Sierra at Tahoe Resort Official Blog

Big Snow Means Big Responsibility

Yeeeeees, this winter has been stuffed full of days in the Sierra white room, blower shots, and endless bottomless powder runs. We couldn't ask for anything more other than a million bucks and an Escalade, but we are seriously thrilled with all the thrills Mother Nature has provided us thus far. As of this morning we have gathered 696 inches since our first 100 in November, and we have had more snow this year than in the last twenty years. The only record left to beat is from 1983 way back when  People Magazine's most intriguing people were Debra Winger, Mr. T. and  Matthew Brodrick. Meanwhile storms are lined up through Tuesday. The snow record that was made when Def Leopard's Photograph was flying up the charts was 756". If the snow keeps up like it has we just might break it, making the most intriguing people of 2011 MIA since they'll be pit deep in powder.

As Mr. Burns might say, our conditions are EXCELLLLENT!

So, Mr Burns and everyone else is fired up on all the snow we have but large accumulations of snow can cause high avalanche danger and danger for unaware riders and skiers. It's important to keep safety front of mind when we are getting three feet of snow overnight.  Below are some tips on deep snow safety from Sierra Resort's website.

1) Partner Up!

It is critical to ski or ride with a partner who remains in visual contact at all times.  In many cases, some of the deaths which have occurred due to tree well incidents may have been avoided had:

1. the person been with a partner
2. the partner saw the person fall and
3. the partner was close enough to assist digging the victim out in a timely manner.

It does NO GOOD for your safety if you are under the snow and your partner is waiting for you at the bottom of the lift. If you have any question about what a “timely manner” is to assist someone in a tree well, hold your breath now as you are reading this and the amount of time until you need air is approximately how much time your partner has to help get you out of danger. Other factors such as creating an air pocket or the nature of how you fall into the well may extend this critical timeframe.

VISUAL CONTACT means stopping and watching your partner descend at all times, then proceeding downhill while he or she watches you at all times. IF YOU LOSE VISUAL SIGHT OF YOUR PARTNER, YOU COULD LOSE YOUR FRIEND.

2) Carry Backcountry gear.

Carry the same personal rescue gear as backcountry skiers or snowboarders:

• Transceiver
• Shovel
• Probe
• Whistle 

3) If you are a skier, remove your pole straps.

If you are a skier, remove your pole straps before heading down a powder slope. Trapped skiers have difficulty removing the pole straps, which can hamper efforts to escape or clear an air space to breathe.

What If I Go Down?

1. If you are sliding toward a tree well or a deep snow bank, do everything you can to avoid going down: grab branches, hug the tree, or anything to stay above the surface.
2. If you go down, resist the urge to struggle violently. The more you struggle, the more snow will fall into the well from the branches and area around the well and compact around you.
3. Instead of panicking, try first to make a breathing space around your face. Then move your body carefully in a rocking manner to hollow out the snow and give you space and air.

Hopefully, your partner will have seen what happened and will come to your rescue within minutes. If not, experts advise staying calm while waiting for assistance. Survival chances are improved if you maintain your air space. Over time, heat generated by your body, combined with your rocking motions, will compact the snow, and you may be able to work your way out.

To see more about Avalanche Safety visit Sierra's website or SAC. Have fun but be safe...so you can come back to have more fun.  Excellent!

Buckle Up for Safety & Freestyle Fun

I know my posts are usually fairly light and some even smart-aleky but put your serious hat on for a paragraph or two. You can do it.

Driving to the Resort today at 5:00 a.m. was treacherous. Visibility was low due to lack of light and heavy snowfall and I was certainly fighting the StarWars-esque vertigo that comes with driving in falling snow. I was down the road a bit when I thought, as my Suby slipped around, I better put on my seat belt. In these conditions we become acutely aware of the importance and value of seat belts but, it's so easy to forget to click it on an ordinary clear road day. Here are some U.S. Car Accident Stats to bring the concept of seat belt benefit to the forefront of your brain like those flashing and beeping contraptions in newer model whips.

Did you know?

• A person dies in a car accident every 12 minutes and kill 40,000 people annually in the U.S.
• The leading cause of death for people aged 2-34 is is motor accidents.
• 55% of those killed in passenger vehicle accidents are not wearing seat belts. 
• 1 out of 4 Americans STILL do not wear seat belts.
• Teen drivers are 3 times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash than any other age group.
• Talking on a cell phone while driving can double your chances of being in an accident.
• 56% of teens admit to talking on a cell phone while driving.
• For every driver 15-17 killed in a car crash there are 2 other people killed in the accident.

