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Updated: Friday, May 31, 2013
HEAVENLY TO ADD ZIP CENTER, ROPES
SO. LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (May
23, 2013) - Cultivating a passion and appreciation for the outdoors is a
year-round task, and Heavenly Mountain Resort is stepping up to the
challenge by expanding its summer operations to include more interactive,
family-friendly learning experiences.
“Lake Tahoe is a year-round destination, and there is a
tremendous opportunity to offer more summer activities at the top of the
Gondola,” said Pete Sonntag, Heavenly’s general manager. “Our hope is that
visitors of all ages and backgrounds are able to create life-long
connections to our National Forests through adventure, play and
recreation.”
Included in the new offerings at Adventure Peak will be two
ropes courses, a canopy tour and a zipline center. These year-round
activities, weather permitting, will add to the already existing
year-round tubing hill and summer-only hiking trails, free-standing rock
wall and Spider Zone climbing tower at the top of the Gondola to create an
experiential outdoor environment.
“These new activities will utilize our existing resort
infrastructure and have been designed to blend seamlessly with the natural
environment. They represent the types of high-quality outdoor recreation
opportunities that align well with the objectives contained in the TRPA’s
new Regional Plan and the Forest Service Land Management Plan for
resource-based, sustainable recreation,” said Andrew Strain, vice
president of planning & governmental affairs for Heavenly. “We appreciate
the support and engagement of both agencies throughout the project design
and review process to help us create a more complete experience at the top
of the Gondola.”
A new, four-line zipline center will be located in the area
between the Heavenly tubing hill and the Big Easy chair lift. The four
parallel lines, approximately 1,000 feet in length, will run parallel to
the Big Easy lift, with the landing platform located near Tamarack Lodge.
Participants will ride the Big Easy lift and utilize a short hiking trail
to access the takeoff platform at the top of the zip lines. The zipline
center is intended to introduce participants to zip lining over short
distances.
The two new ropes courses and canopy tour include: the
Discovery Forest Canopy Tour, the Black Bear Challenge and the Boulder
Cove Challenge.
The Discovery Forest Canopy Tour is a tree-based zipline
canopy tour designated for a wide range of visitors with differing ability
levels. Located in the forested area between Tamarack Express and Big Easy
run, the course is a self-paced aerial tour designed specifically for
children, families and new participants. Trained guides will be stationed
at key locations within the Discovery Forest to observe activities,
provide environmental and interpretive information, and ensure that
platform transfers are done properly.
A self-guided climbing structure known as the Black Bear
Challenge will be located adjacent to the existing Bear Cave Children’s
Ski & Ride School building. It includes two levels of rope bridges,
walkways and similar climbing activities. Participants will be tethered to
the structure with safety harness equipment and can move back and forth
across the different climbing elements, as well as vertically on different
levels. It will allow participants to develop skills and gain confidence
as the level of difficulty increases.
The Boulder Cove Challenge will be a self-guided,
challenge-type activity consisting of a series of vertical wooden columns,
platforms and rope walkways and bridges. Built near the base of the
Gondola stairs, behind the existing trail map signs, the Boulder Cove
Challenge layout will be curvilinear in nature and will closely follow the
landform into which it is set. The routes, which will vary in degrees of
difficulty, will be stacked vertically with two routes per level. Designed
to accommodate skill levels that range from the very young to the very
athletic, participants will be outfitted with harnesses and are
continually secured to an overhead belay line.
Construction on these summer projects is set to begin in
mid-June, with an estimated opening in either late summer or in time for
the 2013-2014 winter season.
Also included in the new summer additions is a permanent
outdoor amphitheater at the Mid-Station Observation Deck. Tucked into a
wooded area adjacent to the Observation Deck, the new terrace will feature
multiple seating levels and will be created from natural stone and wood
for an authentic, rustic setting. The sapphire blue waters of Lake Tahoe
will provide an iconic backdrop for wedding ceremonies, private parties
and company outings throughout the summer months. Construction of the
venue is set to begin in July, and it is slated to open in summer 2014.
