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Headlines...
Monday, Nov. 17, 2008 - 8 p.m.

SQUAW TO HOST 2ND ANNUAL KOOGAN KELLY MEMORIAL RAIL JAM

    SQUAW VALLEY, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2008) – SnowBomb and Squaw Valley USA will host the Second Annual Coogan Kelly Memorial Rail Jam, to take place Saturday, November 29. A year ago, the Tahoe/Truckee and snowboarding communities lost a rising star when Charles “Coogan” Kelly was slain at a party in Reno, NV. Coogan was a successful competitor on the rail jam and snowboard competition circuit around Tahoe. In its second year, the Coogan Kelly Memorial Rail Jam is a tribute to Coogan, a passionate snowboarder and friend. In his memory, SnowBomb will donate all competitor registration fees to the Coogan Kelly Foundation.

    The Coogan Kelly Memorial Rail Jam is open to riders of all ages and talents and consists of both men’s and women’s ski and snowboard divisions. Registration is at 9 am, practice starts at 11 am, and the competition will begin at 1 pm. If time allows a special Best Trick Jam Session will follow the competition.

    The Coogan Kelly Memorial Rail Jam is free for spectators, as it is scheduled to take place on Searchlight (lower Exhibition) located near the base of the mountain. Entry fee for all riders is $10 and helmets are mandatory for all competitors. Athletes under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present at registration to sign a liability release form.

    The Coogan Kelly Foundation raises money for the Coogan Kelly Scholarship awarded each year to young aspiring snowboarders to help advance their careers. Contributions to the Coogan Kelly Foundation can be sent to: Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation, c/o The Coogan Kelly Foundation, PO Box 366, Truckee, CA 96160.

    More information on the Coogan Kelly Memorial Rail Jam is available on www.snowbomb.com and www.squaw.com.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER ISSUE NOW ONLINE

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2008) – The October/November 2008 issue of Sierra Ski News is now online. To see it, use the PAST ISSUES link to the right. These pages are in .pdf format. Some are large and may take awhile to download completely.

SACRAMENTO SKI & SNOWBOARD SHOW SET FOR NOV. 22-23

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The 7th annual Ski Dazzle - The Sacramento Ski & Snowboard Show will return to the California Exposition Center (Cal Expo) on November 22 & 23, 2008.

    From professional singles and families to high school and college students, The Sacramento Ski & Snowboard Show is the annual kick-off of the winter ski & snowboard season in Northern California.
    Scores of exhibitors will showcase skiing and snowboarding with Local and Regional Winter Resorts, Winter Sport Tourism Associations and Adventure Travel Companies, Manufacturers of Ski, Snowboard & Winter Sports Equipment, Fitness & Conditioning Services and Equipment. There will also be ski & snowboard retailers offering money-saving “show specials” and a $1 million Ski & Snowboard Sale with holiday shopping bargains for the entire family. Our official SnowDog and JEEP Dealers of Northern California will be greeting attendees at the door with their mountain friendly vehicles.
    A FREE Lift Ticket voucher (up to $79.00 value) is a special bonus valid at Northstar-at-Tahoe or Sierra-at-Tahoe Resorts and is offered to everyone who buys a full price Regular Admission! In addition, multiple family entertainment areas and daily events include the free climbing wall and the ever-popular JEEP Tire Chain Contest where you can win cash and lift tickets.
    A Sacramento area offer, the free lift ticket program gives attendees a choice of Northstar-At-Tahoe Or Sierra-At-Tahoe lift ticket. This will give everyone who purchases a Regular Admission ticket to The Sacramento Ski & Snowboard Show a free bonus of an Adult Mid-Week Lift Ticket Voucher worth up to $79. Lift tickets are good at either Northstar-At-Tahoe Or Sierra-At-Tahoe Resort, valid Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday throughout the entire 2008/2009 winter season excluding blackout dates. Blackout dates are December 26-31, 2008 and February 17-19, 2009. This valuable bonus offer must be redeemed at the show with your admission ticket.
Also on tap will be over 100 exhibit booths. Resort and travel experts will offer money saving packages for singles and families from top ski and snowboard resorts and travel specialists including - Northstar-at-Tahoe, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Alaska Backcountry Adventures, Alpine Adventurers, Daman-Nelson Travel, Dodge Ridge, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Marriot’s Timber Lodge, Pacific Crest Snowcats, Sun Valley, Swayback Adventure Service, Tahoe Traveler Magazine and Tamarack at last count!
    The $1 million Ski and Snowboard Sale will give guests outstanding pre-Christmas values on all kinds of ski and snowboard equipment, clothing and accessories for adults and children, including brand new previous season markdowns. You'll find top quality new equipment and fashions. In addition, you'll find super bargains at up to 70% off on everything else for sale ... all priced to move and just in time for Holiday shopping.
    Here are some other attractions to be found at this years ski show:

