Spring fever

As the weather warms up, winter sports will be cooling down. Take advantage of all the spring skiing events going on this weekend ... before the snow is gone for good.

March 27-29

Sugar Bowl to host U.S. Skiing & FIS Ski-Cross Races

Two sanctioned U.S. Skiing & FIS Ski-Cross race events will be held at the resort March 27-29, with an anticipated 35-45 skiers competing on Sugar Bowl's new ski-cross course located on the Tunnel 41 trail off the Mount Judah chairlift.

Spectators are welcome and encouraged to attend, with numerous on-course viewing areas to take in all the action. Races will be held starting at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

For more information on the U.S. Skiing & FIS Ski Cross Race at Sugar Bowl, including entry details, availability and lodging, contact Kurt Engel at kengel@sugarbowl.com or by calling (530) 426-6773.

March 28

The 200-foot-long Banana Split

In an effort to celebrate every ice-y, Tahoe Donner Downhill invites anyone and everyone to check out its fleeting feat of freezing fat Saturday.

More than 200 bananas and 40 gallons of vanilla ice cream go into the making of possibly one of the world's longest banana splits. Toppings include chocolate and strawberry sauce, whipped cream and of course the obligatory maraschino cherry for the top.

The only challenges, said downhill ski area manager Robert McClendon, are to "finish building before it becomes banana soup and keep the drooling kids away from the tasty banana split."

According to McClendon, construction of the enormous sundae takes around 45 minutes.

This event has been a Tahoe Donner classic for the past 18 years, with the idea being that if you give people free ice cream " they will come. And they do, this whopper banana split normally feeds more than 500 people every year. But you better hurry " it's being served from 1-2 p.m. only.

March 28

CPR & First Aid Certification

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA), in partnership with the American Red Cross, will be offering a CPR & First Aid certification course from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the D.W.R. nonprofit building in Incline Village.

The course is open to the public. Additionally, the TRTA would like to recruit volunteers for the organization and CPR/First Aid certification is required for all volunteer guides, hike leaders, ambassadors and crew leaders.

The cost for the course is $45 which includes instruction, a one year certification, and educational materials. For more information and to sign up for the training, contact Katy Washington at 298-0238 or e-mail katyw@tahoerimtrail.org.

March 28

The Diamond Peak third annual Uphill Race is Saturday

The third annual Uphill Race is Saturday at Diamond Peak. Entrants go up to the Snowflake Lodge under their own power " skis with skins or snowshoes " and ski or ride down from Snowflake Lodge. Skis, snowboards, telemark skis or split boards are all acceptable.

The opposite of the famous Last Tracks, this First Tracks Uphill Race challenges people interested in going up the mountain self-propelled. Enjoy breakfast and award ceremony at Snowflake Lodge before the mountain opens.

The race starts at 8 a.m. Prizes will be provided for best time (male and female) plus a raffle for participants. The cost is $10, which includes a T-shirt.

For more information, contact 832-1177 or visit www.diamondpeak.com.

March 27-29

Women's Ski & Snowboard Camp at Northstar

Northstar Resort is offering all-inclusive three-day courses focused on health, wellness, camaraderie, and of course, skiing and snowboarding.

Taught by Northstar Resort's top certified female instructors, camps include three days of instruction and lift tickets, demo equipment, lunch, video analysis, yoga classes, drinks and appetizers, and breakfast each morning.

The women's camps are perfect for those who feel they have hit a plateau or learn better in an encouraging group environment. Beginner to expert skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to participate. Visit www.northstarattahoe.com for details.

March 29

Ninth annual Diamond Peak Dummy Downhill

The Dummy Downhill has been a favorite event for eight years and every year it gets bigger and better. Join in the fun at the ninth annual Dummy Downhill where participants build a dummy on skis or snowboards that get launched off of a big jump. Watch as unique characters fly down the hill or crash hard.

Those who enter a dummy will receive a free commemorative T-shirt and lift ticket for the day. The Dummy Downhill is open to the public and there are no registration fees. Dummies need to be at the base lodge by 11 a.m. to be judged on creativity. The jumping will begin at noon and an award ceremony will follow.

Dummy builders are encouraged to be as creative as they can. The following restrictions apply to all dummies: they can not be live, must not weigh more than 75 pounds, teams that build their dummies to lose parts as they crash will be required to clean up afterward. At least one person from each team must be available to transport and/or unload their dummy at the top of the launch.

Categories include Best Crash, Longest Jump, Most Creative, and more. Prizes include Big Water Grille gift certificates, Crosby's lunch gift certificates and prizes from Village Ski Loft. Judges include John Cheney from Big Water Grille.

Big Brothers Big Sisters will also be attending this special event. The Big Brothers Big Sisters organization is a one-to-one youth service that's been around for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada will be enjoying a free ski day compliments of Diamond Peak.

Diamond Peak is located on 1210 Ski Way in Incline Village.

For more information and current conditions, call 832-1177 or visit diamondpeak.com.

March 28

Dress up day at Homewood

Join in the fun at Homewood Ski Resort with dress up days through the end of the season. This week, those dressed in "Hawaiian" costumes will receive $5 off their lift tickets. Visit skihomewood.com for a complete schedule of dress up days.