LAKE TAHOE News - October 1, 2007

NORTH TAHOE RAMPS UP FOR WINTER WITH SKI RESORT UPGRADES

(NORTH LAKE TAHOE, California/Nevada) - Similar to the renaissance taking place at North Lake Tahoe properties and facilities, area ski resorts are also pulling out all the stops with resort upgrades, new programs and special events - all designed to attract visitors to the largest concentration of ski resorts in the country.

"There is nothing like the North Lake Tahoe ski product," said Tourism Director Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. "With our 300 days of sunshine each year, 400 inches of snowfall and thousands of skiable acres, travelers will find some of the best skiing in the U.S. throughout the entire ski season."

This winter Squaw Valley USA's Shirley Lake will be accessed with the Shirley Lift Express, an upgraded detachable six-person lift. The express accesses 375 acres of intermediate terrain. Squaw's terrain parks will also see a number of improvements, including a new trenched superpipe in Central Park at Riviera. Equipped with lights, the new Riviera Superpipe will be the only night accessed superpipe in the region. The addition of snowmaking in the Riviera terrain park, along with the trenching of the pipe, gives Squaw Valley skiers and snowboarders a superpipe starting at the very beginning of the season. The resort's new Squallywood Clinic allows advanced skiers and riders the opportunity to learn and experience the technical top- secret lines from "Squallywood" author Bob Gaffney. New guided backcountry tours opens previously restricted borders to uncharted terrain and full moon snowshoe tours debut to take trekkers to upper mountain peaks.

San Francisco-based JMA Ventures recently finalized its purchase of Alpine Meadows Ski Resort. JMA Ventures specializes in the development and refurbishment of historical landmark properties, concentrating on revitalizing an area while retaining its original and intended character. Jim Kercher has been named the new general manager of the popular ski area. Additional JMA projects include Homewood Mountain Resort and the Hotel Avery in Truckee.

Homewood Mountain Resort opens the 2007/08 season with a new high- speed, detachable quad (the Homewood Express now replacing the Quad, providing quick access to North Side runs). JMA Ventures has more big plans for its new mountain, including a quaint pedestrian village, mid-mountain lodge, gondola and underground parking. The village, to be located at the north base, plans to house an ice cream shop, hardware store, market, 50-room hotel, spa and 40-condo complex. An ice rink, swimming pool and amphitheatre are also scheduled. JMA Ventures, which purchased the hidden gem in 2006, aims to keep the unique character of the resort and adhere to strict green and environmental practices throughout the planning and operational stages.

Four new trails have been added to Northstar-at-Tahoe's Northwest Territory, bringing the trail total to 83 and the resort's skiable acreage to 2,490. Select trails off Mount Pluto have also been widened and an expanded snowmaking system will be generating more snow throughout the mountain, allowing for more accessible terrain earlier in the season. Plans to expand the slopes at Lookout Mountain are also in the works, with lift extension (detachable quad), additional trails and base facility scheduled. Northstar also recently unveiled an additional 5,000 square feet of meeting space. The latest retailers making their home in the Village include Mikuni Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, Oliver Napa Valley, Tahoe Creamery and Spirits in Stone.

Skiers and riders purchasing three lesson packages at Diamond Peak will receive three free lift tickets upon completion of lessons. Packages include group lesson, equipment rental and lift ticket. The new program is aimed at getting new skiers and riders on the slopes, though the program is applicable to all levels of lessons.

Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe opens the season with improvements to the Slide Bowl on the east side of the resort. Snowmaking and selective re- contouring will continue down Silver Dollar Trail with the primary goal of achieving early-season access to Slide Lodge.

But not everyone can gracefully schuss down black diamond slopes and North Lake Tahoe ski resorts are giving novice skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to learn at bargain prices. The 8th Annual Learn to Ski and Board Weekend, scheduled for the weekend of December 8-9, costs $25 and includes an all-day beginner lift ticket, group lesson and gear rental. First-timers have their choice of resorts to learn at including Alpine Meadows, Boreal Mountain Resort, Diamond Peak, Granlibakken, Homewood Mountain Resort, Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley USA and Sugar Bowl.