FREE CLIMBING WALL
    All visitors to the show have a FREE chance to try their hand (…and feet!) on the Rock Climbing Wall right on the show floor. The show will host professionally trained instructors who will be on hand to make the climb safe and easy for children, as well as, adults. Just for fun and to check you pre-season agility, there will be speed climb contests and prizes throughout the show.
FREE SKI LESSONS FROM HEAVENLY RESORT SKI & RIDE SCHOOL
    All ages can join in for some winter fun right at the show. Heavenly Resort will be giving free ski lessons on our indoor Ski School Ramp right at the show. Bring a novice or beginner to the show and professional instructors will give them their first lesson. This is a great way to put a friend or family member on the road to skiing in a friendly and fun atmosphere. Free lessons include all equipment from Heavenly Sports and professional instruction from this premier Lake Tahoe resort’s own Heavenly Ski & Ride School.
THE GOOD DOGS ALWAYS WEAR WHITE
    Our friendly Snow Dog mascot greets you at Jeep display at the show entrance. A remarkable pure white female German Shepherd, named "Shasta" carries a “badge” and is looking to rescue hikers, skiers or snowboarders in distress. This amazing animal is a K9 member of the California Rescue Dogs Association, Lake Tahoe Avalanche Rescue Association and Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dogs Association and is being trained to locate lost or missing people in and around the mountains of California.
    Shasta learned to ride the chairlifts and can be air-lifted to remote areas by helicopter to search for lost hikers, snowboarders and skiers. But, mostly, Shasta enjoys racing down ski runs following her owner, playing with the kids and adults during Ski School breaks, and as a member of the Ski Patrol, joyriding in helicopters and snowcats.
GIVEAWAYS AND PRIZES!
    In addition to the bonus voucher for a lift ticket to Northstar-At-Tahoe Or Sierra-At-Tahoe, exhibitors will also be giving away thousands of dollars of prizes, ski and snowboard equipment, accessories and lift tickets to lucky winners. Come learn about our resort exhibitors and sign up to win your share of the loot.

GRAND PRIZE! ALASKA HELI SKI & TAHOE BACK COUNTRY TRIPS
    A fantastic grand prize trip will be given away courtesy of the Sacramento Ski & Snowboard Show and Swayback Adventure Services. Stop by the Swayback booth and enter for your chance to win an incredible Alaska Helicopter skiing trip to the Valdez Peninsula. This perfect helicopter skiing and snowboarding package is brought to you by Alaska Backcountry Adventures.
    For ticket and show information, visit www.SacSnow.com.
 

