Tahoe Snow Sports Icons Daron Rahlves, Jeremy Jones Partner With Plate for Powder Campaign

By Maja Thaler
Two of Lake Tahoe's most popular ski and snowboarding icons, Daron Rahlves and Jeremy Jones, have finished shooting public service ads this week for the nonprofit Tahoe Fund's Plate for Powder program. Rahlves and Jones donated their time for the California and Nevada Lake Tahoe specialty license plates program, which gives new Tahoe license plate buyers two free Alpine or Nordic ski tickets to their choice of 12 major Lake Tahoe-area ski resorts.

Rahlves, a three-time World Championship medalist and three times a member of the U.S. Olympic team, is the most-decorated U.S. skier in history. In 2001 he was the first American ever to win the Super G world title, and in 2005 won World Championship medals in the Giant Slalom and Downhill. Rahlves was on the U.S. ski team for 13 years.

Jones is famous for his big mountain freeriding as well as for his nonprofit Protect Our Winters environmental organization dedicated to addressing global warming. The snowboarder has starred in numerous snow sports films, and is producing a trio of documentaries on snowboarding.

Visuals of the two talking about the Plate for Powder program will be used in advertising in local and regional media outlets. Over 96% of Lake Tahoe license plate fees go directly to Tahoe Basin bike paths, hiking trails, parks, and restoration projects of the California Tahoe Conservancy, the Nevada Division of State Lands, and the Tahoe Fund.

"Having Tahoe-area athletes like Daron and Jeremy support the Tahoe Plate for Powder program is inspiring," said Cindy Gustafson, President of the Tahoe Fund. "Who better knows the value of recreation and conservation projects at Tahoe than two local pro athletes who learned - and now practice - their skills here?"

The special resort ticket deal is available only through the tahoefund.org website, where buyers can receive their two free tickets by purchasing a new California Tahoe plate for $50 or a new Nevada Tahoe plate for $61.

All major Tahoe ski resorts are participating in the 2nd Annual Plate for Powder Program, including Squaw Valley USA, Alpine Meadows, Homewood, Heavenly Valley, Northstar-at-Tahoe (Alpine and Nordic), Kirkwood, Sugar Bowl, Boreal Ridge, Tahoe Donner (Alpine and Nordic), Royal Gorge, Tahoe Cross Country, and Sierra-at-Tahoe. The free tickets and day passes are valid Sunday through Friday for the 2011/2012 season until supplies run out. Standard holiday blackout dates apply to downhill ski areas, including 12/24-1/1, 1/14-1/16, and 2/18-2/20. Check with each resort for specific holiday blackout dates.

To purchase a Tahoe plate and receive your complimentary lift tickets, visit www.tahoefund.org.

About the Tahoe Fund
The Tahoe Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises private funds to supplement a dwindling supply of public money for environmental improvement projects at Lake Tahoe. A diverse group of business, government agency and environmental leaders formed the organization in 2010, and the Fund has already partnered with Nevada and California agencies to implement on-the-ground projects that restore and enhance Lake Tahoe's natural and recreational resources for visitors and residents.