North Lake Tahoe, California Things to Do

Shane McConkey's quirky alter ego, Pain McShlonkey.

As an on and off mountain event, the Pain McShlonkey Classic is a wacky part of Tahoe culture in which all proceeds from the weekend benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation, along with environmental education programs. The event was dubbed after one of Shane’s funny alter egos, Pain McShlonkey. Hosted on March 23-24th at Squaw Valley, the McShlonkey offers the world’s top winter atheletes a chance to compete for the podium on none other than snowblades! Saturday’s on-mountain antics promise true slope-side entertainment for all ages.

“One thing about Shane is that what you saw is what he was: a man full of stoke, passion, ingenuity, humor and a zest for making your moments on this earth count,” says longtime friend Scott Gaffney. “Shane loved to laugh, play, compete against and make fun of friends and make fun of himself. The Pain McShlonkey Classic is a perfect amalgam of all of these elements that were so important to a guy who inspired us to no end.”

The Red Bull Air Force will kick off the festivities on the afternoon of Friday, March 23 as athletes like Charles Bryan, JT Holmes and Tim Dutton skydive into The Village at Squaw Valley.  Now that’s just the beginning. From there, the party rages on at Rocker@Squaw with a DJ, food and drink specials and poster signings with pro competitors.

The real throw down begins Saturday, March 24 at 9 a.m. as the athletes line up atop the legendary KT-22 chairlift for an all-out snowblade banzai. The pros will take on 30 of McConkey’s biggest fans in an anything-goes battle to the finish on Squaw’s GS Bowl. It’s a sight to see, especially the costume choices you’ll see whiz by.

To top off the weekend, don’t miss the 80’s after party at Squaw’s Olympic Village Lodge. Guests must be 21 or older to attend with valid ID required. To find out more, purchase tickets to the after party on March 24th ($25/each), or make a donation to the Shane McConkey Foundation, click here!

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An American St. Patrick's Day tradition: Chicago River dyed green.

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks,
May your heart be as light as a song,
May each day bring you bright, happy hours,
That stay with you all the year long.

In Ireland most natives pin on a sprig of green, attend morning mass, and drink a pint in the afternoon or feast with family at dinner in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Until the 1970s, St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland was a minor religious holiday. But in the United States, rivers are dyed green, there are large parades to celebrate the Irish, and millions don green for the day.

For Lake Tahoe locals and vacationers, we may have more than a sprig of green – more so a white and powdery day on the slopes! But why not capture the essence of the above Irish blessing, and grab some friends, enjoy the coming of spring, drink a pint, listen to some live tunes, dance a jig and find out how the Irish keep life so light and lively!

There are all kinds of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations happening around Lake Tahoe on Saturday, March 17^th.  The question is how do you want to celebrate? We’ve included a few choices!  Just remember to wear green, stay safe and tip your hat to St. Patrick!

Squaw Valley

Celebrate the holiday at Squaw Valley with all of your favorite Irish traditions! Ski the green slopes, hang out at the KT Base Bar for our pig roast and listen to L.A.vation, The World’s Greatest Tribute to U2 while you enjoy festive beer from Guiness, Harp and Smithwick’s. From 3pm-5pm in the Village Events Plaza, The Blarney Band will perform traditional Irish music. Catch Lenny the Leprechaun on the slopes for a special treat from his pot of gold!

Be sure to check out Auld Dubliner at Squaw if you want a taste of traditional Dublin on this Irish holiday!

Alpine Meadows

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Alpine! Come dressed in your best St. Patrick’s Day costume for a chance to win a CamelBak full of swag! All costumes will be judged at the St. Patrick’s Day Après Ski Party taking place on the Sun Deck from 1pm to 4pm. Enjoy Irish food and drink specials and live music by the the Nibblers!

Tahoe City

The fun starts at Jake’s on the Lake with traditional Irish food all day (also serving lunch/café/dinner), Happy Hour Specials 4:30pm-6:30pm, Live Music: Mark Wilson at 6pm. The party continues at Hacienda del Lago (upstairs) with live funk “Terraplane” from 9:30pm-2am, and L.A. DJ Dre Tuna at Lakeside (next door) from 10pm-2am. Bounce around from bar to bar; Bushmills Girls, music and drink specials all night at all three venues!

What’s your favorite way to spend St. Patrick’s Day?

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Who ever said urban and rural life couldn’t intersect seamlessly? You can enjoy Lake Tahoe’s breathtaking great outdoors, tucker yourself out on the slopes all day, and still get your fill of a city-center cultural favorite: ballet.

There is a company of young dance students in the Lake Tahoe area who are devoted to bringing new life to the cultural fabric of the region. Tahoe Youth Ballet presents “Dancing Women, Then and Now” on March 9th and 10th at 7pm at Cal Neva Resort.  “Dancing Women, Then and Now” features Act II of Giselle and the premiere of Into the Trees. The gala opening night tickets ($55) include admission with preferred seating, a semi-formal post-show party and two raffle tickets.

