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Published on 03/30/1998 All articles from this issue

Spring into skiing with lots of snow, discounts

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By Glen Putman

Special to the Town Crier

With the monster snowfall this year, Sierra ski resorts are geared up for another long season. Over the weekend, Lake Tahoe areas were reporting from between three and seven inches of new snow and the snowpack ranges from 10 feet to more than 20 feet at the top of Kirkwood.

Not only is the quality of spring skiing guaranteed to be great, there are also bargains and special events that make spring skiing just that much more enjoyable.

Alpine Meadows is open until May 23. Special events include Wayne Wong's World Hot Dog Skiing Festival & Championship April 10-12. Call (530) 583-4232.

Diamond Peak offers a $20 lift ticket on weekends for college students with a student body card. It closes Sunday. Call (702) 832-1171.

Kirkwood has the highest base elevation in Northern California, and last week we found the conditions ideal - great snow and sunny skies. Through Easter Sunday, "Kirkwood Jammin'" features pond skimming, big air contests, music and barbecues. Until closing on May 3, Kirkwood offers free skiing with lodging, Sunday through Thursday. Beginning April 20, Kirkwood will offer discounted prices for full-day lift tickets and lessons.

Northstar-at-Tahoe is offering free skiing to all lodging guests who stay two or more nights, through April 20, when the ski area closes. From $74.50 per night, per person (based on double occupancy), the package includes lodging, lift tickets and use of Northstar's hot tubs, heated lap pool and youth center. Free ski and snowboard lessons are available every day to those over age 13 who are intermediate (level 6) and above and who have a lift ticket. Call (800) 466-6784.

Squaw Valley will be open into May. The Ski Sail National Championship runs this weekend; boardercross, skicross, big air, half-pipe Jam Session is April 19. The Olympic Ice Pavilion (8,200 feet) offers the highest Olympic-sized ice rink in the world. Call (916) 583-6955.

Glen Putman is a Los Altos freelance writer. He is immediate past-president of the Western chapter of the North American Ski Journalists Association.