Archive for December 2015
The new Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Lodge
by Tim Hauserman
Tahoe-Truckee cross country skiers, as well as residents and visitors of Tahoe Donner have something to get excited about: The new Tahoe Donner Cross-Country Ski Area Lodge (also known as the Alder Creek Adventure Center, since during the summer months when it will be the home of mountain biking and equestrian use.) This $9+ million building is a state of the art facility and a giant step forward from both the previous lodge, and for cross-country skiing in the region.
While the total building footprint for the lodge is not much bigger then the previous building located on the same site, the usable space is over double the size (much of the old building included the barns for the equestrian operation). The feeling inside is open and bright, with lots of wood and rock accents, and solid banks of windows overlooking the trails. A design team put a lot of thought into how best to accommodate all levels of nordic skiers, from the first timers who need to rent equipment and eat a meal, to the season pass holders who want to go for a quick ski before heading off to work.
The new Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Lodge
The primary features of the lodge are:
An expansive restaurant with a huge seating area, and a wide variety of food offerings.
A bar surrounding the fireplace with big screen TV’s and comfy chairs.
Locker room for season pass holders with adjacent shower and bathrooms.
A large rental shop with state of the art movable racks for skis, boots, and poles. The boot racks are even heated to dry out yesterday’s rental boots.
A separate club room for nordic teams or other groups to have a gathering spot.
Public waxing room with three stations, and tech waxing facility for the staff.
Employee room with lockers and laundry facilities.
Ski patrol room
An extensive clothing and gear shop
Expansive patio between lodge and the trails with fire pits and seating areas.
Truckee High School nordic coach Mary Ellen Benier told me she is pretty happy to be gathering with the kids where it is warm instead of in the barn where they did in the past.
Tahoe Donner Cross Country
The lodge is quickly becoming a hit not only with cross country skiers, but with Tahoe Donner residents who have a new neighborhood bar and restaurant where they can sip a cocktail while watching the skiers.
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
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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!
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
One of the great things about living in a small town is that sense of community that you just don’t get being one of an anonymous millions living in a big city. You have a real sense of your contributions making a difference to those you share this community with.
Boxes filled with food for families
Every year, Truckee opens its heart and ample generosity to those in need, with food, coats and toys. (For a great article on all the many charitable pies Truckee Community Christmas has its finger in, read this wonderful article from the Sierra Sun. www.sierrasun.com )
And every year, I am part of this event – organizing, recruiting,… begging for help, LOL! We always need volunteers! People to make donations, people to help sort all the donations, people to ask for donations for the food barrels at the grocery stores. (Did you know that they often have pre packaged food bags for a small fee, and all you have to do is pay for it at the cash register with your regular grocery purchase? No muss, no fuss! It couldn’t be easier.)
Lynn Richardson, from Truckee Community Christmas and Brooke Bentley are excited to partner for the fourth year!
La Galleria will partner with Truckee Community Christmas for the fourth year by accepting food donations which help feed families in the local community. Bring in a small bag of non-perishable food items between December 4th and December 20th and receive 15% off one item!
To learn more about our organization, please visit the website: www.truckeecommunitychristmas.com
Help us make this Christmas the best one ever!
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 