“Thank you Heavenly for adding more great recreation
opportunities in South Lake Tahoe, the recreation Capital of The Sierras,”
said South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tom Davis. “It just keeps getting better.”
SQUAW SKI TEAM NAMED CLUB OF THE YEAR
SQUAW VALLEY, Calif. (Apr.
30, 2013) - The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) has named Squaw
Valley Ski Team the 2013 USSA Alpine Ski Club of the Year. The award,
which serves as one of the nation’s highest recognitions for a ski team,
comes in addition to several other regional ski racing awards received by
Squaw Valley’s athletes, coaches, volunteers and the ski resort itself.
The Club of the Year Award is presented to a USSA Competition
Club in each sport, which has distinguished itself in providing direction
to young athletes through high-level competition programs resulting in
athletic success. The USSA athletic management team manages selection with
direction from each USSA sport director.
“The Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows teams have a remarkable
history, yet we’re striving to achieve so much more and have set our sites
on being, consistently, among the top programs in North America. This
award is an important affirmation of our work to date, but there’s more to
accomplish” said Andy Wirth, president and chief executive officer of
Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. “I am so very proud of the team and we’re
honored to receive this prestigious award!”
In the resort’s nomination, USSA’s Alpine Sport Committee
noted, “The Squaw Valley Ski Team wrapped up a year marked by tremendous
growth, athletic success and excellence in event production. As one of the
largest youth programs in the country, if not the largest, over 33% of its
USSA members were new USSA members this year, a signal of movement through
its development programs.
At its top levels, Squaw Valley had eight skiers qualify for
the U.S. Alpine Championships, not counting its named U.S. Ski Team
members. At the U18 National Championships, Squaw Valley skiers claimed 15
front page finishes, more than any other club. Eight top 10s at the
Western U16 Championships and an impressive 15 top fives at the Far West
U14 Championships show the depth of talent in the program. In addition,
the Squaw Valley Ski Team helped host the very successful U.S. Alpine
Championships.
Under the leadership of Todd Kelly the program this year
joined with the neighboring Alpine Meadows Ski Team to combine resources
and enhance opportunity for a larger group of skiers as they move through
the pipeline. Veteran coaches such as last year's USSA Domestic Coach of
the Year, Konrad Rickenbach, direct high level training opportunities,
including more focus on year-round conditioning."
In addition to the team’s national recognition as USSA’s
Alpine Club of the Year, Squaw Valley Ski Team also received several Far
West Skiing Divisional Awards including the Maurey Rasmussen Cup for
U10/12 Overall Team Title, the Cushing Cup for U14 Overall Team Title and
the Bill Mackay Award for Outstanding Ski Resort. Squaw Valley’s John
Cashman also received the Far West Coach of the Year Award, Squaw Valley’s
Lucy Schram received Far West Official of the Year, and Squaw Valley
volunteer Nancy Dodge received the Far West Volunteer of the Year award.
In addition, seven Squaw Valley athletes took home individual Far West
Skiing Awards including Kaelin Woodruff (U10 Overall Female), Keely
Cashman (U14 Overall Female), Max Wingard (U14 Overall Male), Erik
Arvidsson (Junior Athlete of the Year), Julia Mancuso and Travis Ganong
(Senior Athletes of the Year).
In the Tahoe League Race Series, Alpine Meadows’ athletes
dominated on the girls’ side, with the Sung sisters leading the charge
with a 1st and 2nd place overall in the 8 year-old girls’ division,
followed by Reilly Scott and Sofia Arleo taking the titles for the 9
year-old girls and 10-11 year-old girls respectively. On the boys side,
Murphy Scott took the win is the boys’ 10-11 year-old division.
