ride

Construction bids now being accepted for Spooner Lake State Park improvements

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Nevada State Parks is seeking construction bids for Phase 1 of the Spooner Frontcountry Improvement Project. Phase 1 will involve a complete redesign and update of the over 35-year-old facilities, and construction of a new visitor center and amphitheater at Spooner Lake. Proposals will be accepted at the Nevada Division of State Parks office until March 11, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. PST.

Law enforcement prepares for possible New Year's Eve crowds on South Shore

Even with the current pandemic, New Year's revelers could still flock to the Stateline casino corridor and South Lake Tahoe on Thursday so law enforcement will be prepared. With no SnowGlobe this year due to the pandemic, and Heavenly Village New Year's Eve activities canceled, it is unknown as to what will take place in an area that at one time saw 50,000 people in the streets to bring in the new year. Last year it was estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people took to the streets at midnight at Stateline and 6,500 at Heavenly Village for its 9:00 p.m. fireworks.

Douglas County reaches out to Lake Tahoe servers with “Call for a Ride. Stay Alive” Campaign

STATELINE, Nev. - Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD) and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) took the first step in rolling out their campaign aimed at keeping drunk drivers off the roads by providing server intervention training to employees at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Lucky Beaver, Dotty’s, and Lake Tahoe AleWorX.

Howie's Top 20 favorite Christmas movies

Christmas started early for this guy once the pandemic hit. I put my Christmas lights up over the 4th of July and for a short while started watching Christmas movies too to try and get that feel-good feeling happening. Okay, I also did it because I wanted to watch movies where no one was wearing a mask and hugging one another without fear of being exposed. I’ve always enjoyed movies for their pure escapism and who doesn’t want to escape what we’ve been through already ya know? I also like being wrapped around a movie completely.

Douglas County agencies partner to hold drunk driving intervention training for Tahoe servers

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection (TDFP), state agencies, local non-profits and businesses are coming together to launch a campaign aimed to help our community stay safer by providing server intervention training and ride alternatives to those who are drinking and need to get home.

Call For A Ride, Stay Alive is a drunk driving awareness campaign that offers server intervention training to employees from casinos and other Stateline area businesses.

Kirkwood opens for 2020/21 season, Heavenly expands to Nevada side

In a year filled uncertainties and safety mandates, many have been anxiously awaiting the ski season at Lake Tahoe. Heavenly Mountain Resort opened last week, and now their sister Vail property, Kirkwood Mountain Resort, has opened.

As long as allowed, Kirkwood's winter operating plan is focused on comprehensive safety protocols, Kirkwood opened Friday with more than 180 acres of beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain.

Local small business shopping more important now than ever

South Lake Tahoe has a wide variety of small businesses from jewelry to experiences on the lake. With the impact of the pandemic on their business this is a perfect season to think of them while doing your shopping.

Small Business Saturday is November 28, the annual day after Black Friday to highlight shopping at the places who are a part of the community. They are the businesses we go to when seeking donations for silent auctions or to provide food for fundraisers. They are invested in the well-being of the South Shore community and to keep them here we need to support them now.

Sugar Bowl Resort and Royal Gorge Cross Country open November 27

Sugar Bowl Resort and Royal Gorge Cross Country will open for the 2020/21 winter season on Friday, November 27, 2020 with new safety procedures.

“We are eager to welcome our guests back to the mountain and are thrilled that opening day is just a week away,” said Greg Dallas, President and CEO of Sugar Bowl/Royal Gorge. “Our team has worked tirelessly on a reopening plan that keeps the safety of our guests and staff as the top priority.”

Opening day with new safety protocol in place at Heavenly Mountain Resort

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The long-awaited opening day for skiing and riding in South Lake Tahoe arrived Friday with season pass holders hitting the slopes at Heavenly Mountain Resort. They joined Northstar in being the only two resorts in Lake Tahoe to open. Squaw Alpine opens on November 25, followed by Kirkwood December 4, Sierra-at-Tahoe has not announced an opening date.

Heavenly reported a foot of natural snow from this week's storm added on top of the snow they've been making since temperatures dropped a few weeks ago.

Heavenly Mountain Resort prepares for opening day Friday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Opening day at Heavenly Mountain Resort is planned for Friday, November 20, with ski and snowboard operations exclusive for all pass holders until December 8.

This year there are many changes due to COVID-19 and Vail says their goal is to prioritize pass holders, including those who have the Epic Day Pass. Those with passes need to reserve their day on the slopes as does the general non-pass holding public.

There will be no ticket sales at the Vail ski resorts this season and all is conducted virtually except for sightseeing rides.

