The Black Horse Ski Club

9 of us met up at Heathrow for our trip to Lake Tahoe in California, USA. Hon. Sec, John, Mrs Hon. Sec. Tracy, Graham Tucker, Tony Cooper, Chris & Trish Owens, Colin Hirsch and Peter Cambridge.

Just the night before the Government had increased the security alert level to Severe just one level below the highest level. So we expected higher security and delays and we weren't disappointed. Not only the usual check as we went through to departures but also at the gate itself where virtually every passenger had their hand baggage checked and a full touch search.

Mr & Mrs Hon. Sec. had had a good start to the journey when they found that had been upgraded to Premium Economy. So once we were all checked in we made our way to departures and the traditional pre-flight breakfast. There would usually be a wander the shops but the increased security level meant we were called to the gate 2 hours before the departure time, because of the additional security checks that I mentioned above. So on to the plane and a Captain saying we were on target for an on time departure and a flight time reduced by about an hour because of favourable weather. Yes it was tempting fate and yes it didn't work out like that. We did get airborne but it was 30 minutes late and after a good flight with Virgin we got to San Francisco 30 minutes ahead of time but were then stacked for 30 minutes so eventually we were on the ground on schedule.

Immigration went smoothly but the baggage retrieval was the usual chaos that is San Francisco International Airport, slow, and the carousel kept breaking down. Still we had everything, eventually, and we were off to the car hire area to pick up our mini vans. We had seen forecasts saying heavy snow was expected in the week before our arrival and it seemed that was true. What we didn't want was snow on our drive up to Tahoe, a 4 hour drive. Despite a little rain the roads were mostly clear and we got to the Casino by 8pm. Quickly checked in, we met to get a quick snack before deciding to have an easy day on Sunday. So of to bed acknowledging the fact that we would all probably be awake by 5 am due to the time difference.

Sunday 24th January

Next morning it was quite a shock to see the casino had no live table games at all. Everything was slot machines and not many of them. Bill's Casino across the road from ours was closed. In our Casino, Josh's an upmarket steak and fish restaurant was also closed. First impressions were that the recession has hit Lake Tahoe very hard.

As I have already said we had all agreed to have an easy day to get over the journey and so it was to be. Tony and Graham went off for breakfast at the Driftwood caf‚ never to be seen again

Up at 5 am and the news is for more snow today through until Tuesday. Conditions are already described as fantastic so it looks like we are in for a good trip. (fingers crossed!)

Today we decided to take it easy, exploring what was still open in Tahoe and getting essential supplies in such as tea bags, milk etc. Maybe a trip down to Carson City for Hon Sec to get computer bits he was after but all before the snowfall that was predicted for the afternoon. Some essential shopping for Spyder ski gear was also on a few people's list. Just one of us needed to hire skis. So we had agreed to meet around 8 am for breakfast although Graham and Tony, as usual, would be off doing their own thing by going to the Driftwood Cafe never to be seen again until early evening. John drove everyone else to Reno for the first shopping experience of the trip and everyone came back with some bags plus some snacks and drinks to keep in their rooms. More shopping was undoubtedly to take place during the trip, at least if John & Tracy had anything to do with it.

So the shoppers had a good time and around 3pm having dined in Carson City we decided to head back as a few snowflakes were falling as forecast that morning.

Highway 50, the road up from Carson to Tahoe, looked fine at first, just wet where the snow had melted. However around 3/4 of the way up the snow was settling and we had summer tyres on the van. It was a very careful Hon. Sec. that drove slowly down from the pass into the Lake until we got lower down and the roads were clear again. By 6 pm it was snowing heavily and covering all the roads. It was looking like we would be catching the shuttle bus in the morning to either Heavenly Valley or Sierra. Putting the chains on the vans did not appeal to anyone. So we met at 7pm to discuss the next few days arrangements and to hear from Tony what deals re lift passes were on offer at which ski areas. That was followed by dinner and then an early night. It was not a night to be out on the town but rather in out of the heavy snowfall.

Monday 25th January

With the time difference still affecting most of us we were awake around 4.30 am. Still dark so it was hard to tell what the weather was like. Come dawn it was not nice. The temperature had risen so it was now raining in the town. The local TV station, which is mostly dedicated to covering Heavenly Valley but does have the conditions at the other major ski areas, said the rain was due to continue in to the afternoon when it would turn to snow. At the top gusts of wind to 20 mph were expected. Six brave souls decided to ski Heavenly whilst the other three of us felt discretion was the better part of valour and decided on a little more shopping. First we tried the outlet area at the "Y" which is about 5 miles from our hotel. More signs of the recession here with quite a few empty shops. However those that were left had great sale prices and several items of apparel were purchased. Time now for the ski shops in Tahoe. John was on a mission to find new ski tops, specifically by Spyder and he did. Tracy did too. Meanwhile the weather had been variously snow, sleet and rain non-stop. We mused on the delightful conditions that must have been entertaining those that were up the slopes.

