New terrain, wider trails and a whole lot of South Lake Tahoe festivities ahead

LAKE TAHOE — If another La Nina visits the Sierra this winter – all-time records were approached in 2010-11 with more than 700 inches of snow – Tahoe South ski resorts are ready to roll on another epic season.
Long-range forecasts indicate ocean conditions this summer mirror last year, setting up the region for plenty of powder. The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center issued a La Niña watch for the 2011-12 season and the Old Farmer's Almanac calls for stormier-than-normal periods between November and December, with the heaviest in January.
With new terrain, wider runs and expanded resort options, skiers at South Shore can anticipate bountiful skiing, boarding, snowmobiling, xc-skiing, snowshoeing with arguably the best combination of beauty, recreation, dining, entertainment, gaming and nightlife in the county.

POWDER HOUNDS
Heavenly Mountain Resort has several new mountain enhancements, including new and wider runs, new grooming machines, ground-breaking EpicMix technology and state-of-the-art learning tools for kids.

Heavenly added three new trails on the Nevada side of the mountain, accessed by the Galaxy Chairlift providing a haven for intermediate and lower-intermediate skiers and snowboarders.

Trails have been widened on the California side making Heavenly’s 4800 acres ski even bigger, spreading people out and allowing more groomed surface for skiers and riders to enjoy. Heavenly added two new Prinoth Beast grooming machines, increasing the largest fleet of the most technologically advanced and efficient groomers on the market to four.

A new 2,200 square-foot ski school facility at the top of the Gondola will match the level of its Heavenly’s world-class instructors. Kids can explore in the new adventure zone called Black Bear Hollow, a meandering, low angle skiing and riding trail with groomed whoop-de-doos, entry level progression park features small rails, gentle jumps and boxes designed to help youngsters explore.

The next generation of Vail Resorts’ popular ski and snowboard application, EpicMix™ will revolutionize how guests take and share photos when it launches this season. Upon request, Heavenly’s photographers will take portrait and action photos and deliver to the guest’s EpicMix account by scanning a guest’s RF-enabled lift ticket or season pass. http://www.skiheavenly.com/

Sierra-at-Tahoe: A number of new features include Huckleberry Cat Tours, The Burton Riglet Park, additions to Blizzard Mountain and more value-added rates.

Thrill-seeking expert skiers and boarders will now be able to access the backcountry with the addition of the Huckleberry Canyon Cat tours. The guided tours shave time and energy getting to the canyon's edge to access cliff and cornice drops, rock chutes, open bowls, gladed runs and powder pillows.

In partnership with Burton Snowboards Sierra Resort's new Burton Riglet Park is a mini-snowboard park designed to introduce kids as young as three to snowboarding. Along with its Learn to Ride Program, the resort will utilize Riglet Reel technology, allowing instructors to tow kids around obstacles.

The all-new Blizzard Mountain, a snow play and tubing area features two rope tow-accessible tubing lanes, an expanded snow play area, a bounce house, snack bar, fire pits, picnic tables and sledding. The 3-Pak lift tickets include Skiing or Riding for $51 a day over three days and are available through Dec. 16, 2011. www.SierraAtTahoe.com or call (530) 659-7453.

Kirkwood Mountain Resort has invested over $6 million in capital improvements including upgraded on-slope accommodations at The Mountain Club: new two-bedroom condos converted from hotel suites, full workout room, spa and message treatment facilities. The improvement also comprises a newly re-designed, state of the art rental facility – one of Lake Tahoe’s most complete demo centers and the new Monte Wolfe’s restaurant.

Expedition: Kirkwood Outfitters, a new $1 million facility, provides special clinics, private guides, backcountry awareness, classroom/conference center, high end retail, demo gear and is the hub for leaning about and exploring the backcountry.

The year-round Zip-Tahoe Tree Top Canopy Tour continues flying this season with eight lines with speeds up to 35 miles per hour. Kirkwood is vested in offering a diverse resort experience for kids of all ages with Thunder Mountain Snowmobiles - Tahoe’s only kids snowmobile park - evening snow cat tours and a new Tube Park.

Kirkwood has several new season pass deals starting at $199: Season Pass Deals. For more information visit http://www.kirkwood.com or call (209) 258-6000.

NON-SKI THRILL SEEKERS
For non-skiers South Shore also provides a variety of activities from scenic cruises to sleigh rides, helicopter tours, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and snowmobiling.

Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Center operates from late November until mid-April, featuring lake views at 9,000 feet. Lake Tahoe Adventures offers unguided snowmobile rentals for seasoned riders into the heart of Tahoe’s forest lands to the top of the mountain ridge as well as guided off-the-trail tours for less-experienced adventure seekers. Both locations feature moonlight snowmobile tours along with ride and dine options.

The winter months feature helicopter tours; horse-drawn sleigh rides with Borges Sleigh Rides; dog sled rides; boat cruises on the Tahoe Queen and M.S. Dixie II; and ice skating at the Heavenly Village or indoors at the City of South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena.

Snowshoe and cross country trails abound Hope Valley, Fallen Leaf Lake and Camp Richardson’s 35 kilometers of groomed trails through dense trees and snow-covered beaches.

EVENTS, ENTERTAINMENT, CASINOS
A variety of nightclubs tempt visitors into the wee hours. Free players club memberships provide dining, lodging and entertainment deals at Harrah's and Harveys, MontBleu, Horizon and Lakeside Inn.

A sixth casino, Dotty’s is opening soon in Stateline along with Brewjangles, a bar and restaurant and a CVS Drug Store. Dotty’s features slots and has 70 locations in the U.S., this location is 6,500 sq.-ft.

Returning this season is a series of monthly Winter Blast Weekends, December – April, with evening entertainment at Harrah’s South Shore Room, on mountain concerts and snow events, competitions and exhibitions at Heavenly. Entertainment in November and December at the South Shore Room includes Penn & Teller, Johnny Lang, The Fab Four and The Dan Band. www.harrahslaketahoe.com.

The showroom entertainment line-up in November and December at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa includes comedic superstars Christopher Titus, Nov. 5 and Daniel Tosh, Dec. 17. www.montbleuresort.com.

The annual Tahoe Adventure Film Festival at MontBleu Resort offers gnarly footage from BASE jumping, skiing, downhill mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, surfing, deep water soloing. All risk – no gear, no ropes, rock climbing over water describes the fast paced, high energy that premieres in South Shore, Saturday, Dec. 10 at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa. www.laketahoefilmfestival.com.

New this season is Heavenly Holiday, a nightly 30-minute synchronized light show from 6 to 9 p.m., Dec. 1 through Dec. 30. Heavenly Village Festivities throughout the month include carolers with a large choir ensemble, ice sculpting, professional figure skater, live band and “A Heavenly New Year Celebration” concert - followed by the Gondola Drop where decorated and illuminated cars will descend from the top of the mountain in a countdown marking New Year's on the East Coast.

For real time updates on events, promotions, packages, conditions and events in Tahoe South, The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority is on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TahoeSouth, Twitter: www.twitter.com/SouthShoreTahoe, YouTube: www.youtube.com/LTVA and now the Tahoe South mobile app in the App Store and Android Market. For information about Tahoe South, call 1-800-AT-TAHOE (1-800-288-2463) or visit www.tahoesouth.com.

GETTING HERE
South Tahoe is conveniently accessible via Reno/Tahoe International Airport and Sacramento International Airport. Reno Tahoe Airport is home to nine different airlines that offer service with 15,300 seats available through the airport each day. Reno/Tahoe Airport offers 140 daily flights, is 55 miles from South Lake Tahoe and accessible via the non-stop South Tahoe Express, a luxury motor coach. The new Central Terminal B at Sacramento International Airport will open October 2011 and the airport provides more than 150 nonstop flights per day with limitless connection possibilities. Sacramento is about a two hour drive up U.S. Hwy. 50.

U.S. Hwy 50 is a more direct route for Sacramento residents, with just 16 miles above 7,000 ft., and has less trucks and traffic than Interstate 80. Last season road conditions via Hwy 50 provided winter enthusiast’s daily access to South Lake Tahoe resorts. A fleet of city and state snow removal vehicles around the Lake Tahoe Basin keep the roads clear and safe for travel. Caltrans has up-to-the-minute California road conditions at www.dot.ca.gov or 1-800-427-ROAD (7623) or 916-445-7623. For road conditions in Nevada, contact the Nevada Department of Transportation at www.nevadadot.com or 877-687-6237. Travelers can also get up-to-the-minute online road information and more on their smart phones at NV.mobi.