Tahoe received fresh snow this week (1-2 feet to be exact) just in time for a major holiday weekend in Tahoe South. 

This year, we're bringing back a popular tradition among close friends - skiing in true President's Day style. Yes, that includes skiing in a suit jacket and tie - aka 'Executive Style Riding' on the mountain. How fitting that it's an election year.

Photo taken at Kirkwood Mountain Resort by Chair 6. 

How are you celebrating the fresh powder and long weekend?

*Jenn works for Weidinger Public Relations and handles all PR efforts for Tahoe South. As a winter enthusiast (she loves other seasons too), Tahoe is the perfect playground for Jenn to combine work with play. Her work for Tahoe South includes working with regional and national media, assisting with promotions and special events for the destination and coordinating media invites and itineraries. 

The powder at Kirkwood is unbelievable right now! The snow was so great that we woke up at the crack of dawn for a little backcountry action.

Sign up for the Tahoe Vertical Challenge to log your hiked vertical throughout the season. I’m at 58 ski days and 32,800′ of hiking.  Not bad!

Originally from Michigan, Meghan Kelly searched the US for the ideal place to live - near water and with mountains - and planted her feet firmly in South Lake Tahoe in 2006.  A civil engineer working for the Nevada Tahoe Conservation District by day, she tries to ski, bike, and get out on the lake as much as possible in her free time.  During the winter, she competes in telemark freeskiing competitions throughout the Western US.  

I spent part of my Valentine's Day rekindling my love affair with powder. The backcountry conditions in Tahoe South are great right now. Play it safe and get out there and see for yourself.

Anthony Cupaiuolo, a recovering political consulant, founded First Tracks Productions in 2001, soon after relocating to South Lake Tahoe from the East Coast. After releasing 9 full-length skiing and snowboarding videos for national TV and DVD, First Tracks has transitioned to freelance videography/editing for a diverse group of clients. When he’s not making videos, Anthony can usually be found outside, enjoying all that Tahoe has to offer.

-Lauren Lindley

Tahoe South has a new local band and they are taking the town by storm.  Though their first show was merely five months ago, Dad's LPs has already generated quite a local and northern CA following.

In a short time, they can already claim a well rounded resume that most established bands would be jealous of: airtime on Reno radio stations, a debut at the Placerville Hangtime Halloween Ball, an opening for Dead Winter Carpenters and a closing aftershow for British Indie Rock Band Gomez. 

Dad's LPs was formed by Tahoe South local Jay Seals, a veteran musician from Blue Turtle Seduction, and Sacramento's John Morales on lead vocals and drums.  Their self-professed "NorCal Rock" is strongly rooted in 90s alternative and their rousing double set at the Divided Sky in Meyers on Friday night included new songs of their own and a crowd pleasing cover of Filter's "Take a Picture." 

You can catch Tahoe South's new band next on Friday, March 9 at 9:00 PM at the American Legion Hall, where they will once again be opening for the 2011 Best of Tahoe "Band of the Year," The Dead Winter Carpenters.

Lauren Lindley is a Texas Longhorn at heart and a transplant to South Lake Tahoe, which she has called home since 2006.  She is an adventurer and athlete, claiming the following to her sports resume: runner, swimmer, cyclist, snowboarder, and sometimes climber.  She is a music lover, prolific reader of literature, traveler and photographer.  The only bottle of wine she doesn't like has the word Merlot on it.

a`pres-ski´(å`pra`ske´) adj.1.concerned with or designed for use after skiing; occurring after a day of skiing; as, an apres-ski party.

With ski season in full swing the exhilaration needn’t end when the slopes close. Let your hair down after a strenuous day of skiing or riding and discover the Tahoe Queen Après Ski Cruise.

The Tahoe Queen Après Ski Cruise is a perfect way to unwind, eat, drink, dance and socialize with family or friends.

The cruise includes lively entertainment plus happy hour food and drink specials for purchase:

• Clam Chowder Cup $4 / Bread Bowl $6
• Tahoe Queen Chili Cup $5 / Bread Bowl $7
• Chicken Wings 6 wings $7 - 12 wings $13 
• TQ Pulled Pork Slider $8
• Sternwheeler Nachos $7 - Pulled Pork +$3
• Sandwich Special $12

The Tahoe Queen Après Ski Cruise runs on Wednesdays. The cruise will be 1-1/2 hours and cost only $19 per person. Boarding starts at 5:30pm for a 6:00pm cruise.

It’s all about the Lake. Get out on it.

For more information visit: www.facebook.com/laketahoecruises

Tony is the Director of Sales & Marketing at ARAMARK Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe Cruises; Zephyr Cove Resort; and Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Center.

Throughout the winter, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association offers weekly snowshoe hikes around the Tahoe Basin.

This Valentine's Day, opt for a more adventurous night out and treat yourself and a loved one to the Sweetheart Sunset Hike. (It includes wine and cheese!)

• Where: Tahoe Meadows
• Distance: 2 miles
• Level: Easy
• Time: 4pm - 6pm

Space is limited, so please register online beforehand. 

The TRTA will guide couples to a lovely ridge that overlooks Lake Tahoe at Sunset. The group will wine and dine while enjoying a breathtaking view of the Tahoe Basin. 

*I work for Noble Studios. My agency responsibilities include managing the content strategy and development for TahoeSouth.com.

I recently suffered a serious ankle sprain which has left me on the couch and yoga mat instead of on the pavement for almost two months. I somehow have made it through with my sanity relatively intact.

Here are some things I learned along the way:

1. Listen to your doctors. I promised myself-- and my mother--that I would listen to the doctors and not push myself. You will be happy you listened to them. And your mother will be happy too.
2. Explore other activities. I know this is going to sound very shocking, perhaps even unbelievable to some of my running friends but there is more to life than running. Maybe take up the cello. There is a whole world full of things to do that aren’t running. It’s radical, I know. You could start by checking out the local events calendar.
3. Focus on your nutrition. For me, running is my primary weight management tool. Having that taken away really forced me to look at what I eat and make better food choices. South Lake Tahoe has tons of great places to eat and shop for food.
4. Do some goal setting. What better time to reassess your goals—your realistic goals that is—than now when you aren’t out training for something every day.
5. Shop! When all else fails, shop! Clean out your old gear and make a list of what new gear you need. Donate your old shoes, and you will be thrilled at the assortment of cute injury prevention gear including pink ankle braces, cow print compression tape and ice bags covered in martini glasses! 

About Caryn: I am 40.  Yes, 40.  I am an attorney, aspiring philosopher and yoga teacher.  I have a son who I love more than anything on this planet and  two Golden Retrievers. My vices are Chardonnay, cupcakes, Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids.

One of my favorite places to relax in Tahoe South is Apres Wine Co.  Owners JP and Barb have been wine connoisseurs for decades and their knowledge and enthusiasm for all things grape is unmatched.  JP has provided me with many a full wine glass to ease my worries away and a kind ear when I need it.  I love Apres for many reasons but most of all because the atmosphere is cozy, the owners are wonderful, the pours generous and the food fantastic.  

One of the most enjoyable events is their theme wine tastings, held every week on Tuesday nights.  This past Tuesday focused on champagne and sparkling wine.  The Tuesday night tastings feature a set tasting course with food pairings from the kitchen and explanations of each wine in the tasting and the area and soil they come from. 

Upcoming Tasting Tuesday

• Napa vs. Sonoma - Feb 21 @ 6PM, $25
• Ribs 'n Zin - Feb 28 @ 6PM, $25

Other fun upcoming events include their Valentine's Day Dinner which features four courses with four wine pairs ($59.99) and for a more relaxed wine tasting course, Sunday Sippers. 

Join JP at Apres every Sunday as he introduces new and repeat sippers to a tantalizing selection of six wines.  JP provides a comprehensive review of the grapes and appellations during his taste tour, identifying the subtle differences for sippers seated around the wine bar for only $10 every Sunday at 5:00 PM.

There's a reason why Apres Wine Bar was voted “Best Place for a Glass of Wine” in Tahoe!  Stop in and check it out for yourself! 

Apres Wine Co.
Ski Run Center
3668 Lake Tahoe Blvd. #G
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
530-544-WINE

Lauren Lindley is a Texas Longhorn at heart and a transplant to South Lake Tahoe, which she has called home since 2006.  She is an adventurer and athlete, claiming the following to her sports resume: runner, swimmer, cyclist, snowboarder, and sometimes climber.  She is a music lover, prolific reader of literature, traveler and photographer.  The only bottle of wine she doesn't like has the word Merlot on it.

On February 11, 2012 women all over the country will be encouraged to utilize the resource of the SheJumps community to celebrate their love for the mountain lifestyle by taking the mountain by storm with new and old friends in a safe and supportive atmosphere.

GET THE GIRLS OUT Tahoe is currently planned at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, meeting at Chair 6 at 10 AM on February 11th. So all you female skiers and riders, come on out, make new friends, and HAVE FUN!

get the girls out from Lynsey Ann Dyer on Vimeo.

About Meghan: I’ve been enamored with sports my entire life.  Right now I’m fixated on telemark skiing.  I’m competing on the big mountain telemark skiing circuit this winter.  I’m also just trying to ski as much as possible both at the resort and in the backcountry.Based out of South Lake Tahoe, CA, I am in a perfect position to have both winter and summer adventures which I’ll also be sharing on my site.  I hope you enjoy these writeups and have time to get out there yourself!