Archive for March, 2010

“Hot Tub Time Machine” - Oh, come on now!

At first glance the trailer for “Hot Tub Time Machine” looked promising. But come on now, those “Day-Glo”ski fashions are from 1975, NOT 1985!

This is what MY crowd was wearing circa 1985 in Tahoe:

Click on the thumbnails for a larger image. Do note the lack of helmets and the oversize Ray-Ban/Vuarnet sunglasses.

Tahoe Donner XC - A short, intense workout with a view

This semi-loop or out-and-back,  aka “Hawks Peak Direct”, offers a short, fairly intense workout when you don’t have all day to spend skiing, plus a good, earned  downhill run back.  Note the vertical gain is about the same as in the Great Race, but over a shorter distance. As a diagonal plodder on waxless skis [...]

Tahoe Donner XC - A loop with a view for a crystal-clear day

This 16km loop, informally known as “Sundance/Drifter”, offers views of the pastoral Euer Valley and panoramic views from Hawks Peak and Donner Ridge.   It is best on clear, calm days as the upper end is rather exposed.
Note:  The Hawks Peak/Donner Ridge area is often not completely groomed until the 2nd day after a heavy [...]

Tahoe Donner XC - A loop for beginners or a blustery day

One nice thing about Tahoe Donner XC is that it has some large areas, such as the Euer Valley, that are more sheltered than Royal Gorge when the wind is blowing and the snow is flying.   This 15km loop, informally known as “Coyote Crossing”, hits 3 warming huts and features gentle downhill grades for [...]

Tahoe Donner XC - The Nordic High Route

This somewhat off-beat, lift-served XCD tour takes advantage of one of the more curious things about Tahoe Donner.   Tahoe Donner Downhill is a shortcut trailhead via the Eagle Chair to the highest points in Tahoe Donner XC across the street, which are higher and more viewful than the alpine area!
The obvious route is to [...]

Tahoe Donner XC Skiing - Donner Ridge Route

This has got to be the easiest short trip with panoramic ridge and summit views in the Sierra Nevada, combining a little trail-breaking and the Tahoe Donner XC trail system (and a trail pass) with minimal uphill slogging.   The summertime trailhead just off the intersection of Glacier Way and Skislope Way is usually plowed, [...]