog Sledding(from Alena S.). Truly an experience to remember (trust us, we cherish our memory). Wilderness Adventures has hour-long tours through the Squaw Valley Meadow, between the ski resort and Resort at Squaw Creek. The guide leads a team of 8-10 huskies with a four-person sled.
Hang loose and enjoy (from Richard A.). North Lake Tahoe is definitely built for relaxation. In the winter you can still hang out on beaches and enjoy the serenity of the lake. Or, enjoy a hot beverage and the company of friends at any of the area’s watering holes, coffee houses, lodges or villages. There’s never a shortage of warm fires and great views at Tahoe.
Paddleboard Lake Tahoe on a Bluebird Day (Andy C.). This may seem a little crazy, but if you throw on a wetsuit and try really hard not to fall in, it could turn out to be your best day on the lake, ever. Consider this, in the winter there are far fewer boats on the water, making it like glass on a calm, sunny day. There’s nothing but you on a board paddling across a blue expanse and surrounded by snow-covered mountains. Paints a picture, doesn’t it? Check out this post for details on where to rent a SUP for the day.
Indoors
Rent a cabin(from Jodi S.). Definitely a cozy way to experience Tahoe and maintain that homey feel. Cabins in the area range in price and size and have a variety of amenities from ski-in/ski-out to pet friendly, lakefront views, hot tubs and more.
Visit The Center for Environmental Sciences, Sierra Nevada College (from Diane M.). Open Tuesday – Friday from 1 – 5 p.m., you can tour the center and learn about Lake Tahoe’s ecology, see research in action, fly through a 3D model of Lake Tahoe and dive under the water, and also learn about the building’s sustainable design.
If you’re new to skiing and snowboarding you can shorten the learning curve at North Lake Tahoe’s resorts during the 12th Annual Learn to Ski and Board Weekend December 10-11. Geared towards beginners, it costs only $30 and includes an all-day beginner lift ticket, group lesson, and gear rental.
Reservations are not required, but plan to arrive early. You can purchase lesson packages at each individual resort the day of lessons. And, click on the links above to get resort-specific information.
Some restrictions apply, and resorts not open December 10-11 due to early conditions may offer a Learn to Ski Weekend later in the season when weather permits. We’ll be sure to post details if that happens.
If you’re heading in from out of town be sure to check Cool Deals for great lodging, dining and activity deals.
Meteorologists are predicting another banner winter in North Lake Tahoe. Last year, the destination received more than 70 feet of snow, making for epic conditions December through May.
We mentioned a lot of the ski/board resort improvements in our last update, but we’ve picked up a few more in the past week that we’d like to share.
Granlibakken, which has an intimate, beginner ski hill, and lift access to cross country skiing is perfect for those just learning, along with Nordic skiers. New this year is the Lighthouse Spa with a variety of treatments, such as massage therapy, skincare, manicures and pedicures, body waxing and healing treatments. (Photo, right: The sled hill at Granlibakken)
Homewood Mountain Resort, on the West Shore, is the second resort in North America to install the Magnestick chair lift safety technology. (It was introduced at Alpine Meadows last winter.) The Magnestick chair lift safety system keeps kids in place on the lift through an electromagnetic seatback and corresponding magnetic vest worn by child riding a chair lift. When a child reaches the chair lift deboarding platform, the vest is deactivated allowing for a seamless release from the seatback. Magnestick has been installed on the resort’s Quail chairlift, which is adjacent to Homewood’s children center.
On Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort has skiers and riders saving on lift tickets every day of the season with their CORE Daily Pass. The pass, a points-based loyalty and rewards program, offers $15 off all-day rack rate lift ticket for just a $19 annual membership. CORE members also earn points every time they ski and ride, and for every qualifying dollar spent, it can be redeemed for free items across the resort. (Photo, left: Sugar Bowl during an early storm, October 6, 2011)
This year’s 4th of July at Tahoe is set to be unique, that’s for sure. With a series of fireworks events scattered around the lake at various dates and times you can catch multiple shows throughout the weekend. Or hit the slopes. Yep, late season snowfalls have opened up skiing and boarding opportunities at several area resorts.
