Feel the STOKE this winter at Diamond Peak! Experience the mountain in a whole new way with a Diamond Peak STOKE guided tour program.

What is a STOKE Tour?

In partnership with the Incline Village General Improvement District’s Waste Not conservation staff, Diamond Peak will offer a series of free guided interpretive ski/snowboard tours of the mountain this winter. Program participants will meet behind the Base Lodge with a guide before touring the mountain to discuss the unique plant and animal life that flourishes within the ski area’s boundaries, as well as the history of the resort, of Incline Village and the Lake Tahoe region as a whole. Learn about Diamond Peak’s recent certification through STOKE Certified and continuing efforts to incorporate sustainable practices into operations and education. 

What Do I Need to Know Before I Go?

In order to complete the STOKE tour, one must be an intermediate skier or snowboarder and have a valid lift ticket or season pass to participate, unless otherwise noted. 

The tour is only an hour long, so you can hit the slopes before and after if you feel inclined.

Next Tour Date

The next date, and last date, for a STOKE tour this year will be Saturday, March 7, from 10:30am-11:30am.

Where to Meet the Tour Guide

Meet on the snow behind the base lodge (near the ski racks and large trail map sign).

To Learn More

Visit: https://www.diamondpeak.com/events/details/interpretive-ski-tours

The term “Miracle March” was first coined in Tahoe in 1991. That month saw 50 inches of snowfall to increase the Tahoe snowpack from 17% of the average to 73% in just 29 days. Our Miracle March sequel in March of 2018 saw Lake Tahoe snowpack increase from 32% of normal to 77% with a total of 12 feet of snow. Could this March mark another Miracle in Tahoe?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to ride in a snowcat and Ski in the Backcountry without skinning uphill? Well now you have the chance, with a Homewood Snowcat Adventure, you get a first-class ride straight to those out of bounds runs with a fully trained and licensed guide!

About the Snowcat Adventure

Homewood Snowcat Adventures accesses over 750 acres of backcountry terrain on the flanks of Ellis Peak, above the resort’s traditional ski area boundary. All-day packages with Homewood Snowcat Adventures feature a small group (9 skier/rider max) and a fully guided experience in the out-of-bounds terrain accessed by the snowcat. Once transported to the peak, you’ll enjoy guided access to a wide variety of terrain options from perfectly-spaced tree runs to steeps, powder bowls and intermediate-level glades all leading guests back to the in-bounds terrain at the resort. Participants enjoy laps with 1,824′ vertical from the top of Ellis Peak – where panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the Desolation Wilderness await – to the bottom of the Old Homewood Express chairlift.

Pricing and Equipment

All-day packages with Homewood Snowcat Adventures start at $3,000 per buyout (seats up to 9 people), per day for both snowcat and lift access. This includes snow safety equipment such as backpack, shovel, beacon & probe (required of all participants), mountaintop lunch and guided tours all day long. Homewood’s Rental shop will also offer special snowcat package rates on its line of powder-specific demo skis to allow snowcat skiers to get the most out of their backcountry experience.

Booking

Snowcat group tours can be tailored for a variety of skill levels – from advanced/expert to intermediate skiers and riders. Homewood only offers full group snowcat buyouts fro the 2019/2020 season.

To Learn More

If you are interested in learning more, visit: Homewood Snowcat Adventures

It is not too late to buy a Tahoe License Plate and SKI FOR FREE! Get a FREE Alpine or Nordic ticket to the resort of your choice when you buy a CA or NV Tahoe license before April 1, 2020. Ticket valid for the 2019-2020 season while supplies last, limited black-out dates. Click here to read the Terms & Conditions.

Through a public-private partnership, the Tahoe Fund works with the California Tahoe Conservancy and Nevada State Lands to promote the sale of their Tahoe license plates. CA and NV Tahoe license plate fees go directly to environmental improvement projects of the California Tahoe Conservancy and the Nevada Department of State Lands, which include trails, parks, water quality and restoration efforts at Lake Tahoe.

How Much Does a Tahoe License Plate Cost?

• In Nevada, the first year starts at $62, with renewal costs to be $30.
• California plates start at $50 with a renewal cost of $40.

How to Utilize the Plates for Powder Program?

• Step One: Visit https://www.tahoefund.org/tahoeplates/license-plate-for-powder/
  • Fill out your information.
  • Chose a resort you would like a ticket from.
• Step Two: Purchase a Tahoe Plate
  • Order either California or Nevada.
  • California DMV does not send email receipts. For an online transaction, please take a screenshot of your confirmation page to provide as proof of purchase.
• Step Three: Send Us Your Receipt
  • By Email: tahoeplates@tahoefund.org
  • By Mail: Tahoe Fund, Kim Fabel PO Box 5459 Tahoe City, CA 96145
  • By Fax: 530-581-1686
  • Tickets will be mailed within 2 weeks of receipt of your plate purchase.

Resorts Participating in Plates for Powder 2019/2020 Season

Thanks to our great Tahoe Ski Resorts, we are able to run the plates for powder program to make a difference in Tahoe. This year, we have 11 resorts participating in the Plates program, giving you plenty of choices to ski for free this year. Our resort sponsors are:

• Tahoe City Winter Sports Park
• Diamond Peak
• Homewood
• Sierra at Tahoe
• Tahoe XC
• Homewood
• Kirkwood/Northstar/Heavenly
• Squaw Valley|Alpine Meadows
• Tahoe Donner

To Learn More

• Visit tahoeplates.org to find out more information

60 years ago this week Squaw Valley hosted the Olympics, welcoming athletes from 30 nations. The 1960 Olympics was the first games to host women’s speed skating and the biathlon. It was also the first time in Olympic history that results and scores were electronically calculated. In honor of the anniversary, Project SNOW will be hosting an event on March 14th, at the Olympic Valley Lodge to hear from past Olympians. 

Photo Credit: Robert M Reid