With the 2011-2012 winter season on the horizon, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort is making steady progress on the $30 million in capital improvement projects currently underway at the resort – one of the largest capital investments at any resort in the U.S. this year. On-mountain projects will be completed for this year’s ski season, currently scheduled to begin November 18, 2011.

New projects to be completed for this season include the installation of a new high-speed chairlift and two new intermediate ski trails on The Backside of the mountain, construction of a new 500-seat on-mountain restaurant, and the construction of a new 22’ halfpipe that will be designed by Shaun White, who now calls Northstar® Resort his home mountain and primary training resort.

Promised Land Express

With a vertical rise of 1,440’, the new detachable express quad chairlift, dubbed “Promised Land Express,” will be installed this summer on “The Backside” of the mountain, providing access to expanded gladed terrain and new ski trails. The new lift will double the resort’s lift capacity on The Backside, a very popular area of the mountain known for its long, uninterrupted advanced trails and gladed tree skiing.

Two new intermediate trails will be served by the lift, and new snowmaking is being installed on both Drifter, an existing ski trail that also provides access to The Backside, and one of the new trails, allowing the resort to continue to offer some of the best early season skiing and riding conditions around the lake.

Zephyr Lodge

In addition to the lift, a new on-mountain restaurant is under construction that will offer 500 indoor seats as well as 200 outdoor deck seats. Centrally located on the mountain near the top of the Tahoe Zephyr Express lift, the new restaurant, the “Zephyr Lodge,” is being built in Tahoe great lodge style with an open floor plan, large timbers and a huge window wall offering spectacular views of the Pacific Crest. Guests will be able to enjoy a variety of menu options including a Napa salad bar, gourmet pizza and specialty soups and sandwiches. The restaurant can be accessed by skiing or riding off of the Tahoe Zephyr Express, Backside Express, Promised Land Express or Comstock Express lifts.

New 22 Foot Halfpipe to be Designed by Shaun White

As a result of the recent partnership with two time Olympic gold medalist, Shaun White, Northstar Resort will work closely with White to design a new 22 foot halfpipe that will be open during the 2011-2012 winter season for skiers and riders to enjoy. Northstar Resort will also serve as White’s primary training resort.

Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort’s 2011-2012 winter season is scheduled to run from November 18, 2011 to April 15, 2012, weather and conditions permitting. Season passes are now on sale, starting at just $379 for the Tahoe Value Pass, which provides seven day per week access to Heavenly Mountain Resort and six day per week access to Northstar Resort. Some restrictions apply. Other pass options are available, including the Epic Pass, priced at just $649. The Epic Pass offers unrestricted access all season long to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, and both Heavenly and Northstar Resort in Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada. For more information, visit www.epicpass.com.

For the most up-to-date photos of the capital projects underway at Northstar Resort, visit www.northstarattahoe.com

If you trust anyone’s opinion on the best resorts in the world to “grab some air” and “shred some powder,” it should be two-time Olympic gold medalist, professional snowboarder and skateboarder Shaun White.

Shaun will represent all six of Vail Resorts’ world-class mountain resorts (Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado, and Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar-at-Tahoe in Tahoe) but he can only call one resort his home mountain and primary training resort, and that he chose to be Northstar-at-Tahoe.

As in any home, when you move in you add a special touch to truly call it yours. What is Shaun adding to his new home? He’s designing his own 22-foot half-pipe to share with aspiring snowboarders.

“With Northstar as my home mountain, I now have the ideal place to train and continue to grow as an athlete and I am looking forward to all the possibilities this partnership brings,” said White.

As part of the launch of the new relationship, Vail Resorts will donate $5 for each Epic Season Pass sold to White’s chosen charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In addition, White will be designing a limited edition Epic Season Pass, which will be available to Epic Season Pass holders this fall through a Facebook promotion.

SHAUN WHITE
White has dominated the sport of snowboarding for the past decade. He won his first Olympic gold medal in the Half-pipe event at the 2006 Winter Games in Torino, Italy, with a record 46.8 points and then went on to win it again in the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, improving his own record with 48.4 points in his final run. White is the first and only snowboarder to win four consecutive gold medals in the Winter X Games Half-pipe competition. Combining his success in skateboarding, White is the first athlete to compete and medal in two different sports in both the Summer and Winter X Games in 2003 and again in 2011. He also is the first and only athlete to win gold medals in both the Summer (2006 and 2008) and Winter Dew Cup events (2009). White was recently honored with the 2011 ESPY for “Male Action Sports Athlete” for the fourth consecutive year.
For more information, visit www.northstarattahoe.com/shaunwhite.

