North Lake Tahoe, California Things to Do

Photo courtesy of Alena Grace Photography

Snow, steaming hot cocoa and sleigh rides. There is so much happening this year at the 7th Annual Magical Memories, we don’t know where to begin!

Resort at Squaw Creek has crafted a bevy of holiday activities for all ages, which runs from November 25, 2011 to January 8, 2012. We’ll just whet your appetite for winter wonderland galore with these options: holiday caroling, cookie decorating, wine and cheese tastings, s’mores roast and hot cocoa by the bonfire, breakfast with Santa, stories with Mrs. Claus in the lobby, snowman making competition, sleigh rides and more!  To see a detailed list of events by date and more information, click here!

If you are music buff, then be sure to set aside these dates and get your ticket while you can! Handel’s “Messiah” in the Grand Sierra Ballroom is a local’s favorite, and not one to miss.

Musical Event Details:

11/30, 12/7, 12/14 at 5 PM: Live Local School Performances. Complimentary!

12/10 and 12/11: The Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus of Sierra College presents “Sing Christmas”;  for tickets click here.

12/16: The Orchestra and Community Chorus of the Tahoe Area (TOCCATA) presents a special version of Handel’s “Messiah” in the Grand Sierra Ballroom. Buy your  tickets here!

For women who list “be a better skier” and “build confidence” to their New Year’s Resolutions, Ingrid Backstrom and Jessica Sobolowski-Quinn are hosting the ultimate women’s weekend ski camp aimed at accomplishing both of those goals. The camp will also showcase world famous Squaw Valley and help women feel more comfortable skiing the entire mountain.

The camp is open to expert skiers, ages 13 and up.  Campers receive unparalleled coaching from the world’s top women big mountain skiers.  A videographer films each participant during Saturday’s session so women can gain a visual perspective of their skiing strengths and weaknesses prior to heading out for day two.

What: Unparalleled women’s ski clinic led by the world’s top women big mountain skiers. For women who want to improve their skiing and confidence on the mountain in a fun, pressure-free environment.

Also available is video filming on the first day so women can gain a visual perspective of their skiing strengths and weaknesses prior to heading out for day two.

Ingrid and Jessica are excited to team up with WOW (Women of Winter) and have one WOW instructor per group along with your big mountain coach. The WOW clinics are a great way to get ready for the Next Level Camp.

Who: Next Level is limited to experts due to the goal of the camp. Please feel free to call or email about ability questions.

When: January 7th  and 8th, 2012.

Where: On the slopes of Squaw Valley, with the ski-in/ski-out Squaw Valley Lodge as the host hotel for meeting area, yoga, breakfast / lunch and video analysis. Special Next Level Clinic lodging rates are available at Squaw Valley Lodge. Group reservation details are below.

Cost: $495 without lift tickets. With lift tickets for Saturday and Sunday: $633

• Cost includes 1/2 hour morning yoga session Saturday and Sunday, breakfast, lunch, video, 6 ladies – 2 coach ratio and a gift bag and prizes from Columbia, Northface, Clif Bar, Zeal, Kombi, Volkl / Marker and Tecnica.

Description of the day: We will meet at 7:30AM each morning. Sherry McConkey, once again, will have a morning yoga session that focuses on getting your mind and muscles ready for the day. Breakfast is served from 8:15-8:45AM. Groups will hit the hill at 9am – 12pm where we will take an hour for lunch. 1pm -4pm groups will meet again and ski until mountain closing. On Saturday, immediately following group skiing, Ingrid and Jessica will host the video analysis day with beverages and appetizers.

Questions: Call 530.412.1031 or email: jsstahoe@gmail.com

Registration Information: Email Jessica @ jsstahoe@gmail.com for registration and pay instructions.

Lodging/Booking Reservation:

• Call 800.979.0486 and ask for the Next Level Women’s Clinic Special Rates.
• Email reservations@squawvalleylodge.com, and ask for the Next Level Women’s Ski Clinic Booking Code to receive group discounts.

Enjoy the finest of amenities and services.

