Tahoe Weather, Conditions, Stoke, and What's Up Thread...

[johndc]

Planning to spend a few days at Northstar, and am debating what kind of vehicle I need to rent from the airport. On past trips, I always just rented a small SUV, and it was almost always a 4WD. But now it seems the car rental agencies have thought of a new trick. You get there to pick up the SUV, and they tell you it's not 4WD, and you really need a full-size SUV with 4WD for about twice the price. So far, I haven't bitten on that, but the last trip to Tahoe, we stayed at Heavenly and were skidding around on the drive to Northstar and we almost got stuck leaving our condo at Heavenly on the way back to Reno (Our condo was up on a ridge and the roads were not well maintained). So now I'm wondering. However, it appears to me that driving from Reno to Northstar, you're on interstate almost all the way, which should be safe, unless that last 4-5 miles on CA89/267 is hilly and/or not well maintained. Any advice on that? Are there places to get chains installed as you get off the interstate (I guess in Truckee)? Any ballpark estimate of how much that costs? Thanks for any advice!

[4matic]

Planning to spend a few days at Northstar, and am debating what kind of vehicle I need to rent from the airport. On past trips, I always just rented a small SUV, and it was almost always a 4WD. But now it seems the car rental agencies have thought of a new trick. You get there to pick up the SUV, and they tell you it's not 4WD, and you really need a full-size SUV with 4WD for about twice the price. So far, I haven't bitten on that, but the last trip to Tahoe, we stayed at Heavenly and were skidding around on the drive to Northstar and we almost got stuck leaving our condo at Heavenly on the way back to Reno (Our condo was up on a ridge and the roads were not well maintained). So now I'm wondering. However, it appears to me that driving from Reno to Northstar, you're on interstate almost all the way, which should be safe, unless that last 4-5 miles on CA89/267 is hilly and/or not well maintained. Any advice on that? Are there places to get chains installed as you get off the interstate (I guess in Truckee)? Any ballpark estimate of how much that costs? Thanks for any advice!

I don't believe you are allowed to chain up a rental vehicle and they will look for chain damage which insurance will not cover. If you are careful I suppose it's ok. If you do need chains buy them in Reno from a big box so you can return them if they weren't needed.

[teledad]

If you're flying into RNO and staying and skiing at Northstar you could just take a shuttle and avoid all the driving hassles.

In cold storms where the snow level is below 6000' you'll have to chain up (or have AWD/4WD) even just driving between Reno and Truckee.

[Spats]

Planning to spend a few days at Northstar, and am debating what kind of vehicle I need to rent from the airport.

The drive from Reno to N* is all relatively straightforward on big roads (unlike when you stayed near Nevada base of Heavenly). However, California doesn't care about that. When chain control goes up, all they care about is that it has AWD or 4WD. If it doesn't, they will require chains, with zero exceptions.

If you're staying at N*, isn't there a shuttle from Reno? Then you wouldn't have to rent anything at all...the N* base has plenty of restaurants and stuff, so you don't really need to drive anywhere unless you want to ski somewhere else.

[komo]

Skied out to Donner Peak this morning. Same wind slabs on west facing slope as Andesite yesterday.

Nice! Hope some good fun was had.

From obs on sac looks like like the slab is getting pretty variable out there.

[Nuthon]

Powderhouse rode well this morning, might have to go back.

Sent from my DROID4 using TGR Forums

[Jim S]

Squaw did not

[powdork]

stevens peak was not too shabby today. didn't make it where i wanted though so i will be back in the very near tomorrow I think.

[powdork]

define 'roads were not maintained' as it pertains to your ability to drive in the snow. roads here in general are maintained very well, even up on upper kingsbury. you may end up with close to 6" on the roads at times, or they may be icy just after the grader goes by, or they may be icy in general, but to say they are not maintained very well just shows you don't have a clue. get out into xmas valley where there can end up being 4' of snow on the roads for days to find out what 'maintained' means. and even that is extremely rare.

The going rate now is $30 to put chains on, and $20 to take them off. The main highways are where it will be required, not as you get off them. the chain monkeys will gather at the edge of where they are required. but seriously, just take a shuttle. northstar has everything you need.
the worst and most dangerous road you will be on is I-80 from reno to truckee.

[SchralphMacchio]

Tahoe mags!

Brother Clownshoe!

We have not the great glaciers and traverses that you have out from your local area, but we have good weather and elevation. On that topic, the top of Whistler Peak Chair is below the bottom of the bunny chair at Kirkwood. When some of the Tahoe boys came to the Mt. Baker splitfest, they flew past the locals on the skintrack. Perhaps the dynafiddle setup is warranted just for that reason, the difference in elevation, as I am sure plenty of maggots would be willing to take a holy disciple such as you out for a beautiful tour.

