HOLIDAY HANDBOOK 2013
Sure, everyone appreciates something pretty to look at, or a useful article of clothing for Christmas, but isn’t the best gift one of joy and good health? That perfect gift can be found at Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area in Tahoe City.
Tahoe Cross Country is located two miles north of Tahoe City at the edge of Burton Creek State Park. On its 65 kilometers of groomed trails you can glide through gentle forests, climb up to spectacular lake views, or speed down sweeping downhills. If it’s dumping snow, find shelter and hot chocolate in one of three trailside huts. Tahoe XC provides ski and snowshoe rentals and an extensive array of lessons and clinics, including several free skate ski lessons each week. Inside the lodge, the Free Heel Café serves up tasty lunch treats and offers free WiFi and comfy couches next to a woodstove.
Managers Kevin and Valli Murnane are always coming up with fun new programs and ideas to enhance the Tahoe XC experience. This year, the newly installed wood deck provides the ideal place to hang out and enjoy the sunshine après ski. A few years ago, Kevin developed a grill on skis that can be taken out on the trail to provide a meal with a view. Last year, the Murnanes unveiled an on-snow pulk sled locker, which gives parents the ability to lock up those bulky sleds after dragging their kids around on the snow.
What makes Tahoe XC special is the healthy contingent of Tahoe folks that, on a daily basis, can be found skating their way through the woods or striding along in the tracks, making it a locals’ hangout.
And just about every midweek day, you will find groups of children out skiing the trails. The Tahoe Cross Country Ski Education Association, an adjunct of the ski area, funds the Strider Gliders afterschool ski program, the Winter Discovery Center (an on-snow education and ski program for elementary school kids located in a yurt near the trailhead), and Free Skiing for Schools, which provides thousands of school kids the opportunity to spend the day skiing for free at Tahoe XC.
While a $299 season pass would certainly be a gracious gift, there are also other alternatives at lower price points, like a $169 10-pack that can be used by anyone, anytime. Or for the person who is already a confirmed skate skiing addict, you can make their life a little easier with a waxing pass, which grants 10 professional hot waxing treatments for $139 (if you think hot waxing is something to remove unwanted body hair, you need this card).
For someone who is contemplating taking up skate skiing, give them an extra incentive with a $51 lesson, rental, and trail pass package. Did the mother or father of your children salivate a few paragraphs ago when they heard that they could leave their pulk sled at Tahoe XC instead of attempting to stuff it back into their car? A few storage spots are still available for $100 per season. Or just keep it simple and present your giftee with a gift certificate, allowing them to choose exactly what they want.
Whatever the gift, Tahoe XC allows you to escape the crowds and madness of the downhill resorts while getting a great workout in a spectacular location with friendly people. What more could you ask for?
Info: Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area, 925 Country Club Dr., Tahoe City, (530) 583-5475, tahoexc.org