General admission tickets are also available at both performances: Adults, $20; Students/Seniors $10.  For more information about Tahoe Youth Ballet, performance dates, and a sneak peek of Into the Trees, click here.

What do you think of seeing a professional level ballet performance in Tahoe?

We hope we never hear you say that Squaw Valley or Alpine Meadows rarely show the love! Check out this incredible lift ticket steal.  A limited number of lift tickets on Valentine’s Day are going for $14/each!  That’s less half the cost of one child’s day ticket.

Lift tickets must be purchased in advance and are only available while supplies last.  Share the love with others, and enjoy a day of sweet skiing at Squaw Valley or Alpine!

Click here for more details and to purchase now!

And don’t forget the Valentine’s Package we have available to surprise your sweetie with a romantic day on the slopes, dinner for two, and Swedish massage to top off your day, and ease those tired muscles. Click here to book your Valentine’s getaway!

If the cold Truckee-Tahoe evenings are getting to you, then join others for an early evening of tea at Cedar House Sport Hotel on Thursday, February 9th from 6pm-8pm [Tweet This!].  Tahoe Teas will host a dynamic evening of their proprietary certified organic teas and herbal blends. Learn about Tahoe Teas’ origins and the Slovenian cultural influence on its founder, Alenka Vrecek. Relish in freshly baked scones from Stella and dive into the first official Truckee-Tahoe showing of “All in this Tea,” a film by Les Blank and Gina Leibrecht.

“All in this Tea” follows American tea importer David Lee Hoffman to remote regions of China in search of the finest handmade teas. Not since Robert Fortune clandestinely made his way through China in 1843 (to steal plants and seeds for the British Empire!) has a westerner attempted to gain access to the world where farmers have been making tea for generations. Hoffman introduces the west to one of China’s finest cultural gems—the artistry and exquisite taste of fine, handmade tea.

The film is 70 minutes, and Gina Leibrecht will be on site to introduce the film and answer any questions by viewers.

Purchase your tickets ($18) here!

Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it. – Benjamin Franklin

Indeed Benjamin Franklin was onto something, and there’s nothing like a romantic getaway to rekindle the joy of relationship with the one you love.  Celebrate Valentine’s Day this year with something more than the typical roses and chocolate: whisk away to legendary Squaw Valley and indulge in a two night stay!

Replete with your package is dinner for two at Grahams at Squaw Valley, complimentary bottle of red wine from award winning McDowell Valley Vineyards, and couples’ Swedish massage on-site at Squaw Valley Lodge [Tweet This!].  It’s the perfect way to wind down from a day on the slopes.   And remember, with your Tahoe Super Pass you can ski/ride at both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows.  A free shuttle runs daily between the two mountains, for your convenience.

Don’t lift a finger this Valentine’s holiday.  Surprise your sweetie with a snowy getaway in the Lake Tahoe winter sunshine. See below for details and book now!

• Two Nights Lodging in a spacious Deluxe Studio Suite Condominium for two.
• Dinner for two at renowned Graham’s at Squaw Valley: Graham’s three course dinner for two.  (Includes tax and gratuity. Beverages not included.  Reservations required.)
• Complimentary bottle of red wine from award winning McDowell Valley Vineyards.
• Swedish massage for two in Squaw Valley Lodge Massage Rooms.  (One hour Swedish Massage.)
• Use of the Squaw Valley Lodge Indoor or Outdoor Whirlpools, Sauna, Steam Room and Health Club.
• $625 total package cost midweek; Sunday-Thursday ($156.25 per person/per night, double occupancy.  Taxes not included.)
• $699 total package cost weekends; Friday and Saturday ($175 per person/per day, double occupancy.  Taxes not included.)
• Valentine’s Day dining, February 14th, with the current 15% off lodging, the package price is $181 per person, per night. $724 for two midweek nights with Valentine’s dining and massage.

Lodging discounts not valid everyday and are subject to change.  Based on availability.

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Marcus Strickland

Due to the lack of arts and music programming in schools today, there are organizations throughout the United States that have devoted themselves to the education of young audiences in this medium.  One of these non-profit organizations, JazzReach,  ”has developed a unique and diverse repertoire of substantive, high quality live educational programs for young audiences that are especially tailored to elucidate the art form and complement a broad range of students’ everyday classroom curriculum.”  Their multi-media programs are highly interactive, entertaining, yet informative.

On February 3rd, both young and old will have the opportunity to enjoy a remarkable evening of jazz, sponsored by the Cal Neva Resort.  This immersive, globally themed main-stage program features performances of all new commissions by prominent, internationally recognized jazz composers hailing from countries as diverse as, West Africa (Lionel Loueke), Israel (Omer Avital), Cuba (Yosvany Terry), Puerto Rico (Miguel Zenon), India (Rudresh Mahanthappa) and the United States (Marcus Strickland).

35 local jazz musicians from Incline Village, North Lake Tahoe and Truckee have trained with these renowned musicians and will perform in the opening piece of the show.  The history of jazz will certainly come alive in the local Lake Tahoe community!

For further information and to purchase tickets, please visit Arts For the Schools!

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