News Briefs
Newly Implemented Snow Day Learning Plan
TAHOE/TRUCKEE
Tahoe Truckee Unified School District recognizes that families and students have been impacted by the loss of classroom time caused by recent snowstorms. A group of TTUSD administrators and a board member convened a meeting with the Tahoe Truckee Education Association leadership to collaborate on a short-term solution to provide learning opportunities for students if there are additional snow days this school year. Both sides were eager to find a solution, and a trial agreement is going into effect immediately.
For the remainder of the school year, snow days will be considered a required school day from home for all students. It will be an asynchronous work day, which means teachers will provide instruction for students either in advance or by 10 a.m. that morning, and students will be required to complete the work for grading when applicable. There will be no live instruction from teachers. Students with power or internet issues can treat their inability to complete the work as a regular absence and will be provided an opportunity to complete their assignments once they return to school.
Learning will look different depending on the grade level, which is outlined here.
~ TTUSD newsletter
Expediting Building Permits for Storm-Damaged Property
PLACER COUNTY
The Placer County Building Services Division will expedite building permits for property that has been damaged in the recent storms by snow, mudslides, fire, floods, tree damage, or other catastrophic events.
Building permits are required to repair a roof collapse, wall displacement, damaged overhead electrical service, and any damage to electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems connected to a wall.
Safety is of the utmost importance. Emergency responders should be notified of an emergency situation, and building services will often be called to perform a rapid safety assessment. Placer County recommends property owners hire an engineer to perform a structural evaluation of significant damage.
Permits can be obtained by applying in person at the Community Development Resource Center locations:
- 3091 County Center Dr., Auburn
- 775 North Lake Tahoe Blvd., Tahoe
- Online at placer.ca.gov/apply-for-a-permit
Repair and rebuilding permits will be prioritized, and many simple permits can be issued the same day. More complicated permits may take up to three days for issuance.
For further assistance, visit the building services division website or contact the help line at (530) 745-3584.
~ Placer County press release
Area Summer Camps
TAHOE/TRUCKEE
Tahoe Expedition Academy
Tahoe Expedition Academy is offering a variety of camps for summer 2023. Camp registrations are now live and although some camps have been filling quickly, there are still spots open. New field study locations, curriculum, and expeditions are planned for the summer ahead, instructed by the highly qualified backcountry and climbing guides, artists, professional educators, professional athletes, and coaches. For more information visit tahoesummercamps.com/contact-us.
Tahoe Institute for Natural Sciences
Registration for all TINS summer 2023 camps is open. Some camps have been filling quickly. Campers will experience the ecosystems of Tahoe as they explore, hike, play games, create nature-themed art, and make new friends. TINS offers camps for children ages 6 to 17 located in North Shore, South Lake Tahoe, and Truckee. For more information, contact Jennie at jennie@tinsweb.org.
~ Tahoe Expedition Academy press release
Freestyle Skiers Bring Home Gold, More at Junior National Championships
OLYMPIC VALLEY
Athletes from Olympic Valley Freestyle Freeride Team, which operates out of Palisades Tahoe, competed in moguls and dual moguls at the U.S. Junior National Championships, bringing home two first places this past weekend at Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Ryan Tam (18, San Francisco) took first place in moguls the U19 division while Alicia Buckmaster (16, Tahoe City) took first place in U17 dual moguls.
Beau Rohlen (13, Glenshire) and Artem Pidpayli (13, Tahoe City) finished second and third respectively in U15 moguls. Kaya Russell (16, Grass Valley) finished fourth in both moguls and dual moguls for U17 and Nicholas Gellerman (18, San Francisco) finished sixth in dual moguls for U19 finishing out a successful championship for the US Ski and Snowboard Far West Division team.
Junior Mogul Coach Travis Sluder said, “Olympic Valley Freestyle’s future is looking really strong! Interested athletes should come and check out our program at the last event of the season at Palisades Tahoe over April 8th and 9th.”
Olympic Valley Freestyle coaches and athletes are arriving in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire this week for the U.S. National Championships to compete against the best in the nation, including the U.S. Ski Team. Team athletes attending this event are Ryan Tam, Benjamin Nickel, Victor Calub, Jonah Russell, Aditya Gupta, Alicia Buckmaster, and Kaya Russell.
~ Olympic Valley Freestyle Freeride Team press release
Moving In, Moving On, Moving Up
Elizabeth Archer Moves on From InnerRhythms
TRUCKEE
It has been my privilege to serve our community and the performing arts through InnerRhythms as founding artistic director and classical ballet teacher for over two decades. I am immensely proud of the foundation, legacy, and reputation that embody all things InnerRhythms. Grace guided us through every step of this journey.
It is through this grace that I announce my retirement as artistic director and teacher. I pass the baton into the expert hands of Sheri Woodsgreen and Leigh Collins Hunter. Sheri is co-founder, board president, and an incredible contemporary dance teacher and choreographer. She has been an instrumental partner and friend from the beginning. Leigh is an InnerRhythms alumna with an extensive professional dance career. This full circle moment fills me with joy.
