Sierra at Tahoe is closed for the season. We are sad to have the built in fun activity planned for every Saturday come to an end, but at the same time, we are all ready for hiking, fly fishing, and swimming. We got our use out of our passes. Ashley went at least 30 times and Erik got out over 20 (for $289). Sierra at Tahoe was open for 150 days this year compared to 94 days last year (and the 94 days last year were very poor quality). There is still over 2-3 feet of snow as evident in most of the tree wells. They are not closing due to lack of snow, but rather a lack of interest. I have heard that a neighboring ski resort, Kirkwood, needs to sell 300 passes a day to turn a profit. At this point, it's only season pass holders showing up. We do have 4 weekday Squaw Valley passes which we can use, and they are going to be open through Memorial Day, so I think Memorial Day we will get one last day of skiing in.
I love the last day of skiing! I always feel such a light-hearted optimism. It is always sunny, cloud free, and in the mid 60s. After a winter of bundling up and fighting the elements it feels great to wear shorts and a Hawaiian Shirt. The resort had a ska band playing with some games out on the patio - pineapple bowling? Soren wore his shorts and the girls wore some princess dresses which elicited plenty of comments
The funny thing is some people don't pay attention to the forecast. They dress up like they are going on a 3 week survival mission to Siberia. In snow pants and coats like its middle January. Just because you are going skiing doesn't mean that its cold.
We did buy our passes again for next year. They did raise the price $309, but still can't beat the price at all. Every year I check the Heavenly tickets and every year there is no comparison. We look forward to next year as every year the kids improve. Svea can go anywhere on the mountain, she just needs to grow so that she can load onto the lift by herself. Liv is comfortable on most black diamonds, but also just needs to get stronger. Even Soren attacked a Black Diamond or two this season and next year should be able to carry all of his own ski gear.
There was a snowboarder who Liv managed to get her attention and got a high five out of her. Then further down the hill Liv tried to get another high five from her. The lady was not very good and tried to get close to give Liv another high five. They did the high five and then she fell, they both started laughing. Liv was hysterical "we tried to give high fives and then she fell down." The lady tracked us down at the bottom and told me how adorable she thought Liv was. Liv definitely has a "herd" mentality, is very social and looks for the funny side of everything.
Video of the girls - Notice Liv "jumping". She is always trying to get "air". She goes off the big jumps - the ones that drop you off 3-feet. Every time she hits one, I hold my breath, but she has always landed it. In fact, I don't recall her ever falling on a jump. I am hoping that next year her cognitive abilities will catch up to her physical abilities. Svea has developed near perfect form. She keeps a low center of gravity directly over her skis, but really leans into turns and uses her poles, but even she does not go off the large jumps.
Next video - trailing Svea for a minute, then I go over to Fuzz (notice how she starts posing when I get her attention) and then Soren passes by at the end
It was a great closing day to a great season. Sad to drive away for the last time realizing it won't be until next year that we make the drive again,
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