Not much time left to hit the slopes

If you're going to ski or ride, better get with it because the bountiful snow earlier in the season is fast disappearing.

Rumor is that Heavenly will close April 18, along with several of the smaller resorts. Nothing official yet, although Diamond Peak has said April 18 will be its last day. The cooler weather of the last few days may extend the season, but don't count on it.

•The U.S. National Freestyle championships wound up in fine style last Sunday with winners in both aerials and mogul competition before a large crowd at the base of the Gunbarrel chairlift in California.

The dual-competition women's mogul winner was Jillian Vogtli of Ellicot, N.Y.; second was Shelly Robertson, Reno; and third was Michelle Roark, Denver. McKenzy Golding, Reno, placed fourth. The course had two hits, triggering an unusual number of spills in the early eliminations.

In men's moguls South Tahoe's Travis Cabral was first; Ryan Riley of Steamboat Springs, Colo., was second and Tim Preston of Campton, N.H., was third. Jesse Jenison of Tahoe City was seventh.

In the aerials off an excellently prepared pair of jumps, Kelly Hilliman of Tonawanda, N.Y., took the honors with Sharlee Strebel, Layton, Utah, second and Shannon Leotta, Australia, third.

The men's aerials were won by Jeret Peterson of Boise, Idaho, with veteran Joe Pack of Park City, Utah, second and West Preston of Compton, N.H., third. World Cup racer Scott Bahrke of Tahoe City was sixth and Sean Field, also of Tahoe City, ninth.

This was the first (and last) major event of the ski season at Heavenly.

• Ski, Snowboard, Wakeboard, and Waterski All In One Day at the eighth annual

Gates & Wakes Fun Day and Pro Challenge Held at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort and Lake Tahoe May 1 and 2. The unique event allows competitors to experience a quintessential Tahoe sports day by skiing or snowboarding in the morning at Alpine Meadows

and wakeboarding or water skiing on Lake Tahoe in the afternoon.

The entry fee is $56 for adults and $46 for children 12 and under. Fee includes lift tickets, lunch, and boat tows. There is a $67 fee for those who would like to compete in this year's Two-Round Slalom event taking place on Friday and Saturday. Event proceeds are donated to the Disabled Sports Association. Call Bob Bense at (916) 638-3382 or Alpine Meadows at (530) 581-8321.

• Squaw Valley says it will again offer the 'Step Up to Squaw' spring pass program. This offers new pass holders the option to buy their 2004-05 pass now at the early season discount rate and ski or ride FREE for the rest of this season, plus ride the Cable Car free all summer. To take advantage of this offer visit Squaw Valley's Special Tickets office or purchase pass online at http://www.squaw.com.

• Homewood Mountain Resort's $99 Value Day Pass is back for the second year in a row! This sizzlin' deal, valid Monday through Thursday, non-holiday, is only available for a limited time and with limited quantities. Passes may be purchased online at www.skihomewood.com, over the phone by calling (530) 525-2992, or in person at the Guest Services office.

Homewood holds with its third annual Best Family Photo Contest. Come to Homewood and take a picture of the family on the mountain anytime between April 1-3. Then, on Sunday April 4 Homewood will award the grand prize for the best family photo.

Call Homewood at (530) 525-2992.

• Sierra-at-Tahoe will host the return of Boarding for Breast Cancer on April 3. Boarding for Breast Cancer is a nonprofit fund-raising event, focused on youth education and awareness. The purpose of the event is to educate young women about breast cancer.

A portion of all the day's lift ticket sales will be donated to breast cancer research, awareness and education.

One of the main attractions of this event is the music festival. All bands booked for this event are either all-female or feature female vocalists and include Shoshonah Beck,

Milka, Finding Stella, Mudbath and Simon Stinger. These bands will rock the slopes of Sierra-at-Tahoe from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Boarding for Breast Cancer event is free; however, a lift ticket or season pass is required to get on the mountain.

• Once considered a world-class ski race from 1940-1975, the Sugar Bowl Silver Belt race was revived last weekend. Red Bull Silver Belt blended the best of the old days with a new, modern flare. Each racer had to navigate the all-natural, non-groomed course, while battling five other skiers in a hair-raising gang-start skiercross event. Beginning from the narrow chute atop Mt. Lincoln, the athletes descended through gullies, rock bands and mogul fields. No grooming, only the course as it stood on race day, just like the old days. Brett Fischer of Boulder, Colo., won the men's division, Aleisha Cline of British Columbia, Canada, a four-time gold medalist at the Winter X Games, won the women's division.

• The Kirkwood Ski Education Foundation will host the ninth annual Best of Kirkwood dinner and auction Saturday, April 10. Fine feasting and wines will be sold, starting at 6:30 p.m. with an auction at Kirkwood's Red Cliffs Lodge. Only 100 tickets at $20 each will be sold for the auction, featuring Rossignol ski package. Tickets to the affair are $40 for adults in advance, $20 for children. Call (209) 258-5733.

• Muscle Powered, Citzens for a Bikeable and Walkable Carson City is holding its first walk of the season Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., starting at the picnic area at the east end of Fifth Street. Call 885-2166 or 883-7150.

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