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Adam Jensen: The joys of scraping an icy windshield

A snowplow crests over Daggett Pass on Kingsbury Grade / State Route 207 near South Lake Tahoe, California, during the first winter storm of the season to hit the Sierra Nevada region, Monday, Nov. 2.
Sebastian Foltz / Tahoe Daily Tribune |

You know it’s just the beginning of the ski season when you’re still excited to clean snow off your car. By April I’m hoping to be sick and tired of shoveling and scraping, but I was a little gleeful this week having the chore of brushing snow off my truck. Obviously, it’s only the first significant storm in what will hopefully be a season full of them, but it’s always good to see Lake Tahoe blanketed in a sea of white. Before the storm, I was doing my best to avoid all the preseason hype, but now I’m genuinely excited to dig the sticks out of storage and make some turns. Hopefully you are too.

That being said, the snow does make it a little bit of an awkward time for recreation. With a lot of the warm-weather pursuits like mountain biking on the outs and the ski season not quite in full swing, you’re going to have to get a little creative when it comes to getting outdoors this weekend. Still, with the new snow, it will be a great time to get out there with a camera and get some shots of a wintry Lake Tahoe. Friday and Saturday are looking sunny, albeit a little chilly, before some more weather moves in Sunday and Monday. Don’t be bashful.

Here are some picks for this weekend and beyond:



Go skiing

It feels great to be able to suggest this one again. For now the skiing and snowboarding options are constrained to Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe and Boreal Mountain Resort at the North Shore, south of Lake Tahoe at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and hunting and pecking around the still-suspect backcountry, but South Shore resorts are sure to follow soon. Terrain may be limited, but taking a couple turns in early November will brighten any snow enthusiasts outlook on life. Turn to page 7 to get some early season tips from local ski techs so you’re ready to get on the slopes as soon as possible.



Hike in the snow

It’s hard to say whether snowshoes are really necessary to go take an up-close look at the Sierra Nevada, but from the reports, it looks like anybody venturing in the direction of Lake Tahoe’s peaks should be prepared for the possibility of deep snow. A place like Carson Pass, on the way to Kirkwood Mountain Resort off State Route 88, provides stunning vistas after an easy walk. Poking around Van Sickle Bi-State Park is a more close-to-home option right behind the casinos. Seeing a snowy Emerald Bay is also always worth the drive.

Taking Root

This South Shore reggae group will certainly bring the fun to Lakeside Inn & Casino, a local favorite just east of the larger casinos. It should be an energetic and entertaining Saturday with these guys in charge of the entertainment for the evening. More information on the show is available on page 9.

Michael Menert and the Pretty Fantastics

I didn’t know anything about this group until I saw they were playing at the South Shore. Listening to some of their stuff, the performance should be a great time on a Tuesday night. Menert has ties to one of my personal favorites, Colorado producer Pretty Lights, and this group’s sound is a unique take on a similar style. Promoter Fresh Bakin’ have yet to disappoint me when I’ve made it out to one of its shows, so check it out if you’re looking for some midweek entertainment. More information on page 9.

Adam Jensen is the editor of Lake Tahoe Action. He can be reached at ajensen@tahoedailytribune.com.


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