I thank my husband, Thomas Archer, for walking the path alongside me as my dreams became reality. My heartfelt thanks extends to our passionate board of directors whose time, talents, and treasures have been the backbone of the organization. Current board members Carol Pauli, Krissy Commendatore, April Marriner, Hillary Bayliss, Ally Chase, and our executive director, Sarah Fay, command my highest respect. This same reflection extends to former board members, most especially Robin Redmond and Cindy Maciel. Their steadfast commitment, unwavering love, guidance, and friendship remains a priceless gift to me and our community.
I continue to be inspired by our young dancers, gifted teachers, choreographers, and all who have graced our beloved studios and stages.
Equal appreciation goes to our InnerRhythms family of instructors over the years: Anett, Jennifer, Jennie, Brandon, Nora, Marissa, Daniel, including InnerRhythms alumni Ashley, Leigh, Cheyenne, Jane, Nicky, Jack, and Kassidy.
I express my deepest gratitude to the numerous donors and sponsors who continue to support our vision and mission so generously.
I bid you adieu … it has been an honor!
~ InnerRhythms enews
Business Briefs
Local Vail Resorts Address Traffic, Parking Challenges Next Winter Season
TAHOE/TRUCKEE
Road congestion and parking challenges in the Lake Tahoe region have been, and remain, important issues within the broader community — especially with historic winter storms and snowfall this year. As a result, Northstar California, Heavenly Mountain Resort, and Kirkwood Mountain Resort are making changes to their parking plans for winter 2023/24.
Each resort will create a combination of free and paid parking options on weekends and holidays/peak periods, with a focus on reservations and carpooling incentives, to alleviate road congestion and parking challenges.
The new comprehensive parking plans incorporate learnings from the traffic patterns and current policies of each resort, plus harness best practices from across other mountain resorts and the ski industry. For instance, the company has found that carpool incentives reduce vehicle volumes even with similar resort visitation by encouraging more people per vehicle. At Park City Mountain, more than 60% of cars using paid/reservation lots during the 2022/23 season qualified for free parking thanks to carpooling incentives. Additionally, using parking reservations, which will take place at Heavenly and Northstar next season, has been shown to spread out arrival times and reduce congestion as cars roam for spots.
Specifics on each of the three resorts’ parking plans for next winter can be found on their websites: Northstar, Heavenly, and Kirkwood.
Free parking will still be readily accessible at each resort on weekends and holidays/peak periods, in addition to weekdays.
~ Vail Resorts press release
Alterra Mountain Company Invests in Transformational Changes
DENVER, COLORADO
Alterra Mountain Company, the parent company of Palisades Tahoe, announces a nearly $500 million capital investment program focused on enhancing guest and employee experience across its destinations over the next year. The announcement follows last year when the company completed more than $1 billion in capital improvements over its first five years of operation, double the original financial commitment of $555 million announced when the company was formed. In the past year, Alterra has completed three projects, including the opening of the new Base to Base Gondola that remade Palisades Tahoe into the largest ski area in California.
In the year ahead, Alterra will invest almost $400 million for lifts, snowmaking, summer adventures, additional guest amenities, and resort infrastructure; $50 million dedicated to employee housing; and $40 million for technology upgrades to better connect and streamline the guest experience.
The company has significant plans to enhance the base area offerings at Deer Valley Resort, Winter Park Resort, Palisades Tahoe, and Mammoth Mountain in the years ahead. Alterra is also making significant investments in recreational ski racing infrastructure, adding free racing courses to each of its mountain destinations.
Alterra is investing in robust snowmaking enhancement programs designed to bring higher efficiency equipment to all resorts. These new systems favor increased energy efficiency and reduced water usage allowing our destinations to improve guest experience while reducing our environmental impact.
Alterra is committed to doubling its portfolio-wide employee housing capacity over the next five-year investment period. In 2023, the company will add almost 500 workforce housing beds with significant expansion at Palisades Tahoe, Stratton, Tremblant, and Winter Park Resort. The company is also in the planning stages for nearly 1,000 additional affordable workforce housing beds across Palisades Tahoe, Blue Mountain, Crystal Mountain, Sugarbush, and Deer Valley Resort.
~ Alterra Mountain Company press release
Palisades Tahoe Open Through July 4
OLYMPIC VALLEY
Thanks to an unforgettable winter with more than 55 feet of snow through mid-March, Palisades is extending its ski and snowboard season until July 4 (weather and conditions permitting).
With the resort’s Ikon Pass on sale, 2023/24 passholders will be able to join the slopes starting April 10.
Operations will look a bit different this year than in summers past. Below is Palisades’ lift operation schedule for spring and summer:
April
- The last day for the Base to Base Gondola will be Sunday, April 30.
- On Saturdays starting April 8, if the weather is clear, KT-22 and Summit or Roundhouse will remain open until 5 p.m.
May
- The last day for the Funitel will be Monday, May 29 (Memorial Day).
- The last day for the Aerial Tram will be Monday, May 29 (Memorial Day). It will reopen on June 23 for summer sightseeing and activities.
June
- Alpine will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for skiing and snowboarding.
- Palisades will be closed to skiing and snowboarding, but The Village at Palisades Tahoe will be open.
- The Aerial Tram at Palisades will open for daily sightseeing and activities beginning Friday, June 23.
July
- Alpine only will be open for skiing and snowboarding July 1 to 4.
- Palisades will not be open for skiing and snowboarding, but the Aerial Tram will be open for sightseeing and activities.
- The Village at Palisades Tahoe will be open daily throughout the summer.
