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.

Not everyone can gracefully schuss down black diamond slopes, so North Lake Tahoe ski resorts are giving novice skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to learn at bargain prices. The 11th Annual Learn to Ski and Board Weekend, scheduled for December 11-12, costs $25 and includes an all-day beginner lift ticket, group lesson and gear rental.

First-timers have their choice of seven resorts to learn at including Alpine Meadows, Boreal Mountain Resort, Granlibakken, Homewood Mountain Resort, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley USA and Sugar Bowl. 

Reservations are not required, but participants should arrive early. 

Lesson packages can be purchased at each individual resort the day of lessons. Students should contact resorts directly for resort-specific information.

Some restrictions apply. Resorts not open December 11-12 due to early conditions may offer a Learn to Ski Weekend later in the season when weather permits.

For more information about Learn to Ski, click to www.GoTahoeNorth.com.

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.

-Pettit Gilwee

Everyone in Reno Tahoe is gearing up for the first big storm of the season! The National Weather Service in Reno is forecasting an 80% chance of snow for the lower valleys, and is expecting to measure the snowfall in the higher elevations in FEET this weekend!

Yahoo! The snow dances have paid off!

Whether you’re planning on snowshoeing the beautiful Tahoe Meadows, sipping hot cocoa with a loved one on your couch or shredding the gnar – it’s starting to feel (and look) like the holiday season around here! We’re currently charging our camera battery, anxious to photograph the first major snowfall of the 2010-2011 ski season.

For those of you itching to get on the lifts, below is information you’ll find handy of ski resorts opening this weekend, joining the already operating Boreal Mountain Resort.

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe is opening this Friday, November 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with the Ponderosa life and Flying Jenny. Mt. Rose is the closest ski resor to Reno, a mere 25 minutes from downtown. Mt. Rose is offering a killer first timer package for only $39 and is available Novemeber 20-24. It includes a 90-minute lesson,  beginner lift ticket and rental equipment (ages 11+). The Rosebud Kid’s Camp is also starting on November 25th (Thanksgiving Day) for only $59. Kids 4-10 receive a 2-hour lesson, lift ticket, helmet and rental equipment.

Northstar-at-Tahoe is also opening this weekend, with the following lifts open for shredding: Big Springs Gondola, Arrow Express, Vista Express, and Big Easy.

Squaw Valley USA is also opening its Olympic doors on Saturday, November 20.

For tips on navigating Reno Tahoe during one of our glorious storms, check out our Winter Driving Tips Blog.

If you’re joining us for the Thanksgiving Holiday, check out our Reno Tahoe blog on Giving Thanks with us.

Cheers to a gnarly storm this weekend!

Opening day in Lake Tahoe is now officially only DAYS away! Snow lovers throughout Reno Tahoe are perfecting their snow dances. For those of us who live here, we already know why our destination is THE winter destination. For those who have yet to experience an awesome snow season in Reno Tahoe, we’d like to introduce you to Orbitz.

Orbitz unveiled its top 10 early  ski destinations, providing the best insight for those preparing to book their winter getaway. And no surprise Lake Tahoe is rated number one! As Jay Pierce of Orbitz Worldwide wrote, “The once and current king of the early ski season is Lake Tahoe, which also topped last year’s in-season list of top ski destinations. Lake Tahoe is one of the top annual ski destinations for good reason – it’s beautiful, the air is crisp and clear, and the sun shines most of the time.  During winter, with an average snowfall topping 400 inches, Lake Tahoe is one of the nation’s premier ski destinations, offering 15 downhill resorts and 10 cross-country ski centers. ”

 What are you waiting for? Book your trip to Reno Tahoe TODAY!

The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation has opened registration for the 2010 – 2011 Alpine, Freestyle and Snowboard Programs. With a variety of options from the One-Day Program to the Full-Time Competitive Program, the Foundation has something for all ages and levels of skiers and riders. Registration packets are available online, at the HSSF building, or by calling the HSSF administration office. Those who register and pay in full now will receive the early registration pricing; prices increase $100 on November 1, 2010.

“The foundation continues to strengthen its relationship with Heavenly and work with the community to provide skiing and snowboarding options to the local youth,” said HSSF president Jim Plake. “With the Blue Angel program we’re reaching out to children who want to ski recreationally.  But then with our Full-Time Competitive Program we’re also catering to those who are striving to reach the Olympics.”

The HSSF programs are divided by age and ability; prices may vary. The One-Day Program offers all ages and abilities up to 18 training days, primarily Sundays, December through March. A Heavenly restricted pass, equipment and gear are required. Alpine and Snowboard registrants can choose to participate in the Tahoe League and U.S.A.S.A. South Shore Series respectively for an additional fee.

