Wearing a helmet is a smart idea

Sam Bauman

If you haven't considered wearing a helmet while skiing or boarding, it might be a good idea to consider it. Once upon a time it was considered unmanly (or unwomanly) to wear a helmet on the slopes, but these days with the intersecting lines of skiers and boarders it's a smart idea.

I started wearing one three years ago and in two instances it saved me from serious injury, once when a stubby branch sticking from between two trees caught me on the right temple. Without the helmet a major wound surely would have resulted. And another time when I was being stupid, I didn't duck fast enough at a chair lift and got a ringing bong on the helmet. Many resorts offer trial runs with helmets. And P.S., they are nice and warm.

Also on the safety side, on busy trails you may be safer along the edges than out in the middle of the run. And the snow is better there as well. Of course, there's always the danger of missing a turn and heading into the woods. But that's what helmets are for.

One more tip. Something I see all too often on the slopes is skiers and boarders starting off without looking uphill first. That's a good way to meet someone new in a painful hurry.

Last weekend we skied Mount Rose on Friday, Diamond Peak on Saturday and Heavenly on Sunday. Glorious snow, lots of sunshine and moderate crowds. All that a local could ask for. This weekend Sierra-at-Tahoe and Homewood, the little resort that isn't little.

• If you've never tried snowshoeing, here's your chance. Get Outfitters with the Sporting Rage is holding a snowshoe outing Saturday at Winnemucca Lake. Gather at the Sporting Rage on South Carson Street at 8:30 a.m. Gear ands snacks will be available. Fee is $29.95 per person, call 885-7773 for reservations by today 6 p.m.

• The Atlantis Casino Resort in Reno will host two festive evenings of entertainment while raising funds to help people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The third Annual Silver Chef CAN DO Dinner will be held Wednesday Jan. 28, followed on Jan. 29 by the fourth Annual Winter Wine and Ski Expo.

The Silver Chef CAN DO Dinner begins at 6:30 and will honor Squaw Valley legend, Pascal Heuga. Pascal is also father of Jimmie Heuga, founder of The Heuga Center which conducts educational/wellness programs to help people with MS live better, more productive lives. Jimmie Heuga will present the CAN DO Award to his father. Tickets for the CAN DO Dinner are $125 plus tax and must be purchased at The Atlantis Resort Casino, (888) 551-7007.

The fourth Annual Winter Wine and Ski Expo will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. More than 40 wineries and breweries from around the world will be represented. A 250-item silent auction including ski passes and equipment, wines, hotel packages and local ski resort are included in the evening's festivities.

Tickets for the Winter Wine and Ski Expo are $40 plus tax in advance and $50 plus tax at the door. A special ticket package for both the Silver Chef CAN DO Dinner and The Winter Wine & Ski Expo may be purchased in advance for $150 plus tax. Purchase tickets through The Atlantis Casino Resort Special Events (888) 551-7007. Call 1-888-DO-IT-4-MS.

• Sierra-at-Tahoe will again participate in the National Ski Area Association's (NSAA) National Safety Week from Jan. 17-24.

Throughout the week, Captain Safety will cruise the slopes awarding prizes to guests who can recite the NSAA Responsibility Code.

Other activities include a safety scavenger hunt where guests and employees are required to seek out the first aid room, the security office, and spot specific security codes posted on the mountain for a $100 gift certificate to Sierra Mountain Sports. Guests can participate in several half hour clinics on Smart Style in the terrain parks or demo helmets from the rental shops for free.

• Squaw Valley has a dinner program for overlooking Lake Tahoe as the sun sets over the Sierra for only $29.

The night includes a fancy dinner and the chance to go ice skating for $8 per person as well as a chance to wander through the Olympic Museum. Dinner packages may be purchased daily after 4 p.m. at the cable car ticket window and seating for dinner is available until 9 p.m. Call (530) 581-7278.

No word if guests can ski down the mountain trail after (burp) dinner.

Sam Bauman is the Nevada Appeal Diversions Editor. Contact him at sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.