After a quick lunch at Subway, we decided to make for Carson City as John was now searching for software for his new Apple Mac which he claimed would be cheaper here than in the UK. Maybe it would if it could be found but it was only available in the local Apple shop so it was more expensive than at home.

Time to make our way back up the road to the pass back in to the Lake Tahoe. Yesterday, you will recall from above, the journey was interesting with the snow. It was raining steadily in the valley where Carson City is and the roads were completely clear on the journey out here. Well as you have probably already guessed the rain quickly turned to snow and the roads were worse than yesterday. The signs for snow chains were on but as luck would have it as we reached the summit of the pass back in to the lake area there were two snowploughs about to set off in our direction. We pulled in for a moment and then followed them down as they cleared the road for us.

Dinner was taken in the Mont Bleu casino across the road from ours and as usual we split in to two groups to avoid the 18% service charge they add to bills if there are 6 or more of you. Over dinner we learnt that the non skiers had probably made the correct decision.

Tuesday 26th January

We met at 9.00 am to decide where to go. The web site with road conditions showed no problems so we settled for Homewood. Five miles in to the journey the signs were up saying chains were required. Tony's van continued on but John's van decided we should turn round and head for Diamond Peak. The roads were clear but the weather was not. The rain started again and then wet snow. As we arrived at Diamond Peak the snow was settling on the road and none of the five of us seemed keen on skiing there especially as the slopes were in the cloud as well.

So on towards Mount Rose. No joy as the signs were up for snow chains here as well. So it was decided to head for Truckee and the embroidery factory we used last year to get the customary embroidered shirts etc. to commemorate the trip. At last success. We found the place again, they were open and they could do the work for us. Lunch followed at a caf‚ in historic Truckee.

Meanwhile Tony's van had got to Homewood where it looked OK. It looked groomed. On the lift, off the lift and on to the run only to find it is 12 inches of fresh powder. Instant falls for all the group were followed by many more. Once again the non skiers seemed to have got it right.

In the evening most of us went to see the new Sherlock Holmes film in the casino cinema and very good it was too. And so to bed with full expectations of us all skiing tomorrow at Sierra as the forecast is for sun at last.

Wednesday 27th January

Well today the weather forecast is for a day without snow and even some sun. However listening to the early morning TV weather it seems there is still some snow about but not a lot. It would be really nice if we could have a day without snow, mist or snow most of the day. Temperatures are a little higher than expected. It shouldn't be so windy today either. We'll see. Some roads still have chain controls because of snow and ice. Today we are booked on the bus to Sierra so an early breakfast is needed before we get the bus at 8.45. Let's see what the day brings.

Yes it turned out to be not a bad day. We went to Sierra and found the place very quiet. Nice uncrowded slopes and snow that wasn't bad. It was a little "crisp" first thing but as the sun got on it it improved.

Thursday 28th January

Well as I looked out the hotel room window it looked perfect. Dawn was just breaking and at first there was a pink tinge to the mountains and then the orange of the sun. Clear blue skies heralded the perfect California ski day. Today we drove to Kirkwood which, this season, had the most snow to date of any of the Tahoe area resorts. With the sun high in the sky we took off splitting in to the usual two groups of Tony, Graham, Colin and Peter Cambridge and our group of me, Tracy, Chris, Trish and Peter Williams. We all headed for Kirkwood's Sunshine lift to get a few runs in before working our way around the lifts. Lunch was around 12.30 and then we were back on the slopes to make the most of this wonderful weather which was due to end the next day if the forecast was correct.

Friday 29th January

Today we made an early start as John needed to visit the company that did the embroidery on our shirts etc. last time we were here. Then we were going to Northstar to ski. After dropping off the items to be embroidered we got to Northstar at around 10.00 am and boy was it busy. Still the gondola was getting people up quickly and we were on the slopes within 15 minutes of joining the queue for it. Trish Owens had asked John for some help with a small problem she felt she had turning. After a couple of standard exercise he had her skiing without poles and it worked!

Tony's team having told us what dedicated hard core skiers they were, were spotted on the green runs!

The forecast for today had been for light snow or even some rain but it never happened. It was a bit overcast but at times the sun managed to show us his face. By evening time we had a split over what to do on Saturday, the day we traditionally go to Folsom, near Sacramento, for Outlet shopping. Tony felt that as it was forecast to snow they were going to ski and go Sunday which was forecast to be sunny. John's team felt that it was better to shop on a lousy day and ski on a sunny one. So it was to be.

Saturday 30th January

Today we had a split with John's van going shopping and Tony's van going to Diamond Peak where Tony was delighted to find that he was entitled to a senior lift pass, a fact that John latched on to as he too would be entitled to one! The shoppers set off at around 8.45 and stopped for breakfast at a favourite spot just before Placerville. After that they moved on to Eldorado Hills for the first shopping stop. Final stop for them was Folsom Outlets from where they returned with a selection of bags.

