Tag: skiing
Fresh from surfing, biking (both cruiser bike on the beach boardwalk and fat biking in Big Bear) and touring around, the next stop on my catch the winter wave adventure was in Lake Tahoe! And this season, many mountains are open until July 4th; I read there was a snow storm in Tahoe North three days ago!
It’s a short flight (an hour?) from LAX to Reno/Lake Tahoe and our trip started in South Lake Tahoe. Our group stayed in a few different hotels here; I was at Basecamp Hotel, which I loved. The rooms have a cute hipster-chic aesthetic, and I just knew (and was correct) that the complimentary breakfast would include a DIY waffle station.
Plus there’s a large hot tub and beside it is a campfire. And campfire means s’mores! I pretty much felt like I was living my best life as a friend made me a s’more and passed it to me to eat as I lounged in the hot tub after a long day of skiing. Next time, I’d love to stay in their Great Indoors room, that has a tent, fun!
(Photo credit: Max Whittaker/Visit California)
It’s basically a 5-10 minute walk across the street to get to Heavenly. I’m a big fan of the Epix Mix app, so was thrilled we were skiing at Heavenly since I’d get to log more vertical feet on my app (yes, I’m a nerd like that). My legs felt a little shaky (and I’d just had two somewhat frustrating ski trips in January to Park City and Panorama — I actually felt like I got worse at skiing those two trips) but after a run or two to loosen up, I really enjoyed the skiing at Heavenly. It never got old to look out into the distance and seeing the silvery glint of Lake Tahoe in the distance; the view taking my breath away every time.
Another favourite thing at Heavenly? I got to meet one of the avalanche dogs, Pete! Our guide for the morning tried to have us meet the dogs in the a.m. but the team was in a meeting at the time, but I made a note of which run and building the dogs are at, and made a point to pop in on my own in the afternoon (i.e. I made everyone I was skiing with wait for 10 minutes as I met this sweetheart).
(Photo credit: Max Whittaker/Visit California)
Our second day of skiing was at Sierra at Tahoe. I’d say the runs here felt similar to Heavenly, but because I was feeling more confident with my skiing, I’d say I truly enjoyed the skiing here. Where it’s just challenging enough that it’s still exciting but also with sections on the runs where you just feel like you can take it easy and enjoying that lightness of coasting down the slopes. Plus, I tacked a black diamond run here — I’d done black diamond before a handful of times, but I was pretty proud this time as the super advanced skiers in our group told me that it was not good conditions and that it was quite a difficult run, and I managed to do it without wiping out nor feeling like I couldn’t handle it. I just took my time and stayed calm and collected, while the more advanced skiers I was with patiently and kindly would wait for me to catch up.
(Photo credit: Max Whittaker/Visit California)
Another thing that worked in my favour for both days at Heavenly and Sierra? I think the skis I had worked really well for me. I’m not knowledgeable enough about skiing, but a few of the much more advance skiers commented that they seemed just right for me. I know that I felt at ease in them, and what can I say, I liked the red colour of them.
As for my favourite meal in South Lake Tahoe was at the BBQ restaurant at Hotel Becket. The meats are smoked on site, and there’s a wide range of appetizers and sides, and both a solid craft brewery and cocktail menu. We had a really large table, so I feel like we ordered practically every dish on the menu, so I got a well-rounded taste test of what the kitchen puts out.
After those two days, we moved onto North Lake Tahoe. It was an early start to the day for the drive but despite very much wanting to snooze on the ride, I’m glad I managed to stay awake as the view of the lake as you drive north is stunning. And this actually is my main regret of this trip: that I didn’t have a chance to actually spend time at the lake itself, so I had to make do with gawking over the view on the drive north. Given our busy itinerary there was no time to go to explore the lake (I debated getting up super early for a run, but the timing would’ve been tight based on sunrise, so it wasn’t really an option).
In North Lake Tahoe, we spent two days at Squaw Valley but the first day was focused on watching the FIS World Cup Ladies Slalom. I don’t know much about the sport, but it was exciting to watch these women race in real life. No photos or video were permitted of the race itself, but I got a few of some of the athletes watching the competition after they’d completed their turn.
