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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Each year, during the summer, the local South Lake Tahoe brewery, puts different parties on every weekend. Our brewery here is named Tallac, after the giant peak looming over our town, and they have a great location at the "Y", an area where two different highways intersect in our town. These parties are great and there is usually a pretty good turnout for the festivities. Last night, a couple local bands and DJs where all there to let loose and celebrate the end of the summer. It was actually the last of the summer session parties that are held at the brewery. This usually invokes a somewhat sad feeling but not for us up here, because we know that that only means the changing of the seasons is right around the corner and the snow should begin falling soon. Tallac Brewery is our only local beer brewer on the South Shore and its great to see them bringing the local community together to mingle and celebrate the end of summer. The actual festivities began around two in the afternoon. People slowly began arriving, but as soon as the sun dropped, the party was packed. Everyone drinking libations and blowing off the steam of the work week. These parties are essential for the locals, especially when their ski rentals and snowboard rentals are tucked away in their closets. We all know that as soon as these parties end, Fall begins to rear her head, and the white frozen stuff will soon begin to coat our town. This is how we "REALLY" take care of our stresses in Tahoe. Once the magnificent Heavenly Ski Resort opens, all the local snow hounds will be getting in their turns and carving up a storm. Even at the party last night, all people could talk about was what new kind of ski rentals the would be skiing on and how much snow they think is going to fall. I'm not one to speculate, but joints are acting up and my knees hurt, so bring on the snow!
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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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