Squaw Valley Opens Rock Face for Freeride World Tour
The world’s top international freeskiers and riders will be granted the rare opportunity to conquer the steep and seemingly unskiable rock face below Squaw Valley’s Tower One (known as “Tram Face”) at the Nissan Tram Face February 27 - March 5, 2009. The face’s permanent closure makes it one of the most coveted lines to extreme freeriders. The event is the only North American stop on the 2009 Freeride World Tour and is expected to breathe even bigger life into the valley with street parties, live music and nonstop festivities.
Squaw Valley is also implementing one of the most technologically advanced ticketing systems in the world. The AX500 Smart Gates & Smart Card allows guests to access lifts more efficiently and quickly by automatically scanning tickets and passes located in pockets as they pass sensors approaching the lifts.
Guests of all abilities can experience out-of-bounds excitement with Squaw’s new customized backcountry tours. Certified backcountry guides will lead groups out of bounds on private runs that are normally closed to the public.
Northstar Increases Access to Advanced Terrain with New Chairlift
The new Martis Camp Express Lift (formerly Lookout Express) was installed this past summer, accessing more advanced terrain in the Lookout Mountain Area of Northstar-at-Tahoe. The high-speed quad is located inside the Martis Camp development at the base of Lookout Mountain and allows guests to reach the top of the mountain in six minutes. The new lift will allow Martis Camp property owners direct access from their homes to Northstar Resort, while creating new terrain for all Northstar skiers and riders.
A new intermediate trail named Washoe, terminating at the base of the new lift and featuring top-to-bottom snowmaking, has also been added. The Prosser, Stampede and Martis Trails were also extended into Martis Camp, with extended snowmaking added to Prosser and Martis. The upgrades were part of $15 million in renovations to the resort.
Guests to Northstar will also find more options on the dining front. Baxter’s Bistro and Lounge, set to open this December, will be operated by JJ Morgan and Mark Estee, the pair behind Truckee’s popular Moody’s Bistro and Lounge. Baxter’s will feature a lively, entertaining atmosphere paired with first-rate cuisine and live music from some of the country’s top jazz acts. The Village also welcomes the Chocolate Bar, serving appetizers, desserts, wine, spirits and signature Chocolate Bar cocktails, while the new Euro Gelato will offer gelato, ice cream, specialty chocolates, desserts and beverages.
Diamond Peak Base Lodge Expands and Upgrades
The base lodge at Diamond Peak recently completed the first part of a two-phase upgrade. The $4-million renovation increased the floor space by 30,000 feet, or approximately 30 percent. Additions included new restrooms in the Loft Bar area, 300-square-foot banquet room for special events, an outside deck, expanded rental and repair shop, raised loft ceilings with skylights and heated paving stones on the upper deck.
Tahoe Maritime Museum to Remain Open Year Round
The Tahoe Maritime Museum will keep its doors open for the first time this winter, as the popular West Shore attraction begins year-round hours this fall. The museum, which recently underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation and expansion, features information about local history, an exquisite collection of wooden boats, Tahoe Memories movie, historic photos and an activities area for kids. Winter hours are Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning in October. The museum returns to a six-day schedule in May.
Hotel Avery Sets Sights on Downtown Truckee
JMA Ventures, owners of Alpine Meadows and Homewood Ski Resorts, is planning to open Hotel Avery in historic downtown Truckee. The proposed project, which received endorsement from the Town of Truckee Historic Preservation Advisory Commission last spring, will sit on the banks of the Truckee River and offer high-end service and amenities, upscale dining, underground valet parking and fitness/spa area. Preliminary plans call for construction to begin in late spring 2009 with a 2010 holiday opening.
Homewood Mountain Resort to Undergo Renovation
JMA has even bigger plans for Homewood Mountain Resort, including a quaint pedestrian village, mid-mountain lodge, gondola and underground parking. The village, to be located at the north base, will house an ice cream shop, hardware store, market, 50-room hotel, spa and 40-condo complex. Also scheduled to be included are an ice rink, swimming pool and amphitheatre.
Alpine Meadows Bolsters Ski and Snowboard School
Alpine Meadow’s ski and snowboard school will offer a variety of new lessons and programs this winter, including the Burton Learn-to-Ride (LTR) Center, which introduces newcomers to snowboarding on beginner-specific equipment. The Burton LTR program also teaches guests about snowboarding safety, fun lingo and terminology and gives tips on how to progress.
Alpine will also expand its popular kids’ program from two to four divisions, helping kids learn faster and giving parents more choices. The divisions will now include the Munchkins Camp for three and four-year-olds while five and six-year-olds can head to either the Grommet Camp for snowboarding or the Ripper Camp for skiing. The Mountaineer Camp will offer coaching for skiers and riders ages seven through 12.
An additional surface lift has also been added to the beginner learning area. The new Sun Kid Surface Lift will offer convenience, a faster learning curve and more time for sliding down the slopes.
Sugar Bowl to Build Olympic Training Course for Skier/Boarder-Cross
Sugar Bowl recently unveiled plans to build and maintain the country's only season-long, event-specific training course for skier and boarder-cross athletes heading to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, when the two events will make their Olympic debut. Taking notes from the Utah Olympic Park's popularity with the general public, Sugar Bowl will allow all skiers and boarders to experience the Olympic-level course first-hand, with access to the run when professional training is not in session. The course is scheduled to open during the 2008/09 season as conditions permit.
Ritz Carlton Highlands to Open in 2009
The Ritz Carlton Highlands, which broke ground in 2006, is on schedule to be completed in fall of 2009. The ski-in, ski-out 170-room upscale property, situated mid-mountain at Northstar-at-Tahoe in Truckee, is Lake Tahoe’s first-ever, five-star caliber hotel. A 20,000-square-foot lavish spa, offering mountain views, will also be built onsite.
Crystal Bay Poised for Transformation
The historic Crystal Bay casino corridor is poised for a significant transformation, with plans for an upscale destination resort that would include 366 hotel rooms and fractional-ownership condominiums. Also planned is 28,000 square feet of retail and dining, two-acre public gathering space, four acres of public parks and open space and underground parking. According to developer Boulder Bay LLC, they are expecting to have all permits by 2009.
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, California and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village, Nevada.
The North Lake Tahoe Marketing Cooperative is a partnership between the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. The combined efforts of both entities are aimed to further promote North Lake Tahoe as a premier, year-round destination.
