Holidays 2009-2010 at Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts
Tree Lightings, Torch Light Parades Add to Glitter on the Slopes
Nov 14, 2009
As far as Western skiers are concerned, there’s no place like a Lake Tahoe ski resort for the holidays. And at holiday time, ski resorts are great destinations for non-skiers as well.
With the largest concentration of ski spots in the United States, the Tahoe Basin is almost certain to have lots of snow. That means that along with the usual skiing, snowboarding, snow-shoeing, sledding and tubing, there's bound to be a holiday festive feeling in the air. Cozy lodges with logs glowing in their fireplaces, choirs singing carols and sleighrides through the snow are only a part of the Tahoe holiday scene.
Pre-Holiday Offers Non-Skiers Opportunity to Learn
While most pre-holiday activities kick off sometime between Thanksgiving and mid-December, Sugar Bowl will get an early start on partying with its Backcountry Ball on November 21. The party, which will include dinner at the Donner Spitz Hutte, will celebrate Sugar Bowl’s 70th anniversary as a place to ski.
Early gifts for non-skier wannabes might appropriately be given on December 12 or 13, the dates of “Learn to Ski Week in North Tahoe.” Resorts who are participating include Alpine Meadows, Boreal Mountain Resort, Diamond Peak, Homewood Mountain Resort, Mt Rose Ski Tahoe, Northstar at Tahoe, Squaw Valley USA and Sugar Bowl. Tickets, which are available only at one of these resorts on the day of the lesson, are good for an all-day beginner’s lift pass, a group lesson and gear rental.
Lake Tahoe Ski Resort Festivities Offer Gingerbread Village, Crafts
At Squaw Valley USA on the days leading up to Christmas, a 50-foot tree, twinkling lights, caroling and appearances by Santa in the Village insure a festive setting. Across the Olympic Valley, The Resort at Squaw puts on its “Magical Memories Celebration” with the Grand Christmas Tree lighting November 27, a Gingerbread Village and appearances by skater Peggy Fleming former Olympic gold medalist.
Among the “Noel Nights” activities planned at the Village at Northstar are breakfast with Santa, children’s Christmas crafts and complimentary hot chocolate with ‘smores under the stars. Also at Northstar, skaters can do their spins and triple axels on a rink sheltered by the Village’s alpine-style buildings surrounding it.
On December 12, as part of the Reno Santa Crawl, skiers in Santa suits will receive discounts and surprises at Mt. Rose Ski Resort. Although Heavenly Valley has yet to announce any holiday events, Kirkwood – also to the south of Lake Tahoe, plans a number of guided snowshoe tours during December, and pre-holiday events at its village.
Torchlight Parades Glow as New Year Begins
Torchlight Parades and fireworks are traditional, especially with the larger ski resorts. Most of them are followed by parties. On New Years Eve at Northstar, after the Torchlight parade and fireworks, there will be a special “Kids Night Out” New Years Party, complete with music and a DJ. At Kirkwood after on-mountain festivities, the party will continue at Bub’s Pub with live music and special activities throughout the evening.
 |