Beyond ski racing, Squaw Valley’s Big Mountain Team also saw
great success this year. Squaw Valley’s Ross Tester took home the Overall
IFSA North American Championship for the 12-14 boys. In the girls’ 12-14
division, Jane Nall ranked 6th and Emma DesLauriers came in a respectable
8th overall. Other podium finishers included Sarah Williams who was second
in Squaw and Zabie Elmgren who won the Snowbird IFSA National event.
Squaw Valley's Cross teams had a very successful season as
well. Cole Johnson ranked 4th in the overall standing for the coveted Rev
Tour in Boardercross. On the Ski Cross side, Nico Monforte shinned with a
4th overall in the Hole Shot Series, while Grant Kettles of Squaw Free and
Charlotte Skinner secure the Rev Tour Ski Cross titles.
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY AT SIERRA
SO. LAKE TAHOE, Calif.
(Apr. 11, 2013) - On April 15, 2013, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort will give
skiers and riders one last chance to shred Sierra™ Resort with its Annual
Customer Appreciation Day. Customer Appreciation Day is all about
celebrating the season with fun stories of a season gone by and smiles.
Skiers and riders of all ages can purchase a lift ticket for
only $25 on April 15, 2013. All of the proceeds raised from the day’s lift
ticket sales will be donated to sponsor youth recreation and education
including youth baseball, soccer, swimming, and other youth activities.
Sierra Resort will operate a limited number of lifts from
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m including Grandview and Easy Rider. All guests are
invited to join John Rice, General Manager, and the rest of Sierra
Resort’s managing team for the official “last run of the season” from the
top of Grandview Express beginning at 2:00 p.m. Last call at the Sierra
Pub will be at 2:45 p.m., in time for the ending of all winter operations
at 3:00 p.m.
Ever since Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort was founded, it has hosted
Customer Appreciation Day in order to give something back to the community
that so generously supports the resort throughout the winter season.
“Customer Appreciation Day is all about saying thank you. We want to show
our most loyal guests that we value this community and are willing to
support year round recreational opportunities for our kids,” said John
Rice, General Manager of Sierra Resort.
Customer Appreciation Day is also a great opportunity to pick
up your 2013-14 Keepin’ It Real Unlimited Season Pass. Just $279 for
Adults, $239 for Young Adults (13-22) or College Students (proof of 6 fall
2013 credits), and only $109 for Children (5-12) or Super Seniors (70+),
this is a deal not to be missed out on.
SQUAW VALLEY HOSTS CUSHING CROSSING
SQUAW VALLEY, Calif. (Apr.
9, 2013) - Squaw Valley is excited to announce that the 23rd Annual Lake
Cushing Crossing will take place this Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m.
The Cushing Crossing is the resort’s acclaimed pond skimming
event that challenges participants to cross the vast and chilly waters of
Cushing Pond on skis, a snowboard or any ski or snowboard-based vessel.
The event is known for colossal crashes, hilarious costumes, and
ultra-creative pond skimming contraptions.
Since the creation of the Cushing Crossing over 20 years ago,
plenty of ski resorts have come up with their own pond skimming events,
yet none rival this one. Perhaps it is because the characters at Squaw are
a little more creative. Or maybe it is because Cushing Pond is a real
pond, rather than a tarp-lined ditch or kiddie pool. Whatever the reason,
the Cushing Crossing blows other pond skimming events out of the water, as
demonstrated by the thousand plus spectators that come out for the event
every year.
Prizes for the winners of the Cushing Crossing will be as follows:
Overall: 2013/14 Bronze Season Pass, GoPro Hero 3, $200 cash
Men’s Ski: GoPro Hero 3, Oakley Goggles, $100 cash
Men’s Snowboard: GoPro Hero 3, Oakley Goggles, $100 Cash
Women’s Ski: GoPro Hero 3, Oakley Goggles, $100 Cash
Woman’s Snowboard: GoPro Hero 3, Oakley Goggles, $100 Cash
Unlimited: GoPro Hero 3, $100 cash
Most Creative: Oakley Goggles, Squaw swag, $100 cash
Skinny Ski (70mm or less): Oakley Goggles, Squaw swag, $100 cash
In addition to the legendary pond skimming event, this weekend boasts an
incredible lineup of spring fun at Squaw Valley with a Saturday pool party
at High Camp, great ski conditions, sunny skies in the forecast, and music
at the KT Base Bar.