This Independence Day, Reno Tahoe is giving you the chance to love the good ol’ U. S. of A. in a whole new way. Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley USA and Sugar Bowl Resort are re-opening their slopes for the 4^th of July weekend and hosting Independence Day parties you’ll never forget. C’mon, how often do you have the chance to ski/board in July? With near-record breaking snowfall this past winter, we can’t pass up the opportunity to utilize what Mother Nature has given us.

Just because you’re snow skiing doesn’t mean you won’t be able to show off your summertime bikini bod, it will be 70 degrees on the slopes! Between runs take a plunge in Squaw Valley’s High Camp Swimming Pool and Hot Tub or enjoy a cold beer and live music on the slope-side decks of Alpine Meadows.

Locals know what happens, eh around noon, on most ski hills in summer time – slush. But don’t worry; the resorts will be well prepared back at the lodge with t-shirts, food, games and tunes to keep the party going all day long.

No matter what hill you choose, you’ll be riding out your 4^th of July weekend with an experience only a handful of people can say they’ve done.

Check the list below for brief event details each mountain has to offer.

Alpine Meadows

Ski, snowboard and party from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with après-ski* festivities happening from noon to 4pm daily. *Drinking, mostly.

Lift Tickets: $37 in advance, $50 day of.

Squaw Valley USA

Friday, July 1:

• KT Concert Series – Stung 6-8:30pm
• 4th of July Fine Arts and Crafts Festival 10am-6pm

Saturday, July 2:

• DJ at High Camp, 1-3pm
• Live Music at Gold Coast, 12-2pm
• 4th of July Fine Arts and Crafts Festival 10am-6pm

Sunday, July 3:

• DJ at High Camp, 1-4pm
• Cushing Crossing 2-4pm
• Big Head Todd and the Monsters KT Sundeck 7:30-9:15pm
• Fireworks show 9:15pm
• 4th of July Fine Arts and Crafts Festival 10am-6pm

Monday, July 4:

• DJ at High Camp, 1-3pm

Dogs are welcome in the base Village but for their safety, dogs will not be permitted on the Cable Car July 2-4

Lift Tickets: $49 for adults, $12 for kids 12 and under. All tickets include a commemorative T-shirt on July 4, while supplies last.

Sugar Bowl Resort

Season Pass holders for 10/11 or 11/12 seasons only. Disney Express Chairlift from 8:30am to 12pm on Monday, July 4, with skiing and boarding on all trails off Mount Disney. Festive holiday BBQ and bar on the Lodge at Sugar Bowl deck from 10:30am to 2pm.

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is proud to host the 11^th Annual Winter Wine & Ski Expo. The event will take place on Thursday, February 3, 2011 in the Grand Ballroom at 6:00pm. Experience Reno Tahoe’s best wineries, microbreweries, restaurants and ski resorts at this one of a kind fundraising event!

All proceeds from the Winter Wine & Ski Expo benefit CAN DO MS, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) through wellness programs and ongoing research.

“I helped to create this event to fund wellness programs for people with Multiple Sclerosis because I had a good friend with MS,” said Terry Hurt, Winter Wine & Ski Expo event director. “I want the event to increase knowledge of the disease and the programs that help so many people.  My goal is to raise funds and awareness for this amazing program.”

The Winter Wine & Ski Expo is a premier winter fundraising event in the Reno Tahoe area. There will be a silent auction with items ranging from snow gear, to amazing dining, lodging and spa packages! Tickets are available for $55 in advance or $65 at the door. Purchase tickets at www.mscando.org, www.atlantiscasino.com/wineski, Bobo’s Mogul Mouse Ski and Board, Atlantis Casino Gift Shop, or by calling 888-551-7007.

Must be at least 21 years old to participate.

- Ashley Brune

The Black Diamond Demo van is making its annual stop at Tahoe Mountain Sports, unloading Black Diamond skis, boots and ski skins for you to try out for FREE January 10-14, 2011.   

