Coogan Kelly Memorial Rail Jam Rescheduled
December 14
Catch the Second Annual Coogan Kelly Memorial Rail Jam at Squaw Valley. The Rail Jam is a tribute to Coogan, a passionate snowboarder and friend. A year ago, the Tahoe/Truckee and snowboarding communities lost a rising star on the rail jam and snowboarding competition circuit around Tahoe when Charles ‘Coogan’ Kelly was slain at a party in Reno. Open to riders of all ages and talents, the Jam consists of both men’s and women’s ski and snowboard divisions. The Jam is free for spectators, and is scheduled to take place on Searchlight (lower Exhibition) near the base of the mountain. Entry fee for all riders is $10, and helmets are mandatory. Athletes under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present at registration to sign a liability release form. In his memory, SnowBomb will donate all competitor registration fees to the Coogan Kelly Foundation for an annual scholarship to help young aspiring snowboarders advance their careers. Registration is at 9 a.m., practice starts at 11 a.m., and the competition begins at 1 p.m. If time allows, a special Best Trick Jam Session will follow the competition. Part of Snowbomb’s Sick and Twisted Series. snowbomb.com, 530-581-0553.
Chateau Holiday Ball
December 18
Celebrate a night of dinner and dancing at The Chateau Holiday Ball. Enjoy an elegant array of holiday cuisine including chef-appointed stations, full-cash bar and wine selections by the bottle, music provided by a DJ, and free childcare at Aspen Grove (from 5:30 to11:30 p.m. with reservation, space limited). Ball from 6 to 11 p.m. $65 per person. 955 Fairway Boulevard, Incline Village. Reservations 775-832-1240.
Help Your Community
Hands On Tahoe, a volunteer run affiliate of the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation, has many of volunteer opportunities at more than 40 non-profit organizations. They need mentors, tutors, drivers, one-day event assistance, fundraisers, web/IT/computer help and more. Come in or check the website for volunteer opportunities. They change frequently, so check back if you don’t find what you want. Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 11071 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, handsontahoe.org, 530-587-1776.
Olympic Training Course for Skier/Boarder-Cross
Sugar Bowl unveiled plans to build and maintain the country’s only season-long, event-specific training course for skier and boarder-cross athletes heading to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, when the two events will make their Olympic debut. The course is scheduled to open during the 2008/09 season as conditions permit. All skiers and boarders can experience the Olympic-level course first-hand, with access to the run when professional training is not in session.
Project Green Sierra
Being responsible stewards of the land, Sierra Resort continues their eco-conscious movement, Project: Green Sierra. Environmentally conscious skiers and snowboarders can join to become Part of the Solution. By signing the Project: Green Sierra pledge, season pass holders promise to take tangible steps toward reducing their personal impact on the environment. When 1,000 pass holders sign the pledge, Sierra Resort will donate $1,000 to the Sacramento Tree Foundation to help reach its goal to plant five million new trees in the region by 2025. Building on the progress of last season’s initiatives – like the Green Lot, where hybrid vehicles park for free in Preferred Parking – they are now offering carpooling resources at SierraAtTahoe.com to help guests connect to share rides to the mountain. The online application allows guests to seek or offer up a ride and specify preferences, and links into a database shared by several Lake Tahoe resorts. Also, in order to eliminate as much waste as possible, Sierra Resort will purchase only 100 percent eco-friendly disposable products – made from renewable sources such as sugar cane, potato starch, and corn resin – for all restaurants this season. They are also working with three local schools to collect plastic bottle tops in exchange for a free day of skiing and snowboarding. The plastic tops will be recycled into new bottle tops by Aveda, through the Caps Recycling Program which was developed to increase awareness and help combat the devastating effects of plastic cap pollution. SierraAtTahoe.com.
