Just how good is the snow up there now?

How good is the snow up there? Here's what Heavenly ski and snowboard instructor David Rittenhouse said Wednesday: "It's as good as it gets." He was buoyed by having a chance to ride Mott Canyon as it opened for the first time of the season. "It was beautiful untracked power," he said.

Kirkwood has been doused with 10 or more feet and the story is the same all around the Sierra Nevada. Today promises to be snowless with some flurries on Saturday, and then clear sailing for a couple of days. Resorts should be 100 percent open, even the steeps wide and inviting.

And if you're a member of the senior skier army, be aware the Mt. Rose Rusty Crook's Free Seniors Clinic started Monday. This is one of the best deals in skiing around. Meet Rusty in the main lodge bar, grab a free snack and join him on the hill for tough advice on getting down the hill.

Rusty was profiled in "The Professional Skier" this month and the article shows him for the fine athlete he is. Did you know he was prepping Mt. Rose as an alternate site for the 1960 Olympics if snow didn't fall at Squaw Valley.

HOT TIME AT SQUAW

Who said that after the Olympics the stars just fade away? Here's one that is right in the middle of the action these days.

Squaw Valley will soon achieve a new milestone when the Jeep King of the Mountain event (www.jeepsports.com), the largest sports, music and entertainment event to hit Squaw Valley in nearly a half century, comes to town on Feb. 8-11.

Billed as the "Loudest Show on Snow," 48STRAIGHT is a jam-packed weekend of on-snow and off-snow activities designed to celebrate the mountain culture, including ski and snowboard cross racing and halfpipe competitions, over a dozen live concerts, street parties, fashion shows, film festivals and environmental expos. All at our local resort.

The event emerged from the consolidation of the Jeep King of the Mountain Series, a professional race program over the past 15 years, and The Ski Tour, an event which made a visit to Squaw Valley in its inaugural year, combining the highest level of racing with unmatched musical offerings.

The sports action will kick off Friday Feb. 8, when arguably the world's most thrilling snow sport events - snowboard cross and ski cross racing - get underway during the Jeep King of the Mountain competition. Headlining will be South Tahoe's Shaun Palmer, the extreme sport athlete that brought home his first title in nine years at the season's first race this season at Telluride, Colo. Joining him will be a who's who of Olympians, world champions, national champions and World Cup titlists, including Nate Holland, Seth Wescott, Daron Rahlves, Casey Puckett, Lindsey Jacobellis, Anik Demers-Wild and Ophelie David.

With a share of $250,000 and the keys to a new Jeep on the line, shoulder-to-shoulder, high-speed dramatics are assured. Then it's time for the ski halfpipe and snowboard halfpipe athletes to take center stage on Sunday and Monday, Feb. 10-11 at Squaw Valley's Mainline Park.

The heart and soul of the weekend is the 48STRAIGHT Music Festival, diverse live performances featuring some of the top acts in the industry, spread across town at popular hot spots and the Basecamp Pavilion. A sampling of the entertainers signed on for Squaw Valley include:

Friday, Feb. 8, Rock Kills Kid, 7 p.m. at Basecamp Pavilion. Based around singer-songwriter-guitarist Jeff Tucker, this California alternative rock outfit made noise with the release of its post-punk-inspired "Are You Nervous" full length debut.

Then The Roots, 8:10 p.m. at Basecamp Pavilion; Devil Makes Three, 10:30 p.m. at Plaza Bar. Followed by Rose Hill Drive, 10:30 p.m. at Bar One. And the list goes on and on.

Details, including dates, times, locations and ticket information for 48STRAIGHT concerts, street parties, fashion shows, film festivals and environmental expos can be found at www.48straight.com. Tickets may be purchased for concert events at www.ticketweb.com.

Coverage of the action will be televised on a national broadcast Feb. 23 -24 on CBS Sports and on nationally syndicated television. Check local listings for specific air dates and times.

This is one of the few major ski events to hit our area this season, and it's doubtful if any venue will offer as much sounds. Last year it was sonic; this year probably super.

SNOWSHOE TIME?

If you're determined to keep this year's New Year Resolution to live a healthier life, then head up to Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort or Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, just outside of Truckee. Both resorts are replete with opportunities to get you outside.

Snowshoe trails at both Sierra and Northstar are a fine winter alternative to the treadmill. Snowshoeing burns an incredibly high number of calories, close to 700 per hour for a 150-pound person, and is relatively simple to do. No special skills or classes are needed .

Cross-country skiing is considered to be one of the best activities you can do for your body. Not only does it get your whole body moving, but it is low-impact. A 150-pound person can burn up to 1,188 calories by cross-country skiing for two hours at 4 miles per hour. Northstar Resort offers 40 kilometers of cross-country ski trails groomed for diagonal stride or skate skiing along with a full fleet of rental equipment and a range of lesson opportunities.

Sierra Resort offers fruit and vegetable sides with every lunch in the Wild Mountain Children's Center while Northstar Resort has put a healthy choice kids meal on the menu in the Day Lodge that features a hamburger, carrot sticks and milk.

This winter, make a bold statement as you wear the fearless jewelry designs of Sarah Graham. Sarah's signature combination of 18 -karat gold and blackened steel, white, cognac and black diamonds are sure to spark one's interest and admiration.

Please visit the Village at Northstar Resort to meet the designer and view her collection Jan. 18-19 from 1 to 8 p.m. Champagne and chocolate will be served. Take note, ski bums.

WEB NOTES

We'll be adding late -breaking ski and snowboard news on the Appeal Web site nevadaappeal.com as the season progresses. We'll include profiles of some of the top skiers and riders and tips on bargain lift tickets.

• Contact Sam Bauman at 881-1236 or Sbauman@nevadaappeal.com.