Snowboarding noob has some questions about Tahoe...
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Snowboarding noob has some questions about Tahoe...
So, my friend and I want to take a trip to tahoe and probably take some snowboarding lessons. I've never been downhill skiing or snowboarding before, and she's from Puerto Rico so she's never even *seen* snow before. We're planning on going for 3-4 days late December or early January. So...
1) Which mountain should we go to? Northstar, Sierra, Kirkwood, Heavenly, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows? Anyone have a feeling for which would be best for a beginner? A three day lesson package seems to cost about the same everywhere.
2) Where should we stay? Suggestions for a good but not insanely expensive hotel?
3) When should we go? Are weekdays less crowded and therefore better for a beginner? Bleh, holiday season. Will it be crazy crowded no matter what?
4) What do we need to take to be fully prepared? The lesson packages include eqiupment so that's not an issue.
Any other tips? Thanks guys!
1) Which mountain should we go to? Northstar, Sierra, Kirkwood, Heavenly, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows? Anyone have a feeling for which would be best for a beginner? A three day lesson package seems to cost about the same everywhere.
2) Where should we stay? Suggestions for a good but not insanely expensive hotel?
3) When should we go? Are weekdays less crowded and therefore better for a beginner? Bleh, holiday season. Will it be crazy crowded no matter what?
4) What do we need to take to be fully prepared? The lesson packages include eqiupment so that's not an issue.
Any other tips? Thanks guys!
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yo dan!
i've met ya @BDG before. i usually roll by in my stock psm wrx wgn every other thursday though. i'm the scrawny(actually, just like you, i'm sure, it's all lean muscle)
flip w/ a shaggy mop o' hair.
i gots to get to bed right now since i'm heading up to k-wood in 5 hours. i know ya said late dec/early jan...but this is a major steal if it could work for y'all as well.
plus, you can pick my brain 'bout more info @the next meet. also, cameron(MadLarkin) & jeff(?stage00legacy?) are both boarders that go to the south bay meets as well!
g'night
--cliff
i've met ya @BDG before. i usually roll by in my stock psm wrx wgn every other thursday though. i'm the scrawny(actually, just like you, i'm sure, it's all lean muscle)
flip w/ a shaggy mop o' hair.i gots to get to bed right now since i'm heading up to k-wood in 5 hours. i know ya said late dec/early jan...but this is a major steal if it could work for y'all as well.
Dec. 4 - 5, 2004 (Sat - Sun)
Learn To Ski or Ride on the North Shore
First-time skiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes for a bargain this winter at North Lake Tahoe’s Learn to Ski or Board weekend, where $20 gets you an all-day beginner lift ticket, lessons and gear rental December 4-5. First-timers have their choice of resorts to learn at including Alpine Meadows, Boreal Mountain Resort, Diamond Peak, Homewood Mountain Resort, Mt. Rose, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley and Sugar Bowl. Upon completion of a group lesson, skiers and riders will be given coupons for return visits. Reservations are not required, but participants should arrive early. Lesson packages can be purchased at each individual resort the day of lessons. Students should contact resorts directly for resort-specific information. North Lake Tahoe is located approximately 45 minutes from Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. For lodging reservations, contact the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association’s Lake Tahoe Central Reservations department, the area’s largest reservation center, at 1-800-824-6348 or visit www.mytahoevacation.com.
Learn To Ski or Ride on the North Shore
First-time skiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes for a bargain this winter at North Lake Tahoe’s Learn to Ski or Board weekend, where $20 gets you an all-day beginner lift ticket, lessons and gear rental December 4-5. First-timers have their choice of resorts to learn at including Alpine Meadows, Boreal Mountain Resort, Diamond Peak, Homewood Mountain Resort, Mt. Rose, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley and Sugar Bowl. Upon completion of a group lesson, skiers and riders will be given coupons for return visits. Reservations are not required, but participants should arrive early. Lesson packages can be purchased at each individual resort the day of lessons. Students should contact resorts directly for resort-specific information. North Lake Tahoe is located approximately 45 minutes from Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. For lodging reservations, contact the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association’s Lake Tahoe Central Reservations department, the area’s largest reservation center, at 1-800-824-6348 or visit www.mytahoevacation.com.
g'night
--cliff
Dan... just be sure to have good balance getting on and off the lift. As the snowboarding noob that I am and probably always will be (seeing as how I got my *** kicked on the bunny slopes), be sure you don't trip. I tripped getting on AND off the lift, LOL. My snowboarding days were immediately over.
-GDO
-GDO
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boreal or northstar is the best for beginners. If you go anywhere else you'll get cut off and harassed by hardcore skiers (like me for example), so you probably wouldnt like it anywhere else but those two. 
-jon
-jon
Hey Dan,
Unfortunately, that's the beginning of holiday rates. Just about everybody charges more during the two weeks because schools are out. Stick w/ midweek and it won't be so crowded. Luckily there are still good package deals for beginners. As far as places to stay, depends on which end of the lake you want. Also Reno is a good bet because Mt. Rose is nearby
.
Unfortunately, that's the beginning of holiday rates. Just about everybody charges more during the two weeks because schools are out. Stick w/ midweek and it won't be so crowded. Luckily there are still good package deals for beginners. As far as places to stay, depends on which end of the lake you want. Also Reno is a good bet because Mt. Rose is nearby
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Be ready for the aches and pains...lol
You'll want to go to North Star or Boreal. North Star is a medium sized place, lots to do if you're not skiing. Boreal is a good spot for first timers. You won't pay a bundle for lift tickets and there's plenty of nearly flat runs to practice on. Just a side note...if you're looking for night life you may want to stay in South Lake.
DEFINATELY go durring the week. Avoid the weekends at all costs. The crowds will ruin your trip. Example: Waiting in line for the lift on a weekday takes about 2-4 minutes. Waiting in line on a Saturday,... 25 - 50 minutes....you pic. I NEVER go skiing on the weekends anymore, it's just worthless.
DEFINATELY go durring the week. Avoid the weekends at all costs. The crowds will ruin your trip. Example: Waiting in line for the lift on a weekday takes about 2-4 minutes. Waiting in line on a Saturday,... 25 - 50 minutes....you pic. I NEVER go skiing on the weekends anymore, it's just worthless.
I second that. Weekdays is a super plus. When I am going to ride south lake, there is a place called the blue jay lodge. it is one block away from harvey's, there is a little place across the street called the green lantern for b-fast super super cheap. I live by the philosify that I am going up there to ride. by the end of the day, all I need is a meal a beer or three, and a place to sleep that is clean. I have stayed at the blue jay lodge for three years. Give it a try. Nothing fancy, just a clean place to hang your hat.
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Boreal is good for learnin'. Its closer to the BA so its a little (20 min) less of a drive. Also they used to have less priced tix if you go there after certain time - and a lot of their runs had lights, so you could run em after dark. (not reccomended, I knocked a dude out cold once due to bad lighting and their runs crossing at odd angles).
with snowboarding you only need to take one class in the beggining and then its lotsa practice. later on you may need some pointers on jumps, etc.
with snowboarding you only need to take one class in the beggining and then its lotsa practice. later on you may need some pointers on jumps, etc.
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I'll be going as much to get away to a cozy little room in the mountains as to go skiing. =)
It seems like the best plan is to go to Northstar, stay in one of their studio condos for $184/night which includes lift passes, lessons, etc, so long as we go after Jan 2nd, which should work out perfectly.
It seems like the best plan is to go to Northstar, stay in one of their studio condos for $184/night which includes lift passes, lessons, etc, so long as we go after Jan 2nd, which should work out perfectly.
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