U.S. SNOWBOARD TEAM HAS STRONG TAHOE CONTINGENT

(NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nevada) – Lake Tahoe isn’t just home to great snow, it’s home to some of the nation’s most amazing athletes. While the Sierra slopes have been the stomping grounds for such greats as Jonny Moseley, Julia Mancuso and Daron Rahlves, a new batch of champions continue to make their way to the podium.

Eight local athletes were recently named to the U.S. Snowboarding Team, which will compete in the World Games, X Games and U.S Open while keeping their eye on the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Nate Holland (Squaw Valley), Jayson Hale (Sierraville), Shaun Palmer (South Lake Tahoe), Robert Minghini (South Lake Tahoe) and Pat Holland (Tahoe City) were all named to the snowboardcross team. South Lake Tahoe’s Elena Hight, Elijah Teter and Hannah Teter will be strutting their stuff in the halfpipe.

The group embodies a wealth of experience and talent. Nate Holland, Hale, Teter and Hight all competed in the last Olympics, while Palmer was dubbed “The World’s Greatest Athlete” by USA Today.

“For most people who live in the Lake Tahoe area, the slopes are their life,” Bill Hoffman, executive director of the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau, said. “With this type of terrain it’s no surprise that we have such a showing on a national level. We’re proud to have these fine athletes represent our country as well as Lake Tahoe.”

North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. For lodging reservations, recreation and event details, call North Lake Tahoe at 1-877-949-3296 or visit www.GoTahoeNorth.com. Visitor information centers are located at 380 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. The North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus, Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, work together to promote North Lake Tahoe as a premier, year-round destination.