Here’s a look at what’s happening this 4th of July weekend:
July 1 – 4: Incline Village takes things to the next level with their traditional Red, White & Tahoe Blue festivities which include patriotic chalk drawing contest, opening ceremonies with a tribute to veterans, doggie dress-up contest, beer tasting and brats, brunch with Shakespeare, firecracker trail trek and free fireworks Monday, July 4 at 9:30 p.m. off Incline Beach
July 3: Squaw Valley’s famed 21st Annual Lake Cushing Crossing, a favorite pond-skimming event, and a free afternoon concert with Big Head Todd and the Monsters at the KT Sundeck
July 3: Kings Beach hosts their annual fireworks display with a free show as well as a deck party celebration at the North Tahoe Event Center, beginning at 7 p.m.
July 4: Sugar Bowl Ski Resort reopens for skiing and riding, but for 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 season pass holders only
July 4: Tahoe City celebrates 65 years of fireworks at Commons Beach with free show at 9:30 p.m., a popular show for families
July 4: Truckee 4th of July Fireworks at West End Beach at Donner Lake at dusk. Tickets are $6/person (in advance only) and are available through the Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District
An unusually long winter may have meddled with Tahoe’s legs of the Amgen Tour of California, but cycling events later in the year are sure to dodge those unexpected snow storms. Check out some of the events coming up:
The Lake Tahoe Trail 100K Leadville Qualifier is at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort July 24. Serious mountain bikers will earn one of the 300 coveted starting positions in the 2011 Leadville Trail 100 by riding two 30-mile loops overlooking the Truckee Valley and Lake Tahoe.
Big Blue Adventure has long called Tahoe home with its series of adventure races, triathlons and trail running competitions. Specially for mountain bikers is its Lake Tahoe 4- and 8-Hour Mountain Bike Race June 18 in Tahoe City, where the champion will have made the most laps on a 12-mile course, marked by single track and fire roads.
Cyclists take to the road at the Tahoe Sierra Century Ride September 24, a race starting and finishing in Squaw Valley, which has earned praise for its scenic routes (both 60 and 100-mile available), demanding hill climbs and full-support services.
Travelers are always looking for empty beaches, quiet hotels and a destination all to themselves. In a popular location such as Tahoe that can be a challenge. But there’s a secret. Head to Tahoe during the last two weeks of June and the last two weeks of August to enjoy the area before or after the peak summer season. It’s also one of the best times to take advantage of area deals.
With a good portion of Tahoe’s summer business made up of families, many travelers must adhere to traditional school closings and openings. Traveling when school is still in session gives guests the opportunity to save as many regional businesses eager to attract visitors during this four-week period provide some of the summer’s best values. It’s also a great time for families with children in private schools and track programs to call Tahoe home as their schedules may differ from public schools.
But what guests to North Lake Tahoe won’t be giving up is the spectacular weather. June marks the official start to summer and boating season with highs in the 70s. August is a bit warmer with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s.
What Tahoe-goers will notice is having the lake’s 72-mile shoreline mostly to themselves, as well as the hiking and mountain biking trails and out on the water.
According to Parks Superintendent Roger Adamson of the Tahoe City Public Utility District, their trail numbers along the popular paved Truckee River bike path from Tahoe City to Squaw Valley nearly double in July and early August compared to North Lake Tahoe’s early and late summer periods.
Operations Manager Darren Kramer of Obexer’s Marina on the West Shore, the oldest marina in Lake Tahoe, also sees peak business during the height of summer. “Although we have a handful of clients that launch their boats over Memorial Day weekend, things don’t really pick up until right before Fourth of July.”
The last two weeks in June and August are also marked by a number of special events, including the Tahoe City Wine Walk (June 18) when guests sample at more than 30 wine and food locations overlooking Lake Tahoe. Visitors burn off those calories at the Burton Creek Trail Run 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon (June 19) along a beautiful challenging trails system within the West Shore’s Burton Creek State Park. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association offers a “Vistas, Lakes and Wildflower” trek (June 25) as part of their summer hiking season along 10 miles of Tahoe’s famed trail. For those that like it hot and spicy, the 3rd Annual Truckee Chili Cook-Off (June 26) at Truckee Regional Park has the area’s best chili cooks competing for top honors.
