Sierra-at-Tahoe to open Thanksgiving

UPDATE 411PM: Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort will open for the 2012-13 season on Thursday, November 22, 2012, offering Easy Rider Express lift, Rock Garden lift, and three surface lifts, giving guests access to four trails including, Broadway, Easy Street, Echo, and Lower Sleighride. Building on the reputation as one of the nation’s top terrain park resorts, Sierra Resort™ will offer a small to medium jib park on Broadway consisting of multiple features including new boxes and rails, giving eager guests a chance to get their park legs back underneath them. Sierra Resort will also offer snow play at Thunder Gulch for little ones just looking to slide.

“We are extremely excited to open on Thanksgiving Day and kick off the 2012-13 season. The early season snow has allowed us to open with early season conditions on the mountain,” said John Rice, General Manager. “As the snow continues to set, we will open more terrain where conditions permit. Until then skiers and riders can get those first couple of turns in and take a few laps through the Broadway terrain park.”

This is a great time for passholders to come pick up their season passes, or daily ticket buyers to test their abilities for only $35 a day for adults or young adults and $10 for kids. Guests can also enjoy snow play options for only $20. Limited operations on opening day will include limited ski school operations, refreshing beer and food in The Pub and Mama’s Kitchen, available gear in the rental shops, and great holiday shopping at Sierra Mt. Sports.

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort: Keepin’ It Real
With 480 inches of average annual snowfall, wind-protected slopes, incredible tree skiing, and 320 acres of backcountry terrain out the Huckleberry Gates, Sierra™ Resort is a bastion of the authentic California ski experience. For beginner skiers and riders Sierra Resort has over 100 acres of dedicated terrain, four beginner-only conveyor lifts, a $39 adult beginner package, and multi-lingual PSIA Certified Instructors, Sierra Resort is the place to learn to ski or ride in Lake Tahoe. For freestylers, a commitment to innovative terrain parks has led to Sierra Resort being recognized by TransWorld SNOWboarding as a Top 10 Overall Resort as well as among the Top 10 Best Parks and Pipes in the nation. Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort embraces skiers and snowboarders who want to escape from everyday life and enjoy the simple pleasure of winter in the mountains.

For more information, visit www.SierraAtTahoe.com or call 530.659.7453.

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Sierra-at-Tahoe announced that it will open Thanksgiving Day, according to a Facebook post.
"Sierra opens for the 2012-13 Season this Thursday, November, 22! Put the Turkey in the oven and come take some turns," the post state.
Spokesman Steve Hemphill said more information is on the way as Sierra is finalizing its plans. As to why the much-anticipated announcement was made via Facebook, Hemphill said:

"We value our guests and wanted to let them know as soon as possible. Social media is a great tool and allows us to push the message out to our entire Sierra Resort family. We are working diligently to finalize lift and runs and will have more information soon, accompanied by an official press release."

Check back later for more on the opening, lifts, deals and specials offered by Sierra.

In the meantime, here's some news from earlier this fall on what to expect this season at Sierra:

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort is excited to offer new additions for the 2012-13 season enhancing the on-mountain experience, as well as a winter stay in beautiful South Lake Tahoe, California. Kids, ages three to six, can learn to snowboard through the world’s only Burton Star Wars Experience, while experts can enjoy SierraäResort’s new backcountry cat tours that take skilled skiers and riders straight to the steep and deep without the hike. The ultimate Lake Tahoe winter lodging package includes luxurious accommodations, two lift tickets, and two scenic helicopter rides. Sierra Resort season passholders also get the added value and the option of riding free at multiple mountains around the country.

Burton Star Wars Experience
The Force is strong at Sierra Resort for Younglings and Padawans in Yoda's Riglet Park at the Wild Mountain Children's Center. The Burton Star Wars Experience uses the beloved intergalactic saga to help children ages three to six make their first snowboard turns using Burton's innovative Riglet Reel Technology. This singular on-mountain experience filled with visuals from the Star Wars galaxy, combines Burton's industry-leading technology with Jedi Master Yoda's teaching methods. Younglings and Padawans will learn using the ways of the Force through interactive drop-in nodes showcasing custom-made wood carvings of R2-D2, C-3P0, Chewbacca and more.

Huckleberry Cat Tours: Access Raw Backcountry Terrain with Less Hassle
Sierra Resort’s new backcountry cat tours take skilled skiers and riders straight to the top of Huckleberry Canyon, allowing backcountry enthusiasts to save energy for those deep powder turns, by-passing the hike to the gates.
Huckleberry Canyon offers cliff drops, cornice drops, rock chutes, open bowls, gladed runs and powder pillows to those ready to unlock the extreme. Each snowcat tour will include a guide who will educate riders on backcountry safety, teach them how to properly use avalanche equipment (shovel, probe, avalanche beacon, and backpack will be provided), and a lunch.

The tours are appropriate for expert skiers and snowboarders seeking a one of a kind backcountry experience and will run on select days throughout the season (weather and conditions permitting) from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Sierra Snowcat can hold up to seven people or can be rented out for private tours by groups of five or more.
Ski, Stay, and Soar: Experience Lake Tahoe Like Never Before Starting at just $265.

Experience Lake Tahoe like never before with the all new Ski, Stay, and Soar Package. Go from Tahoe’s best gladed tree runs at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort to soaring above Lake Tahoe with Reno Tahoe Helicopters and sleeping in the luxurious Inn by the Lake, all in the same day.

The ultimate Tahoe package starts at just $265 per person and includes a two night stay, two lift tickets to Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, and two twenty-minute helicopter rides operated by Reno Tahoe Helicopters. The scenic helicopter rides will take passengers on a breathtaking scenic route over Sierra Resort, Desolation Wilderness or Emerald Bay. Ski one day then soar the next, or do it all in one day and see exactly what you skied. It is the best way to experience Lake Tahoe in the winter.

You Are Now Free to Ski About the Country
Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort passholders now have the added benefit of skiing and riding for free at multiple mountains around the country. Unlimited Season Passholders can ski or ride free for ten days, non-holiday, at Mt. High in Southern California and Stevens Pass in Washington. All passholders get the opportunity to ski Monarch Mountain in Colorado for free any three days this season. If that wasn’t enough all passholders get 50 percent off tickets at China Peak Sunday-Friday, non-holiday all season long. If passholders decide to take a road trip this winter, Sierra Resort has them covered.

More about Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort: Keepin’ It Real
With 480 inches of average annual snowfall, wind-protected slopes, incredible tree skiing, and 320 acres of backcountry terrain out the Huckleberry Gates, Sierra Resort is a bastion of the authentic California ski experience. For beginner skiers and riders Sierra Resort is home to the world’s only Burton Star Wars Experience, has over 100 acres of dedicated terrain, four beginner-only conveyor lifts, a $39 adult beginner package, and multi-lingual PSIA Certified Instructors. Sierra Resort is the place to learn to ski or ride in Lake Tahoe. For freestylers, a commitment to innovative terrain parks has led to Sierra Resort being recognized by TransWorld SNOWboarding as a Top 10 Overall Resort as well as among the Top 10 Best Parks and Pipes in the nation. Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort embraces skiers and snowboarders who want to escape from everyday life and enjoy the simple pleasure of winter in the mountains.
For more information, visit www.SierraAtTahoe.com or call 530.659.7453.