Column: A safer, healthier haunting this season

Seasonal holidays like Halloween will be different this fall to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Finding safe ways to celebrate can create magical memories, and lower the risk of exposure to yourself, your family, and your community. The decisions we make on this one day can have a ripple effect beyond our own families. Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic is a chance for you and your children to get creative, and maybe even invent some new traditions for your family. It's also a great opportunity to model flexibility and a positive spirit.

Road Beat: 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring, A Double Wow

I continue to remark in several recent Road Beats, that Honda is on a roll, after testing this new Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring, I have to report that the roll is still accelerating and rather quickly, including its price. Here is a car with loads of utility, outstanding performance, great fuel economy, superb handling and good comfort for a sticker price not $22,380 with the boat ride from Swindon, Wiltshire, England, but $29,780. That’s right a price bump of about 30 percent for the Touring model.

City Council candidates respond to South Lake Tahoe Chamber questions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce Board recently asked the nine City Council candidates ten questions they felt were of most importance to its members. The questions focused mainly on topics relating to things that will or may affect both the local small businesses and the community in general.

Their board made the decision to not endorse a specific candidate this election, but instead rank them based on how much they align with the South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce goals based on their answers to the questions below.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork October 18-24

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Tahoe Bicycle Coalition and Tahoe Fund collaborate on new bike racks around lake

Due to the collaboration of the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition and Tahoe Fund, over 100 more racks were installed in town centers in the Tahoe Basin this summer. Together, the nonprofits have worked together to install nearly 450 bike racks during the past three years, offering secure parking for 900 bikes.

With a grant from the Tahoe Fund and matching contributions from local businesses, the nonprofit Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition completed the third phase of its efforts to create secure bike parking within the Tahoe Basin.

Family-friendly Halloween-themed spooky railbike rides on the V&T Railway

Celebrate Halloween this year with family-friendly and spooky railbike rides on the V&T Railway in Carson City.

From Friday, Oct. 23 through Sunday, Oct. 25 and Wednesday, Oct. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 31, V&T Railway will offer child-focused haunted rides at at 6:00 p.m. and adult-focused haunted rides at 8:00 p.m. Each ride will follow COVID-19 guidelines and offer an alternative this year for Halloween fun. Ticket prices are $40 per rider for the 6:00 p.m. family ride and $75 per rider for the 8:00 p.m. adult ride.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork October 11-17

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

City Council candidates respond to 100% Renewable Energy Committee questions

On April 18, 2017 the South Lake Tahoe City Council unanimously passed a resolution to: 1) Power the South Lake Tahoe community with electricity provided from 100 percent renewable sources by 2032 and 2) Reduce community carbon emissions from baseline by at least 80 percent by 2040, and reduce municipal emissions by 50 percent by 2030.

V & T Railway Polar Express canceled, replaced with Santa's Drive-Thru Village

As a result of COVID-19, the V&T Railway Commission has announced that fan favorite, Polar Express, has been canceled for the 2020 season. In its place, the railway will host Santa’s Drive-Thru Village, a socially distanced holiday event, December 11 through 13 and December 18 through 24.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork September 20-26

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Sierra-at-Tahoe releases their operational procedures for 20/21 winter season

Sierra-at-Tahoe has spent the summer developing new operational procedures regarding COVID-19 for the 2020/21 ski and ride season. They have released their new guidelines for this winter that allow everyone to enjoy the resort while staying safe and socially distant.

:These decisions have been made in compliance with local, state and federal regulations, as well as Sierra’s commitment to the National Ski Area Association’s “Ski Well, Be Well” initiative," said Sierra-at-Tahoe representatives in a press release.

FAQs from the US Forest Service on closures

The USFS regional emergency closures have created a lot of questions from forest recreational users. Here are the frequently asked questions (FAQ) provided by the Forest Service:

Q) Is there an imminent threat of fire, are we in immediate danger?

Coast Guard shuts down illegal charter at Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The U.S. Coast Guard has shut down an illegal charter boat operating in Lake Tahoe.

On Sunday, September 7, the crew of a 29-foot response boat from the Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe boarded the 48-foot pleasure craft, Cirque. On board were 19 passengers though the boat was not permitted to have six or more.

They discovered the following violations on the Cirque:

- Violation of 46 C.F.R. 176.100 (a) for not having a valid Certificate of Inspection
- Violation of 46 C.F.R 15.401(a) for not having an individual with an appropriate license

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork September 6 - 12

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

Most traffic-interfering work will be restricted from 6:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 due to the Labor Day holiday.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Safety changes: Vail moves to presale of lift tickets to manage number of guests

Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar, all members of the Vail Resorts family, will be operating differently during the winter season 2020/21. Vail plans on opening both Heavenly and Northstar on November 20 and Kirkwood on December 4.

