Birding in Lake Tahoe at Pope Beach
Pope Beach and Pope Marsh.
It’s the quintessential spot for bird watching in South Lake Tahoe.
Tahoe Bike Challenge June 3-14
Following the super fun, super successful Spirit Bicycle Parade, nothing beats riding our bikes around town to hear the spring birds and watch the wild flowers pop. Here’s another reason to grab another gear.
The 2013 Tahoe Bike Challenge takes place June 3 – June 14, 2013.
This non-competitive, competitive 
event encourages everyone to park the car, and ride a bike. Whether you’re headed to work, school, the post office or just riding to have fun, grab your bike to stay healthy, Keep Tahoe Blue, and to win prizes.
Identify Birds with South Lake Tahoe Group
You know what they say… Birds of a feather flock together.
Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS) 2013 Spring Events
Enjoy a great day outdoors while soaking up some knowledge about the beautiful area you call home with the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS). TINS hosts several activities and events to bring Tahoe’s natural history, science, and conservation issues to the public through walks and talks, citizen science programs, or other special events.
Mark your calendar for the following 2013 Spring and Summer TINS events from bird counts , bird walks, and even an owling excursion!
Golfing for Schools Cards on Sale
Help support North Lake Tahoe and Truckee schools with the 2013 Golfing for Schools card.
For only $295, you can play 18 holes at seven North Lake Tahoe and Truckee courses. Even better, the cards are transferable. Cards go on sale Saturday May 4, 2013. read more →
Edgewood Tahoe Local’s Day Drawing due May 4
You’ve been waiting for this all winter. The Edgewood Tahoe Local’s Day Drawing comes to a close on May 3, 2013 at midnight.
Edgewood’s annual Locals Day will be Tuesday, May 7th and during select tee times on Wednesday, May 8th.
Donner Lake Paddleboard Race May 25
The 5 mile fun race that circumnavigates Donner Lake starts at 9 sharp.
3rd Annual Spirit Parade May 16
To celebrate the spirit of bicycling in Tahoe, the Slow Rollers Bicycle Club proudly presents the 3rd annual Spirit Parade on May 16, 2013 starting at 4pm at the “Y”.
In 2012 WE set the Guinness World Record for the Longest Single Line of Bicycles at 1,188 riders – yes! Check out the video.
Everyone is invited to ride in the 5-mile cruising event from Miller’s Outpost to MontBleu at Stateline, Nevada. We’re counting on everyone in Tahoe, that includes the north, west and east shores, to come out and ride. Costumes are optional.
Thunderbird Run: SUP Race at Sand Harbor June 15
Paddlers and Tahoe Keepers will gather at Sand Harbor State Park on the east shore for the annual Thunderbird Run on Saturday, June 15, 2013 starting at 10am.
The race is an 8 mile round trip paddle that starts at Sand Harbor State Park, heads south to Chimney Beach past historic Thunderbird Lodge, and back. There’s also a 2-mile race for kids 12 years old and younger.
Concours d’Elegance August 9-10
Exotic wooden boats mark our nautical history in style during the 41st anniversary of the Lake Tahoe Concourse d’ Elegance August 9-10, 2013 and will feature the Boats of Alan Furth as this year’s Marque Class.
Furth kept the vast majority of his collection in Lake Tahoe. Since Alan’s passing, most of these boats were sold and have since been scattered all over the country. The Lake Tahoe Concours is honored to feature Alan’s collection as the 2013 Marque Class, which will bring many of these classics home. This eccentric collection will truly be a crowd pleaser. read more →
Slow Rollers Poker Run June 9
Slow down, you’re going to fast.
It’s time to show off our mountain bling, and win some great prizes at the Slow Rollers Poker Run & Show ‘n Shine on Sunday, June 9, 2013 starting at 1pm at McDuff’s Pub in South Lake Tahoe. All proceeds from the entry fees and raffle tickets benefit the Bikes for the Children program created by the Slow Rollers.
Birding Under Summer Skies in Hope Valley with Jim Woods July 6
Discover dabblers, divers and other feathered friends on an early morning walk with local birder and Lahontan Audubon Society member, Jim Woods, at Sorensen’s Resort July 6, 2013.
Catch summer birds in their native habitat, which will include a trek toward Indian Creek Reservoir, Turtle Rock and the creeks around the historic town of Markleeville. With informed guide and local birder Jim Woods, plan on having a fun and informative nature day with our local birds as the star of the show.
Truckee Trail Updates 24/7
This is so cool.
The Truckee Trails Foundation website provides updates on the mountain bike trail, roads and bikeway conditions in North Shore and Truckee.
Each trail update includes an open status, trail type, difficulty, directions to the trail head, and a description of the trail – written by a local who knows the trail.