In addition to the One-Day Program, the HSSF also offers Part-Time, Part-Time Plus (Alpine only) and Full-Time programs. These programs require additional commitments from both parents and athletes. With a longer season, December through as late as mid-May, these programs offer a lot more time on the mountain with professional coaches and more participation in competitions. Dryland and gymnastics training, Sunday Fundays, night training, video analysis, pro clinics and more advanced competition training are some of the bonuses of these programs depending upon what is right for your young athlete. With all programs the emphasis is placed on skiing and boarding preparation and equipment care, as well as focusing on physical and mental competition techniques. The programs also teach physical fitness through healthy activity and good eating habits while promoting the values of teamwork and good sportsmanship. Program costs range from $700 to $3,000 and scholarships are available; Snowboard Program pricing includes the cost of single or three-mountain pass options. Alpine and Freestyle Programs registration pricing increases November 1, 2010; Snowboard Program registration pricing increases January 1, 2011. For more information visit www.heavenlyssf.com or call the administrative office at 530.431.7354.

The HSSF prides itself on selecting the best coaching staff available to nurture young athletes. The dedication seen from the coaching staff makes the Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation one of the best in Tahoe. This year the Foundation will welcome back Alpine head coaches Noel Dufty, Raquel Norton and Oliver Russell. Noel begins his 19^thyear as a coach at the Foundation. He has over 30 years of professional ski coaching and is a former professional ski racer; has coached in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Italy and the USA; and has an International Level 4 certification. He coached Heavenly’s National Team and Olympic Team member Jonna Mendes; US Team Member Alicia Howard; and World Championship Team and National Team member Wisi Betschart. Raquel begins her eleventh year as a coach for the Foundation. She skied competitively for 15 years; was a Collegiate Athletic 1^st Team All American-NCSA; is a Level 200 USSA Coach; holds a B.S. in Physiology and M.S. in Health Science; and is a California credentialed teacher and ski coach. Oliver begins his ninth year with the Foundation. He raced competitively for the HSSF for 12 years, finishing his racing career as one of the top competitive FIS racers for the Western Division. He now trains and travels with the HSSF FIS athletes.

The Freestyle Team will welcome back head coach Jere Crawford for his seventh season. He was an amateur and pro mogul skier; is the original Top Gun on Gunbarrel; designed and built courses for Nationals, Junior Nationals, pro events, and countless regional events; and is a Level 2 aerial coach. Assistant coach Travis Woodcock is a former member of the HSSF Freestyle Team. He has competed in many skiing disciplines including moguls, racing, aerials, slopestyle, halfpipe, big mountain and even acro; he was a National Combined Freestyle Champion; and was the first person to do eight twisters.

The Snowboard Team will welcome back for his twelfth season Travis Chatwin, to his new position as head coach. He competed professionally for seven years; continues to compete at the local/national level alongside his athletes; is a National Halfpipe and Slopestyle Champion; has received the Triple Overall Champion title six of the past ten years; and has worked with some of the top professionals in snowboarding today. He is joined by assistant coaches Garrett Gibb and Joe Piccinonno. Garrett begins his third year coaching for the Foundation; he’s competed competitively for seven years; was a member of HSSF for six years; has a resume of impressive results including a 1^stplace at the 2010 Mt. High Gatorade Free Flow Tour in slopestyle; and currently coaches ski/snowboard based gymnastics at Tumbleweeds. Joe begins his second season as a coach and has been riding with children for seven years. He is certified by USSA and USASA; in rescue medicine as a Wilderness First Responder; has assisted at the past three USASA National Championships; and has a background in education and early childhood and adolescent development.

Scholarships are available to those who qualify and applications are due by November 1, 2010. Please visit www.heavenlyssf.comfor applications and qualification information. The Heavenly Foundation’s Scholarship Committee is an independent group of community leaders who evaluate each application and award financial assistance based on family income, the athletes’ written essay, and scholastic standing. The funding for the program comes solely from community contributions and our various fundraising events such as our Annual Ski Swap, the Winter Welcome, The Grapes & Gates Wine Tasting and our Kinder Kup Race Series. The committee was able to award over $15,000 in scholarships to 16 athletes for the 2010/11 season.

About the Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation: The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation is committed to facilitating and leading the local community in the development of programs to encourage youth to participate in winter sports, alpine skiing and snowboarding. The HSSF operates independently on donations and fundraisers. In addition to providing a safe skiing and riding experience to those within the foundation, outreach and community involvement also play a big part of the base of the Foundation. Throughout the winter season the HSSF provides scholarships to families whose children would not be able to participate in the race program; hosts a non-race Blue Angels program through the middle school; works with the SOS (Snowboard Outreach Society); works with the Boys and Girls Club of South Lake Tahoe; and organizes multiple events, like the Kinder Kup series, and fundraisers including the annual spring wine gala, Grapes and Gates, at Edgewood. For more information on the Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation visit www.heavenlyssf.com, email heavenlyssf@yahoo.com or call the administrative offices at 530.541.7354.

