Everyone is calling and asking if Heavenly is open for skiing when there isn’t any snow. The truth is there is snow and enough of it to have a great time skiing. Heavenly has the West Coast’s largest snowmaking system.

With 18 lifts and 20 trails open at this time, accessing 11 miles of the finest surface conditions at Lake Tahoe one can hardly complain about a ski resort with no snow.  The Nevada side currently has 10 lifts and 15 trails and the California side offers eight lifts and five trails.

We recommend the Nevada side at this time. It’s got the most open terrain, Lake Tahoe’s best terrain park, and top‐to‐bottom skiing or riding with nearly 2,400 vertical feet, the most at Lake Tahoe. However, if you’re taking a lesson, California is a great option with terrain for every ability level. And while you can’t ski from side, we do have frequent, free shuttle service running between the three open base areas.

If skiing isn’t your thing not to worry.  Heavenly offers sightseeing and tubing at the top of the Gondola.   You also might want to let loose with  Tahoe’s ultimate apres ski party at Tamarack lodge from 3:30 to 5:30, featuring half‐priced drinks, DJs and dancers.

To stay informed about terrain openings and mountain status visit the Heavenly Ski Resort website.

EVERYONE knows that Lake Tahoe is beautiful, breathtaking, and the best place on earth but did you also know that it was formed from volcanic action and faulting?  This occurred over several million years as the Sierra Nevada mountains were rising from a shallow sea.  An alpine lake formed near the southern and lowest part of the basin, fed by snow, rain, and draining creeks and rivers.  This alpine lake is best known as the Lake in the Sky or Lake Tahoe!

Lake Tahoe is an unbelievable 22 miles long and 12 miles wide  and offers 72 miles of shoreline. The surface area of Lake Tahoe covers 191 square miles.  This amazing lake is the third deepest lake on our continent and the tenth deepest in the world!   At it’s deepest measurable spot Lake Tahoe has a depth of 1,645 feet and averages 1,000 feet.   The only lake deeper than Lake Tahoe in the United States is Crater Lake in Oregon which has been measured at 1930 feet deep.

Another interesting fact about Lake Tahoe is that their is only one outlet (the Truckee River) and that outlet doesn’t flow to into an ocean.  The cold waters of Lake Tahoe travels ultimately to Pyramid Lake, a natural salt water lake about 30 minutes outside of Reno.

Although there is only one way out of Tahoe, there are 63 ways into Tahoe.  Streams, rivers, creeks, even a waterfall flow into the lake.

Did you know if Lake Tahoe “tipped over” it would cover the entire state of California with 14 inches of water!  Amazing.

If you’ve ever played in the water you know it’s very, very cold.  In fact, at it’s warmest time Lake Tahoe is a chilly 70 degrees.  To put that into perspective, the average hot tub is 104 degrees.  The American Red Cross suggests that 78° F is the appropriate temperature for swimming.  In the winter months the surface temperature of Lake Tahoe is a chilly 40 degrees.  Most of the lake stays at 39 degrees year around though as the water constantly rotates bottom to top and never freezes.

Do you have more facts about Lake Tahoe?  I’d love to hear them.  Leave a comment and share your knowledge.

Bike enthusiast, you will love this event. Even if you don’t ride you’ll have fun listening to live music and feasting on great food and beverages. The Tahoe Sierra Century Ride has earned praise for its scenic routes, challenging hill climbs (60 and 100 mile routes), full support services, great food and incredible music. We look forward to making the 2011 ride an enjoyable, memorable experience for all.  For more information or to register visit the Tahoe Sierra Century website.

Like amazing food and great wine?  Then you won’t want to miss the 26th annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival taking place this weekend at Northstar Resort.

The three-day event kicks off Friday, September 9 with the always hilarious, annual rite of passage, the 8th Annual Village Grape Stomp and Vineyard Luncheon, with costumed teams furiously stomping fresh-from-the-vineyard grapes trying to extract the most juice. The team entry fee ($200 for 4 and $50 for those solo) includes grape stomping, wine and beer tasting and alfresco luncheon. For those not wanting to get their feet dirty, lunch/tasting only tickets are just $40/person.

Day two of the festival (Saturday, September 10) showcases some of the best culinary programs in the region, including three free outdoor seminars held in the heart of the Village at Northstar. Mark Estee, chef and owner of the wildly popular Truckee-based Moody’s Bistro & Lounge and Burger Me, which was featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, hosts “Outdoor Grilling” at 11 a.m.. Chef Jason Gronlund, senior director of culinary and the executive chef for Hard Rock Café International, hosts “Cookin’ Hard Rock Style” at 12:15 p.m. and will showcase great techniques and delightful recipes. Local legend Douglas Dale of Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique in Tahoe City wraps up the free programs with “Cuisine Unique Cooking Demo” at 2:45 p.m. as he guides attendees in finding new elements, ingredients, techniques and unconventional food combinations. Also free to the public is the Gourmet Marketplace Trade Fair, where festival goers can sample and purchase olive oils, tapenades, olives, vinegars and gourmet products. There will also be artisan jewelry makers, photography exhibits and the North Tahoe Plein Air Art Show and Sale throughout the Village.