And, there’s even a Google Map for each dirt trail so you can pinpoint your ride. Sweet!
Tahoe Rim Trail Youth Backcountry Camps July 14-30
Map and compass orienteering. Wildlife, flora and fauna identification. Astronomy.
It’s all part of the Tahoe Rim Trail youth backcountry camps held in July at Lake Tahoe.
Look. Up in the sky! It’s a Pelican! A Pelican?
You may have seen them lately because they’re only here in the Spring.
Big white birds, flying in perfect formation high in the sky. Lake Tahoe is in the migratory path of pelicans.
White Pelicans in fact.
Alan Masters of South Lake Tahoe will hike PCT to Raise Funds for Diabetes Research
He’s on a mission. Alan Masters of South Lake Tahoe, shown here on top of Mt Tallac, is hiking the entire 2,650-mile journey on the Pacific Crest Trail.
His goal is to raise $2.65 million for the Northern California Inland Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) by touching the lives of $100,000 people and urging them to donate a penny per mile. I’m in. Are you? read more →
Did you know…Lake Tahoe has an Underwater State Park?
Why would anyone scuba dive in Lake Tahoe?
There’s nothing to see – right?
Wrong.
Glen Plake Gunbarrel 25 at Heavenly April 7
Do laps all day with Glen Plake at his 9th annual mogul marathon on one of North America’s toughest black-diamond bump runs, Gunbarrel, at Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe.
GB25 takes place Saturday, April 7, 2013 ♦
Customer Appreciation Day at Sierra April 15
What a great season! To thank you, Sierra-at-Tahoe is offering $25 tickets during its Customer Appreciation Day on Monday, April 15th, with a few lifts running from 10am to 2pm.
All of the proceeds raised from the day’s lift ticket sales will be donated to sponsor youth recreation and education including youth baseball, soccer, swimming, and other youth activities. Thanks Sierra! read more →
Vote by April 12 for Grant $ from Bell Helmets for Corral Trail and Tahoe
Raising the handle bar again on our behalf, the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) has been charging this winter while we’ve been skiing. TAMBA developed a grant to receive funding from Bell Bike Helmets to buff out Corral and make it a model project for the entire country.
All you have to do is vote by April 12 at http://www.facebook.com/BellBikeHelmets Go to Flow Trails and select Corral Trail.
read more →
U.S. Alpine Championships at Squaw March 20-24
The Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships are on at Squaw, March 20 -24. Here’s your chance to watch America’s top skiers including Squaw’s Olympic gold medalist Julia Mancuso, Olympian Marco Sullivan and Olympic hopeful Travis Ganong compete on their home-turf as they gear up for next year’s winter games in Sochi, Russia.
U.S. Freestyle Championships at Heavenly March 29-31
Catch the world’s top mogul and aerial athletes compete for the U.S. Freestyle Championship title at Heavenly March 29-31, 2013. With high-flying aerials, bumps and jumps, concerts, fireworks and a chance to meet the freestyle superstars, you won’t want to miss this awe-inspiring event.
“Heavenly has a tradition of hosting the biggest Freestyle events in the land, dating back to the 1970s Hot Dogging contests,” said Glen Plake. “The 2013 Freestyle Nationals belong at Heavenly, and for the competitors, what a pleasure to be competing on such hallowed ground!” read more →
Ski for $35 to Benefit Local Schools
It’s a no brainer. Ski or ride at Tahoe ski or cross-country resort with special discounted lift tickets to help our local schools.
It’s part of the Tahoe Truckee Excellence in Education Foundation Skiing (TTEEF) for Schools Days that we love to support.
Head to Sugar Bowl March 23 through 29 for just $35.
Sierra Avalanche Center Discount Ski Days
Backcountry skiing and riding are sweet! Avalanches are not. Don’t get caught.
Check the Sierra Avalanche Center website link daily, and attend the SAC ski and ride days. All ticket sales go to SAC, our backcountry life line.
Rahlves’ Banzai Tour Finals at Sugar Bowl March 9-10
Daron Rahlves, four-time Olympian, World Champion and Truckee local, has refined the classic Silver Belt race that started at Sugar Bowl in the 1940s. Now called the “Banzai Tour,” the event mixes big mountain freeride action with ski and boarder-cross strategy in a mad-dash race series held at four ski resorts.
Don’t miss the final round where it all started – Sugar Bowl over the weekend of March 9 and 10, 2013.
Free Avalanche Workshops at Squaw March 15
When disaster strikes, be ready to be the one who saves your friend’s life, including your dog’s life.
Learn how to correctly and efficiently use an avalanche beacon at the free monthly clinic at Squaw on March 15, 2013, sponsored by the Squaw elite team – Squaw Dogs. Workshops are from 5:30-7:30pm at Ski Patrol Base in the Red Dog Complex.
