FasterSkier

Tag: Tahoe Donner XC

  • Tahoe Donner Celebrates New XC Ski Center Construction

    Groundbreaking Ceremony Held Today, Friday, June 13

     

    Truckee, Calif. (June 13, 2014) – With recent agency approvals, Tahoe Donner Association commemorated the official commencement of construction for the new Cross Country Ski Center today, Friday, June 13, with a groundbreaking ceremony. Staff and supporters gathered to celebrate the long-awaited opportunity for overdue improvements at the new Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center and parking lot, which are designed to improve operational and energy efficiencies, while implementing necessary protections to natural resources.

    Representatives from Tahoe Donner including Robb Etnyre, general manager, Tom Johns, president of the board, and Forrest Huisman, director of capital projects, attended the groundbreaking while supporters were invited to participate in the ceremony. Truckee dignitaries including Truckee Mayor Patrick Flora were present as well.

    “At long last, with years of research, collaboration and planning we are excited to be able to move forward with construction of our new Cross Country Ski Center,” said Johns. “We sincerely appreciate the efforts of those who attended the planning commission hearings, wrote letters of support and helped make this project become a reality.”

    The new Tahoe Cross Country Ski Center is designed to meet the growing needs of the community and will include the following benefits:

    •  Energy efficient and environmentally conscious design
    • Improved level of service for both winter and summer operations
    • Improved usage for school teams, young children and educational programs
    • Adherence to environmental regulations by governing agencies
    • Enhanced rental facility and new public locker room
    • Improved parking lot design and protection of adjacent wetlands
    • Improved food and beverage service
    • An architectural vision that contributes to this mountain community

     

    Local firm, Dale Cox Architects, is the architect of record who created the design of the new building while Robert Scarborough is the contractor responsible for construction.

    “Today is a celebration of the valuable collaboration, community relationships, and project coordination that has taken place during the last three years of planning . The success of this project is a result of everyone’s continued vision and support,” said Huisman.  “Collectively, we are making history by dreaming big, developing our shared vision, and following through for the collective benefit of the Truckee community.”

    Complete access to cross country ski trails will be available, weather permitting, along with limited cross country ski facilities operations in 2014-2015, even if within temporary structures as necessary.

     

    Images available:

    View image via Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bduhkkntbqtgjr6/AABhL211KkedQ4ZLGZWboCONa

    Photo credit: Court Leve

     

    About Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center

    The world-class Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center encompasses the beauty of the Euer Valley and surrounding area and is recognized for its meticulously groomed trail system and talented team of instructors who help beginners and advanced athletes alike. The Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center offers over 100 kilometers of trails groomed daily for diagonal striding, skating and snowshoeing. With scenic trails, challenging peaks and gentle rolling hills, there is plenty of terrain to explore.

     During the summer season the Cross Country Ski Center building accommodates an equestrian center, Bikeworks and Day Camps activities. During the construction of the new Cross Country Ski Center this summer, Bikeworks will be temporarily located at the Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area. Equestrian operations have been deferred during construction and will resume June 2015, conditions permitting.

     

    About Tahoe Donner

    Tahoe Donner is one of America’s largest homeowner’s associations, with nearly 6,500 properties and 25,000 members enjoying over 7,000 acres in the Sierra Nevada. Tahoe Donner is a vibrant community with a passion for outdoor recreation and a celebration of the Tahoe lifestyle.

     Located 15 minutes from Lake Tahoe in Truckee, California, Tahoe Donner operates a wide variety of recreational facilities – some which are for members only and others which are also open to the general public. 

     For more information on Tahoe Donner, as well as its recreational facilities and events, please visit tahoedonner.com or call 530-587-9400. ‘Like’ Tahoe Donner on Facebook at facebook.com/tahoedonner and follow Tahoe Donner on Twitter @tahoedonner and Instagram @TahoeDonnerAssociation.