Saturday’s ticketed events are many and include both wine and food events, as well as a distillery party. A festival favorite is the Gourmet Marketplace Wine and Brew Walk with an entry fee of $25/person. In “Some Like it Hot” Chef Instructor Lars Kronmark of the Culinary Institute of America, Napa matches big, bold California wines with American BBQ food for $45/person. A great opportunity for budding chefs to cook side-by-side with their parents, Lara Ritchie of the Northing To It Culinary Center in Reno provides “Thai Spring Rolls” for $10/person. Enjoy wines from one of California’s newest wine destinations, Lake County, in “Wines with Altitude” for $40/person. Usually only available to the restaurant and wine trade, “Taste the Pride – Pride Mountain Vineyards Horizontal Tasting” runs $65/person. A not-to-be-missed is the Blazing Pans Mountain Chef Cook-Off when local culinary gurus David Lutz of Tahoe City’s Evergreen Restaurant and Sean Conry of Longboards Bar & Grill at Plumas Pines Golf Course in Graeagle go head-to-head Iron-Chef style with a secret ingredient unveiled at the start of the competition. Cost is $15/person. Saturday’s festivities wrap up with the “Charbay Artisan Winery & Distillery Annual Release Party” with master distiller Marko Karakasevic offering whiskey in all of its distilling stages along with appetizers prepared by Chef Jason Gronlund. Cost is $65/person. That evening attendees can enjoy winemaker dinners and special tastings at many North Lake Tahoe restaurants.

Day Three (Sunday, September 11) is the pinnacle of the festival with the Culinary Competition and Grand Tasting. It’s a gastronomic dream as 30 of the area’s finest restaurants, caterers and chefs from the Lake Tahoe region are paired with premium world-class wineries charged with creating the best marriage of food and wine. Tickets are $75/person online through September 9 and $90/person at the door.

For a complete list of festival programs, event descriptions, and to purchase tickets visit the event website.

The Great Reno Balloon Race is the largest free hot air ballooning event in the Nation. From September 9th-11th, 2011 you can look up into the Reno skies and see a rainbow of hot air balloons soaring about. The Great Reno Balloon Race now has more than 100 balloons each year. The Balloon Race has won many awards over the years including ‘Best Special Event in Reno’ and ‘Best Special Event in Northern Nevada.’

Friday September 9th

• 6:45 am Sunrise Launch
• 7:30am – 10am On-Field Competitions
• 9:30am Tissue Paper Balloon Launch

Saturday September 10th

• 5am Balloon Glow
• 5:30am Dawn Patrol
• 6:46am Sunrise Launch
• 7:30am – 10am On-Field Competitions

Sunday September 11th

• 5am Balloon Glow
• 5:30am Dawn Patrol
• 6:46am Sunrise Launch
• 7:30am – 10am On-Field Competitions

For more information on attending this great event visit The Great Reno Balloon Race website.

This Saturday, September 3, 2011 from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, Tahoe Queen v.s. M.S. Dixie II.

Since 1984 the Great Lake Tahoe Sternwheeler Race has been run a total of 18 times. This year will be the 19th. It has become a tradition around the Labor Day weekend. There is fierce rivalry between the boats and the current score is 7 wins to California’s Tahoe Queen and 11 to Nevada’s M.S. Dixie II. This year Lake Tahoe Cruises are proud to announce Korbel California Champagne as an official sponsor.

You can be a part of this great race and ride on either boat. Boarding is at 10:00am and the Race start is at 11:00am. The cost is $39 for Adult Tickets and $15 for Childrens Tickets. $5 of adult ticket price will be donated to Christmas Cheer all year. Both cruises include brunch and will include onboard entertainment: Tahoe Queen – Mark Twain (McAvoy Layne), M.S. Dixie II – Mr. Tahoe (Darin Talbot).

The 2nd Annual Sample The Sierra Festival is underway! Events include:

• A Sample The Sierra dinner cruise on Friday September 2nd from 7 pm-9:30 pm. Call 775-588-1728 for reserve your 3 course dinner with wine aboard the Tahoe Queen.
• Tour the Jollity Farm in El Dorado County and see how products from goat cheese to lavendar products are created. 11 am – 1 pm on Saturday September 3rd.
• Cooking Demo at the Restaurant at Black Bear Inn on September 3rd from 10:30 am – 1 pm. Harvest your own salad from the Black Bear garden. Hand roll your own tortellini with roasted squash, aged parmesan and sage butter. For desert, chocolate delize with marzipan ice cream and finally enjoy the fruits of your labor with a complimentary glass of wine! Call 530-544-4451 to reserve your spot.
• FREE EVENT on September 3rd at Retiredice Alpacas Ranch from 2 pm – 4 pm. Tour the ranch, pet the Alpacas, feed the Alpacas and you can even take one home as a family pet!
• THE BIG EVENT!! Sample the Sierra Festival on Sunday September 4th on Ski Run Blvd from Noon to 5pm! This is a farm to fork festival where you can try wine from 14 local wineries paired with gourmet food from 14 local chefs. The festival also includes booths featuring local art, products, kids activities and live music.

We are offering a special a 20% discount (based on availability). This CALL IN ONLY DEAL is for this event and valid for booking dates from now until 9/11/11 with travel dates of 8/26-9/11.   When calling you must mention the code “SAMPLE SIERRA”.