Santa Run to Benefit Christmas Cheer, Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation

In cooperation with the Himmel Haus, Blue Angel Café, and Rainbow Mountain, the Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation will host the first annual South Tahoe Santa Run to benefit Christmas Cheer and the HSSF Scholarship Fund on Thursday, Dec. 20th, regardless of weather.

“Running in Santa costumes for charity is a fun, win-win situation to me!” said Zakariah Latzka, Himmel Haus owner. “We are excited to be involved in helping the community that has so graciously embraced us and our business.”

Catch Santa on the slopes at Heavenly that day and then join him for the Santa Run that evening. Pre-registration is available at www.heavenlyfoundationteam.org or in-person at the Himmel Haus, 3819 Saddle Rd. Cost is $20 plus an unwrapped new toy to be donated to Christmas Cheer and includes two raffle tickets. Participation is limited so advanced registration is recommended. Registration will take place the day of the race from 4-5pm at the loft in the Blue Angel Café and is $30. All participants must be in Santa dress (or some form of holiday garb), at least black pants, red shirt and Santa hat. Prizes will be awarded for the top three finishers and best costume.

All Santas will need to be at the Blue Angel Café and checked-in at registration by 5:15pm to participate. The race horn will blow at 5:30pm which time Santas will run 1.3 miles up Ski Run Blvd. and turn left onto Saddle Rd. leading them to the finish at the Himmel Haus. A decorated holiday Rainbow Mountain bus playing music and filled with toys will follow the Santas, just in case we need to pick a few up.

The festivities will kick-off at the Blue Angel Café with $3 glasses of warm glühwein and will continue at the Himmel Haus that evening beginning at 6pm with live music by The David Patrone Quartet jazz, $4 pints of Wartsteiner Pilsner, raffle prizes, Santa costume dance-off and fun activities for all, children are welcome. Everyone is encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Christmas Cheer. A “Giving Tree” for the Heavenly Ski & Snowboard Foundation will be displayed at the Himmel Haus throughout the holidays, please support our local athletes and buy the ornaments.

About the Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation
The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation is committed to facilitating and leading the local community in the development of programs to encourage youth to participate in winter sports, alpine skiing and snowboarding. The HSSF operates independently on donations and fundraisers. In addition to providing a safe skiing and riding experience to those within the foundation, outreach and community involvement also play a big part of the base of the Foundation.

Throughout the winter season the HSSF provides scholarships to families whose children would not be able to participate in the race program; hosts a non-race Blue Angels program through the middle school; works with the SOS (Snowsports Outreach Society); works with the Boys and Girls Club of South Lake Tahoe; and organizes multiple events, like the Kinder Kup series, and fundraisers including the annual spring wine gala, Grapes and Gates, at Edgewood. For more information on the Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation visit www.heavenlyfoundationteam.org, email heavenlyssf@yahoo.com or call the administrative offices at 530.541.7354.

— Aimi Xistra-Rich is the Executive Director of the Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation