Hmm, Im already here and going busto fast on hotel rooms. Im actually looking for long term accommodation. Anyone know anything?

Wow Big Bear actually has some great snow right now. Looks like they're gonna get some more this weekend. Busted the cherry on my new Rome Agent, the thing is amazing.

can anyone recommend the best place to stay around North Lake Tahoe?

my friends and I have an annual trip to Alta (we just got back) but I am convincing them to change it up and go to Tahoe next year.

I'm pretty sure we want to ski at either Alpine or Squaw, mb a combination of the 2. our choices seem to be renting a sweet house on the mountain somewhere, or staying in Truckee/Tahoe City and driving to ski every day.

only reason to stay in town would be to be closer to bars/restaurants. I would say being convenient to skiing is more important than bars, but...is there anything at Alpine or Squaw that could serve as an apres bar or just a place to go out and get a few beers at night?

There are house/condo rentals all around the lake and this is typically your best bang for the buck. You may have to search several different sites to find a rental that works for you.

http://www.skilaketahoe.com/ - has a lodging search
http://www.vrbo.com/ - Found my place in South Tahoe here.

They have a small base village at Squaw with a half a dozen restaurants. I haven't been to Alpine in a number of years but I don't remember much at the base.

I finally made it to Sugarbowl and that place has some sick terrain.

http://www.slidingonthecheap.com/ - has good info on how to get discounted lift tickets.

Nice thread. I am a pretty big snowboarder myself. I guess snowboarding to me is poker to some of you- trying to make a living off it, just grinding away competitions. I spent all summer down in New Zealand training, that place is absolutely unreal. If you get to go, jump at the opportunity. Simply incredible.

Next week I'm going to compete in the US Open at Stratton, then I'm flying out to Colorado for some Nationals jibbajabba.

brag: me New Zealand







variance: i haven't seen a day warmer than 50 degrees since june

hey Mike, welcome to the thread. you seem like an OK snowboarder, and I've only snowboarded one day, but I'm going to give you a tip. in that 2nd picture, only one of your feet in attached to your board. you may want to look into correcting that.

Anyone in the Seattle area planning on hitting up Stevens a few more times before the season is over? I don't drive and my friends work 9-5s all throughout the week (losers) so if anyone wants to let me go, I got money on gas.

That's sick Mike. I go to school in Burlington so I see those 802 boards all the time.... Are you originally from Vermont? What kind of expectations do you have for the US Open?

Driving from Denver to Jackson, Wyoming for the weekend. Drive will suck, snowboarding hopefully will not!

Gilper made some good suggestions. If you're choosing between Truckee or Tahoe City, I'd def recommend Tahoe City. It's kind of small, but it has more of a ski town atmosphere, with some cool bars and restaurants. Besides it's right on the lake so the view is nice. There are a couple of hotels/motels in town, and in general they'll be slightly pricier than Truckee from what I understand. I lived just north of Tahoe City, off Old County Rd. two seasons ago for an entire season, and it took me 15-20 min to get to Squaw depending on traffic.

If you roll deep there are a couple of places at Squaw Valley which are really nice, but expensive. The Resort at Squaw Creek has some very nice amenities, (my gf worked at the spa while we lived there) and slopeside access. Not much of a nightlife though unless you like to sit by the fireplace sipping brandy w/ middle-aged millionares from the Bay area. Plump Jacks and Squaw Valley Lodge are other nice alternatives, but it's unlikely you'll find something for less than $200/night.

Here's a good link where you can search for different lodging options.

http://www.squawvacations.com/squawres_search.php

The village at Squaw got some good night spots. I'd recommend the upstairs loft at Le Chamois or the Sundeck Tavern for some good apres ski. Bar One or Zenbu Tapas lounge is good for late-night drinking.

http://www.squaw.com/restaurants-bars-nightlife

As Gilper mentioned Alpines base doesn't have a whole lot to it.