This is your chance to experience the popular Megawatt and Justice powder skis and the just-released, ultralight backcountry skis from Black Diamond’s new Efficient series. Complete the package by slipping on a pair of Black Diamond’s new line of telemark and AT ski boots like the Quadrant! Come by the evening before to pick-up your gear so you’re ready for that first chair in the morning, or call ahead to reserve your demos. Tahoe Mountain Sports is open from 10am to 6pm daily in downtown Kings Beach across from Jason’s.  

To make the deal even sweeter, our free Black Diamond demos coincide with a huge sale on all Black Diamond ski gear. Black Diamond skis, boots, bindings and backcountry gear are all up to 20% off. So whether you want to try or just go ahead and buy, Tahoe Mountain Sports is the place to be for Black Diamond, January 10-14!

-Lis Korb

The Central Sierra Snow Lab on Donner Summit is reporting snow depths of 20-plus feet. That’s 235% of average for this time of year, making North Lake Tahoe one of the snowiest destinations in the country.

And to go along with all that snow, plenty of sunshine and blue skies predicted for the week, as well as clear roads.

Resorts and Towns’ Update: West Shore Café in Homewood, and right on the lake, has reopened under new ownership, and is now open for lodging and dining. Locals are raving about the new menu. The restaurant is open weekends for lunch and dinner, and Thursdays and Fridays for dinner only.

Wax your skis. All North Lake Tahoe ski resorts are open:
Alpine Meadows – open, base of 97 to 170 inches
Diamond Peak – open, base of 70 to 120 inches
Boreal Mountain Resort – open, base of 84 to 160 inches
Donner Ski Ranch – open weekends
Granlibakken – sledding and beginner ski hill are open
Homewood Mountain Resort – open, base of 71 to 121 inches
Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe – open, base of 83 to 127 inches
Northstar-at-Tahoe – open, base of 73 and 116 inches
Royal Gorge Cross Country – open, but closed on Wednesdays
Soda Springs – open, base of 82 to 120 inches
Spooner Lake Cross Country – open
Squaw Valley USA – open, base of 50 to 130 inches
Sugar Bowl – open, base of 86 to 162 inches
Tahoe Cross Country – open, base of 40 to 66 inches
Tahoe Donner Cross Country – 82 kilometers of trail groomed
Tahoe Donner Downhill – open, base of 56 to 72 inches

Events on the Slopes –

• Ed Z’berg-Sugar Pine Point State Park on the West Shore offers cross country and snowshoe trails on five color-coded trails, ranging from one to three miles in length. Trailheads are located on the campground side of the park and on the day-use side of the park.

• Squaw Valley USA is hosting Advanced Ski Clinics Friday, January 7 through Sunday, January 9 for ambitious intermediate and advanced skiers. Taught by Squaw’s top instructors, the daily program is tailored to meet each participant’s needs, utilizing innovative ski techniques and video feedback. Cost is $520/person and does not include lift ticket.

• Celebrate the New Year with National Winter Trails Day Saturday, January 8when the Tahoe Rim Trail Association offers free guided snowshoe treks, for all ages and abilities, and other winter activities at the Tahoe Meadows trailhead off Highway 431, the Mt. Rose Highway, in North Lake Tahoe.

• Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort offers a guided Stargazing Snowshoe Tour Saturday, January 8,5 p.m., with star guide and poet Tony Berendsen, President of the Nevada Science Coalition, complete with telescopic viewing. Cost is $50/person and $30/person for kids under 12 years.

• Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe, just outside of Incline Village, is hosting an Avalanche Awareness Training as part of their Slide Snow School Saturday, January 8,2 p.m. This free course offers basic information for the aspiring backcountry enthusiast, including avalanche terrain recognition, as well as terrain selection and travel techniques.

• The Olympic Heritage Festival is returning to North Lake Tahoe with Citizens Against the Clock Saturday, January 15 at Sugar Pine Point State Park on the West Shore. The event puts skiers, of all ages and abilities, on a short cross-country ski course followed by an electronic rifle shooting range. An interpretive tour of the trails, used in the 1960 Winter Olympics, is set for Sunday, January 16 followed by a special showing of “Flame in the Snow.” All events are free.

