skiers

By school day, he's the leader on the hill at South Tahoe High School, but by night, he's leading the field of American custom builders of monoskis.

"He" is Chad Houck, second year principal at STHS. Houck was recently featured in his second Warren Miller ski movie, this time in "Chasing Shadows." His first Miller highlight was in 2006 when his monoskiing was in "Off the Grid."

On Course Events has teamed up with Sushi Pier Tahoe again to produce the 5th Annual Shred for Sushi Rail Jam on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

Several skiers from the Lake Tahoe area were announced to the 2015/16 US Alpine Ski Team, including Olympians Julia Mancuso, Travis Ganong, Tim Jitloff and Marco Sullivan. Even though Mancuso was name to the team she will miss out on the season due to hip surgery, but has her sights set on the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang.

Men's A Team

David Chodounksy (Crested Butte, CO; Crested Butte Ski Team) 6/25/1984
Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley, CA; Squaw Valley Ski Team) 7/14/1988
Tim Jitloff (Reno, NV; Park City Ski Team) 1/11/1985
Ted Ligety (Park City, UT; Park City Ski Team) 8/31/1984

The long awaited first storm of the winter has hit the Sierra Nevada, much to the excitement of ski resorts, skiers and those wanting an end to the drought.

While this weather front isn't supposed to leave much behind at lake level, the upper elevations may see over a foot of snow.

Here is the updated weather forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today - Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 10am. High near 41. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

A busy Labor Day weekend starts Friday, with a plethora of activities for locals and visitors alike. There are fireworks, music, car shows, runs, boat races, a farm-fork festival and much more to enjoy.

Heavenly Village Days on Labor Day Car Show goes through the weekend with a sidewalk sale, trophies, and a poker run. It costs $40 to show your cars, trucks and motorcycles. Brought to you by Good Samaritans Safe Ride. September 4 - 7, 2015.

The consolidation of ski operations in Lake Tahoe continues with news Monday that plans are underway to install a gondola to connect Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows ski resorts.

The resorts, both owned by Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, reached an agreement with Troy Caldwell, the owner of the property between the base of the resorts, to build a gondola that will run about two miles.

Vail Resorts announced today that the 2015-16 Tahoe local's pass will open up access to nine resorts.

After weeks of spring-like conditions on the slopes, several inches of snow greeted skiers and boarders Saturday morning as a storm passed through Lake Tahoe.

Heavenly Mountain Resort received 6"-8" of new snow, while Sierra-at-Tahoe and Kirkwood both reported 7" overnight.

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory which will last until 8 p.m. on Saturday. During the day another 1" to 2" of snow is expected with 2" to 4" at elevations above 7,000 ft.

There is a 40% chance of snow on Monday for up to 2".

Looking for a unique way to celebrate Valentine's Day in Lake Tahoe? Planning on getting married but haven't had time to put your wedding ceremony together?

Northstar California Resort is inviting skiers and snowboarders to say "I Do" at a unique celebration of love. Dubbed Ski, tōst & be Married, the group wedding ceremony on the mountain is a first for the North Lake Tahoe resort.

Skiing is a phenomenally exciting and fun sport. However, the injury rate is relatively high, with more than 20,000 knee injuries sustained each year by skiers in the U.S. alone, most of which involved the ACL. The question is why and what can you do about it?

My advice on how to avoid common injuries is based on my 55 years of skiing, more than two decades of being an orthopaedic surgeon for the U.S. Ski Team, the Pro Ski tour, the Jeep Tour, 48 Straight Ski tour and other winter sports events. However it is not gospel. There are many views and disagreements on skiing safety.

Learn about the role the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) plays in the management of ski areas and other keys areas on the Lake Tahoe environment during their Ski With a Ranger program beginning on Friday, January 16.

Tours begin at the top of the gondola at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. every Monday and Friday. There is also a Spanish version starting at 10:30 a.m. on Fridays beginning Friday, February 20, 2015.

They run until April 10, weather permitting.

The Second Annual Subaru Winterfest will be held at Sierra-at-Tahoe resort this weekend, January 3 and 4. Winterfest includes a Freeride Skills Course and equipment demos as well as the chance to meet an Olympian. South Lake Tahoe resident and Olympic Gold Medalist Maddie Bowman will be signing autographs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Subaru tent on Saturday. Bowman, 20, brought home the gold she won in the Women’s Ski Halfpipe in Sochi during the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

If you have driven anywhere in South Lake Tahoe this week, you'll know that droves of visitors have decided to come to town for the holidays. With both Christmas and New Years Day on a Thursday many have made their visit a four or five-day long weekend.

Highway 50 from Meyers to Camino has seen heavy traffic in both directions. According to travelers, Sno-Parks at Strawberry and near Echo Summit caused traffic to come to a halt as far away as Kyburz as dozens of cars lining both sides of the highway.

