Monday, April 20, 2009

Blue World Blog 4.20.09


April 20, 2009
The 2008/09 Winter Skiing and Riding Season has come to an end for most resorts and it ended with Glorious Sunshine and Spring Conditions.  Albeit, there was a fast moving bout with winter on Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning that brought some fresh snow, cold temperatures and winds to the mountains.
All in all a pretty decent Winter… not one that would go in the record books but I believe the Snowsports Industry is still healthy in our economic times. 
This past week, I have been winding down the reports and season and my last radio ski report on KTHO AM590 was this past Sunday so it’s great being able to sleep in past 5:30am.  I am also winding down the Après Ski Show aired on KMTN TV 9 & 19 by the end of April.  With this I am concentrating on my Bike the West events and have re-opened online registration for America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride set for June 7, 2009, with the recent releasing of spots from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. If you are interested in participating in this year’s event, please register at bikethewest.com.  There are a limited number of spots available and online registration will be taken on a first come – first serve basis until Sold Out.
Tuesday evening, during the quick moving blizzard, I attended the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition’s monthly meeting as I am a Charter Member and we finalized the promotion of Bike 2 Work-School & Play Week, coming up May 11-15, 2009.  Please visit TahoeBike.org to sign up and log your miles for that week and a chance to win prizes and such.  Membership information is also available on their website and they are looking for volunteers as well to help man their Spooner Junction Rest Stop for both America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride and Tour de Tahoe.
I got to the LTSS Chamber’s Mixer at the Lake Tahoe Vacation Resort this past Thursday as it was Media Madness night with most all local media having booths there to promote their products.  I didn’t realize how popular this resort is as the pool was filled with lots of kids and the resort seemed to be busy with owners enjoying spring break / Easter week.  The event was fun and I purchased a few extra raffle tickets and won a round of golf for four at Bijou Golf
On Saturday, I invited all the Crew from KMTN TV to join me on the slopes at Heavenly for a Final Ski/Ride day and “Thank You” for their time and input to KMTN TV.  Owners of KMTN, Michael & Michelle McKinney, South Shore Morning Show Co-Hosts, Bryan and Holly were able to make it. We missed Matt & Jen as they encountered car problems that morning which prohibited them to meet us.  It was a great day with brilliant sunshine and spring conditions.  We met at Stagecoach Lodge and head up to the East Peak Area and took several runs off Dipper and Comet and then headed to the California side to ski both Canyon and Ridge Runs.  Michael decided to dress in shorts for his final day of riding and he regretted it as he felt his legs kept getting pelted by snow and by end of the day also got sunburned.  Not a good idea to expose bare skin in this fashion without using Sunscreen and If one falls in the snow, you also run the risk of getting a raspberry burn as well.  Lots of locals also enjoying the final weekend of Heavenly and everyone just having fun in the sun and on the snow. This was a casual – social day for our group and we just enjoyed skiing, riding and fun chair lift conversations throughout the morning.  By afternoon the snow was softening a little too much and we decided to end the day with top to bottom runs from the top of the Olympic Express to Stagecoach Lodge with cocktails served by everyone’s good buddy bartender, Stu Coffey.
After that, we headed over to the Fox & Hound for more cocktails and some great Pizza to finish the day and the season at Heavenly, before heading to the KMTN Studio to produce my show.
Bike riding season is upon us and hundreds of bicyclists are out and about riding the roadways around Lake Tahoe, on Hwy 89 – Tahoe City to Truckee and in the Carson Valley all along Foothill road and climbing passes.  Mountain Bike trails around the Lake are barely accessible as the snow is starting to melt but the Pine Nuts are in good shape for riding.  Local area Golf Courses are starting to green up and may be opening this week as well.
After today, Kirkwood and Sugarbowl are planning to stay open through Sunday, April 26 and Squaw is planning to stay open through May 10.  Mount Rose is planning to re-open Fridays through Sundays this weekend and possibly one more weekend after that. One other resort, Mammoth Mountain is also looking to stay open into May…
That’s this week’s blog.  Have a great Spring & Summer.  Buckle up and drive safely everywhere you go, Peace & Love – Mahalo.
See you next time,
Curtis Fong
“The Guy From Tahoe”
tgft@bikethewest.com

No comments:

Post a Comment