Northstar store opening is set

Outdoor enthusiasts are invited to the Grand Opening Celebration of The North Face store in the Village at Northstar Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. The North Face alpine- and rock-climbing athlete Pete Athans and skier Dana Flahr will attend the Grand Opening and each give a presentation that is free.

Athans, also known as "Mr. Everest" or "Seven," has been synonymous with the exploration of Mt. Everest for nearly two decades. He has been on 16 expeditions in 18 years to the Mt. Everest massif and has had seven summits of the peak, more than any other climber of non-Sherpa ethnicity. Guests can view Athans' presentation at The North Face in the Village at Northstar at 12:30 p.m. Following the presentation, Athans will show a clip of his new movie "Rush" and sign posters.

At 2:30 p.m. The North Face will show the movie "Tangerine Dream" featuring Flahr. Flahr, who was recently named by Outside magazine as the Rising Star on "The Hot List: 2006 Ski and Snowboard Report" and has been featured in 10 ski films, including TGR's "Tangerine Dream." He also holds a number of impressive performances in more than 10 international ski competitions. After the movie at 4:30 p.m. Flahr will speak about his filming experience, answer questions and sign posters.

Throughout the Grand Opening Celebration, guests have the opportunity to enter a drawing benefiting the Himalayan Cataract Project of which Athans is a board member and win great The North Face products including, a sleeping bag, tent, duffel bag, hydration pack and more. Northstar Resort lift tickets, gift cards and demos will also be given away throughout the event. As part of the Grand Opening Celebration The North Face guests will receive a free Nalgene bottle with the purchase of $50 or more while supplies last.

Call (800) GO.NORTH or visit www.NorthstarAtTahoe.com.

SQUAW TICKET OFFER

St. Patrick's Day is a perfect late season excuse to let loose and celebrate. What better way to do just that than a day of Squaw Valley skiing or riding for only $43? That's $22 off the regular price ticket.

Pre-purchase your lift tickets online at www.squawshop.com and get in the St. Patty's Day spirit. Tickets are valid only today.

The 'Where's the Shamrock?' Scavenger Hunt offers guests the chance to look for luck on the mountain and be rewarded with discounts and vouchers for food, gear, and lift tickets. If you find a shamrock, the prize is yours. The hunt begins when the lifts open and lasts until the last shamrock is found. Each person is limited to one Shamrock prize.

Call (530) 583-6985, or visit www.squaw.com.

SIERRATHREE RING CIRCUS

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort invites riders to the Three Ring Circus amateur rail jam presented by Dragon Optics Saturday.

This event is free to all competitors with a lift ticket or season pass and is open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages. Registration will be held in the Broadway terrain park from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with the competition beginning at 11:30. Awards will immediately follow the event at 2 p.m., also in the Broadway terrain park.

Riders will be divided into the following four divisions: 15 and under, 16 and over, ladies and skiers. The divisions will be broken down into heats of 10-12 riders who will compete in a 30-minute jam session, where they will try and impress the judges with their biggest and most stylish tricks.

Dragon team riders will judge the event and award prizes to the top three finishers in each division. Call (530) 659-7453 or see www.SierraAtTahoe.com.

BOREAL LIFT DEAL

Boreal Mountain Resort will offer $5 lift tickets to anyone who presents his or her valid 2005/2006 Tahoe area season pass at the ticket window.

This special offer will be available between Sunday and April 16.

Obtaining a lift ticket will be easy: Simply present your valid 2005/2006 season pass from any downhill ski resort in the Lake Tahoe area at any Boreal lift ticket window, and receive a full-day lift ticket valid from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for $5 (limit of one lift ticket per passholder per day).

Like the mountain? The annual Boreal Blow-Out Season Pass sale will be held through April 16. Purchase a 2006/2007 Boreal season pass during the sale and use it for the remainder of the 2005/2006 season. During the sale, full season passes will be just $199 for adults and just $50 kids ages 5-12. Boreal's Blowout Season Passes are valid at Alpine Meadows after Boreal closes in the spring of 2007.

YOUNG SNOWBOARDERS SLOPESIDER

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 70 of the world's best male and female amateur snowboarders will duke it out on a custom-built slopestyle course with hopes of taking home this year's Forum Youngblood Series championship crown.

Judging will be handled by Forum's team of pro riders, and the overall winner will not only walk away with the coveted title, but he or she also may earn a spot on Forum's Youngblood Amateur Team and appear in Forum's team video "THAT" for release in the fall.

The Forum Youngblood Series is recognized as the top amateur snowboarding contest series for 18-and-under male and female riders hailing from North America, Europe and New Zealand. For the past eight months, 36 regional contests have taken place at leading resorts across the nation and around the world.

Call (562) 485-7494.