The GREAT Ski Race March 3, 2013
The fastest time is 1 hour and 7 minutes to race 30 kilometers or 18.43 miles. Shizam! It all began 36 years ago with only 66 racers.
Today, thousands of skiers participate in The GREAT Ski Race to raise money for the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team. Don’t miss the largest Nordic ski race west of the Mississippi on March 3, 2013. read more →
SnowFest! Arctic Paddle March 10
Of course. Leave it to a bunch of locals on this one.
To mark SnowFest! in true Tahoe fashion, local paddlers are holding a stand up paddle race on Sunday, March 10, 2013. Brave the cold, experience the magic.
To accommodate dual leisure athletes, the race is only a 2 mile sprint race starting at 11am. Perfect for warming up to go skiing in the afternoon.
Windjammers Season Kickoff Party March 22
Sailing season already?
Tahoe sailors just can’t wait!
Don’t miss the legendary Tahoe Windjammers Clam Chowder Season kickoff party on Friday, March 22, 2013 starting at 6pm at the WYC Clubhouse in the Tahoe Keys Marina located upstairs from the Harbor Master’s Office next to the Fresh Ketch.
Eagles and Agriculture February 22-24
This remarkable interaction between nature and agriculture attracts photographers, birders and nature-lovers of all kinds who come to closely observe bald and golden eagles, hawks, falcons, owls and a variety of other birds and wildlife species.
It’s a bird lover’s paradise during the 9th Annual Eagles and Agriculture Event February 22-24, 2013 in Carson Valley. read more →
Winter Birds of the Region with TINS Feb 12
Many birds survive the cold and snow of the Sierra Nevada in winter. Learn how birds are capable of surviving cold weather, how some birds only end up in the Tahoe area in winter, what some of the species to expect in winter are, and what rarities might show up.
Join the Tahoe Institute of Natural Science for “Winter Birds of the Region” on February 12 from 5:30 to 7PM for a slide show and fascinating presentation.
The North Face Masters of Snowboarding February 13-17
The North Face Masters of Snowboarding presented by PrimaLoft will take place February 13-17, 2013 at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows.
The event will feature top big mountain snowboard competitors battling for The North Face Masters of Snowboarding champion title, $15,000 in prize money and a chance to advance to the 2014 SWATCH Freeride World Tour by The North Face.
Winter Camping 101 Excursion March 9-10 with the Tahoe Rim Trail
Join experienced Tahoe Rim Trail guides on an overnight excursion and day trip designed to share the joys of winter camping and exploration in the backcountry overlooking Lake Tahoe with an emphasis on safety, comfort, and fun on March 9 and 10, 2013.
Freeskiing World Tour at Kirkwood Feb 27-March 3
Don’t miss what has arguably become one of the biggest events of the year to take place at Kirkwood. Entering its 16th season at Kirkwood, the North American Freeskiing World Tour brings some of the nation’s best big mountain skiers to take on the permanently closed terrain of The Cirque which is open only twice each year for this event and its counterpart The North Face Masters.
Kirkwood skier Josh “Baby J” Daiek will compete at his home mountain, and host his fellow skiers February 27 through March 3, 2013.
Currently Baby is on the top, so come on out and cheer him on. Go Big Baby J!
Tahoe’s Wind Powered Ski Resorts
Running a ski resort takes a lot of energy. Lifts, snow making, lights, etc. Just so we can have fun and be comfortable.
But electricity causes pollution, right? Not if you tap into the wind like some of our ski resorts. read more →
Western SkiSport Museum boasts California Skiing Legends
Located next to Boreal ski resort is a treasure trove of California ski history.
It’s the Western SkiSport Museum.
Free Trail Talk at Tahoe Meadows Feb 19
Learn about Lake Tahoe mountaineering, how to snowshoe efficiently, and the inside scoop on new work on the Tahoe Rim Trail during the free Trail Talks all winter.
Head to Tahoe Meadows/Ophir Creek on February 19, 2013 from 11:30am-1:00pm for an interactive snowshoe walk and talk and that will cover Tahoe Rim Trail improvements, education and experience.
Mountain Safety Tips for Tahoe Skiers by Gary Bell of Sierra Ski and Cycle Works
Well where is it? What happened to that sick Tahoe winter? Everyone kept saying “Oh it will come, don’t worry, it will snow.” Even that Spoke Junkie dude in November said, “Just wait, once it starts you will never forget it!” Right, we won’t forget this winter. Oh, I know, Miracle March three hundred inches, and then Marvelous May. Yeah right. I’m not going to say it’s over or anything like that, but as I write this, it sure feels like spring out there.
Skiing with Your Dog at Lake Tahoe
While you can’t take your dog to most cross-country ski areas in Lake Tahoe and Truckee, you can take them on a few developed trails and almost anywhere else.
