Lake Tahoe, gem of the Sierra, with its endless outdoor activities, magnificent blue waters, and majestic mountains, how could one ever want to leave? South Lake Tahoe is busier than ever this season, big bands, like Rascal Flatts, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, and Bob Dylan are all scheduled to be dropping by the Harvey's Summer Stage within the next couple of weeks. The South Lake Tahoe celebrity golf tournament just ended, and as usual, was a huge success. Celebrities like Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, Oscar De la Hoya, John Elway, Jason Kidd, & Bode Miller, all showed up to pledge their support to a great cause and have a little fun on the lake. I'm sure they didn't bring their ski and snowboard rentals this time, but they'll be back for some fresh powder turns on Heavenly Ski Resort soon enough. Lake Tahoe itself is seeing alot of action. I was out on the water a few days ago and there was tons of traffic, all rentals too. It's great to see all the families and revelers cutting loose on Lake Tahoe and enjoying it for its purest nature. South Lake Tahoe's hiking and biking trails have been extraordinarily congested due to the resurgent popularity mountain-biking has incurred in the past couple of years. To say the lease, Lake Tahoe is the place to be. So much to do, and so much to share with family and friends, Lake Tahoe could be the best place on Earth.
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Once again, it's that time of year. The sun is shining and the slopes are covered. Skiers and riders in South Lake Tahoe are gearing up for another beautiful day at Heavenly Ski Resort. After some fresh snow earlier this week, we are looking at another perfect day in Tahoe. March is the time to buy some sunscreen, strip off the layers, and enjoy the amazing weather and scenary we have to offer here in Northern California. Tourists and locals alike are blessed with unmatchable conditions and terrain in the Tahoe Basin. Earlier this week, I had the chance to check out the slopes at Alpine Meadows with two good friends. After a nice 4 to 6 inch dusting, the mountains were prime for magnificent sugar turns. Unfortunately, underneath the fresh snow were some pretty crusty conditions, but at those moments, if you use your brain, you can really find great snow. We managed to search for all of the North facing slopes and tree wells, which generally keep the best conditions, and low and behold the snow there was amazing. So for the rest of the day we lapped the resort, hitting as many North slopes as we could find. Lesson learened, if you come across a day where the snow isn't perfect, look for the northern slopes and you will be satisfied. Tahoe has officially entered Spring skiing time, which is one of the best times of the year. Our "freeze/thaw" cycle elicits unbelievable afternoon spring conditions, where a t-shirt is really all you need. There is nothing like having a day off of work, visiting a fresh resort, and skiing with your buddies in the Spring time. Personally, it helps to keep me centered and remember why I live here and why I do what I do. I always think about something my Dad once told me, "Find something you love and figure out how to make a living doing it," and that's exactly what I did = Thanks Dad.
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Lake Tahoe mountain ski resorts continue to open this week. After a nice snowfall last week, Heavenly began operations and opening ski runs. Heavenly Ski resort now has 4 of 29 lifts running with 6 of 94 ski runs open. This Friday two more mountains will open for business, and with the predicted snow storm on the horizon, they might just have perfect timing. Sierra-At-Tahoe will start running lift chairs this weekend and are very anxious for guests to arrive. The great folks at "Sierra" are going to be offering free backcountry tours all year long and are pumped to provide the free service. "Sierra" also just got word that they were voted the #9 Best Park / #9 Best Pipe / #6 Overall Resort in Transworld Snowboarding Magazine's, "2010 Resort Guide." Kirkwood Mountain Resort's long anticipated opening gets underway this weekend. Minimal lifts will be running but they are optimistic that much of the terrain will be available very soon to ski. So get your ski and snowboard rentals ready because it's time to hit the slopes.
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As summer officially comes to a close after labor day, most ski towns will go into what we locals like to call "mud season". This is the time of year that buffers the two busy seasons: summer and winter. Locals, in particular, love this time of year because all the tourists are gone and town becomes quite normal for two months or so. They also call it "mud season" because it is usually accompanied by serious amounts of precipitation.
In the Spring, the wet conditions from melting snow and rain keep many locals from enjoying their skitown. However, the fall mud season is quite different. During this time, locals have access to the best mountain bike conditions of the season and can't still enjoy warm weather until daylight savings occurs.
As daylight savings approaches on Sept. 22, locals will scramble to enjoy their last bit of the outdoors before the clocks are set back. Personally, I love daylight savings. It signifies the approach of ski season in Lake Tahoe and other North American resort towns. Summer business will shut down and ski rental shops will start preparing for the busy El Nino winter ahead of us. As many area shops wrap up their labor day sales, many potential lcustomers will start booking their trips for next winter. Also, competition heats up as many area ski and snowboard shops will start selling their services to the local community.
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It seems that every year about this time I begin to dream about the snow falling and all the great lines I intend to carve when Heavenly Ski Resort opens in the Fall. This season, I am interested in all the new ski and snowboard rentals that will be available to experience on the hill. Most people are beach-side burning themselves to a crisp this time of year, but my brain is thinking of cloudy skies, pounding snow, and thundering avalanche cannons. In South Lake Tahoe, the Heavenly Ski Basin receives some of the heaviest snow fall that I have witnessed in North America. This is just one of the many reasons we are blessed to ski in the Sierra-Nevada Mountains. With so many major cities around the area, Heavenly Ski Resort is very accessible for families to make a quick trip up and enjoy all of the winter festivities. Families can be assured that they will have an amazing trip and make memories that will last a lifetime. There really is nothing like experiencing the snow and all its glory with your loved ones. One of these days, I might be content with sunny afternoons and bathing suits, but, at this time in my life, all I want is to be on the Heavenly Gondola with some brand new ski rentals, fresh wax, and feet of snow. So for now, I'll just have to deal with my Fall Fever and keep dreaming of snow falling and pray for an early winter season in Lake Tahoe.
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