The last two weeks of August are equally busy with a bevy of events, such as the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s presentation of one of Shakespeare’s more traditional plays, “Twelfth Night,” (August 16-21) outdoors and on the beach at Sand Harbor State Park. Tahoe Adventure Company gets guests on the water or trails via a guided kayak or hike followed by a brilliant tour of the midnight sky, called Astronomy Adventure: Neptune and the Distant Gas Giants (August 22), with professional astronomer Tony Berendsen. Squaw Valley USA continues with its free Bluesdays (every Tuesday through the end of August, including August 16, 23 and 30) with national acts on the Events Plaza Stage and “blue plate” specials at village restaurants.
Tahoe’s ski and board resorts encourage anyone with an interest to get out on the mountain and try their skills on skis or a board. With private and group lessons, advanced and skills clinics and week-long courses the resorts offer something for just about anyone with a desire to get on the mountain.
Alpine Meadows
The ski and snowboard school at Alpine Meadows offers beginner to advanced classes for the young, young-at-heart or first-timer. Programs range from private to group lessons and include special kids’ and women’s classes.
One of Alpine’s signature programs is the Adult Adventure Camps. Their Steep Skiing Camp gives experienced skiers the chance to explore terrain only seen in the movies while receiving coaching on technique and technical decisions. It’s a way to see where the edge of your envelope really is.
Northstar-At-Tahoe brings the Burton Snowboard Academy to kids ages 7-12 teaching the same techniques used to instruct guests ages 13+ interested in learning to snowboard or simply improve their skills. Similar to the adult program, kids participating in the Academy will enjoy premium group sizes with no more than four students per coach in an all day lesson. Also new this season, Northstar Resort’s Kids Ski & Board School offers snowboard instruction for 4-6 year olds.
Skills clinics for advanced skiers and riders focused on maximizing enjoyment of Northstar Resort’s one-mile long tree skiing trails on The Backside and Lookout Mountain will be offered this winter, and the resort’s Women’s-specific snowboard camps have been revised. This winter, ladies interested in learning or improving their snowboard skills are invited to participate in one-day programs that incorporate successful techniques previously only taught in Burton Snowboard Academy lessons. The Women’s Burton Snowboard Academy Club are offered Fridays during the winter season starting in January, and focus on skills and techniques participants want to focus on during each session. Groups are limited to four participants per coach for an all day lesson, and groups are formed based on ability and specific instruction desired.
Squaw Valley USA Squaw Valley’s USA’s snowsports school offers innovative instruction programs for ages 13 and up. Customizing instruction on the spot helps skiers and boarders develop according to their needs. The resort offers adult group, private and expert workshops, along with ones just for women.
This season, skiers can feel the excitement of running gates, coached by one of the best. The Gates To Skills Clinic at Squawis an all-day ski program using gate training as an effective means to enhance, strengthen and hone one’s all-around skiing skills. Taught by Thomas Gartman, the clinic features coaching in technical free skiing, dryland exercises, slalom, and GS including video analysis.
Diamond Peak has brought back its signature Learn to Ski & Ride Weeks January 10-14, 2011 and March 7-11, 2011. In addition it has a bevy of ways to learn new skills on the slopes.
Burton Snowboards has chosen Diamond Peak as one of their select few resorts in North America to partner with their GO SNOWBOARDING Program. This program is designed to introduce people to snowboarding. When you purchase a select Burton snowboard you can obtain a FREE lesson and lift ticket package. Diamond Peak has a Burton Learn to Ride Center for anyone ages 7 and older that desires to learn how to snowboard.
Diamond Peak also offers Senior Only Clinics to anyone over 55 years old who may not have had a lesson in years or may have shaped skis as well as Intermediate/Advanced Skills Clinics focusing on refining your skills.