WARREN MILLER'S 'CHILDREN OF WINTER' SET FOR ANNUAL TOUR

    BOULDER, Colo. – Deep powder. Huge airs. World-class cinematography. It’s all part of Warren Miller’s Children of Winter, the world’s largest action sports film, which is set to music by Radiohead, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Beck, and others. Shown in crystal-clear high definition, the film tour crisscrosses the nation and nine countries worldwide. Check out warrenmiller.com for all tour information, videos, photos, and more.
    Warren Miller’s 2008 Film Tour showcases spectacular footage shot in Japan, Austria, British Columbia, Alaska, and Iceland with jaw-dropping performances by an impressive assembly of world-class athletes, including Jonny Moseley, Daron Rahlves, Marco Sullivan, Seth Wescott, Gerry Lopez, and Wendy Fisher.
    Timeless Warren Miller athlete Chris Anthony takes on Leadville, Colorado’s legendary skijoring competition. Pep Fujas explores Silverton Mountain, the only backcountry ski resort in the United States. Teenage snowboard pro Ben Watts chases surf legend Gerry Lopez on Mount Bachelor’s frozen waves. Skiing’s top female athletes meet up in Crested Butte for the deepest powder in decades. And Jeff Annetts, Drew Stoecklein, and Derek Foose sail Iceland, skiing mountains that end in the ocean. Stephan Lessard of The Dave Matthews Band, Eric Fawcett of N.E.R.D, Adam Gardner of Guster, and Ed Robertson of The Barenaked Ladies unite to form Yukon Kornelius—a supergroup who perform on and off the snow in Vermont and Colorado.
    “When it’s cold and snowing, others run inside. But skiers and snowboarders do the opposite, no matter how old we are,” said Max Bervy, director and producer. “We are all the Children of Winter, and if you ski or ride, this movie reaffirms what we all know, that we’re lucky to know the shortest, coldest days of the year.”
    Warren Miller’s Children of Winter tours the nation as a limited release and stops in more than 240 U.S. cities, including Seattle, Chicago, and Los Angeles. With screenings often running for one night only, Warren Miller films attract a cult-like following and mark the official start of winter for sports enthusiasts everywhere. Warren Miller films tour the country as the country’s only high definition, nationwide film tour. For more information, local show dates and details, visit warrenmiller.com.

SQUAW VALLEY TO HOST FREERIDE WORLD TOUR EVENT

    SQUAW VALLEY, Calif. (October 9, 2008) – Four locations around the world have been selected for the second edition of the Freeride World Tour. On top of it, qualification events have joined as Freeride World Qualifier events making the Tour even more attractive, with more events and more riders. The planet's top freeride skiers and snowboarders will start in Sochi with the Nissan Russian Adventure 2009 and then travel to the USA, France and Switzerland to prove their skills on some of the world's most challenging faces. The Freeride World Tour has a prize purse of $250,000, the highest sum ever to be paid in ski or snowboard freeride contests.
    On March 15, 2008, the first ever edition of the Freeride World Tour (FWT) was completed after five successful events around the globe, finishing with the prestigious Nissan O'Neill Xtreme in Verbier, Switzerland. Elyse Saugstad (USA) and Henrik Windstedt (SWE) in skiing, Ruth Leisibach (SUI) and Xavier de le Rue (FRA) in snowboarding became the first Freeride World Champions in history.
    The Freeride World Tour is on for the second edition. The world best professional freeriders are back on the Tour and have all confirmed their participation. A number of 40 male and female riders plus wild cards are invited to the first three contests: Nissan Russian Adventure in Sochi (Russia), Nissan Tram Face in Squaw Valley (USA), and Nissan Freeride in Tignes (France). The final contest will take place in Switzerland with the Nissan Xtreme - Verbier 09, on the gruelling north face of the Bec des Rosses, one of the most challenging descents in the world of freeriding.
    "It is great to see that the Tour will continue to its second year with all the top riders of last year’s edition present,” said Swedish skier Henrik Windstedt, the sensational Freeride World Tour Champion 2008. “With the high level of the athletes, the standard of the riding will if possible be even greater than last year. The Tour will also develop and grow to an even higher quality event, which is just great for the future of this sport", Windstedt further commented.
    Founder and organizer Nicolas Hale-Woods (SUI) is very pleased with the progression of the Freeride World Tour to its second edition. “The fact that 100% of the top ranked riders from last year have confirmed their participation for this year is really a measurement of success for the Freeride World Tour. We feel that the progression of the sport is strong. With the extensive support of our main partner Nissan, new partners joining in and top resorts like Sochi, Squaw Valley USA, Tignes and Verbier hosting our contests, we are attracting more and more attention of the public, the media and the industry. ”
    Jean-Pierre Diernaz, General Manager of Nissan’s Marketing Communications in Europe said, “As we prepare for the second year of Nissan’s commitment to the Freeride World Tour across Europe and North America, we are very excited by the addition of new Freeride World Qualifier events in countries including Italy, Slovakia and Norway. This will allow more athletes than ever before the opportunity to qualify for the four Nissan sponsored Tour events. Through these, we hope that the Freeride World Tour will uncover the next generation of male and female international skiers and snowboarders.”
    In order to allow freeriders who are not qualified for the Freeride World Tour to participate and score points, the Pro Freeriders Board elected existing international events to be part of the Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ). The FWQ is a series of independently organised events around the world. Riders participating in those events collect points in the Freeride World Ranking (FWR), a unique ranking list for both FWT and FWQ events. Riders from the Freeride World Tour and the Qualifier will therefore climb up and down the ranking list throughout the season. Finally the three best results will count to score the 2009 Freeride World Champions who will be crowned in Verbier after the Xtreme.
    The four events of the Freeride World Tour 2009 are:
    1. NISSAN RUSSIAN ADVENTURE - SOCHI, RUSSIA. Dates: Jan. 20-25, 2009, Preliminary contest day: Wednesday Jan. 21 - 40 riders qualified + wild cards:  - 15 males: 10 best of FWT08 + 4 best of FWQ08 + 1 FWQ09 sister event winner + wild cards - 5 females: 2 best of FWT08 + 2 best of FWQ08 + 1 FWQ09 sister event winner + wild cards.
    2. NISSAN TRAM FACE - SQUAW VALLEY USA . Dates: Feb. 27-Mar. 5, 2009, Preliminary contest day: Saturday Feb. 28. 40 riders qualified + wild cards: - 15 males: 10 best of FWT08 + 4 best of FWQ08 + 1 FWQ09 sister event winner + wild cards - 5 females: 2 best of FWT08 + 2 best of FWQ08 + 1 FWQ09 sister event winner + wild cards.