I was raring to go hit those slopes at Squaw, having had time to take in this enormous mountain. I found this to be the most beautiful of the mountains we went to, even though I had thought nothing would top the view of Lake Tahoe from Heavenly. The sheer size of the mountain, the mix of rock faces that would peek through the snow, the huge gnarled tree stump on one run, so many picturesque spots.
We were also blessed with such beautiful weather, blue skies and about 20 degrees Celsius. And even though the most knowledgeable skier I know told me that legit skiers don’t strip down to a T-shirt (or girls who just wear a bikini top) when it gets warm enough to ski, I won’t lie that I was mighty tempted to (and still might one day). It might not gain me props with legit skiers, but I kind of love the idea of the exhilarating feeling of skiing on snow but in contrast with it being so sunny and warm you can do it in a sports bra or bikini top. Skiing minus cold temperatures is pretty dreamy, and it almost makes me reluctant to go back to skiing in actual cold weather (although I love it too much to not!).
In the afternoon, we were paired up with a guide who brought us to some incredible runs. There was one black diamond run that wasn’t busy and hit just the right note of being almost too difficult enough in areas but mixed in with enough sections that felt breezy and carefree. Which was just about the perfect way to end an unforgettable trip that has made California a solid favourite in my books.
It’s going to be hard to return to skiing in frigid weather after skiing in these incredible conditions–I feel so very fortunate to have had the opportunity to ski in Tahoe. Have you skied here? I’d love to hear about your Tahoe favourites!
And by the way, if you’re keen on reading the pieces I wrote about this trip, I wrote about Tahoe for VITA Daily, and about both SoCal and Tahoe for Travel & Style.
June 15, 2017
I feel like I heard about Park City many years ago, and even though I wasn’t a skier at the time, I knew I really wanted to go. Quite possibly because of the name — “park” usually is synonymous with playing — and from what I’d gathered, Park City is a destination for posh people…and I’m all ’bout that posh life.
Kidding. Kinda sorta. I’d like to be all about that posh life is probably a more accurate statement.
In January, my wish to visit Park City came true when I got the opportunity to visit for a story. And the city was even better than I’d imagined. It’s an old mining town so there are charming little homes lining the streets. I was on the slopes much of the time so I didn’t get too many photos of the homes, unfortunately. But their colourful exteriors pop brightly against the snow.
We ate at so many great spots but I think my favourite meal was a cute casual spot (one that’s oh so very Instagrammable — which is, duh, a must in my books!) where all of the ingredients were so fresh and everything was so flavourful that had just opened a few months prior called Harvest.
I had my very first turmeric tea here, and while I felt like it smelled great (and looks delicious), I wasn’t too fond of the flavour. But the pork belly sandwich I had here was filled with such fresh greens and the pork belly so flavourful and wonderfully fatty — just the right amount of fat to meat and all tucked into a soft bun. I’m salivating thinking back to it.
While the turmeric tea wasn’t for me, what I was very, very fond of? The Dead Man’s Boots cocktail at High West. It’s refreshing, and strong and pretty much is a combination of two of my fave cocktails. One is enough to knock you back a little…so , naturally, I had two! hehheh…I”m going to have to practice trying to replicate this drink at home.
A must-not miss while in Park City is SUP yoga at the Homestead Crater. There was some record snowfall while we were in town so under a thick blanket of snow, we came across a mound or dome. Enter through the door and it’s cold in the entry area, but walk in and there’s an amazing steamy, hot body of water, with natural daylight streaming in from the crater opening above.
Yoga on a SUP is a great core workout but because the water is so nice and warm, it’s fine if you mess up your pose and fall in (even though I admit I was reluctant to fall at first, falling into water is something I typically need to mentally prepare for whenever possible!). It was very unreal to know that just outside were giant fluffy snowflakes blanketing the city, while we were tucked inside in an ultra warm natural body of water. Definitely one of the coolest workouts I’ve ever done (and I’ve rappelled down a waterfall after hiking up in a river in Puerto Rico! That’s another that tops my fave workout adventures!).