• Ski-in/Ski-out convenience
• Spacious Studio to 3-Bedroom Condominiums
• Steps from Dining, Shopping  and Activities in Squaw Valley’s Village
• Voted the #1 Squaw Valley hotel on TripAdvisor
• Extensive Health Club with Indoor/Outdoor Spas, steam room and sauna

About Ingrid and Jessica

Ingrid has podium in numerous freeskiing contests and filmed for various ski movies including 8 Matchstick Productions films.  She climbed and skied Denali this past June as part of a team with The North Face, and after spending the past season traveling everywhere from Japan to Greenland to Chile, she looks forward to skiing KT more this season.  Her coaching experience includes co-ed and women’s camps throughout the West and in South America for the past 7 years.

Jessica Sobolowski-Quinn has been in over a dozen ski movies. Jessica has ton’s of first descents in the Chugach Mountain Range where she spends 3 months every spring guiding and running Points North. She is a mom to Kinley Drake Quinn and calls Squaw Valley her home. She hosts “Alaskan Ladies” at Points North Heli (PNH, www.alaskaheliski.com), which she owns and operates with her husband.

If you plan to celebrate Thanksgiving at Lake Tahoe this year, why not head up to High Camp at Squaw Valley and feast with a view? You can enjoy a traditional dinner in the Terrace Room, taking in the expansive view of Squaw Valley and Lake Tahoe in the distance. Freshly carved turkey and prime rib, as well as your favorite fixings, await you. Choose from an array of delectable desserts. One non-alcoholic beverage is included in the price of dinner.

When: Thanksgiving Day! 11:30am-3:30pm

Where: Squaw Valley USA (High Camp)

Cost:  $27 for adults. $17 for children 12 and under. Please note price does not include cost of Cable Car tickets. These may be purchased on site.

Squaw Valley requires reservations for your dinner seating. Please email abarker@squaw.com to make reservations.

If your years of trick-or-treating are over, but you still hanker to celebrate Halloween in style, then be sure to get your tickets now for the 33rd Annual Cadillac Ball! Hosted every year by The Rotary Club of Truckee, this year’s ball will be held at The Resort at Squaw Creek on October 29, 2011.

This isn’t your typical Monster Mash. In fact, it’s a classy affair featuring a gourmet dinner, a silent and live auction, live music by Five Point O, and an astounding raffle worth $23,000 in cash prizes! Now that’s no trick – what a treat! And don’t forget to dress in your finest “Elegantly Spooky” costume, as indicated by this year’s theme.

For more information visit www.CadillacBall.com or contact Rick McConn, Cadillac Ball Chair (530)582-4663; or Ed Windham, Ticket Sales (530) 412-1550 at The Rotary Club of Truckee.

Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world.  - Grant Petersen

Cyclist climbs past Donner Lake to Sugar Bowl Resort in 2010.

The century ride is an event that offers 30, 60 and 100 mile routes; starting and finishing at the Village at Squaw on September 24th. All courses are incredibly scenic, challenging terrain and not for the faint at heart. This isn’t just your everyday race. Tahoe Sierra Century benefits local high school and middle school music programs. It’s a great way to end the summer season, and take your road bike for a (long) spin before trading it in for your winter gear, skis or board. Included in every entry is a celebratory dinner from 1:30pm to 6:00pm and live music by the North Tahoe High School and North Tahoe Middle School Bands.

The ride begins in Squaw Valley, follows along the beautiful north shore of Lake Tahoe, Brockway Summit, the Tahoe Donner area, Donner Lake, Donner Summit, and finishes back in Squaw Valley.  There’s still time to register before late fees apply after September 16th!

The crisp fall air is approaching — now is the time to take advantage of the breathtaking vistas at Lake Tahoe on two wheels, and support your local schools. What more could a cyclist ask for?

One of the most rockin’ events of the summer. What could be better than good brew and good music in a beautiful mountain setting? Nothing!

With a great selection of beer for guests to sample and an incredible line-up of music both days the Brews, Jazz & Funk Fest is your chance to make great summer memories. Breweries from all over the region will be ready to pour you a cold one for only $4 each! $5 entry fee – entry & beer sales benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.

And best of all, you can bring your favorite pup with you to enjoy the festival.

Here’s the lineup for 2011:

Saturday, August 13th
Leo Nocetelli” The Meters Experience “Ft. Bill “The Buddha” Dickens
Monophonics w/ Special Guest – Tony “Young James Brown” Wilson
Mike Mannigan’s Big Organ Trio
Walter “Wolfman” Washington

Sunday, August 14th
Steve Kimock & Friends
Papa Grow Funk
Tim Snider Quartet
Eric Lindell

Further information and ticket pricing.