By Maggie Thach, Reno Gazette-Journal

OLYMPIC VALLEY — The past year has been full of ups and downs for Tahoe City’s Scotty Bahrke.

He has had success, but barely missed the cut to make the U.S. ski team for the Vancouver Olympics. Five days before the men’s aerials events, though, he replaced Dylan Ferguson, his best friend who was unable to compete because of complications from a recent appendectomy.

Bahrke finished 23rd in the first round of competition and did not qualify for the finals, but his Olympic experience was everything he could have hoped for.

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Wind may be a problem on the slopes today. Here is the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

By Marek Warszawski, Fresno Bee

The impending sale of Sierra Summit, the winter resort right in Fresno’s backyard, ought to be huge news to area skiers and snowboarders.

Instead, public response has been hushed. Like snow sloughing off an overloaded tree branch in the middle of a forest.

Considering all the complaints I’ve heard about Snow Summit Ski Corp., the resort’s owner since 1981, the muted reaction is curious, although not completely unexpected.

While the Huntington Lake resort has many patrons who appreciate its varied terrain and low-key atmosphere, others like to denigrate the place. Over the years, I’ve heard Sierra Summit called everything from an ugly step-child to a tax write-off from those with the mistaken belief that Sierra Summit sucks out revenues without spending a nickel on upgrades.

You’d think those Negative Neds and Nancys would be dancing in their ski boots now that a small investment group headed by longtime Kirkwood executive Tim Cohee is poised to take over when escrow on the nearly $4 million transaction closes April 30.

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It’s a gorgeous day in Lake Tahoe. Head for the slopes. Here is the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

Squaw Valley is hosting the first U.S. Professional Ski Patrol Olympics April 16-18.

While several regions have hosted patrol contests in previous years, never before have ski patrollers from across the continent united for one epic competition. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympic Winter Games, Squaw Valley has invited patrollers from the East Coast, Rockies, Sierra Nevada and the Pacific Northwest to partake in this inaugural event. Several international patrol teams have also been invited to attend.

Competition includes an array of events from sled races and beacon competitions to simulated bomb throws. Registration costs $89 per patroller, and tickets include a two-day lift ticket to Squaw Valley, two mid-mountain, on-snow BBQ lunches and admission to the Sunday night Awards Ceremony with live music. Discounted lodging is available for patrollers and spectators through Squaw Valley Central Reservations at 800.545.5585.

Friday

6-9pm – Registration Party

Saturday

9:45am РRandon̩e Race

10am – Beacon Competition

noon – GS Race

12:30-2pm – On-Snow BBQ

5pm – Awards Ceremony

Sunday

10am – Sled Race

10am – Bamboo Throw

10am – Bomb Throw (long/short)

12:30-2pm – On-Snow BBQ

7pm – Awards Ceremony

For more information about the Professional Ski Patrol Olympics, contact Squaw Valley Ski Patrol at (530) 452.7124 or by email at eknudson@squaw.com.

Fresh snow is covering the slopes of Lake Tahoe ski resorts. Here is the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

Wind could pose a problem with chairlift operations today. Here is the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

Expect the sun to be shining all day. A small storm may roll in tonight. Here is the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

By Reno Gazette-Journal

Shannon Bahrke’s skiing career has come to a close.

The Reno native and Tahoe City resident was to compete in this weekend’s U.S. Freestyle Championships at Squaw Valley USA, which was to be her final competition before retirement, but

Shannon Bahrke

an injury suffered last week will keep her out, she said Monday.

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By USSA

LAKE PLACID — Three-time Olympic medalist Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) captured the 11th U.S. title of her career with a victory in the women’s giant slalom to close the 2010 Visa U.S. Alpine Championships at Whiteface Mountain Tuesday.

“I actually haven’t skied giant slalom since the Olympics, so it was nice to get back on my GS skis,” Mancuso said.

Mancuso was also the giant slalom champion in ’09, ’05, and ’03. With 11 titles, she now moves past U.S. great Andrea Mead Lawrence for the most titles of any American male or female, breaking a record that has stood for 55 years.

The weekend brought some closure to a season in which Mancuso had long worked hard.

“Coming back from a back injury I always had the goal of getting ready for the Olympics. Even going into last season it hurt. I wanted to keep trying. Just being able to see the reward of the plan paying off was really amazing,” Mancuso said.

Second place for the day went to Laurenne Ross (Klamath Falls, OR) who produced the fastest second run. Ross was also third in the super G and second in the combined at Whiteface.

Malin Hemmingson of Sweden was third followed by U.S. downhill champion Leanne Smith (Conway, NH).

The top U.S. junior was Julia Ford (Plymouth, NH) out of U.S. Development Team, though the fastest junior was Erin Mielzynski of Canada. J-2 Foreste Peterson (Berkeley, CA) of the Squaw Valley Ski Team was the next fastest U.S. junior followed by Abby Ghent (Edwards, CO) of Ski and Snowboard Club Vail.

2010 Visa U.S. Alpine Championships Lake Placid,March 22, Women’s Giant Slalom

1. Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, CA, 2:07.52

2. Laurenne Ross, Klamath Falls, OR, 2:08.11

3. Malin Hemmingsson, Sweden, 2:08.25

4. Leanne Smith, Conway, NH, 2:08.98

5. Megan McJames, Park City, UT, 2:09.17