Ticket sales, use of season passes and facility uses will all be handled to promote physical distancing and protect the safety of staff and guests.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork August 30 - September 5

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

Most traffic-interfering work will be restricted from 6:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 due to the Labor Day holiday.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Road Beat: Hyundai Sonata - The new mid-size class act

A boulevardier, taken from Merriam-Webster, is a frequenter of the Parisian boulevards, or a person-about-town in more broad terms. So basically, to be a Parisian boulevard connoisseur, you must be fashionable, social, and energetic. Being wealthy helps, too. The new Hyundai Sonata is the attainable boulevardier for a new generation.

Daily and special railbike tours featured through fall on V&T Railroad

Many have experienced the trip aboard a restored 1914 Pullman coach led by a 1916 Baldwin 2-8-0 steam locomotive from Carson City to Virginia City, or the annual Polar Express train rides, but with COVID-19 closures these experiences have not been available for 2020.

Now people can pedal their way through history aboard a Freedom Railbike along the historic Virginia & Truckee (V&T) train route into the Carson River Canyon along an exciting, curved, and gradual two percent grade track system to the historic Eureka Mill rest area.

Tahoe Youth & Family Services holds "Miles for Recovery" virtual event

UPDATE: Registration until September 15, 2020.

September is National Recovery Month for both substance abuse and mental health. In recognition of this, Tahoe Youth & Family Services is partnering with Carson Valley Medical Center and providing a Miles For Recovery virtual challenge fundraiser.

This fundraiser will replace the organization’s annual 5K event at the beginning of Carson Valley Days that was canceled because of the pandemic.

Fundraising, donations and grants are the only source of income for the 501c3 nonprofit.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork August 23 - 29

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Jet Ski Mafia holds first organized ride

Event Date: 
August 9, 2020 - 2:00pm

Jet Ski Mafia of South Lake Tahoe is planning its first organized ride on Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. They will be meeting just inside the Tahoe Keys on the Homeowner's Association side.

This first ride will be about two hours and the route will be decided together - most likely along the South Shore, up to Cave Rock, across to Emerald Bay and everything in between!

Bring a full tank of gas - this will be fun.

The ride is hosted by Lake Tahoe's Jetski Mafia and Late-Nite Productions.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork July 26 - August 1

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Tahoe Bike Challenge riders log over 45,000 miles

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Over 300 locals and visitors took part in the 15th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge, biking 45,442 miles during the month-long event. The Tahoe-basin wide challenge was a friendly competition that annually encourages individuals and teams to track trips and miles completed on their bikes.

“Congratulations to all of the winners and riders,” TRPA Transportation Planner Kira Smith said. “Although this year looked a little bit different, we hope the Challenge inspires people to bike and walk through the rest of the year.”

Park Tahoe paid parking pilot program starts at East Shore Trail

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - When the three parking lots with 90 spaces were created last year in Incline Village for the popular East Shore Trail, they were free but all were told paid parking was coming in the near future.

That time has now come.

Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) has unveiled the Park Tahoe pilot program at the trailhead north of Ponderosa Rand Road. The lots were created to expand off-highway parking options along the high traffic area of SR28 between Incline Village and Sand Harbor State Park.

Road Beat: 2020 Honda Pilot Black Edition

Remember minivans? Now think about this for a moment: how many new minivans do you see on the road? In my youth, it seemed like every third car on the road was a people carrier. In 2020 I hardly see any brand-new ones, and the answer seems to be that minivan buyers simply switched to SUVs instead. Maybe it’s because they’re simply uncool and became a cliché of new parents. Regardless of the reason, what if there was a vehicle that is a marriage of both? Enter the Pilot.

America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride and Tour de Tahoe postponed

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The organizer of the 29th annual America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride and the 18th Tour De Tahoe has announced the 2020 events will not happen. Bike the West tried to merge the two popular rides after the America's Most Beautiful was postponed earlier this year. They were to take place on September 13 but current COVID-19 restrictions and setbacks with reopening phases governed by local, county and state health agencies have led them to postpone and move to 2021.

Bike racks still available through Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition and Tahoe Fund

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - There has been a successful partnership between the Tahoe Fund and Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition in bringing bike racks to businesses and public agencies around Lake Tahoe for the past two years. They have now announced an opportunity for more low or no-cost bike racks in their "Bike Racks for Tahoe" program for centrally-located town center locations in the Tahoe Basin.

The program is designed to encourage locals and visitors to ride their bikes around lakeside communities instead of drive.

Road Beat: 2020 Kia Telluride - The class act of the classes, times two

In an all-new vehicle in what can be considered a new size class for SUVs, Lia’s new Telluride has hit a Grand Slam (Salami, if you are Italian or a Yankee Fan), but not an ordinary Grand Slam, but this one landed on River Avenue or Waveland Avenue if you’re a Cubby. I used those exact words about Kia’s sibling, the Hyundai Palisade. It is flat out one of the two best SUVs I have ever driven with performance, ride, handling, quiet, comfort and economy levels that put it immediately at the top of its class and almost every other class. Telluride is also simply a Class act.

Lime scooters return to South Lake Tahoe July 1

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lime will be bringing scooters back to South Lake Tahoe after a unanimous vote by the City Council to temporarily reduce fees associated with the popular mobile devices during their meeting Tuesday. With a reduced season the new charge of $75 per device was not making sense according to the company.

Letter: Every one of us needs to do what we can to Keep Tahoe Blue

On June 10 the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center released findings from its annual Lake Tahoe Clarity Report, which showed average Lake clarity for 2019 was 62.7 feet, the second-smallest annual average depth recorded since systematic annual measurements began in 1968.

Road Beat: A Tale of Two Highlanders

“There can only be one.” The movie Highlander might be considered an acquired taste, but the Toyota Highlander has been anything but. Since its inception in the early 2000s, Highlander has become the dominant force in the mid-size SUV segment. As the antagonist Kurgan said in the movie, though, there can only be one. And one there is, but which Highlander might that be? Spoiler, it’s the Hybrid. For most Toyota devotees, that’s as much reading necessary to decide on their next Toyota. I say next because Toyota buyers are a different breed; they’re loyal.

South Lake Tahoe senior graduation ceremonies moved to Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In a graduation season marked by COVID-19 social distancing regulations, high school students across the globe knew the ceremonies marking the end of K-12 school careers would be different than in years past. With daily school work moved online, graduations were moved to a virtual format.

At both South Tahoe High and Mt. Tallac High schools, graduation has been made special by social media acknowledgments, yard signs, and special bags full of gifts.

Tahoe Bike Challenge expands to full month starting June 1

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The 15th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge begins on June 1 for a full month of bicycling excitement throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin. Hosted by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition, the Bike Challenge is a basin-wide celebration of biking and a friendly competition to see who can record the most rides.

Road Beat: 2020 Toyota Rav4 TRD Off-Road

No, this can’t be. It’s too interesting to be a Rav4. Over the waning ‘teens, Toyota has sought to seemingly reinvent itself as a carmaker of interest. Now, that begs an important question, though: did they have to? Even as the cars became more and more relentlessly boring, people still bought them to make for the single biggest car brand in the world.

Bike Path Cleanup

Event Date: 
June 1, 2020 - 5:00pm

Monday, June 1 | 5 - 8 pm
Locations: Various locations along the bike path.

Celebrate the Tahoe Bike Challenge with this fun, physically distanced community cleanup event to prepare our bike paths for the summer. We will ride our bikes and walk on the paths as we clean. Volunteers that ride their bike or walk to the cleanup will receive a Tahoe Bike Challenge prize!

Head to https://www.keeptahoeblue.org/news/events/bike-path-cleanup-2020 for more information and to register today.

Deadline to complete a waiver: Friday, May 29 at 3 pm

Location

Various locations in South Lake Tahoe
United States

Road Beat: 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Limited - Still best basic hybrid you can buy

It has been about a year and a half since I last tested a Hyundai Ioniq hybrid, a base model stickering for just $23,210. This time around, my tester was a near top of the line limited. Essentially, they are the same vehicle except for content. But that doesn’t mean that this base unit is a stripper? It isn’t as it comes standard with power windows, mirrors, backup camera, and most everything else one could want.

Vail Resorts announces 20-80% credit to pass holders for next ski season

With a ski and snowboard season cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic, Vail Resorts announced Monday morning a plan to address the many concerns of pass holders. They will be providing 2019/20 season pass holders with credits of 20 percent to 80 percent, depending on how often they were able to use that pass during the season.

In a letter to pass holders, the plan was laid out:

Column: The 50th anniversary of Earth Day: A pivotal moment

With the global spread of Covid-19, we have discovered how quickly our world can change and have responded with sacrifices. It’s clear that we deeply value the health and well-being of our community.

With our response, we have improved the health of our planet, too. It’s remarkable! On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, our skies are the cleanest they have been for over a century.

Week full of virtual activities for 50th anniversary of Earth Day

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - There will be no Earth Day Celebration festivals around the lake this year, but Lake Tahoe and Truckee event organizers have created a virtual version with daily activities for the whole family.

Despite the current global situation, everyone can still celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day thanks to the team at The Tahoe Fund spearheaded a group via their Take Care program that has provided daily activities and challenges for students and parents to participate in over the course of the week.

Some annual events in South Lake Tahoe canceled or rescheduled due to coronavirus concerns

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - You can add the 27th annual Renaissance Festival to the list of event casualties brought about by the novel coronavirus. Add the 71st annual Highway 50 Wagon Train and two long-running events will be taking the year 2020 off.

Syndicate content