The skiing here is great and the mountain is huge. We had so much fresh powder and the runs weren’t overly crowded. Although I don’t think the views are as stunning as, say, when you’re skiing with views of the Rocky or Purcell Mountains, or of Lake Tahoe, you can find some really peaceful runs and the snow is so delightful. I will say that I didn’t find the signage all too clear (and based on skiers I encountered who also got lost I’m not the only one). This is how I ended up going down underneath a lift (technically not a run based on the map, although people were obviously skiing it) in an area dominated by double black diamond runs. This was not a good thing (I have done a few single black diamonds in my short time as a skier, but never a double black diamond), but I just took a deep breath and made my way slowly down, pausing to take. And I managed to not shed a tear (although I did so mentally!) or break a leg.
Park City is owned by Vail Resorts, which means I got an instant log of my skiing thanks to their EpicMix app. Your ski pass is automatically scanned when you get on a chair lift (and that’s how it calculates how many vertical feet you’ve skied each day). I love this app. I find the data satisfying and motivating (same goes for my running using the Nike NRC app — I guess I like having concrete numbers!). And I love that you can find the photos taken on the slopes by the EpicMix photogs right there on the app. It’s not the most user-friendly app (I had to create a different account from last year using a different email because of a logistical thing with my ski pass) but hopefully those things can be smoothed out as the app is improved and updated.
For more about visiting Park City, check out my article over on VITA Daily. But if you ever have any specific questions about Park City or any other destination I’ve been to, don’t hesitate to email or message me. and I’ll answer them if I can!
March 28, 2017
I started this winter determined to make the most of it, and with several ski trips, I’d say I can successfully check that off my list! And winter’s not even done yet.
I was lucky enough to travel not just once but twice to Colorado so far this year. First trip was to Vail and Breckenridge. You can check out my travel story on Vitamin Daily now. With several days of skiing, I finally was able to improve my skiing and our instructor in Breck even took us on a black diamond (although he admitted he wouldn’t normally have but given we were researching Vail for our articles, he made an exception…). Vail is as gorgeous as you’ve heard (snowy mountain peaks) and we ate so well there (lamb fondue, hello!), and we even ate lunch at a posh ski hill restaurant that provides cozy slippers for you to wear so you can take off those clunky awkward ski boots. I am the slowest walker in ski boots, just ask my fellow skiers.
Breckenridge is much more casual and family-oriented but equally enjoyable. I’d say it has more of an almost college town vibe but my view may be skewed as we dressed up in viking hats that we’d decorated and took part in the world’s largest shotski at Ullr Fest. Ullr is the Norse god of winter and the festival is to ask him to bless Breck with more snow. After the shotski, we watched rowdy folks in the family-friendly parade, popped by the enormous bonfire where the townspeople tossed their Christmas trees and then finished our trip with one of my favourite meals of this trip at Relish. We, of course, did some great skiing here, too, drank lots of hot chocolate and I left Breck happy to be returning to Colorado the following week.
Not even a week later, I returned to Colorado again for work, this time to explore Copper Mountain and Telluride. As a newbie to Colorado, I’d never heard of Copper Mountain until this opportunity came up, but I’d have to say I think Copper is the most picturesque of the four ski spots I visited. There’s a dense forests of fir trees all heavy with white snow that makes it magical here. I felt like I’d walked through the back of the wardrobe into Narnia. This trip, I was simply happy to take it easy skiing and just enjoy the free feeling of coasting down the slopes.
From Copper we drove down to Telluride. It’s about a five-hour drive, which is long to be cooped up in a car but for much of the drive the view is so breathtaking that it’s not a hardship. If you make this drive, stop into Palisade Brewing Company to have some wicked BBQ.
Telluride is the most unique spot. It’s a box canyon and if you feel like you’re looking at the Coors logo, you may actually be doing so (the mountains in that logo are in Telluride). The town has an old timey feel that makes you feel like you’re on a movie set…except it’s actually how it is and was. It’s a reminder that you’re in the wild, wild west and my only regret is not having more time to explore it more thoroughly.
My piece on Telluride and Copper Mountain was in the national edition of Metro, which isn’t the easiest to link to online.
With these two trips I reached level 4 of 9 in ski school, and with more skiing this winter, I hope to advance a level or two. Where are some of the best spots you’ve skied?
February 23, 2016
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