Wild Winter Wednesday
Wednesdays, starting January 7
This is a fun weekly event when people coming off the mountain from a day of skiing and snowboarding or employees getting off work can enjoy discounted food and drinks at the River Ranch Lodge and Restaurant. The festivities include a raffle with tons of prizes including ski equipment and other swag with a new snowboard often given away as the grand prize. Proceeds from the raffle benefit Disabled Sports USA Far West, a nonprofit organization and program in service for over 40 years. They provide opportunities for anyone with a disability to participate in sports including water skiing, golf, cycling, and white water rafting during the summer and skiing or snowboarding during the winter. Adaptive Snow Sports is their flagship program based out of Alpine Meadows operating daily throughout the ski season with approximately 500 clients served each year. Adaptive Snow Sports was the first program of its kind in the country developing much of the specialized adaptive ski equipment and many of the teaching methods used in the field today. Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. Highway 89 and Alpine Meadows Road, just 3.5 miles from Tahoe City and Squaw Valley and 10 miles from Truckee, riverranchlodge.com, 530-583-4264.
Country Christmas
December 13
Take a drive into the country for the Third Annual Country Christmas at Sierraville School. Crafts, gifts, food, Christmas music, gift baskets, quilt raffles and so much more. At Santa’s Workshop for Kids little ones will learn to make their own ornaments, decorate a gift bag and visit with Santa Claus. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Highway 89, Sierraville, 530-994-4914. Sponsored by the Sierraville Recreation Association.
Free LED Holiday Lights
The Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD) is giving away free strands of ultra-efficient LED (light emitting diode) holiday lights in exchange for strands of old energy-wasting incandescent lights. Just bring in a copy of your utility bill with up to three strands of old lights, and the TDPUD will replace them with your choice of one 66-foot or three 20-foot white or multicolor strands of LED lights. Standard incandescent holiday light bulbs are inefficient, and can greatly increase the cost of your utility bill during the holiday season. Energy-efficient LED lights can save you 80 to 98 percent on energy costs. To put that in real terms, the cost of operating one 20-foot strand of LED lights for 45 days is a mere 13 cents, because the strand uses only one kilowatt hour of energy during that time period. 11570 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, tdpud.org, 530-587-3896.
Learn to Ski and Board
December 13 and 14
Hey first timers, learn more on the North Shore during Learn to Ski and Board Weekend. For only $25 you will receive ski or snowboard equipment rental, a group lesson, and lift ticket. The Learn to Ski program is available at the following ski resorts (subject to weather and snow conditions): Alpine Meadows, Boreal Mountain, Squaw Valley USA, Sugar Bowl, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Mt. Rose/Ski Tahoe, Diamond Peak, Homewood Mountain Resort and Granlibakken. All Day. Details at gotahoenorth.com.
Skiing for Schools
Participating resorts offer skiers and snowboarders special discounted lift tickets and the opportunity to support education. Proceeds from your lift ticket purchase go directly to the Excellence in Education Foundation, which provides enhanced educational opportunities for our local students.
• December 13, Squaw Valley − Pre-purchased lift tickets are $25 per person. Purchase tickets in advance at all Porter’s locations (Truckee, Tahoe City, and Incline Village) or online at exined.org.
• December 20, Sugar Bowl − Pre-purchased lift tickets are $25 per person. Purchase tickets in advance at all Porter’s locations or online.
• January 4, Northstar-at-Tahoe − Pre-purchased lift tickets are $25 per person. Purchase tickets in advance at all Porter’s or online.
• March 15, Homewood Community Benefit Day – A portion of the proceeds from discounted lift tickets will go to Excellence in Education. 530-525-2992.
• March 21, Sugar Bowl − Pre-purchased lift tickets are $25 per person. Purchase tickets in advance at Porter’s or online.
• April 5, Alpine Meadows Community Benefit Day – A portion of the proceeds from discounted lift tickets will go to Excellence in Education. 530-583-4232.Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis and will not be available at the resorts. All sales are final. exined.org, 530-550-7984.
Fire and Ice New Year’s Eve Celebration at Northstar
December 31
Ring in the New Year at Northstar Resort with the annual Fire and Ice New Year’s party. There will be music, live entertainment, fireworks, skating, food, drinks and other activities. Fun for all ages. Live music from 2 to 8:30 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m. northstarattahoe.com, 1-800-GONORTH.