I have a laundry list of these startling stats, but I'll spare you. Instead I'll invite you to Sierra-at-Tahoe's 5th Annual Buckle Up Big Air event. This is an awareness event for seat belt and driving safety built around a fun environment. If it's fun the message will better stick in the nooks and crannies of youth brains. Skiers Riders and Spectators are welcome to the fun filled day on the snow. The festivities will be held in the Aspens and will include an on-hill barbecue where proceeds go the Sierra Education Foundation, Music, Raffle with a you-know-what load of prizes, and and a Slopestyle Jam with $1,500.00 Cash Purse. There will also be tons of other booty including snowboards from Sentury and GoPros for the top placers in the Open Class. At then end of the competition, the CHP gives a safety presentation to competitors and event attendees. Before they give out the prizes, of course.

Join Sierra for a fun day of snow culture and help spread this very important social message to ours and your local youth!

This event was spawned in memory of freeride skier and Sierra Resort Team rider Greg Taylor Smith (G.T.S.) who was thrown from a car and tragically killed in 2006. Greg's father Steve Smith puts on this event and is dedicated to keep other parents from suffering his fate. 

Greg will forever live in our memory.

Come give ups & throw down your best slopestyle run for GTS.

Saturday, April 19th.

Event Details

 

One Hit Wonder: Sierra-At-Tahoe & Snowboarder Magazine

03.15.2011 // 5 Comments

The Setup.

Words: Avert Guldemond (One Hit Wonder Event Director)
Photos: Kyle McCoy

As you wind your way out of Carson City Nevada you can almost sense it in the distance. The majestic power of the earth seems to creep into your soul as you catch your first glimpse. Looking down from highway 50 you notice the burning sun reflecting off the heavenly blue waters of Lake Tahoe. The cliff walls supporting the road seem to be built for tranquility as you circle the edge of the states largest freshwater body.

via fresh.snowboardermag.com

The one hit wonder feature last weekend was amazingly creative. Sierra team Rider Scotty "BANGER" stole the show. See here how our riders and park crew awed Snowboarder Mag.

Babes, Beers and Sunshine....

This is what comes to mind when I reminisce about the best college spring break parties I've attended. Of course, due to my consumption patterns of my early twenties limited amounts of information can be recalled about such accounts.

School is stressful, it's full of  books, papers, you're working, you're broke, you can't find enough time to drink with your buddies or make time with the object of your affection weather it be your, guy, girl or your skis or snowboard.

Well, Sierra Resort is feeling your pain and has lined up the perfect spring break event to help you decompress and master your best nose press. But we've added some snow and freeslyle action to the mix. We're taking Spring Break to the slopes with College Shred Fest.

The party is happening in West Bowl with Guest DJ Theron mixing up beats, while the bartenders are mixing up drink specials. Ski and ride for just $40 bucks with a valid student ID. Snowboarder Magazine will also be at Sierra hosting the One Hit Wonder contest. There will also be games and snowboard giveaways throughout the day. What's more, Shred Fest Ticket holders get VIP access to Apres Ski Party at Opal Lounge in MontBleu Casino and Spa. So we've replaced the Cancun sand with Sierra snow, but it's still all about a good time.

This event is followed by College Weeks ( March 14-18 & March 21-25) with extended disocunted lift tickets for college studetns. So put away your books, grab your sticks and head to the snow to meet your future ex and wax that.....

board, of course.

P.S. Eating blueberries helps to grow new brain cells, I'm just saying.

Need a new snowboard? Check out our @Burton Snowboard Giveaway Contest

Save a buck, make a friend... SHARE a RIDE - do it

Let's face it riding and skiing are fun no matter what, but you know what makes it better? Someone to ride with. This goes double for when you are making the drive from Sac, the Bay or somewhere that's not so close. Even the lake can be not so close when you're without wheels. We are happy to introduce our revamped ride-share page where you can post a profile about what area you live in, what time you like to leave and even if you prefer to share rides with two plankers or knuckle draggers. Think of it as an eHarmony for carpooling, and for a limited time only you can see your matches for Free. Ha ha, I jest but you get the picture. Actually, it is always free and we absolutely encourage it!!!!  It works great for people looking for rides as well as those looking for passengers.

Not to toot our horn but conditions are sick and you're not the only one who wants to come shred our luscious slopes, parks and pipe. Yes, we're so hot right now. That's why we are always trying to offer solutions for transportation with our Free Shuttles around South Lake Tahoe. We want to help you help yourselves. 