Alas, I have the prerequsite harness and pack, but no go-pros. Dual SLRs could substitute though, and if I'm around I'd be happy to take you out for a skin. We have tours that overlook the lake, and those which overlook gorgeous river valleys.

Hopefully you have friends, or will soon, at Kirkwood Patrol?

[powdork]

While I'm a contour fan, I think it's more so that chest views just suck compared to a good helmet mount.

that was the point i was trying to make. conture doesn't offer a chest mount.

[powfiend]

Looks like its time to blow this popsicle stand for a while. Driving up to SW Montuckistan Friday in search of fresher landings. Anyone need a ride?

[powdork]

had you said central oreghanistan i may have taken you up..

[snuttypants]

Any Tahoe / Bay Are maggs mount their own skis? I'm about to buy some inserts and want to try it myself but would like some guidance from someone who's done it. I'll bring the beer and hookers. Any takers?

[tillPOWdidwepart]

^^^ I believe without the blow you'll have very limited offers, however, a plethora of hookers might swing the odds in your favor...

[Ottime]

Depends on the hookers.

Pretty sure there is a thread or three in Tech Talk.

And yes, a number of folks around here self mount. Otherwise, how would they ever get some? Look around this place.

[lepistoir]

I self-mounted one pair all by my lonesome, (just needed to pull up a sexy backcountry ski blog on the internet) and enjoyed a mutual mounting with help from El Chupacabra. Don't consider myself an expert although am proud of only punching through one ski two limited times. I have a set of inserts and tap from Binding Freedom if you want/need. The Man With The New Knee (climberevan) is a great resource and might even do your mount for you if you can find him an ostrich egg.

[snuttypants]

I self-mounted one pair all by my lonesome, (just needed to pull up a sexy backcountry ski blog on the internet) and enjoyed a mutual mounting with help from El Chupacabra. Don't consider myself an expert although am proud of only punching through one ski two limited times. I have a set of inserts and tap from Binding Freedom if you want/need. The Man With The New Knee (climberevan) is a great resource and might even do your mount for you if you can find him an ostrich egg.

Hamish, I was going to by the tools and the inserts. You back in the bay,Tahoe,or co? I have a new number and don't have yours anymore

[Ottime]

Brother Clownshoe!

We have not the great glaciers and traverses that you have out from your local area, but we have good weather and elevation. On that topic, the top of Whistler Peak Chair is below the bottom of the bunny chair at Kirkwood. When some of the Tahoe boys came to the Mt. Baker splitfest, they flew past the locals on the skintrack. Perhaps the dynafiddle setup is warranted just for that reason, the difference in elevation, as I am sure plenty of maggots would be willing to take a holy disciple such as you out for a beautiful tour.

Alas, I have the prerequsite harness and pack, but no go-pros. Dual SLRs could substitute though, and if I'm around I'd be happy to take you out for a skin. We have tours that overlook the lake, and those which overlook gorgeous river valleys.

Hopefully you have friends, or will soon, at Kirkwood Patrol?

Unless you got with this guy while he is splitting. Then bring the Dukes. Or a puffy for the top. (how do I make snarky face in tapatalk?)

[The Dad]

Hamish, I was going to by the tools and the inserts. You back in the bay,Tahoe,or co? I have a new number and don't have yours anymore

Why don't you PM Jondrums?

[snuttypants]

Why don't you PM Jondrums?

Thought he just sold the stuff. I'll hit him up

[Jim S]

(just needed to pull up a sexy backcountry ski blog on the internet) and enjoyed a mutual mounting with help from El Chupacabra.

It's so much fun to take quotations out of context.
Remember kids.....

[RockChalk]

Ive mounted multiple pairs of skis, new and old, with the paper templates.

As long as you have the proper bit and a functioning brain, you should be just fine.

Practice on a 2x4 first, once you have done it a couple times you wont even think twice about mounting all your own skis.

Check the tech talk thread, it has all the answers.

[MrSmith]

Done 6 sets of inserts, got it mostly dialed now. Assuming I can get my basement inhabitable (which I need to do anyways) I can talk you through and peek over your shoulder. I'm in Berkeley.

[snuttypants]

Ive mounted multiple pairs of skis, new and old, with the paper templates.

As long as you have the proper bit and a functioning brain, you should be just fine.

Practice on a 2x4 first, once you have done it a couple times you wont even think twice about mounting all your own skis.

Check the tech talk thread, it has all the answers.

Yeah I've been reading up and think I know what I'm doing. Just be nice to have someone there to slap me if I have some kind of brain fart.