Spring skiing: The best is yet to come on the slopes

So it's spring, and that's when the young man's eye (and the young woman's, too) turns fondly to the best of the ski season " spring skiing or boarding. Let the crowds come for Thanksgiving, for Christmas, for Presidents and Martin Luther King Jr. days " spring is the best. Nice weather, sunny skies, warm enough that you can do away with the winter layers of clothing. Plus safety on the slopes as Bay-area people have switched to tennis or golf and the crowds are down to serious, local skiers and few boarders. And oh yes, parking is close in.

And now that the ribs have mended, more or less, I'm back on the snow slopes. Early this week, Diamond Peak beckoned so David Rittenhouse of South Lake Tahoe and I dropped in. Ribs still touchy, but not too painful when the chance to ski is there.

As usual with spring skiing, much is a matter of timing. These are short days, meaning getting there and on the first lift. The snow will be icy and hard at first, but that's what edges are for on skis and boards. By 10-11 a.m. the sun usually has softened the snow a bit but not so much that it gets soggy. By 11 a.m. corn snow develops " that's snow that has frozen over night and forms into corn-sized stuff as the day warms up. You have to push a little in the corn, but like in powder, keep the skis parallel and ski both of them all the time.

No corn snow this week at Diamond Peak, and the frozen shadows mixed in hard surfaces with the softer stuff. On one run I let it slip a little and got up there in the supersonic territory. David pointed out that I wasn't finishing my turns with the usual slight uphill curve at the end. And I started doing that as well as employing the old "big-toe, little toe" technique " putting pressure on the outside foot big toe and on the inside foot pressure on the little toe. Also, I wasn't staying forward enough to get the skis carving. Corrected most problems, but it's not as if I don't know what to do, it's in the execution.

Well, after a month layoff, hard to get it all right first day out.

LAST TRACKS FUN

Diamond Peak is the only Tahoe resort I know of that offers wine tasting up on the hill, combined with finger food. Such is common in Europe, along with slope snow bars. The Peak holds these end-of-the-day affairs at the Snowflake Lodge, perched on the edge of the mountain with superb views of the Lake and all the lovely snow-covered peaks. Across the Lake you can see Homewood's runs and possibly Alpine Meadows. The deck offers plenty of space to sit and watch the shadows lengthen. 

Inside the lodge, finger food is set up along with the wines of the day, with each Saturday a different vintner pouring. After the sun dips and the night chill starts to set  in, skier and boarders team up with the ski patrol for one last run on a freshly groomed trail. It's a blue, intermediate run so some modest skills are needed.

There's a switch this Saturday with the New Belgium Brewing folks supplying the beverage, should foam nicely at the altitude. March 28 it's the Clos Du Val Winery with rep Scott Forest discussing the wines. April 4 Folie a Deux wine folks with Andrew Carrison speaking. Then the finale April 11 has Greg Norman Winery with Barbara Dahl giving tips. Champagne? Maybe. Single tickets for this gala on the hill cost $32 and well worth it. That Last Track is a run to remember. Call 775- 832-1177 to reserve a glass. The April 11 one seems like a great day to celebrate the season.

HEAVENLY ACTION

The registration has opened for the final qualifying event for the Jackpot Rail Jam Series to be held at Heavenly this Saturday at the base of World Cup. Registration is $10 and open to the first 50 competitors; Register online at www.skiheavenly.com/parks.

Top competitors from this event will meet the best-of-the-best of the three-part series at the Jackpot Finals to be held Saturday March 28. Special thanks to the Heavenly TPC for their hardwork and dedication to making these events a success. Also to our sponsors: Moment Skis, Automaton, Endeavor, Solstice, Skullcandy, Freeskier, Neff, VonZipper, Bern, DaKine, Smith, Flatline, Eesa, Girl Powder, BettyLife.com, hint and airhole.

The registration has opened for the final qualifying event for the Jackpot Rail Jam Series to be held this Saturday at the base of World Cup. Registration is $10 and open to the first 50 competitors; please register online at www.skiheavenly.com/parks.

Top competitors from this event will meet the best-of-the-best of the three-part series at the Jackpot Finals to be held on Saturday, March 28.

The results from the March 14 Rail Jam are:

Men's Snowboarding: 1. Scott Hoffman, 2. Irving Sanchez, 3. Sal Rubio; Men's Skiing: 1. Dylan Curry, 2. Steven Kutsch, 3. Evan St. Pierre; Women's Snowboarding: 1. Paige Rainer; Women's Skiing: 1. Lena Decrescenzo, 2. Holly Hind, 3. Courtney Royce; Overall Best Trick: Brian Walker.

SQUAW VALLEY SEASON PASSES

Squaw Valley has announced season pass prices for the 2009-10 ski and snowboard season that have been slashed by up to $1,000 through a restructuring scheme in honor of the 60th Anniversary of the ski area's founding and the 50th Anniversary of Squaw Valley hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics. Coined the "50/60 Pass," the restructured season passes are now on sale.

"It is our hope that the restructured season pass pricing is seen as a welcome benefit during these tough economic times," said Squaw boss Nancy W. Cushing, in announcing the new pricing scheme. "With an incredible lineup of festivities in store for 2009-2010, the 50/60 Pass is an invitation to make Squaw Valley your home mountain and to join us next season in celebrating our heritage."

The full unrestricted season pass, now dubbed the "Platinum Pass," still melts your credit card at a pricey $1,499, and comes with a limited number of free day tickets, free wax jobs and other perks. However, a new "Bronze Pass" offers skiing and riding seven days a week until Dec. 27 for $369, but is then blacked out on Saturdays until March as well as during traditional holiday periods. The Saturday restriction is dropped from the "Silver Pass" for $469, and for $949 the "Gold Pass" removes the holiday restrictions and adds perks such as day-ticket discount vouchers to give away, free group lessons and a passholder party.

The pass prices quoted above require a purchase by May 11. The 50/60 pass can be purchased online beginning today at www.squaw.com, by mail, or in person at Squaw.

Considering day lift ticket prices, ski three or four times and you've made the nut and are skiing or boarding free from then on.

KIRKWOOD PASS

Ski or ride Kirkwood for the rest of the winter for $259 full adult pass, $199 full junior pass or $129 full child pass, with no blackouts or restrictions. Call Kirkwood's ticket office at 209-258-7254.

If you've purchased a two pack of adult lift tickets from Costco recently, from March 21 through 29, present your Costco voucher at the Kirkwood Season Pass Office to receive $10 in Kirkwood Cash eligible for use at Kirkwood Food and Beverage locations.

Have a pass to another resort but want to get in a few days at Kirkwood? Check out the Tahoe/Kirkwood upgrade, which allows you to bring your surrounding Lake Tahoe season pass out to Kirkwood and relieve three tickets for $99. To take advantage of the upgrade, interested purchasers can call the season pass office at 209-258-7254. The upgrade is available until the end of the 2008-2009 winter season and some restrictions apply.

Monday through Friday, regular Adult Learn to Ski or Learn to Ride packages are just $69. Rate includes lesson, lift ticket and rental equipment. Call to get a coupon for this deal.

-Contact Sam Bauman at sambauman@att.net or 841-7818.