The Cushing Crossing is open to the first 50 registrants.
Registration this year will take place at the KT Base Bar at 9 a.m. and
the competition kicks off at 1 p.m. The cost to participate is $20 per
person. All entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Life preserver and
a helmet are required. For more information, please see
www.squaw.com.
HEAVENLY HOSTS FREESTYLE CHAMPIONSHIPS
HEAVENLY VALLEY, Calif.
(Mar. 21, 2013) - From March 29-31, 2013, Heavenly Mountain Resort will be
buzzing with excitement as Olympic hopefuls take to the California side of
the resort to compete in moguls, aerials and dual moguls. The Sprint U.S.
Freestyle Championships will return to Heavenly’s famous Gunbarrel run, as
U.S. team athletes come together for the final event of the season to
battle it out for the title of U.S. Champion. Leading the team are Olympic
and World Champion Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT), and hometown hero Sho
Kashima (South Lake Tahoe, CA).
Representing Heavenly and aiming for a comeback after a knee
injury cut his best season short last year, Tahoe local and former
Heavenly Ski Foundation athlete Kashima will be competing in the moguls
event on Friday.
“I can’t think of anything more inspiring than competing on
my home hill in one of the biggest ski events in the United States.
Heavenly provides excellent support to its freestyle athletes, and I am
proud of the resort’s selection as host of the U.S. Freestyle
Championships,” said Kashima. “We have such a rich background within this
sport going all the way back to Wayne Wong and Glen Plake, who still ski
here, and you have Olympic gold medalists and U.S. Ski Team members…this
is quite the place to be if you’re a mogul skier.”
Heavenly has also been home and training ground for several
other amateur and pro freestyle skiers, including Chris Hernandez, Brooke
Ballachey, Travis Woodcock, Christy Tibbetts and Travis Cabral, as well as
legendary Glen Plake, and rising stars Ryan Hickey, Anna Park, Yamato
Kashima, Shanti Payne and Taryn Baker.
The weekend hits a high note on Saturday with live music by
Liquid Blue followed by a thrilling post-event fireworks display. Event
admission is free, and spectator seating will be available on a limited
basis.
For those in the community that would like to volunteer for
the event, Heavenly and the USSA are looking for both on-snow and off-snow
help. Volunteers in mogul course and big air jump maintenance, banner
set-up, food and beverage runners, registration, Zero Waste Warriors for
the recycling team, and more. Shifts for various roles are available
during the entire week up to the event, as well as during all three days’
events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. No experience needed. Volunteers
receive lunch and a special gift for participating in three or more
shifts. For more information or to sign up, please contact Tiffany at
530-542-5180.
Heavenly will also host the U.S. Championships following the
Olympics in 2014. Spectators will have the opportunity to watch U.S.
Olympic athletes compete after they return from the Games.
FIVE PROS ADDED TO 'HIGH ROLLERS' LINEUP
HEAVENLY VALLEY, Calif.
(Mar. 18, 2013) - Heavenly is raising the stakes, and it’s no bluff, as
the resort plays a full house of big-air specialists. Heavenly Mountain
Resort announced Chas Guldemond, Ulrik Badertscher, Gjermund Braaten, Sage
Kotsenburg and Torstein Horgmo as the first five competitors in High
Roller Hold ’Em on Saturday, April 6, 2013.
In partnership with Snow Park Technologies (SPT) and hosted
by two-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, High Roller Hold ‘Em
combines the thrill of a high-flying big air competition with the cunning
strategy of Texas Hold ‘Em poker.
