Sorry about Super Bowl hiking tip

Sam Bauman

While Daron Ralves and Travis Cabral have been doing well on the World Cup circuit, the big question is what has happened to South Tahoe's Jonna Mendes this season? Mendes was tearing up the courses last year but suffered an injury. No inside word on what is wrong, but she finished behind four other Americans last week on the circuit.

Rahlves has been suffering from a cold and had a poor finish at the German Zugspitze race, placing 14th, way behind comeback kid Hermann Maier, who won his 45th World Cup victory there. Having skied the Zug, my admiration is for anyone who can make it down Germany's highest peak in one piece.

If you happened to read the story on Page C1 last week, I have to apologize for sending you to Dead Man's Creek as an alternative to the Super Bowl. I took my own suggestion and hiked it Sunday morning. Or tried to hike it. The first part of the new trail was fine, dry and clear of snow. But after the switchback it turned to mud and ice. And horses had been using it, resulting in deep hoof prints that will turn the trail into muck. So if you gave it a try, sorry.

• Snowsporters today can enjoy the serenity of the outdoors and on Northstar-At-Tahoe's Full Moon Snowshoe & Nordic Tour. Complete with bonfire, hot chocolate, s'mores and Ben and Jerry's ice cream, the trek will allow guests to warm their souls while they soak up the breathtaking views of the Sierra and the Lake Tahoe Basin under the moonlight.

The Full Moon Snowshoe & Nordic Tour will begin at 5 p.m. and costs $25 per person. All participants must be at the Northstar Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Center by 4:30 p.m. for the two-hour tour. Snowshoe rentals are available at the center. The tour will cover 5 kilometers of pristine terrain and ends at the Village. Call (530) 562-2475 for reservations.

• The Sporting Rage is offering another snowshoe hike Saturday, this time to Captain Pomin Rock. "Great lake views," reports the store. Call to reserve a spot at 885-7773 before 6 p.m. today. Shoes, poles and a guide are included in the $29.95 fee. Beginners are welcome.

• Sierra and Northstar make two date choices for Valentine's Day with chocolate hearts, a couples' race and a chance to win a romantic two-night getaway all planned for the florists' favorite holiday.

Sierra-at-Tahoe invites everyone to reveal their romantic side in the Valentine's Poem Competition. Guests are encouraged to submit their best original Valentine's poem for a chance to win a two-day, two-night winter getaway. The package includes a two-night stay at the Fantasy Inn, dinner for two at the Dory's Oar Restaurant and two days of skiing and riding at Sierra.

Sierra's expert panel of romantics will judge poem submissions on originality, creativity and sincerity. Entries must be submitted to Sierrapoem@boothcreek.com no later than midnight on Feb. 12.

The winning entry and honorable mentions will be posted on SierraAtTahoe.com and the winner will be announced on Sierra's snow phone on Valentine's Day.

At Northstar, bring your sweetheart to cross the finish line in Northstar's annual Valentine's Day Couples Race. It's a fun, free dual slalom race for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. It will be held on Upper Main from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends and even friends are invited to participate. There is no formal registration; participants just need to report to the top of the course at start time. Call (530) 659-7453.

• Snow festival is looking for entrants for the Tahoe City Mardi Gras Music in the Mountains Parade and Kings Beach Kiddie Capers Parade.

"Last year, the parades were the highlight of Snow Festival," said Ruth Schnabel, Snow Festival executive director. The Tahoe City Mardi Gras Music in the Mountains Parade will be Saturday Feb. 28, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. down North Lake Boulevard to Highway 28. Staging time for this parade will be at 10 a.m. in the Tahoe City Safeway parking.

Parade entry forms for the Tahoe City Parade must be received by Feb. 13. Contact Karen Willcuts, parade coordinator, at (530) 583-264.

Sam Bauman is the Nevada Appeal Diversions Editor. Contact him at sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.