  • Tahoe Donner Announces Sally Jones as Ski Area Manager

    Tahoe Donner Announces Sally Jones as Ski Area Manager

    TRUCKEE, Calif. — Tahoe Donner Association has recently hired Sally Jones as the new Manager for the Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski area (TDXC) in Truckee.

    Sally Jones, the new cross-country ski area manager at Tahoe Donner (courtesy photo)

    After an extensive management search, Ms. Jones took over operations on November 19th, just in time to prepare for the upcoming 2012-2013 winter season. Jones comes with an impressive resumé of experience in the cross country ski business, most recently as the Director of Nordic Programs for Auburn Ski Club on Donner Summit, a post she held for 16 years. Auburn Ski Club has the largest membership of any ski club on the west coast, and its Nordic programs have long been the most popular and successful in the Far West region.

    Prior to working for Auburn Ski Club, Jones had experience working in a variety of cross country ski-oriented positions, not the least of which was for TDXC itself in the 1990’s. A native of England, she received her BA Degree in Recreation Studies at Bedford College, and subsequently spent time in New Zealand, where she helped develop the country’s first cross country ski area before moving to California.

    Jones also holds the highest level of certification from the Professional Ski Instructors Association (PSIA), and has helped develop instructor training certification for cross country skiing in both New Zealand and the U.S. She is currently a clinician and chief cross country examiner for PSIA’s Western Division  and an active international Cross country ski race Technical Delegate (referee) for the United States Ski Association. In addition, Jones has extensive training in a somatic (holistic) approach to leadership and combines her expertise in leadership presence, athletics, skiing, and the martial art of Aikido to coach leaders in various organizations.  She is also a long-time board member for the Far West Nordic Ski Education Association, the California/Nevada division of the United States Ski Association.

    Although only recently hired, Jones has hit the ground running with her plans for Tahoe Donner Cross Country, where there is a realization that there are few areas in the country that offer the same quality of snow, terrain, grooming and amenities as those found at this Sierra resort. With a heightened emphasis on quality of grooming and customer service, Tahoe Donner plans to upgrade many facets of the operation. “I’m extremely excited with the direction that Tahoe Donner is taking to improve the cross country ski area,” said Jones. “Their commitment to XC, with the new lodge being built and upgrading their ski programs is what made me so interested in taking the job.”

    Added this season is a third grooming machine – a new piston Bully that produces some of the best quality ski track in the world.  There are plans to groom new trails during the season to extend the already-extensive 100+ km. of groomed trails.

    The terrain at TDXC is second to none in the world, combining miles of easy terrain suitable for novice skiers with steeper, breathtaking terrain, challenging expert skiers. From aspen-lined trails, to the beautiful meadows of the Euer Valley, to the exhilarating 1200 foot descent of the “I’m OK – Euer OK” trail, Tahoe Donner is known for its quality of skiing for all ages and abilities of skiers.

    Other upgrades planned for the center for 2012-2013 include a strong commitment to their ski school, which already boasts the largest number of PSIA Level 3 instructors in the region (the highest level of certification). Jones will be bringing her technical experience to the forefront of their instruction programs with ongoing training to provide the best instruction for the beginner skier through advanced racers.

    Exciting events are also being planned, including the US Ski Association’s flagship event, the Super Tour Finals and National Distance Championships in April. By hosting 4 out of the event’s 6 races, Tahoe Donner will be front and center internationally on the Nordic competition circuit, with some of the best skiers in the world arriving for a series of events to determine the champions for 2013.

    On December 20th, Tahoe Donner invites its community to attend an open house to welcome Sally.  The Pour House and TDXC staff and volunteers will be serving wine and appetizers from 5:30-7:30pm at the cross country center, located at 15275 Alder Creek Road, Truckee, CA 96161.

    There will be a presentation about the exciting plans for this season and beyond. Information about rates, trails and events can be found at www.tahoedonner.com/crosscountry.  Or you may call (530) 587-9484 or email xcski@tahoedonner.com.