• Full Moon Yurt Dinners are Saturday, January 15 and Sunday, January 16 at Tahoe City’s Tahoe Cross Country Center. Participants cross country ski and then enjoy an exquisite meal prepared by Douglas Dale of Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique. Tickets are limited and cost $65/person, which includes dining, ski rentals, as well as a trail pass. Proceeds benefit the Winter Discovery Program.

• Alpenglow Sports has partnered with Alpine Meadows Ski Resort to offer the 4^thAnnual Telemark and Alpine Touring Demo Event Saturday, January 15. This event is free and will showcase the latest gear.

Mark your calendar for May 15-16 when the prestigious Amgen Tour of California kicks off for the first-time ever in Lake Tahoe, with Stage One disembarking from South Lake Tahoe and finishing at Northstar-at-Tahoe in Truckee and Stage Two starting from Squaw Valley in Olympic Valley. For full event information, activities and special discounts, check www.TahoeTourofCalifornia.com.

The North Lake Tahoe Express daily airport shuttle service is available to and from North Lake Tahoe and the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The shuttle runs from 3:30 a.m. until midnight. Fees are $40 per person, one-way, and $75 round trip. Discounts are available for groups of two or more. Reservations are required and can be made four hours in advance.

For a snapshot of upcoming special events, as well as recreational activities of recent scenes, go to www.GoTahoeNorth.com and click on the web video for the North Tahoe Minute.

 - Pettit Gilwee

North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, two hours from the Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from the San Francisco International Airport. For lodging reservations and event details, call North Lake Tahoe at 1-877-949-3286 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.

Where is Tahoe taking you this winter? Show the world in full high-definition video quality without the high cost thanks to the new hands-free camera rental program at Tahoe Mountain Sports. 

Take one of two models for a spin: the world’s first full HD wearable camcorder, the ContourHD, or the new ContourGPS, which pair HD video with GPS capabilities so you can track your location, speed, altitude and more.

Show your family and friends those powder turns, that snowmobile ride, your kid’s first sledding adventure or Tahoe’s iconic vistas, all with the amazing, first-person perspective only a helmet camera can provide. Extremely lightweight, easy to use and attaches to your helmet, goggles, vehicle and more!

Cost for 24-hour helmet camera rental is $40 for ContourHD, $45 for ContourGPS. It comes with a 4 GB memory stick and a USB reader that you take home with you to view, edit and save your footage. Choose between a flat surface mount, goggle mount or vented helmet mount. Other mounts available for an additional cost. Repeat renters (who don’t need another memory stick/USB reader) get $15 off.

Here’s a sample of what you can do with the camera!

Squaw Valley USA announces a great new deal where guests just off the airplane can ski or ride the afternoon and evening for free.  Starting today,  guests can present a same-day commercial airline boarding pass with a matching photo ID at Squaw Valley’s Season Passes & Tickets office and receive a complimentary lift ticket good for the rest of the afternoon as well as night skiing. These complimentary half-day lift tickets are valid from 1pm until 9pm on Fridays & Saturdays or from 1pm until 7pm mid-week while night operations are in effect.  This new program means that guests from across the nation can have breakfast in the airport of their origination city and enjoy lunch, or even dinner on the slopes of Squaw Valley USA.

Located just 42 miles or 50 minutes from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and 2 hours from the Sacramento International Airport (SMF), Squaw Valley USA is one of the most accessible world-class ski resorts in North America. In addition to fantastic airport service, Squaw Valley is located just 3.5 hours on I-80 from San Francisco and the Bay Area.

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport is widely known for easy access, effortless check-ins and a temperate climate that makes weather-related delays and closures an extreme rarity. The Reno-Tahoe International airport was also recently ranked #1 in the nation in terms of flights added since the third quarter of 2009. Since January 2010, the Reno-Tahoe International Airport has announced 17 new flights including a new non-stop daily flight to Houston, Texas beginning February 21, 2011 on Continental Airlines.

To be eligible for a complimentary half-day ticket, guests must present a proof of same-day air travel at Squaw Valley’s Season Pass Office or the Special Tickets Office. One ticket per proof of travel. Proof of travel is defined as a boarding pass, printed itinerary or baggage claim check. Document of proof must contain the day’s travel date, flight number and traveler’s full name. Matching photo ID must be presented.