    3. NISSAN FREERIDE DE TIGNES, FRANCE. Dates: Mar. 8-14, 2009. Preliminary contest day: Monday Mar. 9 40 riders qualified + wild cards: - 15 males: 10 best of FWT08 + 4 best of FWQ08 + 1 FWQ09 sister event winner + wild cards - 5 females: 2 best of FWT08 + 2 best of FWQ08 + 1 FWQ09 sister event winner + wild cards.
    4. NISSAN XTREME - VERBIER 09, SWITZERLAND. Dates: Mar. 20-29, 2009. Preliminary contest day: Saturday Mar. 21. 22 riders qualified + wild cards: - 8 best males on the FWR09 + wild cards - 3 best females on the FWR09 + wild cards.

SUGAR BOWL TO BUILD OLYMPIC TRAINING COURSE

    DONNER SUMMIT, Calif. (October 9, 2008) – Skier and Boarder-Cross events will make their Olympic debuts at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, and Sugar Bowl has unveiled plans to build and maintain the country's only season-long, event-specific training course for skier and boarder-cross athletes heading to the games.

    Tunnel 41, located off the Mt. Judah Express quad chair on Sugar Bowl's eastern side, will be ground-zero for athletes in training, honing their skills in hopes of a podium finish in Vancouver.

    "We're obviously very excited to now have a dedicated skier-cross course on which to train," said Sugar Bowl-sponsored athlete and former U.S. Olympic Team downhiller Daron Rahlves, "and we're certainly appreciative of Sugar Bowl's efforts and support to grow the discipline. This will directly equate to better chances of medaling at the games."

    Taking notes from the Utah Olympic Park's popularity with the general public, Sugar Bowl will allow all skiers and boarders to experience the Olympic-level course first-hand, with access to the run when professional training is not in session. "While the skier-cross course will greatly help our Olympic athletes in training, the skiing public should also have access to and experience the thrill of riding an Olympic-caliber course, and we will therefore accommodate accordingly", said Sugar Bowl General Manager Rob Kautz. The course is scheduled to open during the 2008/09 season as conditions permit.
    Sugar Bowl has also announced numerous upgrades and additions to the Switching Yard Terrain Park for the coming season, including "pocket park" features that enhance flow and ski-through ability, a relocation of the half-pipe to now be incorporated into the overall terrain park mix, and an added emphasis on the park user's guest experience. "Often times we see adults taking their kids to the park, but just dropping them off and not dropping in themselves" explained terrain park designer JP Martin.