“Heavenly has really upped the ante by bringing in these
high-level athletes to High Roller Hold ‘Em,” said Pete Sonntag,
Heavenly’s general manager. “These guys really know how to compete, and
with $50,000 at stake, they better be ready to go all in.”
"The High Roller contest has a stacked lineup this year,”
said White. “With guys like Torstein and Sage competing, I'm honored to be
part of it."
Tahoe local, Guldemond, 25, was 3rd in Slopestyle at the 2013
Burton US Open, 4th in Slopestyle at the 2013 X Games Aspen, 1st at the
2013 Copper Grand Prix in Slopestyle, and 2nd in Slopestyle at the 2012
Dew Tour.
"I am excited for the High Roller Hold ‘Em event because it
is a really unique concept,” said Guldemond. “Riding with all my good
friends in my home zone is going to be a blast!"
Badertscher, a 24-year-old from Norway, placed 5th in Big Air
at the 2013 X Games Aspen, 5th at the 2012 Dew Tour in Big Air, 2nd in
Slopestyle at the 2012 Burton US Open and he took 1st at the Oakley and
Shaun White Beijing Air & Style in 2011.
Braaten, 22, was 8th in Slopestyle at the 2013 X Games Aspen
and placed 3rd at the Toyota Big Air 2013 and 4th in the Big Air Moscow.
Kotsenburg, 19, holds a Dew Cup title, Silver medal in X
Games Slopestyle, Bronze medal in X Games Big Air, Silver medal in X Games
Tignes Slopestyle and took 2nd in Dew Tour Big Air..
Horgmo, 26, placed 2nd at the 2013 Burton US Open in
Slopestyle, 1st in Slopestyle at the 2013 Burton European Open, holds two
gold medals and a silver medal in X Games Aspen Big Air and is a
participant in the 2013 X Games LA Real Snow Backcountry.
"I'm stoked to be a part of the new format Big Air event at
Heavenly,” said Horgmo. “Any night time event with SPT and pyrotechnics
involved is sure to be FUN!"
High Roller Hold ’Em will take place on the World Cup run at
Heavenly with a monster big-air jump created by SPT. This high-production,
signature night-time event, which will also feature Red Bull’s DJ
Goldenchyld from the San Francisco Bay Area, the Heavenly Angels, an
exhibition with local athletes, and pyrotechnics, is also sponsored by Red
Bull and GoPro and is slated to stream live on ESPN3.
HOMEWOOD SPRING LOADED 3-PAK
HOMEWOOD, Calif. - (Mar.
15, 2013) – This spring, skiers and snowboarders looking for the ultimate
excuse to extend their season will find it in Homewood Mountain Resort’s
new Spring-Loaded 3-Pack – three unrestricted lift tickets valid for the
rest of the 2012-13 ski season priced at $132, or just $44 per day.
In addition to offering Tahoe’s most beautiful price on a
daily lift ticket with no restrictions or blackout days, the Spring-Loaded
3-Pack includes direct-to-lift convenience, as skiers or riders only need
to pick up their 3-pack card once and then can go directly to Homewood’s
chairlifts on their second and third visits.
“Spring skiing and riding in Lake Tahoe is an unforgettable
experience,” said Homewood General Manager Kevin Mitchell. “We simply
wanted to offer a product that allows everyone to come experience the
classic Tahoe peak-to-shore fun of Homewood Mountain Resort at our very
best price.”
Try before you buy - While the Spring-Loaded 3-Pack is
available online and at the resort, adult skiers and riders who would like
to see what Homewood has to offer before committing to three full days can
turn in their daily lift ticket – purchased either at the resort that day
or through the Homewood eStore – for a $66 or $58 credit respectively
toward the purchase of a 3-Pack.
Which means that, for the price of one additional daily lift
ticket, day skiers/riders can upgrade to the 3-Pack and receive two
additional days at Homewood and fully enjoy Tahoe’s most beautiful resort
this spring.
