Skiing season still going strong

The season is far from over but already the resorts are talking about next season.

Heavenly, for instance, has confirmed that a new four-seat high speed chair will replace the old North Bowl and Olympic lifts, going from the top of the old North Bowl chair to the top of the old Olympic chair. The old fixed three-seater North Bowl chair was slow riding with a blast of wind near the top, and the Olympic two-seater was a drag. But the runs from the top of Olympic can be dandy, particularly off in the woods along the boundary on a powder day. Lots of trees on both sides of the run there, and the run to the base of Boulder can be a nice thigh-burner.

Heavenly is also investing in more snow making (global warming fears?), six new groomers and an 18-foot pipe cutter. Also, millions in maintenance that the snowsporters won't be aware of but make life on the slopes more fun.

That should whet some appetites for a $299 ($219 for those of the senior persuasion) season pass at Heavenly.

Vail Resorts have definitely upgraded Heavenly in its short ownership and has even decided to extend operations at Stagecoach through this weekend. Get there early and stay long enough to help close the bar.

DIAMOND PEAK FINI

Incline Village's Diamond Peak Ski Resort has shuttered for the season, despite a splendid base of snow. Seems the Village wants to get out on the golf courses and tennis courts so enough is enough.

MT. ROSE HANGS IT UP

Great show, great weather but this is the last weekend for Mt. Rose. Sunday's the last day at the Slide Mountain resort, after the best season in its history - 20 percent ahead of the old best, says Mike Pierce, marketing boss. He credits the increase to the two six-pack high-speed chairs at the base and at the Slide Mountain side. And the new/old chair that services the newly opened Chutes helped. Great skiing at Rose this year.

KIRKWOOD STILL RUNS

The locals' favorite - even with all the new condos and the like - plans to stay open through May 1, but will close the back bowl lift Sunday. That shuts down some of the finest territory, all that open spaces below Thimble Mountain. But the Wall and Cornice will still be running so there's plenty of runs to try.

SUGAR BOWL STILL OPEN

The grand old lady of the Sierra is still running and will do so through April 24. Lift tickets have been reduced to a flat $39. Good news is that the old fixed Christmas Tree lift will be replaced this summer by a detachable quad and the new lodge will be expanded by 12,000 square feet.

SQUAW, ALPINE MEADOWS, MAMMOTH

The two Sierra Nevada areas up off I-80 report they will run until nobody shows up, which probably means the end of May with a possible July 4 reopening. Mammoth says come on up, we're going to run until July 4. Mark your calendar.

ALPINE MEADOWS WATER SPORTS

The 9th Annual Ski Nautique Gates & Wakes Fun Day and Pro Challenge returns to Alpine Meadows Ski Resort Saturday, April 30. The unique event allows competitors to experience a quintessential Tahoe sports day by skiing or snowboarding in the morning at Alpine Meadows and wakeboarding or water skiing on Lake Tahoe in the afternoon.

The contest has three combinations: Snow ski/water ski; snow ski/wakeboard, or snowboard/wakeboard.

Competitors may be surprised to see professional water-skiers and snow skiers Daron Ralves, Glen Plake, Tamara McKinney, but not to worry; these ringers and others will compete against each other in the Pro Challenge. Everyone of all ability levels is welcome to compete in the open division.

Back this year is the Disabled Challenge! We encourage all disabled skiers and boarders to join us in our efforts to make this year's event a success for Disabled Sports. Also back this year is the Youth Division.

The competitions will begin Saturday morning with snow skiers and snowboarders competing in the giant slalom format. After descending the slopes, skiers and riders will have a buffet lunch courtesy of Sunnyside Resort and then launch onto Lake Tahoe for the freestyle waterski and wakeboard portion of the event. The top three finishers in each division will win prizes provided by event sponsors.

Entry fee is $56 for adults and $46 for children 12 and under. Fee includes lift tickets, lunch and boat tows. There is a $67 fee for those who would like to compete in this year's Two-Round Slalom event taking place on Friday, April 29. Event proceeds are donated to the Disabled Sports Association.

Call (530) 581-8321.

FUN FOR KIDS VIA INTERNET

Northstar-at-Tahoe and Sierra-at-Tahoe recently launched a series of interactive Webprograms and cell phone alerts that help both children and adults with their real-time information, ease of navigation and user-friendliness. These improvements help guests receive the latest resort news and information from their home or office.

Designed in cartoon format with children in mind, animated maps feature interactive family-focused terrain parks and adventure zones at both resorts. The maps contain hidden interactive features for kids to discover and they are available around the clock. Northstar and Sierra's kids trail maps are entertaining, educational and provide useful information about the resorts.

How Online Kid's Maps Work

On Northstar's map, bling-bling sounds and funky music put kids in a groovy mood while they watch a Star Park character (Northstar's family park mascot) slide down the slopes and rock through the Superpipe. On Sierra's map, a click of the mouse sends lifts spinning, snowmen tubing, and magic carpets flying. Kids love discovering all of the hidden features and the movement on the site that they control, from cartoon characters riding, skiing, and throwing snowballs to the Ping-Pong sounds of a xylophone. Computers do need Flash capability and access to the Internet.

Educational Aspect of Kid's Trail Maps Makes Parents Happy

Parents can click on any one of Northstar's six, family-oriented Star Park Adventure Zones and a pop-up shows lift and trail directions. Click "Lids-on-Kids" and parents see where to rent helmets with a link to safety tips. On Sierra's map, clicking in the map legend highlights easiest trails down from the top of the mountain while selecting a terrain park logo provides descriptions of park features.

Online Kid's Trail Maps can be found at www.sierraattahoe.com/kidsmap or www.northstarattahoe.com/kidsmap.

Cell Phone Snow Alerts

Northstar and Sierra recently created cell phone snow alerts, so when the powder falls, guests will always be in the know. Every time a significant storm hits either resort, a text message is sent out to a list of opt-in subscribers that contains new snowfall, base depth, weather conditions and storm totals. In order to receive the snow alerts, customers can subscribe at NorthstarAtTahoe.com or SierraAtTahoe.com.

LAST DAY AT SIERRA-AT-TAHOE

Sierra-at-Tahoe will thank its loyal customers and support local athletics with its annual Customer Appreciation Day, which will be held on the final day of the season April 18.

The resort will offer $20 lift tickets to adults and young adults and all proceeds raised from ticket sales will support local community organizations. The majority of the profits generated from ticket sales will be donated to the South Tahoe High School Alpine Race Program.