LAKE TAHOE GETS OCTOBER SNOW!

6 – 8 INCHES OF EARLY SNOW FALLS AT SOUTH TAHOE
Winter Enthusiasts Amped for Season by Mother Nature’s Early Calling Card



October 5, 2009 (South Lake Tahoe, Calif./Nev.) – Prognostications for an El Nino winter in Lake Tahoe South Shore http://www.bluelaketahoe.com now look like a sure bet as the destination received 6-8 inches of snow above 9,000 ft. and 2-4 inches at lake level this weekend, planting the seeds of anticipation for a monumental season among winter enthusiasts.

“We’re ready for an early and strong season,” said Carol Chaplin executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “A solid start to winter is key to building visitor confidence and promising early conditions have a snowball effect – pun intended – on the area’s ski resorts, lodging and dining establishments.”

Lake Tahoe ski resorts annually receive more than 400 inches of snowfall. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, locals know it’s a common occurrence for snowstorms to be followed by blue bird conditions the next day.



“Historically, while Tahoe has received snow every month out of the year, the storm this weekend provided the region with the most significant early season snowfall in several years,” said Brian O’Hara, National Weather Service in Reno. “This time two years ago Tahoe received one-inch of snow at lake level and this year residents in the Tahoe Basin noticed up to five inches on their doorsteps.”



Winter worshippers will gather for upcoming Pray for Snow Parties at Murphy's Irish Pub, Nov. 13, hosted by Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, and at the Fresh Ketch Restaurant, Nov. 18. The winter vibe will include live music from local bands and DJs, contests, and seasonal prizes – all to encourage Mother Nature to bless Lake Tahoe with a bounty of snowfall.

As anticipation grows for the season, South Shore’s three resorts: Heavenly, Kirkwood and Sierra-at-Tahoe are gearing up for the 2009-10 season with new enhancements:

The facility improvements continue in year three of Heavenly Mountain Resort's ten-year master plan with the debut of its new tubing lift, which accesses a new four-lane tubing Mecca at Heavenly’s Adventure Peak family recreation area. The Ski and Ride Schools of Heavenly have announced a new mountain guide program called the Adventure Sessions that bridges the gap between a private and group lesson. For $119, advanced skiers and snowboarders can spend a day sharing a top guide with a small group, allowing quick access to the best terrain and conditions on the mountain. Skiheavenly.com recently re-launched with functionality that has everything to make booking a ski trip fun and easy.



Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort has taken a direct shot at the price barrier to learning a new sport in a tough economy with a $35 Learn To Ski/Ride package that includes a limited access lift ticket, rental equipment and a 2.5 hour lesson. The $35 beginner package will be available Sunday through Friday, all season long, not including restricted dates. Also new this season, Sierra Resort will offer expert skiers and snowboarders Free Backcountry Tours in Huckleberry Canyon on Fridays, when conditions allow. Huckleberry Canyon offers 320 acres of off-piste terrain featured in Warren Miller’s new film, Dynasty. In addition, Backcountry Lessons are available Saturdays and Sundays and include an introductory experience in Huckleberry Canyon with a focus on equipment, route selection and skier/rider improvement. Lessons cost $33 each with purchase of a 3-Pak.



Kirkwood Mountain Resort will offer new evening Snow Cat Tours, allowing guests to explore the scenic ridgelines of Kirkwood under the light of the moon and stars. The 90-minitue tour will also include wine, sparkling cider, appetizers, cheese and crackers. Latest enhancements include two new lifts, providing access to 700 additional acres and over 1,350 vertical feet of skiing and snowboarding in the resort’s legendary backside terrain, accessing the famed chutes of Thunder Saddle along with pristine powder stashes on Fawn Ridge.



The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SouthShoreTahoe, for real time updates on events, promotions, conditions and what’s happening in South Lake Tahoe. For information about Lake Tahoe South Shore, contact the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority at 1-800-AT-TAHOE (1-800-288-2463) or www.BlueLakeTahoe.com.





Snow flurries cover the mountains and beach at Lake Tahoe South Shore.
Taken 9:30 a.m. at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. Courtesy of Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority



Although Edgewood is currently dusted with snow, forecasts call for mild temps this week, ideal for golfing and other fall activities.
Taken 9:30 a.m. at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. Courtesy of Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority







MEDIA: High res photos: Winter click “enlarge” right click “save as”. To obtain video as fresh as the powder throughout the season contact: Phil Weidinger or Jenn Boyd, Weidinger Public Relations, 775-588-2412 or jennifer@weidingerpr.com.



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About the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Set at 6,300’, South Lake Tahoe is the only destination in the country that combines two strikingly different worlds: spectacular natural beauty and desirable resort amenities with the combination of outdoor summer activities ranging from hiking, biking, kayaking, golfing, swimming, fishing and boat cruises along with 24-hour nightclubs, fine dining, gaming and entertainment. For information about lodging, recreation and family packages at South Shore Lake Tahoe, call the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, 1-800-AT-TAHOE (1-800-288-2463) or log onto www.BlueLakeTahoe.com.

Access to Blue Lake Tahoe
The Reno/Tahoe International Airport provides more than 130 daily flights. Non-stop destinations include Boise, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Seattle. The RTIA is just 55 miles from South Lake Tahoe and is accessible in 65 minutes via the non-stop South Tahoe Express, a luxury motor coach. Lake Tahoe Airport (TVL) is a year-round all-weather facility with professional services located in South Lake Tahoe, CA for general aviation and the corporate executive traveler.

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