If you've ever skipped a trip because you didn't want to make the drive solo or you couldn't ride on a blue bird powder day because our parking lots were full- wha-wha-whaaaa, then you know what a great resource this is.

You never know who you'll meet or what kind of adventures will ensue. Give our new ride share page a spin today!

DO IT, DO IT!

   

 

Jamie Anderson Visuals Episode 2

Jamie Anderson VISUALS EP. 2 | Tahoe-> from Martin Rubio on Vimeo.

X Prozac, Sub Nature

 

Sometimes we can all catch a case of the blues. It's human nature and life throws unexpected stresses at us every now and again. Next time you're feeling a down in the dumps skip the therapist and western remedies and head for the hills. There is an overwhelming healing quality wrapped up in the beauty that covers Sierra Resort.

There is nothing like a crisp blue powder day to lighten your spirits as the snow covered mountains radiate beauty. Its kind of like the way a roller coaster can force a smile now matter what your mood when you got on the ride. The sparkling air and snow covered scenery command a peaceful sensation more soothing than hot baths and chamomile.  If you just take the time to look around on days like these, you'll find yourself surrounded with shiny, heart warming goodness. It's like a big tight hug from your favorite friend.

Now, if you don't take the time to suck in the scenery, heart pumping adrenaline is another way to pop you back into the now. This approach forces a smile like a roller coaster too, but like a roller coaster where you pick and choose your turns, whips, flips and descents. Whooohoooo! If your slate is  only wiped clean for the duration of your run, shooshing down a mountian with snow hitting your cheeks is a sweet escape from the every day.

And let's face it, we can all use an intermittent reprieve from the norm.

Today the mountain is chicken soup for the soul. Try some.

Priceless payoff: pain of learning to ride powder

Have you ever seen a turtle get turned on its back?

Well, this is the imagery that comes to mind when I think of someone riding in powder for the first time, especially in waist deep powder like we have now. When you're learning the ropes, one of the final stages of the learning progression and crescendo of enjoyment for the sport is learning to mash some pow.

After a good few days of learning, you think you've taken your lumps in the groomers punishing your little wrists with every catch of your body.  Your neck muscles were sore for a week from that time you caught your edge and smacked your head and thought, hey, I might need to invest in a helmet. And at long last, the swelling in your one bum cheek subsided  to finally match the other. You think you've got it. The fallen leaf has become something that only leaves do and you're picking up the speed down some runs, maybe even jumping a little. And then…dun dun dun,  dun-du-dun, dun-du-dun (think Darth Vader to get the tune) ...comes a powder day.

Your friend, who got you into the sport in the first place, is thrilled and can't wait. You, the seasoned rider you've become, think you're ready for it. It looks easy and fun, and you've got it figured out now. Assured by your professions of competency, your buddy agrees to go up with you. So you start off at the top of Grandview starting out towards Sugar and Spice and then with two whips of a tail, you're pal disappears into an abyss of trees.

And you follow.

  I don't know about you but, I got tired just watching.

An hour later......after rolling around in the snow, taxing every muscle in your body, and stuffing snow into every wrinkle of cloth and perhaps your body, you've swam out. You've discovered that falling is bad, um kay, and that trying to push yourself up like you've done on the groomers just doesn't work the same way here. Your friend tried to stop and help, while he/she stared at you with a fool's grin (note the laughter coming from the camera person), and kept saying things like 'just lean back'. From pure frustration you tell your friend to leave you, you'll make it down, or you're one of those who gets mad and grouchy. In any case, you've found powder to be a horse of a different color.

I'm here to tell you we were all there once and if the pain of snow against your skin, and the sting of the ego wasn't worth it, then people wouldn't quit their jobs to move to the mountains, or get up at 3:00am to get here to call in sick when they're almost here, to keep their jobs. Riding powder is an other worldly thrill that feels like what it might to slide across cumulous clouds. It is a veritable vortex of fameless glory filled with hoots and hollers to burn joyous memories in your brain for decades. It gives a sensation that  is ineffable (is not expressible in words) causes incessant giggles, makes men proudly wear beards of ice and keeps the masses coming back and back and back.

For all those who had one tough time in powder on a snowy day and signed off.... do it again. I guarantee it will be worth it.

Here is a little snippet of a success story:

 

Storm total is 38 inches and counting..it's dumping out there. Now's your chance!

Some helpful tips.