49er celebrity event set at Squaw Valley

Not the best ski and snowboard conditions this weekend, but at worst snowsporting in the Sierra Nevada is better than watching television. Lots of things going on and while it may be a bit rainy Friday and Saturday, that's what slickers are for.

Helps to have the right wax for this kind of snow, which is usually icy in the morning but softens up into corn snow by early afternoon. So when you sport depends on the kinds of conditions you like.

For the early morning boiler plate, keep the edges honed both on the bottoms and sides. Wax with glider or hard wax. For the soft stuff try all-conditions or spring conditions wax. This is the time of year when things are in transition so you might want to investigate a hot wax job. Or do it yourself - all you need is a bar of good wax, an old electric iron and a plastic scraper. Dribble the wax the length of the ski or board with the hot iron, then smooth it out with the sole of the iron. Make sure the wax covers the width of the base, then put the gear aside and let it cool down.

Then use the plastic (an old credit card will work) to smooth and scrape off the excess wax. What you are seeking is filling the P-tex pores with wax to break up the vacuum that comes from running the boards over the snow. If you have an old wire brush that's not too stiff, you can run it along the length to clear the small channels that flush the melted snow away from the boards and skis.

Meanwhile, Friday morning at Sierra-at-Tahoe, then a hike in Santa Cruz County, and back to Heavenly on Sunday. That's why we live here, right?

DISCOUNT TICKETS AT SUGAR BOWL

Sugar Bowl ha donated 1,000 ski lift tickets to benefit Tahoe Women's Services. All day lift tickets will be pre-sold for $25 for Friday at Sugar Bowl. Tickets must be pre-purchased by calling (775) 298-0010. No tickets will be sold at Sugar Bowl. All proceeds benefit Tahoe Women's Services, dedicated to reducing the incidence and trauma of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.

CELEBRITY RACES AT SQUAW

San Francisco 49ers players, coaches and management square off against Olympians and other celebrities at the San Francisco 49ers Foundation Fifth Annual Celebrity Ski-Classic through Sunday at the Resort at Squaw Creek.

Phil and Steve Mahre highlight a group of current and former Olympians who will be competing in the ski race. Other Olympians include Dan Jansen (speed skater), Michael Johnson (sprinter), Kristen Krone (skier), Julia Mancuso (skier), Jonna Mendes (skier) Steve Podbroski (skier), Marco Sullivan (skier) and Eva Twadorkens (skier).

San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Mike Nolan and Veep Scot McCloughan will join several current 49ers players, including Ken Dorsey, Anthony Adams, Brandon Lloyd, P.J. Fleck and Mike Rumph at the three-day event.

There will be a reception and silent auction tonight and the ski race is 11 a.m. Saturday at Squaw Valley. There will also be a dinner and live auction on Saturday night. Call (408) 562-4957 or (415) 336-4299.

SEASON PASSES STARTING AT $299

Lake Tahoe's dual mountain season pass is back for 2005/06 and with prices beginning as low as $299 at both Sierra-at-Tahoe and Northstar-at-Tahoe.

The $299 Value Season Pass allows adults to ski/ride any day excluding blackout dates at Sierra-at-Tahoe and Sunday through Friday excluding blackout dates at Northstar-at-Tahoe.

A limited season pass, valid any day at Sierra and any day excluding blackout dates at Northstar, is priced at $459 for adults. A young adult (ages 13-22) limited pass costs $249 and a child (5-12) limited pass is just $89.

Passes are on sale now and the blackout dates are Nov. 25-26, 2005, Dec. 26-31, 2005 Jan. 14-15, 2006 and Feb. 18-19, 2006.

Call (530) 659-7453 x208 or 1-800-GO-NORTH.

SIERRA CLUB OUTING

Today a XC Ski Tahoe Group starts at Prosser Lake view cross country ski area for beginners. We will start with an overview and lessons. It's on flat terrain and over rolling hills to lunch. Bring equipment, lunch, water, warm layered clothing something to sit on, sunblock. Leader is Glenn Polochko (530) 587-5906, gpolochko@yahoo.com.

On Saturday, snowshoe or hike, depending on weather from Spooner Lake X-C area. Easy. Bring snowshoes, poles, lunch, water, snack. Dress in layers. Nominal fee for entrance to park. Kids OK, no dogs. Leader is Kathie Hoxsie (530) 583-8115.

SQUAW ADVANCED CLINIC

Squaw Valley will host a three-day advanced ski clinic March Friday-Sunday emphasizing technical skiing at its highest level. A Just For Women Ski clinic is also scheduled. Call Squaw at (530) 583-6985.

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

WINE, FINGERFOOD AND A LAST RUN

It's Last Tracks at Diamond Peak Saturdays through March 26. Enjoy sunset appetizers and wine tasting at Snowflake Lodge then ski down freshly groomed runs. Great fun and the views are magnificent.

DRIVERS WANTED

Anyone who has ever wanted to climb inside the driver's seat of a Snocat or take a behind-the-scenes look at grooming a halfpipe will get their chance at Northstar-at-Tahoe's Grooming Expo on March 26.

The expo will allow Northstar guests to take a close look at some of the resort's heavy equipment and meet the employees who keep the mountain in such great shape all season long. Three Bombardier Snocats will be parked at the mid-mountain expo area all day, along with the resort's Zaugg halfpipe cutter. Guests can climb in the equipment and get their picture taken by SharpShooters. They can also check out a grooming display, full of photos and information on Northstar's award-winning grooming department.

Northstar's Snowell Tuning Center - the only one of its kind on the West Coast - will also be on hand to demonstrate this high performance tuning process which was used to tune athletes' equipment for the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. It will also offer $30 spring tune coupons to guests. Northstar's Chili Peppers Cantina will join in the festivities with a salsa sampling. Pick up coupons for Mexican food deals from the Cantina. Call (800)GO-NORTH.