Telegrass Festival among upcoming activities

Now is when the snowsporting really gets good. Sunny days, light crowds, resort decks where the cheese and baugette tastes best.

It's too bad that so many snowsporters spend their time on the hills over Christmas holidays, Martin Luther King Jr. and Presidents' weekend, when the crowds make for danger on the slopes - most ski and snowboard accidents are caused by snowsporters slamming into one another.

So get up early, enjoy the freshly groomed snow and be ready to hang it up when the snow turns to mush.

Meanwhile, waxing is more important now than during colder days. Waxing doesn't make one go faster; it also makes turnning easier as the wax plugs those little holes in the P-tex base. Also, P-tex can dry out without waxing, making it more easily gouged. If you don't like to do the hot wax yourself, take the boards or skis to a ski shop; Sporting Rage in town does a good job.

Now is also the time to start looking for bargains in gear. I've gradually downsized my skis to 187cm from the old 201cms that everybody used to prove they were macho. But with a weak knee, the idea of perhaps 170s is attractive. The World Cup racers use 100cms for slalom gates.

SNOW FESTIVAL QUEEN DRAWING PRIZES SATURDAY

The North Shore Snow Festival Queen Contest ends with a drawing Saturday at the Crystal Bay Club in Crystal Bay during the Mumbo Gumbo Concert. There will be several drawings for cash prizes. Call (775) 831-0512

TELEGRASS FESTIVAL

Sierra-at-Tahoe's second annual Telegrass Festival- a two-day event that combines the best in bluegrass music with telemark skiing - March 19-20. The festival is $90 for two days and $50 for one day, not including lift tickets. The cost includes:

A commemorative Telegrass T-shirt, entertainment provided by Bluegrass Stomp, Stay Tuned, Donner Mountain, Harmony Grits and The Avalanche Dawgs; a backcountry awareness clinic and avalanche transceiver demo/practice session; participation in telemark clinics offered all weekend long or "women's-only" clinics; unlimited telemark ski demos from top brands such as Rossignol and Atomic; participation in all races held throughout the weekend such as the Classic Telemark race and a moguls contest.

Also, a discounted lift ticket price of $25.

Participants can sign up the day of the event between 9 and 10:30 a.m. at SAT's Tele Center at the main lodge. Call Sierra-at-Tahoe's at (530) 659-7453.

KIRKWOOD HAPPENINGS

A spring calendar full of weekend events offers skiers and riders revelry, on-mountain challenges, extreme skiing championships and clinics galore. Here's an overview of what's going on at Kirkwood in March and April. For information on all events, call (209) 258-7360.

Saturday is the Echo to Kirkwood Race and Tour. That's 13 miles of Sierra scenery on a well-marked backcountry route. The trail begins at Echo Summit and crosses the Sierra crest to finish at the Kirkwood Cross-Country and Snowshoe Center. The race begins at 10 a.m. at the Echo Summit SnoPark.

Also Saturday is the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge. This family race takes place on intermediate terrain with promotional giveaways at the base of Chair 7.

Sunday is a Free Ride One Day Camp For Snowboarders. The clinic includes five hours of on-hill training, lunch and a video analysis (weather-permitting). $120 for non-passholders, $95 with a season pass.

Monday through Thursday is the Northern California Special Olympics. The Opening Ceremonies on Monday night will include a torchlight parade and fireworks followed by three days of competition. If you've never seen a special Olympics, try to catch this. It's wonderful to see the younger folk trying their darnedest, and the smiles when they finish a race.

COOKS COOKING

The Great Chef Relay Race is back at Northstar Wednesday. Teams of four will race their way down the slopes before facing off in a culinary competition. A tasty event.

SQUAW IN THE SUN

The High Camp Swimming Lagoon and Spa opens March 19 at Squaw, allowing skiers and riders to take a mid-day soak and work on their tan.

MORE FOODIE STUFF

Cross-country skiers and snowshoers can sample the fare of North Tahoe's finest restaurants the Tahoe Cross County Ski Area's Annual Gourmet Ski Tour Sunday.

SIERRA BIG AIR AFFAIR

Alpine Meadows Ski & Snowboard Resort will host the King and Queen of the Sierra Big Air Competition Saturday. Presented by Snowbomb.com and open to all skiers, snowboarders, and those who say "Ni!," the event will be a big air format competition, taking place on Nick's Run, which is front and center to the Alpine Meadows Sundeck for viewing. Judges will use a points-based scoring system to determine best air, trick, fluidity, and difficulty. Top competitors will progress to the afternoon finals.

Registration will take place in the base lodge cafeteria from 8:30 to 10:30 am. Entry fee for all competitors will be $25 (lift ticket sold separately). Practice runs will start at noon and the competition will start at 12:30. Helmets are required of all competitors. Under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must sign a liability waiver on your behalf.

Prizes include a "King" and "Queen" from both skiing and snowboarding disciplines. There is a $2,000 prize purse, great gear and free swag, and it's up for grabs to all athletes in search of status. Call (530) 581-8321.

SWEET AT SUGAR BOWL

Want to go big in the park and pipe? Let the pros from Sugar Bowl's Ski School help you out. This program is for intermediate skiers and boarders 13 through adult looking to develop style and comfort with freestyle. Two-hour clinics with experts begin at 10 a.m. and 1p.m. every weekend. Call (530) 426-6772.