 -Aimi Xistra-Rich

Pacific Crest Heli-Guides in partnership with HeliTahoe has announced plans to offer helicopter skiing and snowboarding in Lake Tahoe for the upcoming 2010-11 winter season. The operation will be based out of the Truckee Airport and access more than 100,000 acres of privately owned lands located along the spine of the Pacific Crest, all within a half hours drive of Reno.

Besides a few small heliskiing enterprises in the early 1970’s, this will be the first full-fledged helicopter skiing operation launched in the Lake Tahoe region or in the entirety of the Sierra Nevada for that matter. The ambitious undertaking will include a number of year-round recreational options accessed by helicopter such as sight-seeing, mountain biking, fishing and hiking.

“To say this is a dream come true is an understatement. More accurately it is a culmination of my lifelong passion for skiing powder, my extensive experience within the ski industry and good timing,” said Dave Rintala, owner/operator of Pacific Crest Heli-Guides. “I can’t wait for the season to start given the prospect of skiing first descents on a daily basis, naming new runs and exploring fresh terrain with clients.”

The operation will be limited to a maximum of 16 guests per day with a ratio of one guide per four guests. The cost structure will be based upon flight time rather than vertical feet allowing like-minded guests to customize their experience based on their budget, their desire to ski/ride as much vertical as possible and/or their desire to explore a variety of different zones. Full day trips will start at $899 per person.

The biggest variable typically affecting the success of a helicopter skiing operation is weather. Pacific Crest Heli-Guides, however, plans to dovetail its daily operations with its existing snowcat operation to ensure clients who book in advance are guaranteed a day of backcountry skiing or snowboarding even during storm cycles. Pacific Crest Snowcats has been in business for nine seasons and operates on 3,000 acres of reserved terrain located between Squaw Valley USA and Sugar Bowl Resort. California’s only backcountry-based snowcat operation, Pacific Crest Snowcats boasts some of the best expert terrain accessible via snowcat in North America.

The terrain accessed via helicopter will be no different with an endless variety of open bowls, perfectly spaced trees, steep chutes and technical couloirs geared towards the advanced to expert skier or snowboarder. The north-facing aspects will hold their snow days after a storm while the south-facing aspects will provide for ideal corn conditions in the spring. The maritime snowpack found in the Sierra Nevada typically provides for stable conditions, not to mention the side benefit that the typical Sierra snowstorm is measured in feet rather than inches.

In fact, last season Lake Tahoe reported more than 600 inches of total snowfall which resulted in the region reporting its second busiest season on record. Additionally, backcountry skiing and snowboarding continues to be one of the fastest growing segments of the ski industry which has resulted in a return to the roots of the sport with skiers and snowboarders now placing a premium on untracked powder and the solace of being in the mountains.

“The timing couldn’t be better to open a business rooted in outdoor adventure with its main goal focused on sharing the beauty of the Sierra Nevada one powder turn at a time,” said Rintala. “Our approach is simple: we found incredible terrain, added a crew consisting of the most qualified guides in the industry and created an affordable, flexible price structure.”

In addition to founding Pacific Crest Heli-Guides, Dave “Happy” Rintala has been operating Pacific Crest Snowcats for close to a decade and is also one of the owner/operators of Alaska Backcountry Adventures, the original heliskiing operation located atop Thompson Pass near Valdez, AK. Rintala serves as the lead guide and primary avalanche forecaster for both of these operations. The guide staff for Pacific Crest Heli-Guides will draw heavily upon current guides at both Pacific Crest Snowcats and Alaska Backcountry Adventures bringing a wealth of industry knowledge and local field experience to ensure seamless operations. Guests can relax and enjoy their powder turns knowing that the individual guiding their group is an experienced avalanche forecaster with EMT certifications that has helped to set the industry standards for both client safety and customer satisfaction.

Rather than position the operation as a competitor to the existing Lake Tahoe ski resorts, both Pacific Crest Snowcats and Pacific Crest Heli-Guides view their unique offerings as products that complement the variety of world-class skiing and snowboarding options already available in Lake Tahoe.

“The addition of a helicopter skiing operation to the region allows Lake Tahoe to position itself as a complete winter destination on par with locations such as Whistler, Jackson Hole, Utah and Colorado,” said Rintala. “Pacific Crest Heli-Guides looks forward to being part of the ultimate Lake Tahoe skiing or snowboarding experience.”

Pacific Crest Heli-Guides
930 Tahoe Blvd #802-305  Incline Village NV 89451
Email: info@pacificcrestheliguides.com
Phone: 1-888-792-9222 or 530-581-1767
http://www.pacificcrestheliguides.com/

HeliTahoe
1901 Airport Rd Ste 106  South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Email: claudio@helitahoe.com
Phone: (530) 544-2211
http://www.helitahoe.com/