View of Lake Tahoe from Tahoe Meadows on Mt. Rose Highway.
By Tim Hauserman
As is the case almost every year, my first chance to glide along on my cross-country skis arrived last week at Tahoe Meadows and Chickadee Ridge. At nearly 9000 feet in elevation, that first decent sized storm almost always brings in snow, even when we are getting rain at the level of Lake Tahoe. As an added bonus, the terrain around Tahoe Meadows is relatively easy, and thus gives you plenty of opportunity to get used to being on skis again. In just an hour or so of skiing you can get the kinks out and enjoy spectacular views.
With just an inch or two around my house, I was a bit concerned about whether there would be enough to ski in Tahoe Meadows, but by the time I drove past 8000 feet the snow depths were starting to rise and there was a solid 6 inches on the ground. I emerged from my car to a quick reminder of the disadvantage of that high elevation, it was 19 degrees with a brisk wind roaring across the meadow.
It didn’t take me too much time skiing in the meadow to decide that in the trees, where I would be blocked from the wind, would be a much warmer experience. I was somewhere in the vicinity of the Tahoe Rim Trail, as I made my way up to Chickadee Ridge, where you find awesome views of Lake Tahoe.
Chickadee Ridge is so named because of the enormous number of very tame chickadees who hang out in the lodgepole and white bark pines on the ridge. While admiring the view, folks have been feeding them, and the birds are happy to sit on your hands, shoulders and head if you will give them something. While signs in the area do warn chickadees to not eat the food provided by humans, apparently some humans don’t read chickadee.
Getting antsy to get on your cross-country skis and the resorts haven’t opened yet? Tahoe Meadows is a good bet.
To get there: Take Mt. Rose Highway 431 in Incline Village towards Reno seven miles to where the road levels off. Park on the wide shoulder and ski off into the meadow and trees.
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 
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