    "What we're aiming to accomplish with our park is a user-friendly design in which all skiers and riders, regardless of ability, will equally enjoy the features and the runs. A customer service and guest experience-driven staff will ensure an accommodating and inviting atmosphere". Comprising most of the acreage off the Mt. Judah Express, skiers and riders will now see a dedicated area of the mountain in which to enjoy the terrain park, half-pipe, and skier/boarder-cross runs.
    For more information on Sugar Bowl, visit www.sugarbowl.com or call (530) 426-9000.

SQUAW VALLEY SIGNS 57-YEAR LEASE FOR KT-22

    SQUAW VALLEY USA, Calif. (Aug. 21, 2008) - Squaw Valley USA has announced that the resort signed a 57-year lease with Troy Caldwell yesterday, ensuring that Squaw Valley skiers and riders continue to have access to the land located atop the renowned KT-22 lift.
    Squaw Valley’s KT-22 was voted the best lift in North America by SKIING magazine and this lease guarantees the resort's ability to offer the most discerning winter sports enthusiasts continued enjoyment of the world’s most sought-after in-bound terrain through the 2064 winter season.
    In related resort news, Squaw Valley USA is introducing the Axess Smart Gates electronic ticketing system at all seven base area lifts, including KT-22 for the 2008-09 season. The installation of the double antenna gates will allow for fast, convenient and reliable ticket control and also the capability to track the frequency of individuals' ridership of the KT-22 lift.
    “We are looking forward to crowning two ambitious Squaw loyals as King and Queen of KT-22 this season and for many seasons to come. Details on this royal program will be coming soon,” announced Squaw Valley Ski Corp Chairman Nancy W. Cushing.
    Opening day for the 2008-09 winter season is scheduled for November 22, 2008. Squaw Valley USA is currently open for scenic Cable Car rides, mountain top swimming, roller skating, tennis and dining. Up-to-date resort operations, event and season pass information, and live mountain cams are available on www.squaw.com.

CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS SET FOR ANCHORAGE

    PARK CITY, Utah (Aug. 14, 2008) - Anchorage, one of the leading cross country ski markets in America, will host the ConocoPhillips U.S. Cross Country Championships at Kincaid Park for the next two years, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association announced July 7. The annual national championship races held the first week of January will challenge America's best cross country skiers as they compete for the title of best in the U.S.
    "We couldn't be happier to be able to call Anchorage the home of the ConocoPhillips U.S. Cross Country Championships for the 2009 and 2010 seasons," said Nordic Director John Farra. "Not only is Anchorage a center of cross country excellence, having the competition venue at sea level will help replicate expected conditions in the Callahan Valley for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. It will be an added benefit to our athletes headed to that competition."
    The Championships will be held in Kincaid Park, within the city limits of Anchorage, which is known for being one of the best cross country venues in the nation. The Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage (NSAA) will host the event which is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 3-8, 2009 and will help determine the 2010 U.S. Olympic cross country team.
    "NSAA has a strong tradition of hosting high quality cross country competitions and Kincaid is an excellent competition venue," USSA Vice President of Events Calum Clark said. "Members of the Anchorage community are passionate supporters of cross country ski racing and strong advocates of their home town athletes like Kikkan Randall [Anchorage]."
    "At ConocoPhillips, we believe in creating a positive impact in communities where our employees live and work. Supporting the United States Cross Country Ski Championships in Anchorage gives our Alaskan athletes a chance to compete on a national level right here at home," said Jim Bowles, president of ConocoPhillips Alaska. "And having over 450 athletes and coaches, plus their families, come to Alaska to compete is a real win for our local economy. We're proud to be involved and will be cheering the athletes on."
    According to Clark, having the championships in such close proximity to a highly populated city will put an added focus on the excitement of cross country skiing.
    "When we said we were in negotiations to host the event in Alaska, there was a huge sense of excitement from the cross country community," Clark said. "It's a great way to bring the sport to the public, by having it in a metropolis. It's going to be right on people's doorsteps in Anchorage."
The 2009 ConocoPhillips U.S. Cross Country Championships schedule:
Jan 3 - Sprint (Classic)
Jan 5 - 10/15km (Freestyle)
Jan 7 - 5/10km (Classic)
Jan 8 - Team Sprint (Freestyle)

