Archive for the ‘Winter Recreation’ Category
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
By Tim Hauserman
Looking for a way to quickly immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit? Then head to the 11th Annual Magical Memories festival at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Squaw Valley. It begins with the Gingerbread Village Unveiling and Grand Tree Lighting ceremony on November 25th, and continues all the way through until Bloody Mary breakfast on New Year’s Day. If you have never seen the Gingerbread Village at the Resort, it cannot help but get you excited for the holidays. The amazing gingerbread houses are made right on site at the resort.
The Resort is holding family-friendly events, food and drink specials, holiday dining, ice skating, and live music throughout the Thanksgiving to New Year’s period. There will be a Thanksgiving Dinner, Breakfast with Santa’s events every weekend from Thanksgiving until Christmas, and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinners.
You can also dine for a cause at the Resort at Squaw Creek by joining in the Dine Out for the Truckee Tahoe Humane Society on December 10th, and Dine Out for the High Fives Foundation on December 17th.
New Year’s Eve and Day at the Resort at Squaw Creek brings a series of potential options for revilers. You can go full bore at the New Year’s Eve Grand Celebration with dinner, live band, dancing and champagne (the earlier you reserve your spot the lower the price). Or you can skip the food and go for the 9 pm admission to the party to get you through the end of the year in style. For the kids, there is a Teen’s Night Out New Year’s Eve bash for those over 13 years old, and a Kid’s Night Out Bash for those between 4-12 years old.
Need a way to ease into the New Year after all that partying? Hit the Resort’s Bloody Mary Breakfast on January 1st.
For information on all the events, go to squawcreek.com
Wishing you and yours a wonderful, happy and safe holiday! Thank you for joining us at Lake Tahoe/Truckee and me, Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places.
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
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 