Snow hits the Sierra Nevada; one more hike yet

I was going to hike Horsetail Falls at Twin Bridge on Highway 50 West but then Heavenly Mountain Resort e-mailed me some photos of Sunday snow at the California Base.

Then Boreal jumped in and announced it would open today for the weekend with one lift running. This is the earliest Boreal has ever opened and matches Colorado for early ski and board action. Catches me with my skis untuned and unwaxed; I'll miss the opening.

So I decided to hike this weekend when it is supposed to warm up. Horsetail  is one of my very favorite hikes - it can be short and easy or long and demanding up to Aloha Lake.

Heavenly

So Sierra Nevada's first winter storm rolled through the area, dropping four to six inches of snow on Heavenly. Heavenly's opening day is about 40 days away, scheduled for Nov. 20, weather and conditions permitting.

Heavenly is planning to start making snow in 22 days. Heavenly season passes are on sale for $369 at www.skiheavenly.com, and the Epic season pass (unlimited, unrestricted skiing or riding at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly and Arapahoe Basin) is on sale for $599 at www.epicpass.com.

Savings tip for your guests coming to visit: Vail Resorts advises skiers and snowboarders to book early for savings. Guests who book a two-day, two-night early-season (Nov. 29-Dec. 15) vacation by Oct. 30 get the third and fourth nights free. That works out to $49 per person per day for lodging and lift tickets. Some restrictions apply. Visit www.skiheavenly.com or call 1-800-HEAVENLY (432.8365).

Diamond Peak ski, board updates

Diamond Peak Ski Resort offers infrastructure improvements for the upcoming season as well as new programs and deals. The snowmaking system at Diamond Peak went through substantial improvements this summer. The purpose of the approximately $1 million investment was to increase the air capacity of the existing system while saving electricity. With the new and improved snowmaking system, Diamond Peak will be able to make snow more efficiently and cover the trails faster than before, resulting in 50 percent increased capacity.

Another change at the mountain has to do with age. The Peak has changed age group from 7-12 to 7-14 to be more in line with the school system. This year, people purchasing any product for their 13- and 14-year olds will see savings.

A new offer at the Peak is the Holiday Season Pass. When other resorts black out their passes during the holidays, Diamond Peak lets you ski all 28 holiday dates for $249. This pass is only valid during the following holiday dates: Dec. 19-Jan. 3, Jan 16-18, and Feb. 13-21. Purchase this pass for $249.

The event Last Tracks, wine tasting and appetizers apres ski party at the mid-mountain lodge at the end of the day is great fun; I've done it several times. Last Tracks price for 2009/10 season is $29. Last run down is highly refreshing.

A brand new program for the season for ski and snowboard schools, is that if you can purchase three lessons or packages up front, you receive a fourth one free.

Sierra-at-Tahoe season

Two of Sierra's premier athletes are aiming for the podium at the 2010 Winter Games. Hannah Teter, the reigning Gold Medalist in Women's Halfpipe, is hoping for a repeat performance to earn her a second Olympic Gold. Elijah Teter took fourth in Men's Halfpipe at the 2009 Winter X Games, finished in the top 10 at World Cup contests all season long, and has been touring with the U.S. Snowboarding team to get ready for the Winter Games. Look for both athletes to be in the running for medals in February. Jamie Anderson, another Sierra athlete and currently considered the top female slopestyle snowboarder in the world, has been named to the Women's Halfpipe Rookie Team and hopes for a chance to compete in the 2010 Games.

Sierra Resort will offer a $35 beginner package that includes a limited access lift ticket, rental equipment and a two-hour lesson. The package is valid for ages 13 and up, Sunday through Friday, non-holiday and excluding blackout dates. It is available in at SierraAtTahoe.com.

Sierra lift tickets are $45 per day with a 3-Pak, season passes for $199. Sierra Resort delivers an annual average snowfall of 480 inches.

Diamond Peak changes

Diamond Peak has created a whole list of special season passholder perks they can take advantage of all year long. Besides the convenience, uncrowded slopes andfine lake views that the mountain offers, season pass holders get a free barbecue lunch on opening and closing days. New this year, are lift early ups on select powder days and scheduled once a month lift early ups for pass holders only.

Also new this year, use your Diamond Peak season pass at third-party vendors such as Crosby's, Aloha Skin Spa, Yoshimi Sushi, Wild Island, Village Ski Loft and others, and get year-round discounts. An updated vendor list can be found online at: www.diamondpeak.com/seasonpassholderperks.

Diamond Peak is scheduled to open Dec. 10. Connect with Diamond Peak on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Flickr and YouTube. For events, deals and snow conditions visit www.diamondpeak.com or call (775) 832-1177.

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