"Endless Winter Snow"

Snow Alert - Bad Lands North Dakota

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SQUAW VALLEY
EVENT

Saturday, May 10th for a day of celebration, life, love and hope as we help raise funds all day in the Olympic Village Lodge in Squaw Valley for the very special Maddison Page. This CHARITYSMITH EVENT is fully tax deductible. The day will be filled with live music and entertainment, an auction and the opportunity to make Maddy's days filled with the things she has wanted to do her entire life and is now forced to try and accomplish in a smaller window of time. Thank you for your generosity

Be there on Saturday, May 10! for some good turns, good tunes, good times for a great girl

Maddison in previous seasons would rip the steeps with one of my favorite bartenders Allie , who is now over in Japan. She’s always wanted to travel and ski all the great slopes. I can relate to that.

Photo: Maddison's collection, one of her favorite peaks in Alaska

To donate immediately, click the Make A Donation buttton on Maddisons' Blog. Maddisons' Blog

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White Wolf at Lake Tahoe -By Joanna Hartman

For nearly 16 years Troy Caldwell has been working on a chairlift that would connect uncharted terrain of two of the most challenging ski resorts in North Tahoe.

And it looks like he’ll have to wait another year to ski his Alpine Meadows property from the comfort of a private chairlift.

“We certainly would like to have been further along,” Caldwell said, “but we’re still having a good old time doing it. We’re living a dream.”

The lift, as well as the 460-acre property, is known as White Wolf. And if the powers that be at Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley USA could agree, the lift could connect the two resorts.

But that is for the resorts to haggle over. Until then, Troy and his wife, Sue, will continue their 37 years living in the Tahoe area and push forward with the chairlift.

In 1990 they tried to buy a 40-acre parcel near the base of Alpine Meadows to open a lodge and bed and breakfast, but the real estate company said it couldn’t divide the 460-acre property.

That’s when the vision was born: Almost 400 acres in Alpine Meadows and 75 acres in Squaw Valley where Caldwell wanted to construct a chairlift to connect the two resorts.

However, Alpine and Squaw could not reach an agreement for the interconnect, Caldwell said. That’s when he had another vision — private skiing.

Five years ago Placer County issued Caldwell a permit for private use of the chairlift allowing up to 25 “qualified” friends and family per day. Placer requested the skiers and boarders using White Wolf do so in a safe fashion, so those who plan to ski the terrain are taking avalanche safety classes.

The Caldwells are prohibited from selling tickets to access the lift. If later Caldwell wanted to sell the chairlift to the resorts as a way to connect the two, a new permitting process will apply, said Placer County principal planner Bill Combs. “It’s a one-of-a-kind situation, obviously. He’s really constructing it in a non-impactful way,” Combs said.

Numerous legal issues have impeded the speed of the lift’s construction. A local homeowners group sued Placer County for issuing the permit and the Caldwells are currently tied up in a lawsuit with Squaw Valley regarding a “contract dispute.”

“I can’t afford to do lawsuits and the chair at the same time,” Caldwell said.

Squaw Valley USA leases part of Caldwell’s property, including the top of KT-22, for $15,000 per year.

But Caldwell has managed to keep the cost of the actual project down because so many people have volunteered their time to help with construction. The only overhead cost is materials. Caldwell estimates the total cost of the chairlift at near $500,000.

While the politics and regulating agencies make the project increasingly expensive and difficult, local help keeps it enjoyable, Caldwell said. “The locals are really, really supportive of the whole thing. They’re part of the inspiration,” he said. Both Troy and Sue have been part of the ski world for decades. Troy competed on the US Freestyle Team and Sue worked at Alpine Meadows for roughly 30 years as the special tickets manager. Rachael Woods, public relations at Alpine Meadows, has worked closely with the Caldwells.

“I think it’s a really great, interesting, inspiring project,” Woods said of White Wolf. “Their goals and ambitions are quite simple; they want to play outside.”

90 percent there Caldwell said he has completed about 90 percent of the overall project, including the paperwork and legal issues. The lift is still waiting for its bottom terminal, cable and chairs, and Caldwell will need another full summer of work to finish the lift. He hopes to have it ready for next season.

If the two resorts never come to terms on a resort interconnect, Caldwell would like to divide and sell the White Wolf parcel to people who want to buy a stake in the private ski area. The resort would be funded and run by the private community.

“We anticipate that we are going to make our living on this,” Caldwell said.

While Caldwell is more than a year away from his dream of making turns on his own turf, he said he is enjoying the process. “It’s cool to fulfill a dream like this in the mountains,” he said. “It’s cool to make your contribution to the mountains — especially from the local folks.”

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Snowbird, Utah – With more than 11 feet of snow on the ground at mid-mountain, Snowbird announced today it will extend its season into June and possibly beyond.
Snowbird President Bob Bonar said today he feels confident the resort will be able to offer skiing and riding daily through Sunday, May 11, and then Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through June 1 (including Monday, May 26, Memorial Day).
“With last week’s storm and additional precipitation this week it looks like we’ll have plenty of snow for great skiing through the last weekend of May, beginning of June,” said Bonar. “We will continue to offer skiing and riding as long as the conditions are safe, enjoyable and there’s interest.”
Snowbird lifts have run as late as July 4 in two previous seasons. Bonar said this week it is too early to know if that’s a possibility this year.
Previously not scheduled to operate for the remainder of the spring schedule, the Little Cloud chairlift began operating today and will continue to do so for the remainder of the spring schedule along with Peruvian Express, Mineral Basin Express and Peruvian Tunnel. The resort is open for skiing and riding 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Sunday, May 11. Beginning May 16, the hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lift tickets are $59.
www.snowbird.com

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Arapahoe Basin
Every Saturday during the month of May, Arapahoe Basin will be rockin' out to some great FREE live music at their Shakin' at the Basin concerts, but that's not the only thing they have planned this month. In the next few weekends there is going to be an amazingly good time during their Memorial Weekend Beach Party! Plan on a great time during the extended weekend with tons of great spring-time skiing, live music, and plenty of Colorado sunshine. Make your plans now for a great Memorial Day Weekend in Ski Country.

While Arapahoe Basin will still be skiing into June, the rest of Colorado's resorts are now closed for the 2007-08 season
Colorado Snow

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Squaw Valley - Ca

At the spring skiing & riding capital you'll find the only lifts turning this weekend in Lake Tahoe servicing the best terrain anywhere! Take the Funitel, Siberia, Bailey's Beach, Links, High Camp, Shirley Lake and Granite Chief chairlifts to miles of California corn snow. The weather is just right during the day and cool at night! 3 stellar terrain parks are serviced by the High Camp Chair!

Purchase Squaw Valley Lift Tickets & Lessons
www.squaw.com

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Lake Tahoe Music Festival
Homewood Mountain Resort & Alpine Meadows are proud to host the Lake Tahoe Music Festival this summer! We hope you can join us!

AMAZING TALENTS HIGHLIGHT FESTIVAL SEASON SCHEDULE JULY 17 – AUGUST 9

On the heels of its spectacular 25th season, the Lake Tahoe Music Festival boosts this year’s summer lineup with unbeatable variety and a third week of top name performances. In partnership with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra led by Festival Maestro Timm Rolek, the Festival heats up the cool Lake Tahoe nights with eight incredible concerts vividly showcasing orchestra, smooth jazz, classic rock, acoustic world music and more.

Ticket prices start at $15 for lawn seating and range from $25—$30 for general seating and $50—$55 for preferred seating (subject to availability at each venue). Tickets for performances are available online or may be purchased in person at the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce or Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce, in addition to the Music Festival office located at 425 North Lake Blvd., Suite 6, in Tahoe City, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets for the July 24 and August 2 performances at Tahoe Donner may also be purchased at the Tahoe Donner Association.

July 17: Opening night at the festival highlights best-selling saxophone player Dave Koz at the amphitheater at Homewood Mountain Resort. With his lush, smooth sound and impressive catalog of hits, Koz entertains with a mix of original compositions and chart-topping standards all with his contemporary jazz touch.

July 19: Backed by the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, The Christian Scott Quintet brings Scott’s new generation trumpet sound and eclectic mix of rock, R&B and modern jazz to Homewood Mountain Resort

July 24: Grammy Award-winning trumpet player Chris Botti captivates audiences with his smooth jazz style and on-stage charisma at Tahoe Donner.

