14/?? The OFFICIAL Tahoe Thread

[teledad]

Good reference for this stuff: http://www.amazon.com/Nature-Guide-S.../dp/0970889542

[Marshall Tucker]

Coupla mostly stupid questions. I gotta business trip from the southeast to san fran 12/7-12/11. For scale here we drive 3 hrs to 17 man made acres. On a good day. On friday 12/12 I can take the 9:00 AM flight back east with the work crew, or the 11:00 PM redeye and try to ski a day. Is, say, squaw doable and still get back to SFO? Traffic? is anything closer in worth it (dodge ridge etc)?

Appreciate your $..02 thx MT

So you guys were very helpful several pages back, and it looks like friday is a storm day. Is Boreal on the SF side of the donnor pass closure? Think I saw that Sugar Bowl is closed this friday, and didn't sound like there were other options on this side of pass closures. Looking at a AWD Escape. Driven a good bit in storms in the appalachians not so much out here. all thoughts appreciated!

[powdork]

I would be surprised if they stay closed on friday but it's hard to make plans based on that. not sure about boreal. it's the one place up there that you can't access by the side roads

[teledad]

In a closure they usually hold westbound cars at the Donner Lake Interchange (DLI) which is east of Boreal. But they may also be stopping cars from getting on at Boreal as well. And as powdork mentioned there's no side road option like at Sugar Bowl. At least you're probably first in line when they reopen, and by Friday night the storm should be clearing out of the area (I'm sure eastbound over the pass will still be a shitshow though).

But do you really want to ski Boreal on a storm day? 500 feet of vertical and mostly known for park and pipe. With SB and Sierra closed I'd be looking at Kirkwood for a day trip (also at risk for closure but a far better resort). Others can comment on how often (and how long) 88 closes west of KW, I don't get over there much any more.

[kidwoo]

Boreal is ON donner summit/pass. If I-80 is closed, you're not getting there.

Marshal: where's that pic in your avatar from? Somewhere southeast?

edit: And yeah^ think Kirkwood if things get nuts.

[LightRanger]

You should be able to get to Boreal on Friday morning if you can get that high. Onramps onto 80 between Cisco and Soda are usually not blocked.

Edit: What day were you talking about skiing Marshall? Thursday or Friday? Rereading the original post you made, it looks like Thursday, but your post just now implied Friday.

Based on the current forecast, I'd strongly suspect freeway closure on Thursday night (or even Thursday day) reopening Friday morning sometime. If you're up at Boreal on Thursday, you should be able to drive down to the West even if the freeway is closed. I've done it many times. Cautionary note: If the storm is as strong as forecasted, nothing's going to be running on the summit on Thursday. Maybe SB can run their Crow's Peak Chair, but it's so new that we haven't seen this kind of storm on its operations yet. Plus SB says they're going to be closed.

[lepistoir]

I'm making the call right now: massive closure on I 80 all the way to Auburn as cars trying to get into Squaw back up onto the freeway. Thank god saturdays are blacked out on my pass.

[skier666]

As for Kirkwood kids lessons...

Mini-Jets definitely takes 5 year olds. We did the first year of Mini-Jets with my 5 year old last season and it seemed to be fine for the kids. We signed him up again this year at age 6 and with the returning family discount, its like $80 a day (I think there's around 8 Sunday sessions).

Regular ski school - I hope its not $160...that's just obscene. On the website, its says $137 for all day which does seem more than last year. For the last couple of years I always called them up beforehand to book a lesson. It may be cheaper if 1) you have a season pass already, and 2) have all the equipment. Generally, kids ski lessons include everything. My biggest gripe is ski lessons for 3 year olds starting at 10:30am. I still can't believe that and huge bummer for parents who have plans to slay pow . I feel like everywhere else, its WAY earlier. At any event, I plan on skiing with my kids as much as possible...its back-breaking work but should be worth at the end of the day.

[P-ville Madman]

Kwood was fun this weekend for only a few runs being open. Good to get the legs pumping. Took my youngest girl up Saturday and my oldest on Sunday, little one had the better conditions. Sunday was firmish. I thought it would be busier with the limited terrain but it looks like most stayed away. There was a noticeable bump in crowds once the staff was allowed to take laps in the afternoon. Parking lot dirtbag's like us were out in force!