Jamie Anderson and Maddie Bowman are asked this question in this USA team interview:

Which skier considers his skills on the snow the best gift he’s ever been given? How about the snowboarder who said her favorite was the gift of life? Find out what Team USA skiers and snowboarders remember as their favorite gift of all time. Happy gift-giving!

Maddie Bowman of South Lake Tahoe, 2014 Olympic halfpipe skiing gold medalist: Onesie Cookie Monster pajamas from my best friend a couple years ago.

The Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort just west of South Lake Tahoe received 21" of snow during Friday's storm, setting up some good snow for their Solstice Celebration. The official first day of winter starts on Sunday, December 21 but Sierra-at-Tahoe got a head start with live music and a tree lighting ceremony.

For the rest of the week skiers and boarder can enjoy in special events at the resort:

Sunday, December 21, 2014
12:00-12:45 p.m. and 3:00-4:15 p.m. Live Music with the Sierra Saxmas Big Band on the Solstice Plaza

Local riders and skiers headed to the slopes of Sierra-at-Tahoe for their opening day on Friday. The resort opened at noon following the recent storm that left more than 15 inches of fresh snow in the Sierra. Since early season conditions still exist, the resort will operate ten trails accessed by the Grandview Express and Easy Rider Express.

Friday was opening day at Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe, and if the crowds that hit the slopes is any indication, the weekend will be a busy one. The ski resort has been busy making snow since the Mother Nature variety has been lacking so far this season.

The resort is reporting an 18" base.

Heavenly Village was full of skiers, riders and families all day. The outdoor dining areas at Base Camp Pizza and Gun Barrel Tavern were busy for lunch and apres ski activities.

Backcountry explorers, wilderness leaders, ski resort employees and search and rescue personnel: prepare for the winter season by attending the California Avalanche Workshop at Lake Tahoe Community College on Saturday, October 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Board/Aspen Room. This is a rare opportunity to hear forecasters from all of the California avalanche centers speak and answer questions. In addition, ski guides, pro skiers, snow scientists, and avalanche survivors will present their findings.

Vail Resorts, the parent company of South Lake Tahoe's Heavenly Mountain Resort, announced Thursday that they are purchasing Park City Mountain Resort for $183M.

The agreement includes the Park City resort's base area—which include property zoned for residential and commercial development—as well as parking, lower ski terrain and lifts.

Though late season storms have helped skiers and boarders enjoy Lake Tahoe resorts a bit longer, the snowpack measured at 38% of normal today during the monthly test at Echo Summit. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR)reported a statewide average of just 32% of average.

Surveyors from DWR trekked to several monitoring stations as they do annually to measure the water content in snow, as well as depth, to try and pinpoint the state's water supply this summer.

Northstar California Resort is proud to welcome Olympic champion David Wise and his family back to his home mountain with a full day of festivities open to the public, both skiers and non-skiers, this Saturday, March 15.
In celebration of David’s gold medal in men’s halfpipe skiing, his dedication to family and being a huge supporter of the Boys & Girls Club, The Wise family and The Village at Northstar will host kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Nevada and North Lake Tahoe chapters for lunch; followed by activities for adults and kids alike, both on and off the slopes.

Skiers from Whittell, South Tahoe, North Tahoe, Incline, Truckee, Carson and Douglas High Schools met on the slopes at Heavenly Valley on Tuesday for the High School Slalom Races.

South Tahoe High's Connor McKeen came in 1st in the boys' races with a total combined time of 1:01.79. Grant Dunkelman of Douglas came in 2nd at 1:02.98 followed by Harrison Goss of North Tahoe 1:03.55.

Maia Bickert from South Tahoe High came in 1st in the girls' races with a time of 1:02.96, followed by Cheyenne Brown of Truckee with a time of 1:04.86 and Laurel Taylor of Incline at 1:07.66.

High-flying adventure flicks and non-stop entertainment arrives with the 12th annual Lake Tahoe Adventure Film Festival Road Tour stop in Reno on Feb. 22 at the Grand Sierra Resort.

Rooted as the nerve center for skiers, boarders, climbers and year-round adventurers, the film festival provides mountaintops, cliffhangers and enough high-energy entertainment between showings to ignite fervor for 2014.

The night includes guest speakers, action photo displays, break-dancers, DJs and a handful of surprises.

The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Sunday nominated 20 athletes to the U.S. Olympic Alpine Ski Team that will compete in Sochi next month. The team is highlighted by Olympic gold medalists Bode Miller (Franconia, NH), Ted Ligety (Park City, UT), Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley, CA) and World Champion Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO).

2014 Olympic Alpine Team Nominations

Men
David Chodounsky, Crested Butte, CO (6/25/84)
Erik Fisher, Middleton, ID (3/21/85) *
Travis Ganong, Squaw Valley, CA (7/14/88)
Jared Goldberg, Holladay, UT (6/15/91)