37 posts tagged “tahoe”
Because we measure storms in feet, not inches. This latest storm dumped another 5 feet in the mountains, and it's now GAME ON for the ski resorts. This latest storm came in a bit wetter than the last one, building a base and covering a lot of the rocks and other obstacles. Note that there are still a few lurking about, as we found on Heavenly's Face run yesterday, so you still need to be aware of things under the surface.
It's been a few years since we've seen this much snow this early in the season, and my legs are definitely not yet in shape. After 3 consecutive days of skiing powder, I'm walking a bit stiffly.
But it is SO worth it!
While cynics may claim this is but a dusting, last night's storm brought a few inches of snow to our house at lake level, and the resorts are reporting up to 6 inches.
While the phrase 'El Nino' has been used a lot when referring to this upcoming winter, I've remained cautiously pragmatic. Color me skeptical, but I know how fickle Mother Nature can be, so I like to err on the side of caution.
I just learned this evening that I'll be on the roster for tomorrow's (final) home bout for the Tahoe Derby Dames. I'm stoked, but also a wee bit scared, given that I've not skated a whole bunch in the past few weeks, and as such, my skating, hitting and blocking skillz aren't quite where I'd like them to be.
However, it's my last chance of the season to play, so despite my confidence issues, I figure if I channel all my anger about the ignorance and stupidity surrounding this health care debate (don't get me started on the death panels thing and the retarded men who feel they need to carry friggin GUNS to these town halls) I should be able to take down a few roller girls.
That's my secret weapon - hating stupidity. I figure it can easily fuel my adrenaline for a few 2 minute jams. 'Cause that's the only option I've got right now.
Lake Tahoe is very much a place akin to dog heaven. Dog owners seem to outnumber the non-dog owners, and whether in pickup trucks or old subarus, dogs tend to accompany their humans everywhere - to work, to play, traveling, etc. They have their run of anywhere non-paved, including local trails (snow-covered and not), the enormous swimming pool known as Lake Tahoe, and because of this, I think they tend to be mellower and better behaved than their urban cousins who live their lives leashed, tethered and not allowed to run free from time to time.
I was reminded of Tahoe's unique pro-dog attitude twice today. First when I stopped off at Alpen Sierra to grab a quick coffee, and happened to park next to a space occupied by a gorgeous, if graying, St. Bernard, who had pretty much taken up a parking space for himself (his human had tied him to a nearby newspaper kiosk). Said St. Bernard was unflappable and completely at ease in his state of semi-consciousness as folks like me passed by and smiled. Because who wouldn't smile seeing such a gorgeous animal? He was unperturbed by us admirers, and certainly wasn't giving up his primo parking spot for anyone, including the driver of the large SUV that started pulling in - then changed her mind.
Then this evening I opened up the local free monthly newspaper (which has no editorial merits of its own, but features interesting ads from various businesses who won’t advertise in our formerly daily paper). In it was a 1/3 page ad dedicated to a man’s dog who died in 1984 – 25 years ago. While it was poorly written (not unusual here), it was obviously heartfelt, and I was strangely touched. This guy hadn’t had a dog since this one died, and apparently the cat just wasn’t the same.
While I consider myself a dog lover, and very much understand the attitudes of most dog owners here (except for the stupid & irresponsible, but I’ve vented about that already), this was something I’m pretty sure I’ll never do. For as much as I love Soleil the wonder ‘tard, I’m not sure I’d commemorate the silver anniversary of her eventual passing to the world.
But remind me of that when I entertain blogging about it, okay?
And don't come back some other day.
This latest storm system has come in wet and warm, a real pineapple express. While a few resorts are crowing about their 'top to bottom snow' (I'm talking to you, Kirkwood), even that's borderline snain/sleet at the bottom of the mountain. Yesterday's foray to Kirkwood was quite the test of our ski clothes waterproofness. My bitchen new Holden jacket held up well, but my beloved Patagonia drop seat pants failed miserably. And with N still fighting this 'malaise' and with me feeling on the cusp of catching it, we didn't stay long. Instead we spent the afternoon re-waterproofing and drying out ski gear. Fun!!
So it's with a bit of nostalgia that I'm looking at my photos from Saturday, when I skied Jake's Peak again with friends (minus N, who was not well enough to slog up 2,000 feet on skis). We hit things early before the clouds arrived, and it was the perfect Tahoe winter day - blue sky, powder snow and sunshine. Even bumped into a friend on the descent (it's kind of a popular backcountry location what with its awesome views and easy roadside access). <sigh>
I know winter will return at least once more. I'd just like to see it stick around longer than a week.
Actually, winter came back to Tahoe last week, and has stuck around a bit longer this time. Today was the first proper bluebird sunshine day we've had in nearly a week, and I'm guessing a ton of people called in sick today to ski. I prefer storm days for the relative lack of crowds (and free refills) so I hit Sierra-at-Tahoe yesterday morning to 'product test' the 10 or so inches of new snow. It, like many of the Tahoe ski resorts, saw 5 feet of new snow over the past 7 days.
I've learned that it's essential to make the most of the snow when it comes because it's never guaranteed when the next storm will be.
However in this case there is more snow forecast for this weekend, so I'll be keeping my phat boards in easy reach.
The unseasonable and falsely happy high pressure system that kept us in blue skies and mild temps finally pissed off yesterday. We're now left with gray clouds, mist and some surprisingly clear snow here in South Lake Tahoe. I appreciate the efforts of some to get me snow for my birthday, but this current system backfired slightly. Though I've been told by many it's supposed to cool off and snow levels may even drop to the elevation of our house.
While resorts are reporting new snow (between 3-7 inches depending on who is overstating), it's wet enough here that we're headed to Mammoth, where the higher base elevation (9,000 feet vs. 6,200 feet) should ensure we see snow and not rain on our skis.
Soleil's stoked too, cause she's got a Heavenly bed reserved at the Westin Monache, Mammoth's only luxury hotel that just happens to be dog friendly. It'll compensate for her hanging out in the car while we play in the snow all day.
Despite a sloow start to the Tahoe ski season, things are off with a bang thanks to a series of snowstorms that just keep giving. And while I've not had good timing this week with my ski breaks, I'm looking forward to better timing tomorrow. It's looking like we'll receive feet-fuls of snow here at lake level, which will translate into feet+ at higher elevations. The current storm is a bit wetter than the previous ones, which should help cover the rocks and other obstacles that are still lurking out there.
Today's brief backcountry sojourn was a bit of a rude awakening for me. I did ok on the actual trip, but right now I am so tired that the notion of baking a brie and slicing a baguette (part of our oh-so-gourmet Christmas Eve dinner) is daunting. Luckily I had the foresight to make the kabocha squash salad beforehand, otherwise we'd just be eating cheese sandwiches tonight.
May your Christmas' be merry and your energy levels higher than mine right now!
On Saturday we went running in the meadow by our house. There was maybe 1/4" of snow then, but it was coold. Too cold to mountain bike, and not enough snow to ski.
How things change. Today we woke up to 6+ inches in the driveway, and it's been dumping light fluffy snow all day. So at lunch we retraced our steps from Saturday, this time on cross-country skis. It was lovely - cold as, but the snow was so light as to make trail breaking much easier than it normally is. The dog frolicked with exuberance, and subsequently passed out for the rest of the day.
And while the Tahoe resorts are filling in (snow reports ranged from 15 - 36 inches around the lake), they started with so little snow that we're going to head back down to Mammoth again this weekend. At least there we know that we can ski off-piste without impaling ourselves on a tree stump.