Snow near the trees was nice but get too close to the sticky and you paid for it. If anyone saw a little girl in turquoise/ purple marmot gear laughing at an old man on his tele's take a header along the trees on race course that was us! Neck's a little sore today but good times.

Upper mountain has opened with less before..hopefully this upcoming storm delivers.

[Marshall Tucker]

Edit: What day were you talking about skiing Marshall? .

Ski Friday. work wraps up thurs PM in San Jose, was looking at hotel in Auburn area. Again, appreciate you all's beta!

so if storm goes off Kirkwood better travel option? hear you about boreal, just looked like the safest drive with sugar bowl closed that day. Travel #1 concern terrain down the list. Trying to roll back into SFO 9:00 PM friday 12/12.

[irul&ublo]

Ski Friday. work wraps up thurs PM in San Jose, was looking at hotel in Auburn area. Again, appreciate you all's beta!

so if storm goes off Kirkwood better travel option? hear you about boreal, just looked like the safest drive with sugar bowl closed that day. Travel #1 concern terrain down the list. Trying to roll back into SFO 9:00 PM friday 12/12.

From Tahoe to SFO after ski day via 80 will be a long haul. Expect very heavy traffic through Sacramento and Vallejo west all the way to SFO


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[The Dad]

Got a few runs Saturday morning until I got stuck on Shirley for a half hour. Grrr. Spent an hour and a half doing fast laps yesterday, testing out my knee post-ACL. Verdict: Hamstring is definitely sore today, but game on for next weekend.

on the positive side. let's see the east wind try and touch this stuff.

The other fun part of Squaw yesterday was watching the folks who thought they'd found untracked discover that it was bulletproof instead.

season long program

Best money we ever spent, for all the reasons discussed. Plus, for those of us who live in the Bay Area, it meant that our kids developed friendships with other kids on team. The social aspects helped keep them interested even into their teen years, when many of our friends are getting serious pushback from their offspring.

I'm making the call right now: massive closure on I 80 all the way to Auburn as cars trying to get into Squaw back up onto the freeway.

Seems like a safe bet. That said, it looks like the storm may peter out by drive time Friday evening. We'll see if they can clear it before the "my Beemer has AWD!" crew hits it. Otherwise, it's likely a 49-to-20 kind of trip.

Ski Friday. work wraps up thurs PM in San Jose, was looking at hotel in Auburn area.... Trying to roll back into SFO 9:00 PM friday 12/12.

Based on current predictions, I don't think that the return trip on Friday evening will be an issue, but getting up to the mountains on Friday morning is going to be extremely iffy. Those predictions will likely change, so you'll want to keep on top of it.

[TahoeJ]

^^ It won't be that bad on a Friday, though, since all of the traffic will be northbound. It's usually pretty smooth around then until Vacaville.

[Marshall Tucker]

Marshal: where's that pic in your avatar from?.

Plywood full kidney Skatezone Atlanta. RIP.

[Ottime]

So you guys were very helpful several pages back, and it looks like friday is a storm day. Is Boreal on the SF side of the donnor pass closure? Think I saw that Sugar Bowl is closed this friday, and didn't sound like there were other options on this side of pass closures. Looking at a AWD Escape. Driven a good bit in storms in the appalachians not so much out here. all thoughts appreciated!

As for Kirkwood kids lessons...

Mini-Jets definitely takes 5 year olds.

My biggest gripe is ski lessons for 3 year olds starting at 10:30am.

Yes my biggest gripe as well.

$137 is with the the no lift, no gear, no food discount. So, we will pack a lunch. Not like the commodity beef is what I want my kid eating. $158 is full price. Still feels pricey if I want to enroll him 10 or more times. Alpine/Squaw has a buy 5, get one free program. Something like that would be nice.

5 is good to know. I was told I would need to let them know his official birthdate this season. So, next year we should be eligible then. I just want to get him regularly coached, or he will be flail like his papa. And for all the other reasons mentioned.

[TahoeBC]

Appears someone involved with the new Coldwater Brewery in south lake is into back country skiing, sorry about the crappy flip phone photo's.