For additional details and restrictions, as well as to
purchase online, please see
www.SkiHomewood.com/3pack.
SIERRA-AT-TAHOE HOSTS TANNER HALL INVITE
SO. LAKE TAHOE, Calif.
(Mar. 13, 2013) – On March 30, 2013 Sierra-at-Tahoe (Sierra) Resort will
host freeskier Tanner Hall and the first ever Tanner Hall Invitational.
Linked to the birth of freesking, Tanner Hall is an accomplished all
around freeskier with multiple X Games gold medals in both slopestyle and
superpipe. Hall has invited fifteen of the best skiers in the world to
participate in a one-of-a-kind event with a feature that will progress
skiing and offer a different format than the traditional slopestyle
contest.
Snow Park Technologies, the Reno/Tahoe-based company that
builds the X-Games courses, will work with Sierra Resort to build the
unique feature that will incorporate a hip and quarterpipe. The contest
will be a jam format with the athletes also serving as judges. The hip
session will be an hour-and-fifteen-minute long jam session, followed by a
quarterpipe jam session of the same length. The cash purse will be a
minimum of ten thousand dollars.
World-class skiers including Henrik Harlaut, Phil Casabon,
Sammy Carlson, Torin Yater-Wallace, Mike Hornbeck, Joffrey Pollet-Villard,
Duncan Adams, and more will attend the event.
Recognized as one of the top ten terrain parks and overall
resorts by TransWorld SNOWboarding, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort is honored to
host the Tanner Hall Invitational and support an event at the core of
freeskiing. The contest will be broadcast on a live webcast at
www.inspiredmedia.tv and
www.tannerhall.com. Make sure to
tune in!
MOUNTAIN COLLECTIVE ADDS RESORTS
SQUAW VALLEY, Calif. (Mar.
12, 2013) – The Mountain Collective™ has added three premier independent
ski resorts in North America to its roster of iconic destinations for the
2013-2014 winter season. Mammoth Mountain, Snowbird and Whistler Blackcomb
join Alta, Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole and Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows in
this unprecedented collaboration of resorts.
Starting today, a limited number of Mountain Collective
passes are on sale at last year’s price. For only $349 USD, The Mountain
Collective™ Pass includes two days of skiing or riding at each of the six
destinations (AltaSnowbird, Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth
Mountain, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows and Whistler Blackcomb), plus a 50
percent discount on all additional days with no blackout dates.
In addition, passholders will receive exclusive lodging deals
throughout the season. Collectively this pass grants access to 12
mountains with more than 30,000 acres of terrain, 186 lifts and an
unmatched reputation for snow quality, quantity and steeps. Passes are
available online through an exclusive technology, distribution and
marketing partnership with Liftopia at www.TheMountainCollective.com. A
limited quantity of passes is now available at this lowest guaranteed
price.
“The Mountain Collective successfully captured the
imagination of mountain travel enthusiasts looking for variety,
flexibility and affordable access to the best independent resorts in the
world,” said Christian Knapp, vice president of marketing, Aspen Skiing
Company. “Adding these three world-class mountains makes this the ultimate
dream pass, and only serves to enhance the value skiers and riders will
enjoy from The Mountain Collective.”
The Mountain Collective™ Pass is available for children (ages
12 and under), under the same terms for just $229. The partnership will
also offer a 50 percent discount on lift tickets to premier pass holders
at the participating resorts. Visit www.TheMountainCollective.com or call
(800) 705-6286 for more information. Price subject to change.
SIERRA SKI NEWS IS NOW ON TWITTER/FACEBOOK
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan.
13, 2011) - Sierra Ski News is now on Twitter. Follow us @SierraSkiNews -
www.Twitter.com/SierraSkiNews. We have also added a Facebook
page. Find it
HERE.
The online edition of Sierra
Ski News is ©1996-2013
by Joe & Sharlene Blenkle
You have reached Sierra
Ski News at: www.sierraskinews.com
