says the high-altitude outfit will offer heli-skiing from December of this year. 6 THRILL SEEKERS acres of terrain from beginner runs to hair-raising cornices, Kirkwood (1501 Kirkwood Meadows Drive, Kirkwood) is a crowd-pleaser. 7RELAXED REVELERS October/November 2016 63 TK TK TK TK TK TK TK TK TK TK TK TK THRILL SEEKERS Get a Bird’s Eye View A chopper ride to unspoiled backcountry invites you to indulge in an unimpeded view of the splendor of the Sierras from the skies. Reno Tahoe Helicopters (1901 Airport Road, South Lake Tahoe) specializes in panoramic vistas. Owned and operated by personable Claudio Bellotto, a former Italian Air Force pilot, the lofty company offers more than an unobstructed perspective from 8,000 feet above. Fearless flyers can practice their skills on aerial marksmanship courses, learn eye-in-the-sky photography and take flight-training lessons. Tempted to make tracks on all that pristine powder you spotted from the cockpit? Stay tuned. Bellotto Just Ski It! When in doubt, hit the slopes! With an average of 400 inches of snowfall, aptly named Mammoth Mountain (10001 Minaret Rd, Mammoth Lakes) is one of the first resorts to open each season. Sugar Bowl (629 Sugar Bowl Road, Norden, CA) is the closest and most easily accessible ski resort to the Bay Area. Squaw Valley (1960 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Valley, CA) has merged with nearby Alpine Meadows (2600 Alpine Meadows Road, Alpine Meadows, CA), enabling skiers to enjoy both mountains with one pass. Straddling the borders of California and Nevada, Heavenly (3860 Saddle Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA) is the largest ski resort in Tahoe, with 4,800 acres of ski terrain and 34 miles of ski runs. Northstar (5001 Northstar Drive, Truckee) is a familyfriendly resort that is ideal for intermediate skiers. And with over 2300 Alpine Astronomy 8 Take a moonlight snowshoe stroll along Chickadee Ridge near Tahoe Meadows. Get a great view of the North Shore at night as you enjoy stargazing under crystalline skies. Want a closer virtual look at all those heavenly bodies? Take a field trip to Fleischmann Planetarium (1664 N. Virginia St., Reno), where you can take in a show or simply check out the imminently educational Exhibit Hall. Like many of the best things in life, it’s free to the public. 9 RELAXED REVELERS Angle For a Big One Ready to explore an angler’s favorite departure from the slopes? Try your hand at the time-honored tradition of ice fishing. Many of the Tahoe area’s lakes freeze over with several inches of ice and they are a great introduction to the patience-required winter sport. The best spots to toss a line in include Red Lake, Caples Lake and Silver Lake on the South Shore, and Donner Lake in Truckee. Teeming with Kokanee Salmon, Brown and Rainbow Trout, these pristine waterways are perfect places to build up an appetite and hook your dinner. Tahoe Fly Fishing (2705 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe) offers guided tours for winter anglers, including a barbecue lunch. FROM TOP: COURTESY OF HEAVENLY; COURTESY OF TAHOE FLY FISHING OUTFITTERS; JEFF DOW; OPPOSITE PAGE: CHRIS BARTKOWSKI HEAVENLY
South Bay Accent - Oct/Nov 2016
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