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 got snow ?              News from The Steep, Deep & Extreme International Big Mountain Slopes

4.30.2007

Snow Alert -Saas-Fee

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HEAVENLY’S MASTER PLAN APPROVED BY TAHOE REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY
Heavenly Mountain Resort, Lake Tahoe, Calif./Nev. – April 30, 2007 – On Wednesday, April 25, 2007, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s Governing Board unanimously approved Heavenly Mountain Resort’s 2006 Master Plan Amendment, charting the course for Heavenly as a premiere mountain destination for the next 10 years, and putting Heavenly at the forefront of environmental stewardship within the snowsports industry. “We went through the process and came away with a great plan that improves the resort in an environmentally-sensitive way,” said Blaise Carrig, Heavenly’s chief operating officer. “This plan solidifies our position as the premiere snowsports destination at Lake Tahoe. We’re extremely excited about the next 10 years. The TRPA and Forest Service staffs are to be complimented for their dedication and outstanding work on the Master Plan.”
Phase I projects approved under the plan include: Replacement of the existing North Bowl and Olympic fixed-grip chair lifts with high-speed, detachable lift technology; a 1,000-seat on-mountain restaurant with incredible views of Lake Tahoe called Powderbowl Lodge; 152 acres of new ski trails; re-grading Skyline Trail (the infamous traverse from California to Nevada); and a skier bridge that will allow skiers and riders to ski from the Gondola top station to Tamarack Express. The plan also calls for multi-use hiking/cross-country skiing/snowshoeing trails in the area between the Gondola top station and the Observation Deck, and a zip line adventure ride for summer use.
The Master Plan Amendment also includes significant environmental enhancements. The plan calls for the replacement of the North Bowl and Olympic chair lifts in a way that will avoid a nearby stand of large trees. The new chairs will access North Bowl Woods, which will provide a unique skiing experience within a grove of beautiful, giant red fir trees. It also calls for the removal of Sky Deck from a wetland area associated with Heavenly Valley Creek and the restoration of the meadow in which the deck currently sits. The plan also contains the most comprehensive environmental mitigation and monitoring program in the Tahoe Basin. “With this Master Plan, Heavenly has become a leader among ski resorts in terms of environmental stewardship,” said Rochelle Nason, executive director of the League to Save Lake Tahoe. “The resort worked closely with conservationists to assure their plan will result in greater protection for Lake Tahoe’s water quality, and their decision to spare the North Bowl trees is tremendous. Heavenly is a terrific destination for skiers and riders who want to help ‘Keep Tahoe Blue’.”
“The Sierra Club is delighted that Heavenly Mountain Resort has joined the ranks of the most environmentally-friendly ski resorts,” said Tahoe-Area Sierra Club president Michael Donahoe, echoing the League’s comments. “Many of our local members are long-time Heavenly skiers and boarders and are excited about continuing that tradition.”
The results of Heavenly’s past environmental programs are positive: watershed condition and water quality in each of the watersheds draining Heavenly have been improved through a systematic restoration and re-vegetation program. At the Boulder and California Main Lodge base areas, state-of-the-art water quality Best Management Practices (BMPs) have been installed to further reduce pollutants. Nearly 30 acres of disturbed stream environment zones have been restored. Since 2003, Heavenly has been attaining its Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) targets for suspended sediment in Heavenly Valley Creek. This is the first use of the TMDL in the Tahoe Basin, and is seen as the future for watershed management at Lake Tahoe.
The final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/EIR/EIR) was endorsed unanimously by the Governing Board as a sound technical and scientific document which found that no significant environmental effects would result from the implementation of the proposed projects or alternatives. The EIS/EIS/EIR is a joint document, developed in conjunction with and meeting the requirements of the USDA Forest Service, TRPA and El Dorado County, California.
“The document and the whole process were created in an atmosphere of collaboration,” said Andrew Strain, Heavenly’s vice president of planning and governmental affairs. “The final plan included input from multiple government agencies, environmental groups and the public, as well as over three years of scientific research, monitoring and modeling. The Master Plan is the result of an open, thorough and transparent process.”
Heavenly Mountain Resort
www.skiheavenly.com


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Sunglass Hut

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So much to see and, maybe, not enough time! Vienna & Salzburg are full of fascinating treasures old and new. To help you make the most of your time, we hand picked must see attractions for you. A great source for planning summer skiing trips !


Mt Hood Timberline Lodge

People have been enjoying our downloadable 2-for-1 coupons for skiing and lunch in the Cascade Dining Room so much over the past month, we are making them available to you on more than just Tuesdays. Starting today, 2-for-1 coupons are valid Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday every week in March. Click here to visit our coupon page and download your way to fun savings!
Spring Session 2007 Is Just Around The Corner
This spring we're unveiling the new Spring Session 2007 Pass. For just $199, you get a full pass valid from March 31st to May 28th. We'll be operating 7 days a week during this time frame -- something other areas on the mountain can't promise. And as an added bonus, if you buy this pass now, we'll also let you use it week days (Monday-Friday) up until March 31st. Click here to learn more about this pass, other great ticket options, and all the events we having going on at Timberline this spring.
www.timberlinelodge.com
... and say Hi to Bruno !


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When in France

Glisse mag


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Zermatt- Switzerland


Events
Off-piste skiing
Skiers don't have to content themselves with just skiing on the pistes! We will guide you down slopes in their natural state to isolated valleys. If we have sufficient participants we offer these guided tours for groups at the price of CHF 165.- / EUR 110.- per person. For information and reservations contact the "Alpin Center", Mountain Guides' Office, tel. 027 966 24 60 Alpin Center (8F / 111)
2 days guiding
Exciting guiding through the stunning Matterhorn ski paradise. A professional snow sports instructor will lead you through our fabulous international skiing area and give you some valuable insider tips. Skiing fun at its best! Prerequisite: you must be able to do safe parallel turns. Required number of participants: 4 persons, max 6-7 persons. Price: CHF 180.- per person. Tel.: 027 966 24 66

www.bergbahnen.zermatt.ch