Lake Tahoe ski resorts are celebrating the arrival of the first snow storm of the season, with several inches having fallen and more on the way. Mother Nature's fall delivery sets the winter season in motion for a promising ski and snowboard season.

Although you might not feel it, the weather is starting to change in North Lake Tahoe. Days are still warm, with temperatures averaging in the 60s, but nights are dropping to approximately 35 degrees. It’s the time of year that the region’s upper elevations may even see a dusting of snow.

“We’ve been reviewing all the long-range forecasts,” said Chief Marketing Officer Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association. “And if Mother Nature keeps up her end, we should have above-average snowfall this winter.”

Visitors to America’s favorite lake, as was designated this year by USA Today, can expect a winter of major content as Lake Tahoe South resorts are poised with prime attractions, sizzling special events and a combination of unmatched outdoor recreation and nighttime amenities.

“The destination is on a major uptick with a record-breaking summer and the ongoing economic recovery,” said Carol Chaplin, executive director at the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “Plus, there’s an enthusiastic outlook as local weather indicators point toward a season of big snow.”

At Lake Tahoe, football is underway, the colors are starting to change, the days are getting shorter, and the smell of fireplaces are starting to fill the evening air.

Heavenly Mountain Resort at South Lake Tahoe will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships in 2012-13 and 2013-14. The two-year deal brings the women’s and men’s moguls, aerials and dual moguls back to Lake Tahoe's South Shore for the second time. Heavenly also hosted the U.S. Freestyle Championships in 2004, as well as FIS World Cup Freestyle events in 1999 and 2000.

Alpine Meadows’ annual Snow Golf Tournament will tee off at 9 a.m. at the top of the mountain off the Summit Express chairlift Saturday, April 21. This highly anticipated spring event features the only mountaintop snow golf course around. It’s the best of both worlds: skiing or snowboarding combined with golf. What better way to spend a beautiful spring day than on the slopes for a game of snow golf?

Diamond Peak will continue the tradition of the Dummy Downhill on April 1, 2012. This will be the 12th year for the community’s favorite event of the season.

Participants build a dummy on skis or a snowboard that gets launched off a big jump on Showoff run. Categories include Best Crash, Longest Jump, Most Creative, Shortest Distance and whatever else the judges decide to make up.

(NORTH LAKE TAHOE, California/Nevada) – It just doesn’t get any better. March came in like a lion, with a series of storms leaving 4 feet of new snow at North Lake Tahoe ski resorts’ upper elevations. The National Weather Service is predicting that the weather will change Friday with sunny, clear skies for the weekend.

Sochi, Russia is next on the list for orthopedic surgeon, Terrence Orr's medical volunteerism. As a physician with Tahoe Orthopedic & Sports Medicine, he will be previewing the future site of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games as part of his role as Head Team Physician for the United States Men's Alpine Ski Team — a position he has held since 1999.

Extreme snow sports legend and Transformers film wingsuit stuntman JT Holmes has finished shooting promotional TV spots for the Tahoe Fund’s Plate for Powder program, which gives purchasers of California and Nevada

Those of us who have spent most of our adult life on ski and snowboard slopes know how important it is to follow the rules on the slopes. From our earliest snow days we have followed the Skiers Responsibility Code, simple rules that make fun on the trail safer. If you don't know the Code, check it out next time you're at a mountain resort.

Eighty-two inches of snow has hit the ground at Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort on Mount Charlestson since October, with most of that coming the first 18 days of this month. The resort boasts a solid 50-inch base.

Meanwhile, the Mt. Rose ski area between Reno and Lake Tahoe has seen total snowfall of between 21 and 24 inches since the season began -- and all of that fell in November. The base is an anemic 12 to 18 inches, according to a Reno-based travel website.
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Forget the partridge in a pear tree, Tahoe South has 13 days of Christmas at Heavenly Village spanning Dec. 19 to Dec. 31 with live music, ice sculpting, fire dancers, professional ice skaters, interactive games, dining, shopping, photo opportunities inside a giant snow globe and a fireworks display.

This weekend, beginner skiers and riders can take their first turns on the snow at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows for just $30 including a beginner lift ticket, rental equipment and lessons during the 12th Annual Learn to Ski and Board Weekend.

The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation will host the 23rd Annual Ski and Snowboard Swap at Mont Bleu Casino and Resort at South Shore Lake Tahoe Nov. 18-19. Proceeds will benefit the Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides skiing and snowboarding programs and events for regional youth and local middle school and high school students.

By Aimi Xistra-Rich
The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation has announced two new programs for the 2011 – 2012 winter season under the Freestyle umbrella. The Foundation will offer two Freeride program options, the One-Day Program and the Full-Time Competitive Program. These programs are open to intermediate to advanced level skiers aged ten to 18 who have a passion for slopestyle, skiercross and halfpipe training.

By Aimi Xistra-Rich
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation has opened registration for the 2011 – 2012 Alpine, Freestyle, Freeride and Snowboard Programs. With a variety of options from the One-Day Program to the Full-Time Competitive Program, the Lake Tahoe foundation has something for all ages and levels of skiers and riders. Registration packets are available online, at the HSSF building, or by calling the HSSF administration office. Those who register and pay in full now will receive the early registration pricing; prices increase $100 on November 1, 2011.

PRESS RELEASE — Squaw Valley USA starts the five day countdown to the resort’s June 15 season pass deadline. Following the June 15 deadline, most season pass prices are slated to increase so skiers and riders are encouraged to buy now to get the best season pass deal in Lake Tahoe. Starting at $399 for adults and $99 for kids, Squaw Valley 2011-12 season passes are on sale now at squaw.com.

The Silver Stage Task Force’s 7th annual Wellness Fair is shaping up to be the best one yet, with live music by Queen Bee and the Dogheads, free kids’ immunizations and free health services and door prizes for all ages, healthy cooking demonstrations, Shriner’s clowns and a family fitness relay course.

The snow continued to fall Wednesday at Lake Tahoe and on Northstar and is forecast to continue through the weekend. Here's a couple of upcoming events, as well as a few new offerings at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort through the end of this winter season:

The latest storm to hit South Lake Tahoe helped boost Heavenly Mountain Resort's year-to-date snow totals well past the 400-inch mark, or more than 30 feet, roughly enough snow to cover the famous Babe the Blue Ox statue in Klamath, Calif.

This is the third-best snow season in Heavenly’s history and forecasters are predicting as much as six more feet before this round of storms clears.

Here's a chance to draw cards, win prizes and ski or ride while at Lake Tahoe's Diamond Peak this Saturday.

The Hyatt Regency is the sponsor of the fourth annual Poker Run at Diamond Peak Ski Resort set for Saturday, March 12. Skiers and boarders are urged to join in at Diamond Peak a day of fun on the mountain and and many a chance to win some great prizes.

By Andrew Dougman / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Nevadans denied health insurance for pre-existing conditions are now guaranteed coverage via a federally funded health insurance program.
In the past, it’s been either costly or impossible to find coverage if someone has a health condition requiring frequent or expensive treatment.

TAHOE CITY, Calif. - A 22-year-old woman was killed Saturday afternoon in a snowboard accident at Granlibakken Resort, officials have confirmed.Rahsheka Keith, a resident of Oakland, Calif., died a...