Archive for the ‘Lake Tahoe’ Tag
Getting into the spirit of racing in middle school
While in the winter the Tahoe region might be best known for it’s downhill skiing, with Tahoe Donner Cross-Country, Royal Gorge, Tahoe Cross-Country and Northstar’s cross-country venue all right here, the North Tahoe/Truckee area is the greatest concentration of groomed Nordic skiing in North America. People head to the cross-country ski areas for a great aerobic workout and the wonderful views, but once cross-country skiing gets into your blood, it is the great spirit and devotion to the sport that you see from your fellow skiers, and in my case, fellow parents of children who race, that makes this activity such a great part of our community.
Middle school girls racing at Auburn Ski Club
While us Nordic folks have to admit that cross-country skiing is a poorer step child to the big downhill resorts, cross-country skiers are just as devoted and excited about their sport as those who get to the lifts early to catch the powder. And they pass it on to their kids. At Tahoe Cross-Country in Tahoe City, for example, there are over 250 kids in the Strider-Glider’s after school cross-country ski program and the North Tahoe Middle School has over 50 kids on their cross-country ski team, with a total school enrollment of only about 300 kids.
The interest amongst Truckee kids and their parents is equally strong, including my twin children who began cross-country skiing when they were 5 at the Auburn Ski Club, then went on to race for the Alder Creek Middle School, then the Truckee High School Nordic team as well as the Far West Nordic Team. While a busy real estate business has kept me from attending all of their races, I try to get to as many as I can and what I see is the best of what Tahoe and Truckee has to offer. Not only do I see kids with a wide range of abilities doing their best in a challenging sport, but I see parents and other locals waxing skis, helping out with training, and driving car loads full of kids hundreds of miles to watch kids ski. Why? To introduce their children to a healthy, outdoor sport that you can do for a lifetime. Right here, in the best place to cross-country ski in America.
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
The first week of March in the Tahoe-Truckee area means Snowfest! Ten days of fun events including ski races, eating contests and of course a few home town parades, make Snowfest a fun time to experience Tahoe.
Here are a few event favorites to look for:
March 1st-The Grand Opening ceremony at Squaw Valley includes the coronation of the Snowfest Queen, a Laser light show, fireworks and torch light skier parade down the slopes of Squaw. Speaking of the Snowfest Queen competition, the contest is based on an interview, resume, and who can sell the most Snowfest Raffle Tickets. The proceeds from raffle ticket sales are split between the Snowfest organization and a worthy non-profit that the girls are supporting. The contest winner gets a scholarship, so please buy tickets to help a hard working girl and our local community.
March 2nd and 9th-The Parades. The first, is in Tahoe City on March 2nd and then the following weekend on March 9th Kings Beach puts on their show. Look for kids marching, fire trucks wailing, Snowfest Queen and court waving, Old Man winter, and plenty of fun home town kitschy touches.
March 2nd-Garwoods Polar Bear Swim. After the Tahoe City parade, a few hearty folks swim all the way to the end of the Garwoods pier in water that can only be described as really, really cold. Hopefully the chill is lessened by the crowds of people cheering them on, or the alcohol they consumed before entering the water.
New this year, Sugar Bowl is hosting the Jack London Commemorative Sierra Sled Dog Derby on March 3rd and 4th. The event attempts to capture the classic sled dog races of old.
At Snowfest there are lots of fun events happening every day. Check out the choices at
http://www.tahoesnowfestival.com, or call 530-583-7167.
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
A quiet ski at Donner Lake
There are lots of statistics to analyze what happened in the Tahoe-Truckee Real Estate Market last year but these are the most important:
The last time we saw a year with this many real estate sales in the Truckee-Tahoe area was 2004.
There were 16% more sales in 2012 than in 2011.
The median real estate sales price went up 1.5% last year from $399,000 in 2011 to $405,000 in 2012.
The average price went up 12% last year from $535,460 in 2011 to $600,806 in 2012. Much of this increase was due to a whopping 32% increase in the sale of properties over $1,000,000 in 2012. On the other end of the market, there were also fewer distressed sales (REO’s or short sales).
The end of the year inventory of homes on the market was down 29% from a year ago.
What does it mean: Finally, after the market has taken it in the shorts for a few years, sales are increasing and prices are beginning to increase. There is an old saying about the real estate market. You never know when you’ve reached the bottom of a downturn until it has already started going back up. Guess what, it has started going back up. But there are still great values out there and interest rates are fabulous.
Interested in what is going on your neck of the woods? Let me know, I can give you the latest sales information for your specific area. If you want to look at the numbers please click on the “market stats” line above my photo.
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
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