The resort’s beginner ski and board package includes a one hour and 45 minute group lesson, a beginner lift ticket, valid for the beginner ski lifts and rental equipment for just $69. The lessons are available twice daily, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you take a morning lesson and decide you want to take the afternoon lesson as well you can upgrade for just $25. Kids 7 – 14 years old can also participate in Diamond Peak’s Sierra Scout All Day Adventure. Leave them with us for the day and give them an all-mountain adventure! This package is available for skiers and snowboarders and includes a morning and afternoon lesson, equipment rental, lift ticket and one-hour supervised lunch.
Sugar Bowl offers a unique General Admission programfor anyone that has a qualifying season pass or lift ticket. They can take a free group lesson of any skill level and use standard rental equipment for no charge whenever GA is in effect.In addition, the resort offers kids and adults lessons as well as private learning opportunities. Their clinics include those for women and seniors as well as a Boys Scouts of America Snow Sports Merit Badge.
Homewood’sski and board lessons cater to all levels of experience and combine a great day on the slopes with breathtaking views of the lake. Check out their lessons page for a skill level and goal assessment to determine which class you should take.
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe
At Mt. Rose they believe it’s never too early to start having fun, thus theirRosebuds program for kids 4 – 10. Teaching skills for skiers and boarders, the program gets kids on the mountain and learning important skills. The resort also offers ladies and seniors clinics as well as first-timer and group lessons. Read more about Mt. Rose’s ski school.
In the last of our “What’s New” blogs for the 2010/11 ski and board season we’re taking a look at what’s new at area lodges. While the mountain is the most important part of a ski/board experience, lodges also play an important role.
The legendary Olympic House base lodge at Squaw Valley has been brilliantly remodeled for the start of the 2010-11 winter season. Changes include a complete remodel of Bar One which has been updated to include a cozy fireplace, expansive bar, and improved views of Squaw Valley’s majestic peaks. The space’s new layout and design embraces the rich history of the bar and employs extensive use of natural materials and environmentally advanced materials.
Squaw Valley also just completed an extensive remodel of the Olympic Village Lodge and Conference Center. This facility is available for meeting space, weddings and conferences. This storied building was the first and only facility in which Olympic athletes dined together under one roof, and the space maintains its classic and romantic feeling but now with modern functionality. The remodel included all new flooring, A/V updates and a redesign of the outdoor deck.
Alpine Meadows also unveils an entirely redesigned outdoor seating area at its base lodge. The 7500 square foot sundeck, which offers outdoor slopeside seating, features an inviting space for relaxation around a new firepit.
At Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe the panoramic new Winters Creek Lodge, which opened last season, benefits from a new sustainability initiative including three “extreme energy windspires” along the lodge’s walkway that will help offset energy costs to the new facility while contributing to a greener environment.
This year’s 4th of July at Tahoe is set to be unique, that’s for sure. With a series of fireworks events scattered around the lake at various dates and times you can catch multiple shows throughout the weekend. Or hit the slopes. Yep, late season snowfalls have opened up skiing and boarding opportunities at several area resorts. 
The 
Travelers are always looking for empty beaches, quiet hotels and a destination all to themselves. In a popular location such as Tahoe that can be a challenge. But there’s a secret. Head to Tahoe during the last two weeks of June and the last two weeks of August to enjoy the area before or after the peak summer season. It’s also one of the best times to take advantage of area deals.
The last two weeks in June and August are also marked by a number of special events, including the Tahoe City Wine Walk (June 18) when guests sample at more than 30 wine and food locations overlooking Lake Tahoe. Visitors burn off those calories at the Burton Creek Trail Run 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon (June 19) along a beautiful challenging trails system within the West Shore’s Burton Creek State Park. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association offers a “Vistas, Lakes and Wildflower” trek (June 25) as part of their summer hiking season along 10 miles of Tahoe’s famed trail. For those that like it hot and spicy, the 3rd Annual Truckee Chili Cook-Off (June 26) at Truckee Regional Park has the area’s best chili cooks competing for top honors.
