Chilly isn’t the word most people would use for Lake Tahoe this time of year. Freezing, ice cold, bitter, bone chilling — those are more common phrases.

Even though the first day of spring was unseasonably warm at Lake Tahoe, the water was its normal icy temperature. This didn’t stop a multitude of people from “plunging” into the lake at Zephyr Cove to raise money for Special Olympics Northern California & Nevada.

A successful plunge didn’t mean getting wet from head to toe. A dip of the big toe counted.

According to the organization’s website, more than $93,000 has been raised.

Bring the sunglasses and short-sleeves — it’s definitely spring on the slopes. Here is the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

Heavenly Mountain Resort is extending the winter ski and snowboard season to April 25.

“We’ve got a deep snowpack and amazing snow surface conditions thanks to our best-in-class grooming team,” Blaise Carrig, Heavenly’s chief operating officer, said in a press release. “As a result, we decided to reward our passholders with an extra week of skiing and snowboarding, adding even more value to their season pass.”

Heavenly has received nearly 300 inches of snow this season, and with a record 1,200 hours of snowmaking by the West Coast’s largest snowmaking system in the early season.

From April 19-25, Heavenly will operate weekends from 8:30am to 4pm, and weekdays from 9am to 4pm. Heavenly plans to run the Gondola, Tamarack Express, Dipper Express, Sky Express and the Tubing lift, weather and conditions permitting. Gondola sightseeing and on-mountain dining will also be open. All access to the mountain will be through the Heavenly Gondola.

The 2010-11 Heavenly Mountain Resort pass is on sale for $339.

If you buy your pass now, you’ll ski or ride April 2010 for free.

Existing pass holders who renew their pass before the end of the winter season will receive two $50 buddy tickets for use during April of the 2009/10 season

Purchase your Heavenly Pass at skiheavenly.com.

It’s a bluebird day in Lake Tahoe. Here is the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

Two mountains for one price is being offered at Alpine and Homewood for the 2010-11 season.

The Unfiltered Alpine Homewood pass offers unrestricted skiing and riding at both Tahoe resorts at $699 for adults; $1,399 for families (two adult passes and two passes for kids 18 and under).

Financing options are available as are other passes.

Call (530) 583.4232.

By Cathy Locke, Sacramento Bee

The El Dorado Irrigation District is expanding its annual permit program to cover day use and boating at three of its mountain recreation areas.

Annual permits have long been available for Jenkinson Lake in the Sly Park Recreation Area, off Highway 50 near Pollock Pines. Now the permit also covers use of Caples and Silver lakes.

Read the whole story

By Lindsey Sine, USSA

STRATTON MOUNTAIN, VT – Kelly Clark (Mt. Snow, VT) threw down for the home crowd Saturday, stomping some massive 9s to take the win in halfpipe at the 2010 Burton US Open at Stratton Mountain.

Clark put down a frontside air, backside five, frontside seven, cab seven, and frontside nine to not only win the competition, but become the winningest woman in Open history.

“I’ve been coming to the Open for so many years, both as a spectator and competitor, and to come away with a win and to get the record for having the most wins by any woman, that’s a pretty huge honor for me,” Clark said.

Not only was Clark writing history at the Open, she was trying to break the barriers of normalcy for women’s runs in halfpipe.

“I was able to land my first run in finals, which was what I wanted to do and it left some room for me to step it up. I had the opportunity to do that in my next two runs,” Clark said. “I was able to try my front 10 on my third run and I just barely sat it down. It was the closest I’ve been to landing it in a competition. For me having just learned that trick and wanting to put it in a contest run was really cool.”

In the end, the hometown girl was happy to win in front of all of her biggest supporters.

“It’s so nice being home. I grew up 20 minutes from here. I think my entire family, extended family and dogs were here and everyone had a good time,” Clark said. “All of Burton was here supporting me as well, it was a huge hometown crowd and I think all the Vermonters were happy today.”

Clark led the way for what was a killer day for the U.S. snowboarding halfpipers with Kaitlyn Farrington (Sun Valley, ID), just off her win at the inaugural European X Games, landing second and Ellery Hollingsworth (Stratton, VT) third.

Over on the men’s side of the pipe Japan’s Kazuhiro Kokubo was the victor, followed closely by birthday boy and Olympian Louie Vito (Sandy, UT) who was second. Switzerland’s Iouri Podladtchikov finished third.

2010 BURTON US OPEN Stratton Mountain, VT, March 20, Halfpipe

Men

1. Kazuhiro Kokubo, Japan, 97.17

2. Louie Vito, Sandy, UT, 96.17

3. Iouri Podladtchikov, Switzerland, 96.00

4. Markus Malin, Finland, 93.83

5. Janne Korpi, Finland, 91.83

–

6. Scotty Lago, Seabrook, NH, 90.17

10. Ross Powers, Reno, NV, 72.67

Women

1. Kelly Clark, Mt. Snow, VT, 94.17

2. Kaitlyn Farrington, Sun Valley, ID, 90.33

3. Ellery Hollingsworth, Stratton, VT, 86.33

4. Hannah Teter, South Lake Tahoe, 82.50

5. Rana Okada, Japan, 77.00

–

6. Elena Hight, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 75.00

7. Kelly Marren, Hillsborough, CA, 53.67

8. Maddy Schaffrick, Steamboat Springs, CO, 40.83

It will be a mix of clouds and sun today. Here is the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

By Elizabeth Karam, USSA

LAKE PLACID — Travis Ganong (Olympic Valley, CA) and Keely Kelleher (Big Sky, MT) were crowned 2010 Visa U.S. Super G Champions on Saturday at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid. Ganong and Kelleher both led the pack from starting bib one.

U.S. Championships bring together top athletes from national team and ski clubs from across the states to race for the honor of being the best racer in the U.S.

Ganong clinched his second U.S. Championship title for the 2010 season on Saturday, winning both the downhill, which was in February at Aspen, and the super G. Ganong led the field by nearly a second with 2010 Olympic Alpine Team member Will Brandenburg (Spokane, WA) in second, followed by Warner Nickerson (Gilford, NH) in third.

“It’s warm out here, so there’s definitely an advantage of running first. When it’s like that, the track is smooth,” explained Ganong. “I skied pretty well, I nailed all of my marks. It was fun.”

On the women’s side Kelleher laid down the fastest time running first to clinch the win, marking her first U.S. title. Kelleher was followed by teammate and 2010 Olympic Alpine Team member, Chelsea Marshall (Pittsfield, VT) in second. Laurenne Ross (Klamath Falls, OR) rounded out the podium in third.

The men and women will race slalom on Sunday.

2010 Visa U.S. Alpine Championships Lake Placid, March 20 Super G

Men

1. Travis Ganong, Olympic Valley, CA, 1:05.34

2. Will Brandenburg, Spokane, WA, 1:06.20

3. Warner Nickerson, Gilford, NH, 1:06.42

4. Tim Jitloff, Reno, NV, 1:06.44

5. Tommy Ford, Bend, OR, 1:06.73 1:06.74

Women

1. Keely Kelleher, Big Sky, MT, 1:06.31

2. Chelsea Marshall, Pittsfield, VT, 1:06.67

3. Laurenne Ross, Klamath Falls, OR, 1:06.70

4. Katie Hitchcock, Sacramento, CA, 1:06.85

5. Megan McJames, Park City, UT, 1:06.93