Happening Homewood

BY SAM BAUMAN

Homewood Mountain Resort on Highway 89 on the west side of Lake Tahoe has long been passed over by Bay area skiers and boaters heading for Alpine Meadows or Squaw Valley. Shame, because it has some very nice terrain and some of the best views of Lake Tahoe of any mountain resort. Parking is close to the slopes and the facilities cozy.

Recenty it has been bought by Alpine Meadows and things are looking up there, including hosting the Lake Tahoe Music Festival this summer. Now Homewood has come up with a blockbuster idea: a private mountain rental program. Ski and snowboard groups can now rent the Mountain's South Lodge and exclusive access to the Quail triple chair for a day. "Fantastic options and activities are available, ensuring both skiers and boarders and non-skiers will be able to have an unforgettable day on the mountain, whether for business or pleasure," said Wes Chapman of Homewood.

Guests can customize a South lodge rental day to include exclusive use of the 3,000-sq. ft. South Lodge, exclusive access to the Quail triple chairlift, shuttle service from nearby lodges and inns, catered lunch, no host bar, entertainment " the whole apres ski event.

For details, check Skihomewood.com or call (530) 525-2992, ext. 140.

TRUCKEE RIVER RAFTING OPENS

River rafting on the Truckee River has officially opened and summer fun is in full swing in North Lake Tahoe. Rafting season is underway as the gates of the Tahoe City dam are open, releasing water from Lake Tahoe into the Truckee River and allowing commercial raft companies to open for business. Each summer, thousands of visitors make the popular three-mile float from Tahoe City to River Ranch Lodge at the base of Alpine Meadows Road, where lunch is served on the patio.

SQUAW VALLEY HIKING

Head to Squaw Valley Friday, July 11-12 for guided sunset and full moon hikes at 6 p.m., departing from High Camp at an elevation of 8,200 feet. Hikes are $5 for adults, youth and seniors and free for children 12 years and under. An evening Cable Car and Hike Package is $15 for adults, youth and seniors and $5 for kids.

TRAIL FEST EVENT JULY 19

On July 19 the Tahoe Rim Trail Association hosts Lake Tahoe's annual Trail Fest, celebrating all of the beautiful trails of Tahoe. The event is in Tahoe City at Commons Beach and will start a 9 a.m. with guided hikes, cycles and paddles and will continue to 4 p.m. with live music by The Saddle Tramps, beer tasting and an outdoor BBQ. Throughout the day there will be a an outdoor equipment expo with more than 20 vendors featuring merchandise. Most vendors will offer demonstrations and free demo rentals of their products. Options include kid carrier backpacks from Sherpani, Salomon XT Wings shoes for trail runners to try, Dueter will have day packs and demonstrations on water purification, backcountry stove use, and even tastes of dehydrated food.

Other local organizations and businesses will be at the event handing out information and taking part in the festivities.

Trail Fest is promoting and celebrating the hundreds of miles of hiking, cycling and paddling trails in and around Tahoe City.

Here is a list of free guided programs (participants should sign up early as space will most definitely fill up).

Alpenglow Sports will also be sponsoring a 7-mile trail run from Tahoe City through Page Meadows. Trail Fest will conclude with a raffle that will include prizes such as tents, stoves and other outdoor gear. See www.tahoerimtrail.org or contact Allison at 298-0238 or mailto:allisonb@tahoerimtrail.org.

Tahoe Rim Trail Association Guided Hikes

Family Hike from Common's Beach towards Page Meadows

Page Meadows Wildflower Hike (8 miles)

Tahoe City towards Brockway Summit (8-10 miles) moderate to strenuous

Galena Falls Waterfall Hike near Mt. Rose

Brockway Summit Vista Hike (4-5 miles)

To sign up, call (775) 298-0012 or visit www.tahoerimtrail.org. Other events include:

- The Backcountry Bike Shop's Burton Creek Mountain Bike Tour, call or visit Tahoe City Bike Rental (530) 581-5861.

- Tahoe City Kayaks Guided Kayak Tour, call or visit Tahoe City Kayaks at (530) 581-4336.

- Olympic Bike Shop Page Meadows Mountain Bike Tour, call or visit Olympic Bike Shop at (530) 581-2500.

- Alpenglow Sports 7-mile Trail Run, call or visit Alpenglow Sports at (530) 583-6917.

SQUAW TAKES TO THE AIR

Squaw Valley celebrates the art and sport of kite flying as it hosts the nation's highest altitude organized kiting festival annually at High Camp, elevation 8,200 feet, with Soaring Kites & Music Festival on Saturday July 12.

The festival brings members of regional and national kite organizations to High Camp, to launch dozens of elaborate and colorful kite creations. The festival also includes a kite-making workshop for kids and professional kite flying demonstrations.

While the kites color the sky over the upper mountain meadows, Squaw Valley's mountain-top summer stage comes to life with a musical performance from Saul Kaye Trio. The concert is from 12:30 to 4 p.m. and is free with a Cable Car ticket.

The Kite & Music Festival is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and kite-making sessions are between noon and 2 p.m. Guests are invited to bring their own kites and can also purchase kites at the festival.