Diamond Peak, where national fame doesn't matter

Appeal Staff Writer

You don't read about Diamond Peak Ski Resort in national ski publications; it doesn't have the glamour of a Heavenly or Squaw Valley. And it isn't a destination resort where skiers from all over the country come to frolic. Nestled in Incline Village, a very posh neighborhood, it scares a lot of people off.

But we've found that Diamond Peak has some very nice virtues of its own. A glance at the trail map will show two main areas for skiing and boarding: the beginner area, served by its own ski lift, and the ridge that goes to the top of Diamond Peak. In between is the Snowflake Lodge, served by a quad, fixed chairlift.

While the trails and runs may not be of the championship variety, there are many challenging slopes off the ridge that runs from the top of the mountain to the base. There's an expert run - Solitude Canyon - off to the right from the top that offers plenty of speed and vertical. Between that run and the ridge run is The Great Flume Trail, a steep and tricky race that serves as the exit for some of the advanced runs off the Crystal Ridge trail. Ten trails spin off the Crystal Ridge piste, ranging from black diamond such as Thunder to Diamond Back to blues such as Sunnyside. We've skied them all and at times they can be demanding. But they can also be a lot of fresh-air fun.

In the Snowflake Lodge area served by the Lakeview quad chair there are both blacks and blues but no greens so beginners are not advised to try. The Lodge perches at the end of the long ridge and presents panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. Sunset here is a splendid sight (and you can enjoy it with wine and food, see Last Tracks below).

The beginner area is off by itself, a gentle, lengthy area that is perfect for learning skiing or boarding. A quad lift serves the tyros.

There is something unique to Diamond Peak. We don't know the official name, but it is a kind of moving carpet at the quad lifts that is gated so only four guests load at a time, brought to the loading area by the moving carpet. It can be tricky, going from standing still to rolling along, but it seems to keep the crowds under control.

The base lodge isn't fancy but it has two levels, one for the family groups and the other above for those with a taste for beverages. The deck that surrounds the base lodge is a pleasant place to sit and watch the skiers and boarders slipping by.

Despite the reputation as a snooty place, Incline Villagers who ski or board here are as friendly as any place in the Sierra Nevada - perhaps more so because they are not out to impress anyone, just to enjoy snow and the mountain.

The story of the resort

Diamond Peak began 40 years ago as Ski Incline, the brainchild of Oklahoma native Art Wood. He had a master plan for a year-round, resort community.

Incline Village was to become the "Pebble Beach" of the Sierra Nevada. In 1966, Wood hired Austrian ski consultant Luggi Foeger to design and build Ski Incline. After only four months of construction, Ski Incline opened its lifts in November 1966. It was the first resort in the West to have snowmaking equipment, with a base altitude of 6,700 feet.

In 1987, resort manager Jurgen Wetzstein led the development of the upper mountain and the addition of a mile-long fixed chairlift to reach the top of the peak. This expansion doubled Ski Incline's ski acreage and added more advanced terrain. Since most of the new trails were labeled as black diamonds, Ski Incline was re-named Diamond Peak.

The improvements in 1987 also included the expansion of the snowmaking system to the expanded upper mountain as well as more grooming equipment and shuttle service. The Bee Ferrato Child Ski Center was also built that year.

In 2002, Diamond Peak expanded and improved its snowmaking system again so that 75 percent of Diamond Peak's terrain has snowmaking capabilities.

The Snowflake Lodge was also renovated and expanded. Its new wrap-around deck presents panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.

In 2003, Diamond Peak replaced the old Crystal Quad with a new high-speed quad to the top of the mountain. The $2.8 million investment replaced the 16-year-old quad with new, faster technology and cut the old ride time in half. Now skiers reach the top in about five minutes.

This year Diamond Peak turns 40. It has added programs, packages and specials to help make sure guests can choose all the options they need.

Last Tracks - wine and views

Diamond Peak continues to offer guests a truly unique experience, Last Tracks. From the midmountain Snowflake Lodge, guests enjoy beautiful views of Lake Tahoe while tasting fine wines and appetizers. Afterwards, guests can ski or snowboard down a freshly groomed corduroy run to the base lodge, escorted by the professional staff. Diamond Peak will offer a Last Tracks Season Pass. The pass is $200 and is valid at every Last Tracks event for the season. Reservations are required for each event.

Last Tracks will take place Saturdays from Feb. 10 through April 14. A different winery will be featured each week. Tickets can be purchased at the guest-service window at Diamond Peak or online at diamondpeak.com. The cost is $25 and reservations are required. Participants must ski or snowboard down from the event and must be at least at the intermediate level.

Last Tracks is also available for private parties on other evenings.

Learn to ski on the cheap

Learn to ski and ride for only $25. Diamond Peak wants everyone to have the opportunity to learn to ski or snowboard so the staff set aside a whole week for it. First timers can get a lesson, lift ticket and rental equipment for $25 Monday through Friday Jan. 22-26.

Diamond Peak is a good place to learn. It has gentle, wide-open slopes that are easy to navigate. The runs also lack the crowds often found at larger resorts. With a first-rate Ski and Snowboard School, snow sports enthusiasts can choose from a variety of lesson packages.

The first-time beginner package (ages 7 and up) includes a lift ticket, lesson and rental gear for just $72. During the Learn to Ski and Ride Week, that package will be $25 - that's more than 75 percent off.

Reservations are not required; ask for the first time beginner package at any ticket window.

New programs for Diamond Peak's 40th anniversary

This year Diamond Peak has joined up with Burton Snowboards to become a Burton Learn to Ride Center.

Burton's specially designed snowboards make learning easy and fun. All beginner snowboarding packages will include new equipment. Diamond Peak will also offer demos of snowboards this year.

Skiers and will also find other new options for learning, like the Learn Together Special. This is a way for families to spend time together on the slopes. The cost of the all day program is $475 for a group of two to five people of similar ability. A half-day program is $300.

The Child Ski Center also offers two new programs this year. The Frequent Private Lesson Program gives kids a sixth private lesson free after they take five.

Bee Ferrato, founder and director of the Child Ski Center, believes, "This continuity through the season allows the child to build a strong bond with their special instructor."

For those that can ski midweek, Diamond Peak offers the Midweek All Day Special. Kids can take all-day group lessons on any two days out of a five-day period for $180. The package includes group lessons, indoor supervision and lunch.

For more information and current conditions, call 832-1177 or visit diamondpeak.com.

Tips for first-time skiers

• You will fall down. A lot.

• It is hard to get up, and this can be embarrassing.

• There will be 6-year-olds skiing circles around you, and this is infuriating.

• You will be alternately bored and terrified, and not very often in between.

• Too slow and too fast are right next to each other for beginners.

• Don't be intimidated by other beginners who get it right away. You'll get it too, but all of us learn at different speeds.

• If you don't understand what the instructor says, ask him to repeat it. He will, gladly.

• If you get cold or your boots hurt, tell the instructor. Boots should be snug but not pinching. And you can't learn if you're cold.