Lake Tahoe Ski News, Gear Reviews & Destinations

Last Day of Skiing at Squaw

Susan — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:06:11 +0000

Yesterday was the last day of lift operations at Squaw and there were plenty of skiers out lapping the Paslisades and milking the last sticky turns of the year.

Ponderosa Golf Course to Open!

Susan — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:59:13 +0000

Well, it’s May and even though there is some skiing left, I’m switching modes. Last fall, the owners announced that the 9-hole Ponderosa Golf Course in Truckee would not reopen. Just outside of Sierra Meadows, the course was just a few minutes from my house. A locals’ gem among many expensive, high-end courses around town, many were saddened to see it go. The word was that the owner’s didn’t want to run it anymore because of competition from the resort courses. The airport bid on it, but could only offer the appraised value ($3.1 million) and the owners didn’t want to sell at that price. Last weekend, we learned that the course is going to open after all! The Truckee Parks and Rec department will run it and hopes to reduce prices and increase local programs. The photo to the left was taken two weeks ago when we played the unopened course for what we thought would be the last time. Nothing like the losing something for a little while to make you appreciate it even more.

Eco Ship Cleans Up Ski Industry from Outside In

Susan — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:25:50 +0000

Greg Pronko and Mike O’Reilly got sick of shipping snowboards and displays in oversized boxes stuffed with landfill-clogging Styrofoam peanuts. The bloated shipping costs bothered the founders of Glissade Snowboards and Bender Brothers almost as much as the destructive environmental effects. Their newest venture, Eco Ship, provides lower-volume, sustainable shipping supplies like biodegradable, corn-based polymer bags, foam and boxes. “These are the biggest materials in the garbage,” explains Pronko, “so we reached for the lowest-hanging fruit.” Pronko, who is talking with Amazon, is also working toward an discounted ski/snowboard industry prices. “Right now the bio materials are too expensive,” Pronko says, “but there will be a tipping point and we hope to be there when it tips.”

Cushing Crossing at Squaw Tomorrow

Susan — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:58:20 +0000

The annual pond crossing at the bottom of KT-22 is scheduled for tomorrow, which is also the last day of the season for KT. Check out video of the crossing > I’ll post photos of tomorrow’s event here tomorrow. Also, friend, neighbor and heli ski guide at Points North just returned from Alaska. I’ll post a report and a slide show here soon.

Squaw Cable Car Accident 30 Year Anniversary

Susan — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:37:53 +0000

On a stormy April afternoon in 1978, the Cable Car at Squaw Valley came off of one of its cables, dropped 75 feet and then bounced back up, colliding with a cable which sheared through the car. Four people we killed and thirty-one were injured. Robert Frohlich tells the full story of the Squaw Cable Car tragedy and the heroic rescue effort in this Moonshine article >>

Enjoy the Spring Conditions While You Can

Susan — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:38:39 +0000

The birds are making noise, the snow is melting and temperatures are supposed to reach 67 degrees today in Truckee. Despite the huge snows we received in January, the snowpack has dipped slightly below average. But there’s still plenty of snow in the mountains and spring skiing is excellent: firm in the mornings, creamy from 11-1 and getting slushy in the afternoons. It was a big season for Squaw in more ways that the snow. Patrol opened more terrain in Silverado and extended the boundary in Sun Bowl. Even more terrain at a mountain that was anything but lacking terrain to begin with!

Next to powder, corn snow is the most fun to ski. So live it up this weekend because a cold front with gusty winds will likely move in on Sunday night and firm it all up.

New Sunglasses for 2008-2009

Susan — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:17:23 +0000

Check out new shades from companies like Spy, Smith, Dragon, Electric, Giro, Uvex and Zeal.
Preview new sunglasses for 2008-09 here >>

New Goggles & Helmets for 2008-2009

Susan — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:33:36 +0000

Here’s a preview of new helmets and goggle systems for 2008-09, including descriptions of features and photos, from all the major manufactures: Smith, Giro, Salomon, Electric, Spy, Scott, Dragon, Marker, Zeal, Swans, K2, Bolle and Uvex.

New Skis for 2008-2009

Susan — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:20:15 +0000

This season is just starting to wind down, but manufactures are already ramped up for next season with their new lines of fatties and twins. Here’s a preview of new skis for 2008-09, including dimensions and photos, from all the major manufactures: Rossignol, Palmer, Karhu, Dynastar, Elan, Icelantic, K2, Line, Movement, High Society Freeride, Scott, Volkl, Salomon, Black Diamond, Atomic, Fischer and 4FRNT.

Tights Reduce Knee Strain & Fatigue

Susan — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 22:25:57 +0000

Opedix sent me a pair of its new Knee Action Ski & Board tights to test last month. They’re reinforced with extra supportive material running down the outside of the legs from waist to ankle and completely surrounding the knee. The added support was notable when I wore them downhill skiing, x-c skiing and while practicing yoga. Instead of having to focus on tightening the quad, hamstrings and glutes, the muscles felt like they were already tightened and engaged, letting me make the next turn or stride more powerfully and easily. Read the full review here >