July 26: Playing soprano, alto and tenor saxophone to excellent end, Euge Groove takes to outdoors at Homewood. Special guests Strunz and Farah start the evening with their world music guitar sounds and impressive blend of Flamenco, folk and jazz.

July 31: Rock legend Dave Mason headlines an evening at Alpine Meadows bringing audiences a sampling of music from his 37 year career. Special guests Jim Messina and Band begins the evening’s program with a mellow blend of folk, country and rock.

August 2: Broadway arrives at Tahoe Donner with a dazzling 60th birthday tribute to Andrew Lloyd Weber starring, Rachel York and Sal Viviano backed by the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra.

August 7: It’s big-band night at the Festival with the roaring horns and thumping bass of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Donner Lake’s West End Beach. Special guest and jazz chanteuse Sophie Milman, recently awarded “2008 Vocal Jazz Album of the Year,” opens the evening belting out tunes with her smooth, come-hither voice

www.skialpine.com

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Glacier 3000 - Switzerland
The Glacier 3000 ski area includes 10 installations and 30 km of ski runs ranging from 1350 to 3000 m above sea level. It is a part of the ski area shared with Gstaad Mountain Rides (250 km of ski runs) and the Vaudoises Alps (225 km of ski runs) and is particularly attractive for Freestylers and Freeriders. With the 7km long Olden ski run, Glacier 3000 is able to offer one of the most challenging ski runs in the area - a challenge for any skier or snowboarder

For people who like to have unlimited fun in the snow, the 7 km long Olden ski run is just the right one. The black ski run is one of the longest of this difficulty level in the region

Lifts
Name - Length - Vert - Top Station
P1 Reusch – Oldenegg 1624 m 572 m 1922 m
P2 Oldenegg – Cabane 2270 m 601 m 2523 m
P3 Col du Pillon – Cabane 1960 m 979 m 2524 m
P5 Cabane – Sex Rouge 1551 m 406 m 2930 m
P6 Oldenalp – Oldenegg 797 m 81 m 1922 m

check for current spring lift opps.
www.glacier3000.ch/en/Winter

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Open this weekend
CALIF
Mammoth Mountain - wipe out chutes
Squaw Valley - Granite Chief, last chance for a swan dive

OREGON
Mt. Hood Meadows - I hope Laurel Cyn is open.
Timberline Lodge - Say hello to Bruno, Upper Palmer

CANADA
Whistler-Blackcomb - Solar Coaster

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...across the pond
France
Val d'Isère
www.valdisere.com

Switzerland
4 Vallées - Mont-Fort
Engelberg - Titlis Rotair
Les Diablerets - Glacier 3000
Saas-Fee
Zermatt

www.myswitzerland.com

Solden -Austria
Sölden's high-altitude ski area boasts 34 ski lifts and gondolas plus 146km of immaculate ski runs. Therefore it ranks among the most renowned Austrian ski resorts. But Sölden offers further unique highlights: two glacier ski areas and three skiable mountain peaks higher than 3,000 meters-
The ski area's high-Alpine location (1,350 - 3,250 m) 2 glacier ski areas at Rettenbach & Tiefenbach snow making systems covering all slopes lower than 2,200 m.
BIG3
Sölden has the marvelous BIG 3 vantage points - Therefore it is Austria's only ski area with 3 mountains higher than 3,000 meters which are accessible by lifts or gondolas. And the » BIG 3 Rally ranks among the most beautfiul ski trails across the entire ski region, comprising also a visit to all BIG 3 platforms

New dimensions are added to the Obergurgl-Hochgurgl ski area, investing no less than 25 million Euros for three new single-rope mountain gondolas and a new restaurant on top of the Hohe Mut peak, plus a new ski run down from Hohe Mut
Events

www.soelden.com/

First Contact, to boldly go....
Endless Winter Snow has the unique distinction of being of included in a NASA project.

The scientific objective of the Kepler Mission is to explore the structure and diversity of planetary systems. This is achieved by surveying a large sample of stars.
The Kepler Mission, a NASA Discovery mission, is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to detect and characterize hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone. The habitable zone encompasses the distances from a star where liquid water can exist on a planet's surface