Local writers off to the Swiss Alps

By the time this column reaches readers, four of us from Swift newspapers will be en route to Switzerland to take part in the 49th meeting of the International Ski Club of Journalists.

I'll be joined by Karl Horeis and Jeremy Evans of the Nevada Appeal and Jim Scripps of the Sierra Sun.

Some 200 journalists will join us for skiing, sightseeing and journalist conferences at Les Diablerets, Leysin and Villars. These are major resorts in the heart of the Alps and offer glacier skiing and snowboarding. The meetings or recontres are annual affairs that were started back in 1954 by a French journalist who thought it might be a good way for journalists from East and West to get together in non-competivitely (journalistically, that is) to improve communications between the two world powers.

For a long time things worked well, although the Soviet journalists were often joined by KVD characters in leather coats and snap-brimmed hats.

Toward the end of the Cold War, East journalists even asked for Western help in pushing the perastroka program. Since then the political pop has largely evaporated, but the meeting is one way for ski areas to promote their terrain. Sadly, Tahoe has dropped the ball for inviting SCIJ here a couple of times, largely due to state bureaucrats. Oh, well, maybe in 2030.

What's happening:

The Village Ski Loft Demo Day will be at Diamond Peak this Sunday, the biggest demo day at Diamond Peak Ski. Numerous ski manufactures will be at Diamond Peak to show off equipment. If you're in the market for new equipment, or just want to see what's out there, check it out. Demos will be available most of the day and are free to check out with the purchase of a lift ticket. Those interested in purchasing equipment will be able to reserve equipment at a good price. A small deposit is required. Call the Village Ski Loft at (775) 831-3537

Other events at Diamond Peak:

March 15 -- The Hyatt Cup: Come join the Diamond Peak Ski Education Foundation in this fun giant slalom race for all to enjoy. Proceeds from the $15 race fee benefit the nonprofit ski team! Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the race following shortly behind at about 10:30 a.m.

March 23 -- Diamond Peak's Third Annual Dummy Downhill. Diamond Peak invites the world to build a dummy to compete in the downhill. But don't get too attached to your work. At the end of the run lies a huge kicker that means the end to the sturdiest dummy. Prizes will be awarded to the most creative dummy along with the dummy that gets the biggest air. Live music will also be present for your enjoyment. Come register your dummy Saturday morning from 10-11 a.m. at the base lodge at Diamond Peak. The dummy showcase will take place from 11-12 p.m. The downhill will begin around noon.

Call 775-832-1177 or visit Web site at diamondpeak.com.

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Homewood Mountain Resort will be having another three-day

Get-a-Way special March 15-17. Adults can ski all day Saturday, Sunday and Monday only for $75 with the purchase of a three-consecutive day lift ticket on Saturday.

"This is just one of the many multi-day discount offers that we are promoting this year at Homewood, and it's a great deal. We are offering all of our guests prime time weekend skiing at our low midweek Value Days rate," says Collier Cook, director of marketing and sales at Homewood Mountain Resort.

Call HMR at (530) 525-2992 or check out Web site at www.skihomewood.com.

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Squaw Valley USA kicks off the official start of the spring season with the opening of the High Camp Swimming Lagoon & Spa on Saturday, offering skiers and snowboarders a one-of-a-kind mountain experience.

Located at High Camp, elevation 8,200 feet, the free-form swimming lagoon is heated to approximately 80 degrees and contains two 25-meter lap lanes. The 25-foot diameter spa is heated to a soothing 103 degrees and surrounded by expansive decks and a casual umbrella bar. The views of the surrounding mountain from the pool, the spa, and the Poolside Cafe and Umbrella Bar are some of the best in the Sierra.

Open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., use of the pool & spa is $9 if guests have a lift ticket or $22 adults and $13 for children 12 and under for a cable car ride and swim ticket. Squaw Valley is scheduled to remain open for skiing and riding through May 26. High Camp and the Cable Car are open all summer.

Spring at Squaw Valley USA also means fun events, including Spring Jam VI coming up April 12-13 and the hilarity of the second annual Pain McShlonkey Open on April 26. Other events this spring are the Billy Dutton Uphill on April 13, the annual Lake Cushing Classic Pond Crossing competition in late April or early May (conditions permitting) and the Spring Schwing Snow Golf Tournament and High Camp Pool Party on May 4. Call 530-583-6989.

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We'll be sending stories back from Switzerland, comparing the Alps to the Sierra Nevada. Too bad we're leaving just as a couple of new storms are moving in.

Sam Bauman is the Nevada Appeal Diversions Editor.