Tahoe gearing up for month of bike events

The Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition in collaboration with others will launch June is Tahoe Bike Month as a regional marketing campaign to promote cycling in Lake Tahoe.

The plan calls for leveraging the success of Bike2Work, School, Play Week, America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride, and other events in an effort to bring together the combined resources of the cycling and business communities. Companies, clubs and agencies are encouraged to develop new events and programs during June and be included in this campaign.

This year, three events will be inaugurated: Tahoe Bike Challenge 2 Work, School and Play (May 24-June 4); Tahoe Bike Day Parade & Festival on June 5, at Ski Run Marina in South Lake Tahoe; and the Cyclist-friendly Business Bike Rack program for qualified businesses within the city limits of South Lake Tahoe.

More details will be forthcoming for cyclists, event sponsors, festival exhibitors, and businesses interested in the bike rack program.

For updates, click here or email Ty Polastri at entersport@aol.com.




Eldorado National Forest delays off-road opening

By Cathy Locke, Sacramento Bee

Recent storms have postponed the opening of dirt roads and trails to motorized vehicles in the Eldorado National Forest.

Forest Supervisor Ramiro Villalvazo had announced last week that the seasonal closures would be lifted today. But because of this week’s storms and forecasts for intermittent storms over the next few weeks, the routes will remain closed.

Read the whole story




Lake Tahoe ski report, March 31

curtisFreshies is the word of the day. More snow is coming down. Here is the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.




Desolation Wilderness volunteers sought

The U.S. Forest Service is looking for dedicated volunteers who love the outdoors, enjoy working with people, and who are dedicated to preserving one of our nation’s most popular wilderness areas, the Desolation Wilderness.

The Desolation is jointly managed between the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and the Eldorado National Forest.

The public is invited attend either one of two volunteer program meetings to learn about the different volunteer opportunities, what is required, and how your help is important to the preservation of the Desolation Wilderness.

Meetings:

South Lake Tahoe

Date: April 22

Time: 7pm

Place: LTBMU Supervisor’s Office, 35 College Drive

(530) 543.2694

Placerville

Date: April 29

Time: 7pm

Place: Eldorado Supervisor’s Office, 100 Forni Road

(530) 647.5439




Lake Tahoe ski report, March 30

curtisThe blizzard warning was lifted for Lake Tahoe, but the winds are howling and snow is blowing — so it sure seems like blizzard conditions. Roads are slick and chains are needed. If you are skiing today, you may want to check with the resort first to see what’s open. Here is the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.




Kirkwood introduces pass without blackout dates

It was 20 years ago when Kirkwood Mountain Resort introduced the concept of low prices season passes to the skiing world, offering a full season of midweek skiing for $199.

To celebrate what has now become common place throughout the nation, Kirkwood introduces its all-new No Blackout pass for the 2010-11 season. Prices are $349 for the new 7 Wood, valid every day, and $249 for the new 6 Wood, valid six days a week; both passes include all holiday periods typically blacked out at most major resorts.

Kirkwood Season Passes can be purchased on-line at Kirkwood.com, in person at the resort seven days a week, or by calling (209) 258.PASS.




Lake Tahoe ski report, March 29

curtisWind may be a problem as a storm rolls into the Lake Tahoe Basin. Mount Rose is closed because of the winds. Here is the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.




Anderson wins Mammoth slopestyle

By World Snowboard Guide

The 6Star Roxy Chicken Jam slopestyle and halfpipe finals both went down Sunday under sunny skies at Mammoth Mountain in California.

The day began with slopestyle finals in the morning under the blazing California sunshine making the course a little bit slow, but the ladies powered through the slush and put on a great showing. The slopestyle course is larger than in years past and the riders were loving the setup that consisted of a 65-foot jump, 55-foot jump, a rail section, pole jam and finished with a 50-foot kicker. It was South Lake Tahoe rider, Jamie Anderson, who had the speed and style on the course and was able to throw down a run that included a backside 540, switch backside 540 and a Cab 540 mute to take the top spot of the day.

Read the whole story




Blizzard warning issued for Lake Tahoe

A blizzard watch is in effect from Tuesday morning through that evening.

A cold front will pass through the Lake Tahoe Basin and Alpine County, according to the National Weather Service.

Expect southwest winds of 20 to 30mph, with gusts up to 50mph in the lower elevations and ridge gusts near 100mph. Winds may be combined with heavy snow to create blizzard conditions.

Mount Tallac will be covered in more snow this week. Photo/Kathryn Reed

Mount Tallac will be covered in more snow this week. Photo/Kathryn Reed

Snow accumulations of a foot or more above 7,000 feet and up to 8 inches below 7000 feet are possible, with the largest amounts along and west of Highway 89.

There is a potential for snow combined with winds more than 35mph that may lower visibilities to less than one-quarter of a mile. Possible whiteout conditions could make travel dangerous, the Weather Service warns.




Locals dominate podium at Squaw in dual moguls

By USSA

OLYMPIC VALLEY — It was the way Squaw was hoping to wrap up the weekend as hometown favorite Shelly Robertson (Reno, NV), along with Jeremy Cota (Steamboat Springs, CO), took the dual moguls titles during the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships Sunday.

“This is so awesome being at Squaw in front of all my friends and family,” Robertson said. “I’m so excited to win today. This is where it all started for me on this run right here when I was 15. It feels good to finish on this run on top.”

Robertson was joined on the podium by Eliza Outtrim (Steamboat Springs, CO), who marked her second silver of the weekend, and Heather McPhie (Bozeman, MT) who was pulling in another third for the event.

According to Robertson, her fourth U.S. title came with a little luck and some hard-fought skiing throughout the bright day in Tahoe.

“I felt like I got a little lucky on a couple of the runs before, and I wasn’t skiing on my game. I knew I’d have to put it together on this last run,” Robertson said. “I was happy to finally put down the run that I wanted to ski on this last one.”

After a weekend riddled with successes, Outtrim is looking back on what she feels are two weeks that can push her forward.

“It’s incredible. I’ve probably had my best three results I’ve ever had in the last week and a half,” Outtrim said. “They’re my first podiums at U.S. Champs and to get two seconds is pretty sweet.”

Absent from the competition, but there watching with friends and family was local hero and Olympic bronze medalist Shannon Bahrke (Tahoe City, CA) who was not racing due to an injury.

On the men’s side, reeling in his first U.S. title had Cota very excited that he could go up against some of the sport’s best and succeed.

“This is my first time winning a national title and I’m definitely psyched,” Cota said. “There’s a lot of incredible skiers in this event and for me to win I had to do my very best, and I was happy to be able to do that.”

Also on the podium with Cota, marking his second appearance in the week was U.S. moguls champion Joey Discoe (Telluride, CO) in second, and Dave DiGravio (Farmington, ME) in third.

Freestyle Championships,Squaw Valley, March 28, Dual Moguls

Men

1. Jeremy Cota, Steamboat Springs, CO

2. Joey Discoe, Telluride, CO

3. Dave DiGravio, Farmington, ME

4. Zak Watkins, Telluride, CO

5. Bradley Wilson, Park City, UT

Women

1. Shelly Robertson, Reno, NV

2. Eliza Outtrim, Steamboat Springs, CO

3. Heather McPhie, Bozeman, MT

4. Laurel Shanley, Squaw Valley, CA

5. Mikaela Matthews, Frisco, CO