Sunday 31st January

John's van drove the long journey to Sugar Bowl at the far north of Lake Tahoe. It was worth the journey as it was yet another blue sky day. Sugar Bowl is quite different to the mainstream resorts around the Lake. Much more like a European ski area. It had some really good skiing for all levels of skier. Like so many resorts, what you first see is misleading. Once you go up the main lift the area reveals a big bowl, hence the name, and it extends over a vast area. Some steep blacks and some reasonable blues await but there are also some greens for the newcomers. It was the first time any of us had skied Sugar Bowl and despite the long drive to get there it would certainly be somewhere to return to if and when we come back to Tahoe. As usual the weather forecast was wrong. The skies remained clear with no sign of the promised snowfall.

Monday 1st February

So now the whole group was back to skiing but the weather forecast was again for snow. We had already decided to go to Alpine Meadows, one of our favourite resorts. Skies were blue. Alpine was almost empty but virtually all the lifts were open. As usual we split in to two groups with Tony's team supposedly skiing nonstop all day. The only problem was we never saw the skiing until we saw them at the mountain restaurant. They claimed to have been moving so fast we missed them! Anyway the only disappointing thing was that Lakeview Chair was not running and this gives stunning views of Lake Tahoe. Still everything else was working and conditions were excellent. By late afternoon as we started on our way back the sun was still shining so the weather man was wrong again.

Tuesday 2nd February

Today we were off to Mount Rose as it was " two for one" day. That meant the cost of a day ticket was about comparable to a day ticket in Europe as opposed to twice the price. Once again the forecast was for snow but the skies looked just a bit cloudy, certainly not snowy.

It was "two for one" day here so it saved a few dollars on lift passes. The snow was good and Mount Rose is a larger resort than it at first looks. It also has a superb beginner/2nd week skier area. It was a windy day and that's the down side to the area. At the top it is very exposed and when the wind is blowing you really feel it. Mid afternoon it started to snow so most of us abandoned for the comfort of the lodge and then back to South Lake Tahoe.

Wednesday 3rd February

Heavy snow was forecast as it had been now for several days, but the skies were clear with no sign of it. There was split again with Tony's mob off to Heavenly and my lot going to Alpine Meadows again.

Thursday 4th Feb

Heavy snow was still ion the forecast but again there was no sign of it. Tony's van again did it'd own thing while the rest of us went to Heavenly Valley. With prices that are "heavenly" it is still the largest resort around the lake and has some great skiing. We opened up with a long run which was empty and practically unskied. We had a great time until after lunch it did start to snow so we called it a day around 2.00 pm.

Friday 5th February

We had to collect the embroidery work from North Lake at Truckee so John's van decided to call it a day on skiing as we were in one piece and there was still some shopping to do! Tony's van went off for the final day on the slopes. Having collected the embroidery we then went on in to Reno for last minute purchases. Once back in Tahoe Mrs Hon Sec found a bargain Spyder ski suit but Hon Sec was bitterly disappointed not to find one for himself. He had to settle for a pair of Spyder ski pants. Later that day saw John & Peter (Williams) trying to find the last few "States Quarters". The US mint started, about 10 years ago, issuing a 25 cent coin for each state in the Union. They did at the rate of 4 states a year. 2009 was the last year. Between them the pair bought $280 dollars of 25 cent coins from local banks, sorted through them before returning the unwanted coins to the Casino for "real" money. In the 1120 coins they bought they actually found about 6 they wanted!! Snow overnight, as we were about to leave, was now the forecast! In the evening we all dined at the Mont Bleu Casino where the highlight of the evening was the young waitress dropping Tony's beer in his lap, giving him a free meal and us an insight to a vocabulary we never knew Tony had!!

Saturday 6th February

Departure day and I awoke early to see if it had snowed and thankfully it had not. An early start was decided upon with our usual stop for breakfast about half way at Placerville. Still no snow and the pass over Echo Summit was open without chain controls. Even as we got to the summit it started to snow so we got out just in time. The way down to Placerville was sleet at first and then rain. After a good breakfast it was on to San Francisco and the airport. Tony's van went via Golden Gate Bridge as Colin Hirsch hadn't driven over it before. It was a perfect day for it with unusually good visibility for SF where usually there is a "smog" of some sort. For us driving across the Bay Bridge, there were clear views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate. Having dropped the van off it was off in the train to the terminal and check in. Eventually back at Heathrow it was time for the goodbyes. It had been a really good trip, with a group that had mixed together very well and had had a great ski holiday.

The group less John, the photographer

Alpine meadows quiet slopes

Alpine meadows, a group favourite

The empty slopes at Sierra at Tahoe