Here are some key spots where you can safely cross-country ski with your dog. Don’t forget the poop bag!
Tahoe Adventure Film Festival Dec 8 at MontBleu
Well known as a breeding ground for elite athletes and year-round adventurers, Lake Tahoe is the stage for the Tahoe Adventure Film Festival to be held December 8, 2012 in South Shore at MontBleu. The pre-party starts at 6:30pm.
Designed to capture the intensity and passion of adventure, the Tahoe Adventure Film Festival showcases clips from the best action sports films of the year, along with theatrical stunts and jaw-dropping imagery by Aurora photos and lots of prizes and tributes to our mountain culture.
Learn to Ski or Board for $30 Dec 8 and 9
Now, there’s no excuse not to learn to ski or snowboard. Tickets, lessons and gear for $30.
Does it get any better?
So Lake Tahoe Christmas Bird Count Dec 14
The South Lake Tahoe Christmas Bird Count on Friday, December 14th from 8am until sundown, is a chance to do some birding in the winter, socialize with other birders and contribute to the largest, longest running citizen science program in the world.
Novices to experts are all welcome for this fun winter event that focuses the 7.5 mile radius count circle on the Upper Truckee River mouth.
Jeremy Jones’ Further Ski Film rocks Squaw Dec 29
Squaw Valley will host two showings of “Further” on December 29 with Jeremy Jones, Jonny Moseley and local athletes to support Protect Our Winters and Girls on the Run Sierra.
Squaw Valley will be showing two showings of Jeremy Jones’ big mountain snowboarding movie “Further” on December 29 to support Protect Our Winters (POW) and Girls on the Run. All shows will be attended by athletes Jeremy Jones, Jonny Moseley, Ralph Backstrom, Iris Lazzareschi and JT Holmes – all of whom will be signing posters before the start of each show.
Buddy Werner Youth Ski League at Sierra-at-Tahoe
Since 1979 adult volunteers have been teaching young skiers side by side through the Buddy Werner Youth Ski League.
Besides being loads of fun, it’s a great way to get your parents out on the slopes every Sunday at Sierra-at-Tahoe. Many of the adult volunteers today were graduates of Buddy Werner themselves, so they understand how much fun it is.
Skiers will meet every Sunday from December 11,2012 through March 25, 2013 from 8 AM to 3 PM, but if demand warrants, a Saturday program may be available.
Grab your parents and go!
Did you get your ski pass yet?
With over a dozen world-class ski resorts, Lake Tahoe has more choices than any other ski destination.
Heavenly, Kirkwood, Northstar and Squaw open November 17, 2012.
Are you ready?
Van Sickle Trail Info at Explore Tahoe
Located on the bottom floor of the Heavenly Village Transit Center, Explore Tahoe showcases a wealth of natural history, recreation and transportation information, along with environmental educational programs geared for all ages.
Explore Tahoe has also been a very big supporter of the new Van Sickle Bi-State Park and multi-use trail right in its backyard.
The Ski Bum Life by Gary Bell
Someone asked me the other day if I was a ski bum.
This was a question that had me standing there going, “huh well uh.”
Tall Treez Film Festival with Jamie Anderson Nov 16
Tall Treez, a South Lake Tahoe snowboard and film company, is teaming up with Lake Tahoe snowboarder Jamie Anderson to host its 3rd Annual Film Festival on Nov. 16 at the Horizon Casino Resort at Stateline.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. for just $12.
Jamie and Tall Treez are having a jacket drive to give to under-privileged kids in Tahoe. Bring your slightly used jackets, and you will receive 2 FREE Raffle tickets for a chance to win TONS of new gear. read more →
Legend of Aahhh’s Film Debut Nov 2 at Squaw
Many old school skiers remark that this film changed their lives as they watched Scot ski the steep and deep on skinny skis with power and grace.
Filmmaker Greg Stump, who revolutionized the genre of ski films with “Blizzard of Aahhhs,” brings his new semi-autobiographical film “Legend of Aahhhs’ to Squaw Valley on November 2. Preceding the showing of the movie, Stump will join legendary skier Scot Schmidt, and current freeskier phenom Timmy Dutton for a panel discussion moderated by Squallywood author, pro skier and sports psychiatrist, Dr. Robb Gaffney. read more →
Warren Miller’s “Flow State” Nov 29 and 30
It’s the official beginning of winter for many skiers and snowboarders.
Warren Miller’s 63rd movie, Flow State, features everything from big mountain skiing, local skiers and riders from Lake Tahoe, terrain parks and lift-accessed fresh to the most exotic settings imaginable. It is the definitive solution for the snow-obsessed and it’s coming to Tahoe during our first big snow storm, November 29 and 30 at Montbleu.
