Subscribe Now!!! Don't miss a single issue of Sierra Ski News' print edition in 2013-14. Go HERE for details.


Follow SierraSkiNews on Twitter



Visit the

Sierra Ski News

Hall of Shame


Heavenly/So. Tahoe

Click for South Lake Tahoe, California Forecast

 

Squaw Valley

Click for Olympic Valley, California Forecast

 

Diamond Peak

Click for Incline Village, Nevada Forecast

 

Homewood

Click for Homewood, California Forecast

 

 


(800) 427-7623 or

(916) 445-7623

 

 

Sierra Ski News is an online publication of SacNews.Net. If you would like to submit articles, photos or information to Sierra Ski News via mail, send them to: Sierra Ski News, P.O. Box 1115, Citrus Heights, California 95611, or you may submit them via email by clicking here: EMAIL.

 

Editor/Publisher
Joe & Sharlene Blenkle


Contributing Editors
Sam Morishima
Louie the Chimp

 

East Coast Editor
Melanie Beus

 

Photographer
John Blenkle


 
skiers and boarders

have visited this page

since October 2006

 


 

Season Highlights - Heavenly 2012-13

Headlines...
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