Plenty of snow at local resorts

New natural snow up there, but it's hard to beat that which the resorts haves been pumping out.

At Sierera-at-Tahoe last Saturday the snow, much of it the sharper edged manmade, was excellent, not powder, of course, but enough on top of hard base to make turns a piece of real French brie. The West Bowl was relatively uncrowded with lines about 30 seconds long. That meant plenty of runs in a hurry, thanks to the marvel of detachable chairs. Little in the way of bumps but enough fairly steeps to keep one awake. And the sun at the West Bowl lift base al fresco eating area was lovely.

Next week I'll be in Ohio, Chicago and Mineapolis on my eastern swing to see family and old friends. Nobody at Playboy anymore, they've moved to New York City.

• Homewood Mountain Resort opens. It's Ho Ho Homewood - bring a new, unwrapped toy and ski for $10 all day.

• Since September 26, Squaw Valley has received more than 100 inches or 8 feet of snow and the resort is expecting to open several additional lifts in time for this weekend. Shoould be some powder about.

• If you're too busy having fun skiing the Sierra Nevada but would enjoy a vicarous vacation to the best world resorts, checkout Volume Two of Snowdvd. com, or pickup the disk somehwere. It looks at Camonix, Davos, Les Arcs, Vail, Flims Laax Falra, Happo One and Hakuba Goryu Toomi, Jackson Hole, Val d'Isere, Steamboat, Copper Mountain, Kitzbuhel and Winter Park. I've skied 10 of those resorts (once at Kitzbuhel where actor Stephen Boyd was faking a ski movie) and the DVD covers them well. Tugs at the old heart strings, seeing the Kitzbuhel Circus.

• Diamond Peak and the lodge Hacienda will team up next Friday, Dec. 17 for a huge party to kick off the ski season. There will be drink specials, live music from Cold Sweat and prizes from Diamond Peak and the Village Ski Loft. Party starts at 7 p.m. Call (775) 832-1177.

• Until New Year's Eve enjoy a festive atmosphere in Squaw Valley at the Village's 30-foot holiday tree, lit every afternoon. Visit with Santa Claus every Saturday andSunday until Christmas day from 12 to 4 p.m.

C2K5 Winter Fashion Sports Expo Friday-Sunday shows ski and snowboard, hard and soft goods expo and fashion show weekend to benefit the American Heart Association.

Winter night Operations begin Dec. 18 until 9 p.m. nightly.

• All jibbers are invited to attend the Elevation Rail Jam, a free rail contest that will be held in the Broadway terrain park at Sierra-at-Tahoe Saturday.

The Sierra-at-Tahoe terrain park crew is building a customized course for the event that includes Sierra's most challenging rails and boxes and some features that have never been seen before. The Elevation Rail Jam moves to Boreal Resort on the North Shore on Sunday and at the end of the day, riders will choose a resort winner based on the innovative park features used in the competition.

The competition is open to competitors of all ages. Registration will be held at the Elevation tent in Sierra's base area from 8 -10 a.m. The Broadway terrain park will open for practice at 8:30 a.m. and the competition begins at 11 a.m. An award ceremony will take place following the event at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Prizes for the event include snowboards, gear and a trip to Mexico.

• Northstar-at-Tahoe is hosting its first annual Jibs for Kids event Sunday Dec. 19 at 11:30 a.m. This jam-style event costs $25 to enter or the donation of a coat in good condition. All proceeds and coats donated at the event will benefit the Reno chapter of the national Coats for Kids program.

Not a jib pro? No worries, the event is open to all ages and ability levels. Practice time will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Contestants then have 45 minutes to showcase their best tricks for the chance to win great prizes.

People not participating in the event are still encouraged to donate a jacket. Northstar is so intent on getting coats to kids this winter season the resort will offer a $40 adult and young adult lift ticket voucher to those who donate between 9 and 10:30 a.m. Participants should bring a new or gently used coat to event registration located in the Base Camp Pavilion in the new Village Plaza to receive the $40 voucher.

The Jibs for Kids event is the first in Northstar's four-part Freestyle series this season. Events range from slopestyle to superpipe and ladies-only competitions. All events will follow a similar format with a $10 registration fee required, except the event on Saturday, March 19 which will require a $20 fee as a fund-raiser for Boarding for Breast Cancer.

Call (530) 562-1010.

• Tahoe Cross Country is open now and offers 65 kilometers of groomed trail for skiing and snowshoeing. Ski with your Dog on 8 km of dog-friendly groomed trails, the most in Tahoe. Trailside warming huts with complimentary tea and cocoa are offered. Thre's a warm day lodge with cafe, fireplace, rentals and ski school.

Tahoe Cross Country is at 925 Country Club Drive, Tahoe City.

Call (530) 583-5475.

Sam Bauman is a Nevada Appeal Staff Writer. Contact him at sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.