Li’l Air isn’t just some lark in the park on a sunny spring day. It was a down and dirty competition to find the future X-Games super stars. Every year we see bigger and better tricks from these boys and girls, snowboarders and skiers age 10 and under.

Prizes included skis, snowboards, sweatshirts, Huck Dolls and gear from SnowBomb. Everyone was a winner! Be sure to hit up the Tigel Terrain Park all next season to build your chops for NEXT years Sick-and-Twisted Li’l Big Ait Competition from Alpine Meadows, Toyota and SnowBomb!

In addition to offering certified avalanche training courses, we also are going to be setting up practice exercises for everyone to learn and practice avalanche search and rescue techniques. This was a fun spring event on the mountain, though we take avalanche safety pretty seriously here. Competitors were let loose on a field of prizes buried with avalanche beacons. Working individually and in teams, searchers unearthed prizes using their avalanche rescue skills.

Our patrollers scour the cornices to keep us safe, but everyone on the mountain has a role to play if our friends should depend on us for survival. Thank you for helping!

For up to date avalanche info check the Sierra Avalanche Center, and follow our updates by email, text or twitter.

Once a year we load the lift after the mountain shuts down and head up for one last run of the day. It’s never the last run of the season, just a ceremony, a right of passage, an offering of fire, hot beverage and sparkling joy as we descend the fresh groomer while the sun dips behind the mountain. (or in this case, the blustery spring storm cloud!)

We thank our season passholders for skiing at Alpine Meadows. We have the mellowest, funnest, coolest skiers and riders at Tahoe! And we want to reward you for your awesomeness by giving you the best season pass deals for the 2009 / 2010 season at Tahoe.

Alspin meadows season passes next year start as low as $299 with a special deal for families who ski and snowboard. Buy two full adult passes, and we’ll hook two of your kids up for FREE! For the full breakdown on our season pass deals for next year check out SkiAlpine.com/seasonpass.

Our end of year party is one of the best moments of the ski season, and we love sharing it with as many friends as possible. We hope to see you next year for stunning spring days, epic bluebird powder days and all the great friends that go along with it!

If you have found yourself thinking about next season already, and wanting to ’seal the deal’ as to where you are going to ski and ride in the 2009-2010 winter season, the choice is simple: At Alpine Meadows you can pay $100 down towards next season’s 2009-2010 season pass, and we will charge the rest by September 30th.  However, you must hurry!  Season pass prices will go up after May 31st.  And trust me; you will not see prices this cheap again.   Starting at $299 for the Midweek Plus Sunday season pass, and $1299 for Tahoe’s Unfiltered Family season pass, we have an option for every skier and riders budget.  If you have never hit the slopes of Alpine Meadows and looking for the best skiing and riding experience in Lake Tahoe, now is your opportunity.  And with only $100 deposit towards next seasons pass, I hope we have made the choice easy.

Enjoy the summer and think big snow flakes for the 09|10 season.

~Bob

Errol Kerr of the Jamaica Ski Team spent the day hanging with the kids from the Alpine Meadows Ski Team.

“They have the drive the heart and the desire that you need to be a successful ski racer or just have fun skiing the rest of your life… reminds me of me when I was that age… that passion you can see it in their eyes when they get out there skiing, their not going to let one of the other guys be better than them…” said Errol Kerr, Jamaica Ski Team

Not only did they have a great time skiing with a future Olympic athlete, but they got to learn all about what it takes to make skiing your profession. Look at all the smiles, they truly had a blast.  Learn more about Alpine Meadows Kid’s Ski and Snowboard Programs for your child today!

We all have a soft spot in our hearts for spring corn… but don’t be fooled… it is on a different level than powder. The mixture of our steep terrain, long cornices, and lots of Mother Nature’s finest snow increases avalanche danger. In our world, it means early morning explosives! Check out how our team of Avalanche Controllers dangle bombs over cornices, cut fresh powder and ski cut ridge lines all in the interest of your safety.

So next year when you’re getting your ski gear on listening to **Ba-Booms!**, remember that it represents two things… Safety and Powder.

Hopefully next year will bring more bombs than this year! Remember that dancing helps…

The Final days of the season at Alpine was not to be missed.  From exceptional corn skiing & riding; the annual snow golf tournament; Mad Cow and Ice Bar to Sun Deck parties.  We all had fun, and we hope you did, too.  I will miss the mountain we all call home, but look forward to seeing all of you again next winter.  For now, hike the trails, ride your bikes, and think of big white flakes for 09|10 winter season.

~Bob

Spring skiing at alpine meadows can’t be beat. We’ve got all the faces, aspects and angles covered. Follow the sun as the groomers warm up and you’ll end up at the Ice Bar for a tall frosty lunchtime beverage.

So first, come up and help us mash down this fresh show we’ve been getting, THEN we can move on to skiing in shorts and chilling at the Chalet, Ice Bar and the Sun Deck as the season winds down, the days get longer and the skiing stays awesome!

After the sparkler illuminated ski/ride down from Roundhouse, guests were greeted with amazing food, live music by the Monophonics, and libations of every type. This is one event we love to put on; and this is one event we know you enjoy.  If you were unable to make it this season, here are just a few photos for you.  Thank you to all of those who attended the party, and make sure to mark your calendar for next season.

The Alpine Divas personify the Unfiltered Alpine Meadows spirit and act as passionate ambassadors for the Ski and Snowboard School through their abilities, style and skill on the mountain. “Our ladies are talented and focused on fun, while learning,” Deanna wrote of the the ladies back in January during the tryouts. “Emphasis on FUN. These ladies know what it takes to have a good time”

Back on Valentine’s Day we had a great party at The Last Chair to honor the new team members and mix it up with dancing, music, raffle prisez and all our friends from the Alpine Club. When you join the Alpine Club you get access to exclusive events like this with the people who make Alpine Meadows awesome, like our Divas!

The best private party of the year is next week on April 8th for our last season pass party of the year at the top of the Summit 6 chair. Load up @ 6:00 for a bonfire, music, hot chocolate and sparklers as the sun goes down, then ski down for dinner, dancing and drinks in the lodge.