Safety tips for these ski conditions

If you're worried about the snow cover being too thin for snowsporting -- don't.

Sierra Tahoe resorts haves been making snow madly now that the colder weather has returned. Heavenly has kept the pumps going night after night and there are few bare spots.

True, some of the areas with minimum snowmaking gear are running thin, but there's plenty of good trails open. Mt. Rose's Slide Mountain back bowl has been particularly welcoming and upper and lower Lakeview trails there are fine.

Of course, it's a matter of timing to a degree. Get on the hill too early and the groomed trails with be a bit of boiler plate. But if you wait a bit and let the sun do its job, the ice will soften. But look out for the shady spots where the sun doesn't shine; they stay icy late.

And with ski conditions the way they are it's a wise move to remember the safety rules to avoid an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Funny thing is, most of those rules are the very thing one is taught in a first beginner lesson:

-- Always keep hand out in front. Many skiers have a tendency to let the uphill arm swing back in a turn. Not only is that an ineffective turn technique, it's also a deadly sin in a fall. Hands out front all the time, just as you were taught first day out (and how you ski the moguls as well).

-- Don't try to get up while skidding along in a fall. That puts extra stress on the knees.

-- Keep the body forward so that the butt stays above the knees. Getting it below the knees again puts extra stress on the knees.

-- Keep the weight on the downhill ski so that the uphill ski doesn't run away from you uphill. That puts a lot of torque on the knee.

It all boils down to basic technique.

Another point if you want to make turns that are efficient and safe. Before going into a turn retract the knees so that when you begin the turn you can extend to lighten the skis to make the turn easier.

As maven Rusty Crook keeps saying, ignore your instincts and lean down the hill before the apex of the turn. That puts you in the correct position for the next turn. Basically, that means you want to keep facing downhill almost all the time.

Another simple point: always lead with the hand corresponding to the direction of the turn. For left turns, lead with the left; for right turns with the right. Another way to think of this is to keep the hands parallel with the slope; that automatically keeps the correct hand out front.

Many excellent skiers continue to lean into rather than away from the hill in turns. That forces them into jerking the body around for the next turn. Watch good skiers: they keep the body facing downhill, away from the slope.

What's happening:

Diamond Peak is continuing its $20 Last Tracks-Wine Tasting at the Snowflake Lounge. Idea is to take the chair just before closing and settle in on the deck or inside to taste some wine and enjoy some finger food. Then at the right time you ski or board back down to the main lodge on freshly groomed trails. Sounds like a lot of fun!

At Northstar they've been making snow on the advanced trails off Lookout Mountain. Both Prosser and Maratis have been getting refreshed.

Mt. Rose is offering two-for-one lift tickets on Valentine's Day. "Forget flowers, take him skiing" is the slogan.

Alpine Meadows will participate in the National Ski Areas Association's Sustainable Slopes Environmental Awareness Day, Saturday, Feb. 22. Alpine will focus on local environmental issues and projects, presenting speakers from the Tahoe Rim Trail, U.S. Forest Service, the Truckee River Watershed Council, and the National Weather Service.

"Eco-tours" will be conducted with the inaugural tour scheduled on Sustainable Slopes Day. The free environmental educational tour/program will be led by Alpine Meadows staff biologists Sarah Trebilcock and Jeff Zotz and will focus on basic geology of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and the Lake Tahoe region.

At Squaw Valley, Renegade Productions presents the musical act moe. on Thursday Feb. 20 at the Olympic Village Inn at 9 p.m. Tickets are $23 which includes all service charges. This is a 21 and over venue.

Love is in the air and on the mountain this Valentine's

Day when Squaw Valley hosts its second annual "Where's the Love?"Scavenger Hunt Friday, Feb. 14. Squaw is also offering a

special Valentine's Dinner & Ice Skate Package on Friday and Saturday night Feb. 14-15 at High Camp.

As part of a national tour Snojam 2003 will stop at Diamond Peak Ski Resort Feb. 23. Snojam involves numerous product sampling and also giveaways of up $3,500 in prizes. This year's sponsor's include Balance Bar, Starbucks Doubleshot, Pontiac, Dannon Yogurt and more. This is an all day event and is free to participate. Call 775-832-1177.

At Sierra-at-Tahoe during Snowsports Week Feb. 10-14 skiers and riders have the opportunity to support local nonprofit organizations and ski for less than half of the regular ticket price.

Tickets are on sale now for $30 each and $25 each for two or more. These discounted tickets are valid Monday through Thursday during Snowsports Week, but must be purchased by Feb. 9.

Tahoe locals can purchase tickets at Barton Hospital Gift Shop, Lake Tahoe Community College, Rainbow Mountain, Shell Stations at the "Y" and in Meyers, Bank of the West and the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce.

Sam Bauman is the Nevada Appeal Diversions Editor.