By Hayley Mick, Globe and Mail

Halfpipe snowboarding is not often associated with discretion. The sport’s superstars have a reputation for being highly paid hotdoggers, and there is probably no group of athletes – with the possible exception of skateboarders – that takes more delight in videotaping and broadcasting their tricks.

Which is why the buildup to the first Olympic qualification event at Copper Mountain in Colorado this weekend is so remarkable – world-class snowboarders will finally have to reveal their hands after months of self-imposed secrecy.

Read the whole story

This in from Alpine Meadows: Due to recent snow storms resulting in as much as 5 feet of accumulation, Alpine Meadows Ski Resort will open more terrain and chairlifts to skiers and snowboarders. Summit high speed express chairlift will open today for the season, offering access to the mountain’s summit. Starting Dec. 11, Alpine Meadows will open additional chairlifts including Hot Wheels triple chair and Kangaroo double chair.

Read the full ski report to know what’s going on at all the resorts in Lake Tahoe — all of this brought to you by Curtis Fong, the Guy from Lake Tahoe.

In this economy, Squaw Valley strives to make the revitalizing sports of skiing and snowboarding accessible to all by creating targeted deals for a multitude of demographics. For instance, on the heels of last winter’s order from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to furlough salaried and non-union California state employees, Squaw Valley introduced “Furlough Friday” discounted lift tickets for California state workers affected by furloughs. This winter, Squaw Valley is bringing Furlough Fridays back with $49 lift tickets on Fridays* (non-holiday) throughout the resort’s 2009-10 Anniversary season.

Furlough Fridays begin Dec. 11 and continue throughout the winter on specified Fridays, or until budget issues are resolved.

To purchase the special $49 lift ticket, state workers must bring a valid state identification card or a recent (dated within one month) California pay stub and valid photo ID to ticket booth “D” (next to adult SnowSport school), between 8:30 and 11am.

Furlough Fridays are: Dec. 11, Jan. 8, 22, Feb. 5, 19, March 5, 12, 19, April 2, 9, 16.

U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews will be conducting prescribed fire operations in several areas located along the West and South shores of Lake Tahoe starting Dec. 10 and continuing through the weekend as weather and staffing allow.

Operations will be conducted in the Meeks Meadow area near Meeks Bay Trail on approximately 140 acres. This operation is contingent on whether Highway 89 around Emerald Bay remains closed. If the road opens, the

operation will go on as planned, but if the road remains

closed the operation will be postponed until a later date.

A second operation will take place on Tahoe Mountain near Glenmore Way and Tahoe Mountain Road in Meyers on approximately 20 acres.

In addition, operations began on Monday will continue through the week in the Skyland area and at Round Hill near Elks Point Road along the East Shore.

Residents and travelers can expect to see smoke from prescribed fire project areas.

Other fire protection agencies, state and local, may also be conducting prescribed fire operations during this period.

Zephyr Cove Resort Snowmobile Center is opening Dec. 11.

The first two-hour lakeview tour is scheduled at noon Friday.

Regular tour schedule begins Dec. 12 at 10an, noon and 2pm.

Call (530) 543.6191 for reservations.

It’s below freezing out there this morning — and that’s at lake level. It might be one of those days to wear everything you have in the closet and raid the person’s you live with. Click on the ski report to find out the scoop about the resorts. All of the info is provided by Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

The Tahoe Figure Skating Club’s annual Holiday on Ice show has become a yearly favorite with local families as well as visitors to the Tahoe area. This year, the tradition continued with record-breaking attendance this past Saturday evening.

The Figure Skating Club opened the event to all with free admission this year, welcoming donations from the sale of baked goods and a raffle of a donated oil painting to offset the cost of the ice.

Spectators were entertained with skating numbers by 16 local skaters of different skill levels, a few skate school students, and the Mitey Mites Hockey team.

Skater Deirdre Feagre played the keyboard and sang during intermission. Santa and Mrs. Claus joined the skaters on the ice for the finale.

It’s one of those “sick” days in Lake Tahoe — “like, dude, the powder is so sick.” And sick as in “boss, I just can’t make it in today.” Details about what’s happening on the mountains are in the ski report that is provided by Curtis Fong, the Guy from Lake Tahoe.

U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews will begin prescribed fire operations in several areas located on the East Shore of Lake Tahoe starting Dec. 8 as weather and staffing allow.

Operations will be conducted in the Skyland and Round Hill (near Elks Point Road) areas and may last throughout the week.

Residents and travelers can expect to see smoke from prescribed fire project areas.

Other fire protection agencies, state and local, may also be conducting prescribed fire operations during this period.

This and other prescribed fire projects are designed to reduce wildfire risks to communities and critical resources. Smoke management is part of every prescribed fire burn plan, and efforts will be taken to reduce actual or potential smoke impacts on community areas.

It’s one of those days to stay on the trails, according to Curtis Fong, the Guy from Lake Tahoe. Resorts all have received more than a foot of snow, with more of the white stuff coming down this morning. And it’s light — perfect for skiing. Here’s the ski report.