With the skis put away, it's time to hike

Skis stowed, bindings backed off and hiking boots oiled, it's time to hit the hiking trails again.

While much of the higher elevations still are snow-covered, they're still fun. No need for snowshoes, just boots with good soles.

Dead Man's Creek on East Lake Boulevard should be snow free and the view from the gazebo is spectacular. That's for Saturday. Sunday we'll see how far we can get on the Rim Trail from Spooner Summit, heading for Incline Village. Last spring we topped out about halfway there, but with the early snow melt we should be able to get to the Ponderosa tourist attraction, past Marlett Lake. Monday ... is it too early for Horsetail Falls? At least to the base of the falls? We'll find out.

•The Sporting Rage outdoor store on South Carson Street is offering a course in Global Positioning Satellite use Friday and Saturday. Cost is $25, which can be applied toward the purchase of a GPS unit. Cost for GPS sets ranges from $100 to $500. Some cell phones have GPS units built in. Tonight is classroom study starting at 7 p.m. at the store. Saturday is "GEO Caching," where students get GPS directions to the "hidden treasure." If interested, give Sporting Rage a call at 885-7773.

• Heavenly Mountain Resort will be celebrating the Memorial Day holiday weekend with a special four-day opening of the Heavenly Gondola Friday through Monday. In addition to providing great views of Lake Tahoe, the resort will also offer hiking and Adventure Peak Grill serving up barbecue.

The 17-minute scenic ride takes sightseers 2.4 miles up the mountain. Approximately two-thirds of the way up, the gondola stops at the 14,000-square-foot Observation Deck, complete with a viewing deck, covered picnic tables, built-in benches and high-powered telescopes. The resort's new Cafe Blue offers sightseers the chance to relax and enjoy the world's most scenic cup of cappuccino.

At the gondola's top station, visitors are invited to hike on Heavenly's trails.

The Gondola will be open each day of the holiday weekend from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Round trip sightseeing tickets will be specially priced for the weekend. Tickets will be $20 for adults, $18 for teens and seniors (ages 65 plus), $12 for children (ages 5-12), and free for children ages 4 and under. All 2003/04 and 2004/05 season passes will be valid for the weekend. Call (775) 586-7000.

• Northstar's golf and mountain bike season passes offer mountain bike and golf fans looking to maximize their time on the trails and the golf course this season.

Northstar has a variety of golf season pass options available this summer. Full season passes are available with no play restrictions from $1,599 for adults to $619 for juniors. The Value pass prices range from $729 for adults to $379 for juniors.

Northstar's mountain bike park is scheduled to open June 18. Mountain bike passes are on sale at the lowest prices of the season from now through June 19. Limited season passes, valid Monday through Friday, are on sale for $139 for adults. Unlimited season passes, valid anytime including holidays, are on sale for $179. Unlimited pass prices will increase to $199 after June 19.

Call (800) GO-NORTH (466-6784).

• The Village at Squaw Valley USA will pay tribute to one of history's most intriguing cultures on June 19 during the annual Celtic Solstice Festival. The free festival celebrates the summer solstice with a parade, bagpipes, and entertainment - complete with a Celtic Rock 'n' Roll band.

The celebration, from 4 to 8 p.m., will include local and international entertainment that will appeal to all ages.

The student dancers of Lake Tahoe's Marcia Sarosik Dance Studio will also add their talent to the festival. Call the Squaw Village Neighborhood Company at (530) 584-6267.

• Sierra-at-Tahoe received the 2004 Ski Area Safety Award for its innovative campaign to promote safety on the slopes at the NSAA (National Ski Area Association) Convention in Savannah, Ga., last week.

Sierra-at-Tahoe was selected as the winner for "Best Overall Originality," based on its efforts to support the NSAA's National Safety Awareness Week, which was held January 17-24, 2004. National Safety Awareness Week is designed to enable resorts to highlight their safety efforts during the winter season.

Sam Bauman is a Nevada Appeal Staff Writer. Contact him at sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.