Taking advantage of spring snow

Sam Bauman

A reader wrote to chide me for knocking Colorado access to the slopes, such as three escalators to Beaver Creek lift base. She pointed out that it's mostly a matter of knowing your way around a resort, rather than poor planning. She has a point. And Colorado skiing was so fine that it was beggarly to complain. But the snow remains fine here as well, and this is a good weekend for three days of skiing.

- Mike Iman, director of skiing at Sugar Bowl, is one of the top instructors in the country. I once took a clinic with him on the way to PSIA certification. He knows skiing. He puts out comments on the Sugar Bowl Web site about skiing, such as what follows:

"With the spring snow comes a slower surface as a result of the warm temperatures and sun creating a corn-like conditions. Early in the morning the surface will be firm and the groomers will be an excellent place to warm up and practice those carved turns as the snow softens.

"Follow the sun to different slopes as the conditions change to capture the best skiing and snowboarding runs. Check out those steep slopes as the sun hits them to see if the surface is ripe for skiing: It should be soft, with your skis just cutting into it a couple of inches which is ideal for you to make round, guided turns with both skis.

"Make sure you move into the turn with a strong commitment of your upper body forward and downhill from your feet and steer your skis with your upper legs to shape the turn. Flex your ankles and legs to absorb the pressure build-up of snow at the end of the turn. Focus on working the outside ski with more power and weight, and pressure the inside ski enough to assist the outside ski so that they remain parallel and support you in a more balanced stance.

"Try rolling your skis into the turn by progressively building an edge with both skis as the turns develops. You will feel a smooth slicing sensation as you link turn after turn. Be careful not to apply over-pressuring to the skis, but make sure that you keep your steering skills going. It's almost like water skiing."

- The Sporting Rage outdoor shop is sponsoring a benefit showing of "The American Steep," a multimedia show about modern rock climbing, Friday, April 2 at Java Joe's, 319 N. Carson, at 7:30 p.m. Photographer Cory Rich will be on hand. Tickets are $10 with proceeds to go to the Carson High Climbing Club. Call 885-7773.

- The Silver Belt Cup was the original 'Super Bowl" of skiing in the U.S. between 1940 and 1975. On March 27, the Red Bull Silver Belt will return to Sugar Bowl. The country's top skiers will plummet down an all-natural course in a gang-start skier-cross format, beginning through a narrow chute, descending through natural gullies, rock bands and mogul fields. No boot packing. No grooming. Just like the old days.

In celebration of the Silver Belt, Sugar Bowl invites guests to dress up in finest historical ski clothing from the '40s to the '80s. Lederhosen, vintage sweaters, hot pants ... anything goes! Contest is at 4 p.m. on the Judah Deck.

Sugar Bowl supports local schools with $20 advanced tickets for purchase at Porter's Truckee location. Tickets available only at Porters (not at Sugar Bowl). Call Porters at (530) 587-1500.

- "Earthquakes, Faults, and Geological Disasters in the Tahoe Basin" is the title of a talk to be presented by Dr. Rich Schweikert, professor of geology, University of Nevada.

This free event is jointly sponsored by Squaw Valley Institute and PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn and takes place at PlumpJack Conference Center in Squaw Valley Thursday, April 8, 2004. A no-host bar and social hour opens at 6:30 P.M. and the talk begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (530) 581-4138.

- Erin Casey, a graduate of Northern Michigan University with a lifelong passion for the outdoors, has been named associate director of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association.

Mark Kimbrough, director of the association, said he expects Casey, 26, to make a solid contribution in helping him lead the organization to new growth, both in membership and in value to the public as a resource for recreation and education.

- On Friday Diamond Peak welcomes spring at a big Hacienda party. This will be the last Diamond Peak Hacienda Party for the ski season. The Drunken Neighbors provide the music and there are prizes from Diamond Peak and Porter's Ski Shop. You can also purchase your 2004/2005 season pass and ski for the rest of this year free. Valid on full season adult passes only. Call (775) 832-1177 for details. Party starts at 7 p.m.

- Alpine Meadows will host the Norcal Ski Championships Friday and Saturday. Every Northern California ski club (from the Bay Area to the California/Oregon border) will meet at Alpine Meadows for the year's ski race championships. All ages, ability levels, ski styles, and clothing apparel will be represented in this over-the-top competition.

Sam Bauman is the Nevada Appeal Entertainment Editor. Contact him at sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.