Most importantly, the skiing. If you're a good skier, Squaw has the best terrain in Tahoe imo. There are just so many different areas which serve up such good terrain it's sick. KT-22 is obv somewhat well known, but you got Granite Chief, Silverado (if it's open), Headwall, Broken Arrow, oh and of course the Palisades (which will def get your heart pumping some steeeep lines there), all great skiing. Just keep in mind the Palisades is closed on the weekends, you can only hike up there on weekdays because Squaw patrol don't want bay area gapers hurting themselves lol.

If you can get your hands on a copy of the book "Squallywood" by Robb Gaffney get it. It outlines pretty much all good spots and hidden lines at Squaw. Some good ski stories in it as well.

Alpine is solid too, but doesn't have as much variety as Squaw. Def good for a day or two though if you want to hit it up as well.

Let me know if you need any more info/help.

Andy

Can't say that I'm originally from VT...although I do love the 802 boards and they are awesome guys, they hook it up bigtime. At the open, i'm thinking i'd get through qualifiers without much problem, and ideally, I'd get into the semi-finals, but that might require some luck. Who knows...I've been practicing more than ever, so hopefully it pays off.

mikekelley-- I'm guessing this is you?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GJIO...eature=related

If so, you are pretty talented. And really cool video, too.

That is like 3 years old! Damn. Good find. I need to make another video one of these days. I didn't even know that was on youtube. Wow.

A new video is in order =D

Swedes advice is very spot on, and that book is awesome.

I'd say Squaw>Tahoe city>>Alpine>>>>truckee. While alpine doesn't have many amenities, if you can manage to rent a house there its likely all your neighbors will be out of town in their first homes, or be very friendly. Good option if you just want to do your own thing with friends.

very nice mike

Just got back from Whistler with CTS, Sponger and ThatPFunk. Sick time but boy did it beat me up. First time I went skiing in 2 years and those long runs killed my legs. I am going to go for at least 2 weeks next year out west...and make sure I dont suck and my legs can handle it.

Will post some pictures once I find the cable to get them off my camera.

Lol Mike you really really like grabbing melon in that video...like every single spin.

Sick though...I'm sure you're worlds better now too. Whats your park setup?

hope you guys don't mind more pics, but we got a ton of snow the past few days.

on the morning of the second day we got dumped on. still snowing, tons of fresh snow, but **** visibility.







and me (as you can see from behind me the visibility was absolutely **** and the light was so so flat, but knee+ deep powder and face shots every other turns made for a pretty good day).



then today (other pics yesterday) we finally get some sun and i get up pretty early and rip laps most of the day.



the village









and my fav

sick pics where is that skier?

Soo just had my US Open runs,

I thought I did real well. My run was cab 540, frontside 720, backside 180, switch backside 540

apparently the judges didn't like it too much, cause i got screwed on my score. my coach was kinda bummed that i didn't do better with the judges. who knows, maybe i bobbled something or did a grab twice or whatever the ****. but i'm on life tilt right now. and the weather is so, so ****ty. pouring icy rain all day, it hurt your face to ride and i'm still soaking wet.


blah

at least you can do those tricks!

Ok so after skiing like 4 times in the past couple weeks for the first time in two years I need to go buy a pair of skis. Im looking for an all mountain type as i live out east currently but plan on going out west a decent amount also. Im really short (5'5) so im looking for something in the 155-160cm size. If anyone has any recommendations that would be sweet. My goal was to keep the skis and bindings under 700, but price isnt that big of an issue. Thanks

pfff yeah the judges HATE when i throw a cab 5...oh wait no i can't do that. Pretty sick bro, regardless of what the judges thought.

Ok, I am thinking about getting these skis I am on the intermediate side for sure and dont plan on doing too much off freeride skiing in the near future. I am basically looking for something to last a season or two. I plan on just going to someplace in Boston or some mountain to find boots, if anyone had any recommendations that would be great

ryanmack,

val d'isere, france.

and it's puking snow again!

and that's just for today.