NEW CHEF FOR ALPINE MEADOWS & HOMEWOOD

    TAHOE CITY/HOMEWOOD, Calif. (July 10, 2008) - Officials from Lake Tahoe, California’s Alpine Meadows and Homewood Mountain Resorts have announced Chris Patrick as the new Director of Food and Beverage. Combined, the two ski and snowboard mountains have ten mountain restaurants during winter months; and host weddings, outdoor concerts, and events complete with dinner menus during summer. “I am privileged and honored to have this opportunity to work with a company that wants to responsibly improve my two favorite resorts,” Patrick said of his new position.

    Prior to joining Alpine Meadows and Homewood, he was the executive chef at Park City, Utah’s Bistro 412; however, he’s no stranger to North Lake Tahoe. Patrick spent eight years in the area before relocating to Park City. As the former Head Coach of Alpine Meadows’ Junior Development Ski Team, accomplished ski instructor, and owner of Truckee’s Thyme Savour Personal Chef Service, Patrick views his recent appointment as Director of Food and Beverage as both a great challenge and a homecoming. “My family and I are very excited and are anxious to be reunited with all of our great friends in Tahoe. It feels like we are moving home,” Patrick said. Chris Patrick, his wife, Laura, son, Kyle, and daughter, Kassie, all enjoy Tahoe’s skiing and snowboarding as much as they enjoy delicious cuisine.
    “We couldn’t have asked for a better match for this important position,” said Jim Kercher General Manager of Alpine Meadows. “To have a talented chef who is so passionate about the resorts is a winning combination,” he added.
    As sister resorts owned by San Francisco-based by JMA Ventures, Alpine Meadows and Homewood continue to make strides to enhance guest relations; and mountain dining is a priority. “Chris’s extensive experience and success is a true asset to the mountains,” said Kent Hoopingarner, General Manager of Homewood Mountain Resort. “Just as great is the fact that he enjoys the Tahoe community,” he added.
    Patrick’s culinary plans for Alpine Meadows and Homewood are straightforward. “I would like to provide quick, tasty, fresh food with lots of variety for everyone,” he said. His plans for enjoying the skiing at the two north shore resorts are also straightforward. “I've had my share of powder days at Homewood. The views of the Lake combined with the West Shore’s local feel make it special; and I’m excited to get back to Alpine’s majestic beauty, the awesome skiing, and the people,” he said.

PLACER COUNTY APPROVES NORTHSTAR'S LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN LIFT

    TRUCKEE, Calif. (Feb. 14, 2008) – The Placer County California Planning Commission unanimously approved the DMB/Highlands Group’s application for a lift and trail connection from Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort’s Lookout Mountain into the private luxury community of Martis Camp.
    "Given this decision, construction is planned to commence this spring with targeted completion for the 2008/09 ski season," said Mark Johnson—a DMB/Highlands principal. "We also have an eye toward completion of temporary base facilities for Martis Camp Club members with paved access from Martis Camp to the extended lift in the same time frame," he added.
    "We are proud of the Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort partnership, making us one of only a handful of private communities in the west to have a direct ski connection, not to mention the fact that it’s to an extraordinary resort like Northstar," Johnson concluded.
    Chris Ryman, COO of Booth Creek Resorts and operators of Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, said, "We are very enthusiastic about our strategic partnership with Martis Camp, which has resulted in these lift and trail connections. This will allow our guests to enjoy an enhanced skiing experience next season, building on a number of exciting improvements already accomplished this past year."
    The Lookout lift will increase from 2,822 lineal feet to 5,128 lineal feet with an increase in vertical drop from 1,247 feet to 1,722 feet. Three Lookout Mountain trail extensions as well as the addition of a new intermediate trail to the east of the Lookout Mountain lift will be added. The extended express quad lift will allow Martis Camp Club members to reach the top of Lookout Mountain in a mere six minutes, providing unprecedented direct access to the top-tier skiing that distinguishes Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort.