backcountry

Former backcountry ranger and amateur historian Cheryl Surface leads an informative delightful tour of Spooner’s backcountry on Friday, Aug. 9. Surface will share accounts of the people involved with the Comstock’s critical water source, the Marlette Water System, and histories of Red House, Hobart Reservoir, Marlette Lake and the Flume Trail above Lake Tahoe.

Space is limited to 12 people so call (775) 759-5980 to reserve your spot; a $20 fee is required. Bring lunch, water, a light jacket, a camera and comfortable shoes for walking at stops along the SUV tour.

UPDATE: Beginning Monday, July 1, fire restrictions will go into effect in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Campfires and charcoal barbecues will be restricted to designated recreation sites, and other fire-related activities will be prohibited until the end of fire season.

“Weather patterns this winter and spring are similar to conditions in 2007, the year of the Angora Fire,” said Fire Prevention Officer, Beth Brady. “Even with the rain we have received, at this point, it won’t alleviate this summer’s high risk of wildfires.”

The Friends of the Library will host a talk on Desolation Wilderness. This afternoon event, is presented by Bill Finch, volunteer backcountry wilderness ranger for the U.S. Forest Service. He will show slides which he believes best exemplify the natural beauty found so close to South Lake Tahoe. He will share his wilderness expertise, preparing us for a summer of hiking in this spectacular area.

Join us for this free informational presentation at the South Lake Tahoe Library. For questions e-mail Tahoe.Programs@gmail.com, or call (530) 573-3185.

Location

Riding 129 miles and climbing 15,000-plus feet all in one day demands a rigorous training schedule and Kirkwood’s annual “Near Death Experience” bike camp can give riders the inside edge they need to complete such a challenging task.

Heavenly is raising the stakes, and it’s no bluff, as the south shore Lake Tahoe resort plays a full house of big-air specialists. Heavenly Mountain Resort announced Chas Guldemond, Ulrik Badertscher, Gjermund Braaten, Sage Kotsenburg and Torstein Horgmo as the first five competitors in High Roller Hold ’Em on Saturday, April 6.

In partnership with Snow Park Technologies and hosted by two-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, High Roller Hold ‘Em combines the thrill of a high-flying big air competition with the cunning strategy of Texas Hold ‘Em poker.

James Strawser wanted to create a place where the backcountry enthusiasts of the community could swap stories, find ski buddies and relish life away from busy resorts and overcrowded mazes, so in 2...

From hair-raising World Tour drops to icy Banzai battles, Kirkwood rider Casey Lucas is tearing up the freeride snowboard scene this season. The Kirkwood rider is fresh off a win at the first Ra...

With many people headed to the backcountry around Lake Tahoe there are areas the U.S. Forest Service has designated both on and off-limits areas for snowmobilers. Below is a news release and maps outlining rules, regulations and where to recreate around the basin.

The draw of backcountry skiing and snowboarding has never been greater.Backcountry technology has improved dramatically in recent years and the lure of uncrowded terrain and fresh snow has drive...

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort team riders and South Lake Tahoe locals Jamie Anderson, Maddie Bowman, and Hannah Teter will invade Aspen, Colorado, January 24-28, 2013 for the 17th Winter X Games. All three Sierra Resort athletes have pre-qualified for X Games and will shoot to make it back-to-back podiums.

Well-known for its commitment to both freestyle terrain parks and maintaining one of Lake Tahoe’s best Superpipes, Sierra Resort is proud to be home to some of the best athletes in the world.

As soon as the snow started to fly in Hope Valley, David Beck had the feeling that the short-lived "retirement" lifestyle he had been tolerating was going to be over very soon if he could have his way. He had the feeling that all he needed was to recover a little bit from his new knee replacement, and soon he could be out again mushing behind a full set of huskies on the snowy trails of Hope Valley.

Ladies, it's time to get backcountry savvy.Don't be nervous, because SheJumps will be there every step of the way. SheJumps is a free organization with the mission to increase female participati...

When Sierra-at-Tahoe guests book any private lesson of three hours or more, they will now have the option of adding video analysis with high definition camera goggles to their Lake Tahoe ski and board experience.

Combining cutting edge technology from Boulder, Colo.-based Zeal Optics and iON camera with expert instruction from Professional Snowsports Instructors of America certified instructors, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort guests now have the ability to learn like never before.

With seven feet of new snow in the past four days, Kirkwood Mountain Resort is living up to its reputation for the deepest and driest snow around Lake Tahoe and is well on its way to exceeding its average annual snowfall total of 600 inches.

So far the 2012-13 season snowfall total for Kirkwood is 210 inches, and more is on the way with storms heading into the New Year in time for the mountain's 40th anniversary.

On Friday, Dec. 21, the Winter Solstice, pro snowboarder Jamie Anderson will provide a surprise sponsorship for four lucky kids and hold a winter clothing drive in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. In partnership with Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort and the Lake Tahoe Unified School District, Anderson will sponsor four young, middle school students from her hometown this winter season with a “surprise sponsorship".

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) - Clear skies are helping authorities search for a small plane that disappeared from radar over the backcountry of Yosemite National Park.Park spokeswoman Kari C...

There's fresh powder in the backcountry, but that doesn't mean you should leave your rock boards - or your avalanche beacon - at home. Recreational conditions on Thursday were good, Sierra Avala...

With the support of multiple Lake Tahoe and Sierra early-season snowfalls, including 24 inches in the past two days, and plenty of cold weather days and nights, Sierra Resort will open top to bottom, including West Bowl, on Saturday, Dec. 15.

West Bowl offers long cruisers and intermediate to advanced runs, along with unbeatable views of Pyramid Peak and Desolation Wilderness. Beginners to experts now have the opportunity to enjoy over 2,212 feet of vertical terrain, three terrain parks, and lessons for all ages and ability levels.

Backpackers scored 50 percent better on a creativity test after spending four days in nature disconnected from electronic devices, according to a study by psychologists from the University of Utah and University of Kansas.

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.

Alpine Meadows ski resort instructor Annalise Kjolhede, 24, died from injuries resulting from a ski accident that happened Saturday, resort officials said.
Kjolhede was flown to Renown Medical Center in Reno. She was wearing a helmet but suffered severe head and neck trauma. She died Tuesday night.

Value-added skiing and boarding has been passed down to three Lake Tahoe area resorts. Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort season passholders can now enjoy free skiing or riding at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows from opening day until December 21, 2012, as well as from April 15, 2013 until closing day.