After a day on the mountain, snow enthusiasts can enjoy a new restaurant that recently opened their, another sign that the Sierra Nevada culinary scene is continuing to evolve to delectable heights. The long-awaited Caliente, an upscale Southwest restaurant brought to Kings Beach by the creators of Gar Woods, opened its doors in late August. The sure-to-be-popular eatery and watering hole makes its home in a beautifully renovated building with a rooftop deck complete with palapas and views of Lake Tahoe.

Autumn days in North Lake Tahoe

remain warm and sunny and though summer memories have given way to textbooks and lunchboxes, the festivities and activities are still bountiful in the Sierra with the Fabulous Fall Celebration. The unique celebration is a cornucopia of events from Labor Day through Thanksgiving with harvest festivals, Halloween celebrations, dining, music, nature events and recreational activities and competitions.

The Kings Beach Passport to Dining, October 4, highlights the cuisine of North Lake Tahoe restaurants at the North Tahoe Conference Center, as does the Elegant Affair, November 16, at the Boatworks Mall in Tahoe City. The Truckee Wine, Walk and Shop showcases historic downtown Truckee with wine tasting and appetizers by local restaurants October 6 and sweet-toothed travelers will get their fill at the annual Chocolate Festival November 3, also at the conference center.

Active travelers can be challenged with the Tahoe Big Blue Adventure Race or the Tahoe Sierra Century Bike Ride, both taking place September 22. Lake Tahoe Marathon Week kicks off September 25 and includes a triathlon, relays, 1/2 marathon, 10K, biking, kayaking, swimming and extreme golf events. The Xterra USA Championship returns to Incline Village September 29-30 with trail races, triathlon and marketplace. For a less grueling and more historical excursion, the Donner Party Hike guides trekkers over Donner Summit to learn about emigrant history, geography and the magnificent terrain September 29-30. A geology hike of Squaw Valley with the Squaw Valley Institute further explores the area October 7 and Truckee River Day, October 14, takes time to celebrate the river with educational activities, art show, food and music, as well as restoration projects.

Golfers can hit the fairways one last time with the 20th Annual Indian Summer Golf Classic at Jack Nicklaus' Old Greenwood in Truckee October 5. Eager skiers can head to the Olympic Village Lodge at Squaw October 5 for the latest ski flick "Seven Sunny Days" by Matchstick Productions.

Fall Colors

(TAHOE CITY, Calif.) - The refulgent red, gold and orange aspens are nothing less than spectacular against the forest evergreens in North Lake Tahoe, and while a drive through the back roads of the foothills is a must, Lake Tahoe is the ultimate destination for fall colors, activities and autumnal events.

The lake seems to calm after Labor Day and hiking and biking trails become peaceful and serene with breathtaking vistas resplendent with radiant aspens. Ideal trails for viewing fall colors are Page Meadows outside of Tahoe City, Meeks Bay Trail just north of Emerald Bay, Five Lakes Trail in Alpine Meadows, Ellis Peak Trail in West Shore's Blackwood Canyon and the Dolder and General Creek Trails in Sugar Pine Point State Park, also on the West Shore. The paved bike path along the Truckee River from Squaw Valley to Tahoe City is equally awe-inspiring, as well as the two-mile hike to Spooner Lake just off Highway 28 before the Highway 50 junction.

Less adventurous travelers will find abundant beauty by driving along Tahoe's West Shore on Highway 89 with magnificent colors on one side and Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America, on the other. Highway 267 from Truckee to Kings Beach is also a showcase of stunning hues, along with Highway 431 (Mt. Rose Highway) with its many aspens along the roadway. Even spending the day wandering through Tahoe City or Squaw Valley will give an ample display of fall foliage.

When planning a trip to North Lake Tahoe, make sure to include the area's finest autumnal events. The Village at Squaw Oktoberfest is a Bavarian revelry this Saturday, September 29, with bier garten, 20-piece band and authentic Bavarian fare. The Tahoe City Harvest Festival, October 6-13, celebrates autumn with another Oktoberfest (complete with pumpkin painting and apple bobbing), Pumpkin Patch Carnival and a bevy of scarecrows. The Village at Squaw's Great Pumpkin Festival, October 26-31, features a haunted house, doggie costume contest and Halloween parties.