Thought both the food and the beer brewed onsite were pretty good, check it out, they took over and remodeled the old Swiss Chalet restaurant.

[BGnight]

After making a few runs at Squaw this morning (pretty meh) I hiked underneath both sides of Far East with my dog to check out all the thinning they've been doing. Very impressive. The tree skiing on the lower pitches either side of Poulson's gully is going to be phenomenal in places where it was just decent to impossible. Good job Squaw! Can't wait to get some lake level accumulation to try it out. I wish they'd do the same thing on the entire stretch of the west shore.

[Andeh]

I'd love a TR from anyone who hits up Red Lake or Freel Thursday or Friday. I'll be driving over early Saturday AM for the first BC run of the season, and leaning towards that based on elevation and that the new storm is supposed to come from the south. We're not planning on doing anything super serious, just get out, brush up on avvy stuff, get some turns, etc. I guess fallback plan would be going up to north lake (Rose area), but want to avoid it since it will add an hour or more to the drive, and we have friends in south lake.

[kidwoo]

Plywood full kidney Skatezone Atlanta. RIP.

Oh yeah. I went to school at GT (grew up in Jacksonville/Kona) and got a year in at the place before it closed down. I wouldn't be surprised if we'd met before. That traveling entourage of southeast vert skaters......we all knew each other.

I wish they'd do the same thing on the entire stretch of the west shore.

Heh.......just smoke cigarettes next summer and enjoy some drives along Tahoe's scenic and beautiful west shore.

[Tahoe Bromide]

Freel

should offer some

brush

Here's hoping for some snow below 7k this season.

[Arcsim]

In a bit of a bind here - I have a friend in my ski lease who is a lazy fuck, and forgot to get her pass until now. We are switching from Squawpine to the Wood this year and she didn't realize that they actually stop selling passes at a certain point. Tried calling the vail season pass line and begging for 20min but no dice - they're only making exceptions for renewals.

Any ideas or contacts that might be able to hook this up? Seems weird that Vail straight up refuses to take your money while Squaw keeps selling them most of the season if you're willing to fork up the cash.

[kidwoo]

A ski area that won't take your money at an increased/prime season rate?


Only vail could come up with that one.

[4matic]

Last year Vail would sell you a full pass after the end date. $2500.

[Esses]

Ski Friday. work wraps up thurs PM in San Jose, was looking at hotel in Auburn area. Again, appreciate you all's beta!

so if storm goes off Kirkwood better travel option? hear you about boreal, just looked like the safest drive with sugar bowl closed that day. Travel #1 concern terrain down the list. Trying to roll back into SFO 9:00 PM friday 12/12.

Depends on snow. The spur could close which would keep you from accessing Kirkwood from the Jackson side. If I were you and I wanted to hit Kirkwood, I might drive to SLT on Thursday night (lots of cheap hotels) and then hit Kirkwood Friday morning. The road doesn't close as often from that direction.

[StormDay]

Got a few runs Saturday morning until I got stuck on Shirley for a half hour. Grrr. Spent an hour and a half doing fast laps yesterday, testing out my knee post-ACL. Verdict: Hamstring is definitely sore today, but game on for next weekend.

We were down in line for the Shirley stoppage think "at least we are not ON the lift".

Good to hear the knee is doing fine.

Best money we ever spent, for all the reasons discussed. Plus, for those of us who live in the Bay Area, it meant that our kids developed friendships with other kids on team. The social aspects helped keep them interested even into their teen years, when

ditto. Very nice program at Alpine. Program is 47 days this year.

Yes my biggest gripe as well.

$137 is with the the no lift, no gear, no food discount. So, we will pack a lunch. Not like the commodity beef is what I want my kid eating. $158 is full price. Still feels pricey if I want to enroll him 10 or more times. Alpine/Squaw has a buy 5, get one free program. Something like that would be nice.

5 is good to know. I was told I would need to let them know his official birthdate this season. So, next year we should be eligible then. I just want to get him regularly coached, or he will be flail like his papa. And for all the other reasons mentioned.

Kirkwood really should fix that. It is one of the reasons we decided to go back to Alpine after trying Kirkwood for a year.

The Alpine & Squaw little kid lessons (formerly Alpine kids' camp) starts at 8:30am before the lifts starts.