For Great Lodging Specials Call 1-866-366-7261 or visit www.squaw.com

Site of the VIII Winter Olympic Games, Squaw Valley USA is located five miles north of Lake Tahoe along the Truckee River on Highway 89. The year-round resort offers 4,000 acres of lift-served terrain for skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and snowtubing. Off the slopes, guests enjoy a vibrant après scene and world-class shopping and dining in the Village at Squaw Valley. Summer and fall activities include mountain biking, hiking, mountaintop swimming, paintball, disc golf and zip-lining. For more information call 530-452-4000, or visit www.squaw.com.

- Amelia Richmond

Eldorado Hotel Casino: There’s never been a better time to hit the slopes than right after a fresh dose of snow and the Eldorado Hotel Casino is making it easier than ever to dream up a custom ski vacation!  Build custom ski packages including accommodations, lift tickets, transportation to and from the best mountain resorts, meal vouchers and more!

With more than a dozen exceptional mountains in the Reno Tahoe area including Squaw Valley USA, Heavenly Mountain Resort, Northstar, Sugar Bowl and Kirkwood, the Eldorado invites family, friends and neighbors to join in the fun.  Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a week-long adventure, call the Eldorado to take care of both individual and group ski needs.

The fun doesn’t stop on the slopes; play all day then stay at the Eldorado, where the best dining and entertainment is paired with thrilling casino nightlife.  With nine restaurants, a Broadway-style showroom and an 81,000 square foot casino all under one roof, the Eldorado is downtown Reno’s premiere place to relax or let loose. 

For more details or to create a custom ski vacation visit www.eldoradoreno.com or call 775-786-5700 to get started.

Silver Legacy:  Create a winter getaway for two or arrange a stay for the entire family, Silver Legacy takes care of all the planning no matter how big your group may be.  With thelargest concentration of alpine and cross-country ski resorts in North America, Reno Tahoe is the perfect winter playground for snow-lovers of all ages.

After a long day on the slopes, come back down the mountain and enjoy the widest variety of dining, entertainment and gaming in Reno.   Silver Legacy offers six restaurants, top headline entertainment in the Grande Exposition Hall, a health spa and specialty salon, boutique shopping and industry-leading gaming all under one roof. 

Get going on your next winter getaway today!  Find more details on Silver Legacy’s custom ski vacations at www.silverlegacy.com or call 775-325-7401 to begin making reservations today.  

-Diana Rogers

For the second year in a row, Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (GSR) is offering its all-inclusive Winter Break Package starting at $399 for Jan. 14 – 17, 2011. GSR kicks off the snowy season with a four-day offer of skiing/boarding along with complimentary cocktails, deluxe accommodations, decadent dining and more

Winter Break Package includes:

• 72-hour open bar in Xtreme Sports Bar + Lounge featuring select  draft beer, shots and well drinks 
• Three daily meals at The Lodge Buffet
• Three-night stay in standard accommodations with luxury suite upgrades 
• One two-day ski or snowboard lift pass and shuttle transportation to Northstar and Alpine Meadows
• A 200,000 gallon midnight hot pool party with a Beanies and Bikinis Contest at The Beach pool club
•  Daily poker tournaments, late night bowling and beer pong tournaments  

The largest and most luxurious hotel in the greater Lake Tahoe and Reno area, GSR is 145-acre resort featuring wide selections of amenities from food and drink to entertainment and nightlife. With its nearly 2,000 guest rooms and suites, The Beach pool club, Xtreme Sports Bar + Lounge, winter breakers also have access to additional GSR attractions including its Sierra Bay Aqua Range, Fun Quest, an arcade filled with laser tag and other virtual reality games, the Ultimate Rush thrill park, Grand Sierra Cinema and Grand Sierra Bowl. Exclusive winter break deals are also available at Charlie Palmer Steak, Fin Fish, Briscola and the Health Club & Spa at Grand Sierra.

Reservations can be made by calling 1.800.648.5080 or by visiting www.grandsierraresort.com or www.collegewinterbreak.com.     

Restrictions may apply. The $399 package price is per person based on quad occupancy in standard rooms.  Guests must be age 21 or over at time of check-in to participate in casino games or be served alcoholic drinks.