(NORTH LAKE TAHOE, California/Nevada) � Similar to the renaissance taking place at North Lake Tahoe properties and facilities, area ski resorts are also pulling out all the stops with resort upgrades, new programs and special events � all designed to attract visitors to the largest concentration of ski resorts in the country.

�There is nothing like the North Lake Tahoe ski product,� said Tourism Director Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. �With our 300 days of sunshine each year, 400 inches of snowfall and thousands of skiable acres, travelers will find some of the best skiing in the U.S. throughout the entire ski season.�

This winter Squaw Valley USA�s Shirley Lake will be accessed with the Shirley Lift Express, an upgraded detachable six-person lift. The express accesses 375 acres of intermediate terrain. Squaw�s terrain parks will also see a number of improvements, including a new trenched superpipe in Central Park at Riviera. Equipped with lights, the new Riviera Superpipe will be the only night accessed superpipe in the region. The addition of snowmaking in the Riviera terrain park, along with the trenching of the pipe, gives Squaw Valley skiers and snowboarders a superpipe starting at the very beginning of the season. The resort�s new Squallywood Clinic allows advanced skiers and riders the opportunity to learn and experience the technical top-secret lines from �Squallywood� author Bob Gaffney. New guided backcountry tours opens previously restricted borders to uncharted terrain and full moon snowshoe tours debut to take trekkers to upper mountain peaks.

San Francisco-based JMA Ventures recently finalized its purchase of Alpine Meadows Ski Resort. JMA Ventures specializes in the development and refurbishment of historical landmark properties, concentrating on revitalizing an area while retaining its original and intended character. Jim Kercher has been named the new general manager of the popular ski area. Additional JMA projects include Homewood Mountain Resort and the Hotel Avery in Truckee.

Homewood Mountain Resort opens the 2007/08 season with a new high-speed, detachable quad (the Homewood Express now replacing the Quad, providing quick access to North Side runs). JMA Ventures has more big plans for its new mountain, including a quaint pedestrian village, mid-mountain lodge, gondola and underground parking. The village, to be located at the north base, plans to house an ice cream shop, hardware store, market, 50-room hotel, spa and 40-condo complex. An ice rink, swimming pool and amphitheatre are also scheduled. JMA Ventures, which purchased the hidden gem in 2006, aims to keep the unique character of the resort and adhere to strict green and environmental practices throughout the planning and operational stages.

Four new trails have been added to Northstar-at-Tahoe�s Northwest Territory, bringing the trail total to 83 and the resort�s skiable acreage to 2,490. Select trails off Mount Pluto have also been widened and an expanded snowmaking system will be generating more snow throughout the mountain, allowing for more accessible terrain earlier in the season. Plans to expand the slopes at Lookout Mountain are also in the works, with lift extension (detachable quad), additional trails and base facility scheduled. Northstar also recently unveiled an additional 5,000 square feet of meeting space. The latest retailers making their home in the Village include Mikuni Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, Oliver Napa Valley, Tahoe Creamery and Spirits in Stone.

Skiers and riders purchasing three lesson packages at Diamond Peak will receive three free lift tickets upon completion of lessons. Packages include group lesson, equipment rental and lift ticket. The new program is aimed at getting new skiers and riders on the slopes, though the program is applicable to all levels of lessons.

Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe opens the season with improvements to the Slide Bowl on the east side of the resort. Snowmaking and selective re-contouring will continue down Silver Dollar Trail with the primary goal of achieving early-season access to Slide Lodge.

Sugar Bowl offers the Core Program for the devoted loyalist who skis more than two days a season but fewer days than warrants a season pass. It�s only $19 to join and the holder gets $10 off every pass they buy, while earning rewards that can be redeemed for food, drinks and lessons. Core holders skip the ticket line and go straight to the lift. Construction on the Mt, Judah ski in/ski out condos is on schedule for phase one opening in December 2007. Located adjacent to the high speed Mt. Judah lifts, a few of these exclusive units are still available and offer underground parking and spectacular views.

But not everyone can gracefully schuss down black diamond slopes and North Lake Tahoe ski resorts are giving novice skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to learn at bargain prices. The 8th Annual Learn to Ski and Board Weekend, scheduled for the weekend of December 8-9, costs $25 and includes an all-day beginner lift ticket, group lesson and gear rental. First-timers have their choice of resorts to learn at including Alpine Meadows, Boreal Mountain Resort, Diamond Peak, Granlibakken, Homewood Mountain Resort, Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley USA and Sugar Bowl.

After a day on the mountain, snow enthusiasts can enjoy a new restaurant that recently opened their, another sign that the Sierra Nevada culinary scene is continuing to evolve to delectable heights. The long-awaited Caliente, an upscale Southwest restaurant brought to Kings Beach by the creators of Gar Woods, opened its doors in late August. The sure-to-be-popular eatery and watering hole makes its home in a beautifully renovated building with a rooftop deck complete with palapas and views of Lake Tahoe.
And it�s never been easier to reach North Lake Tahoe with Reno-Tahoe International Airport�s more than 170 daily flights to and from nearly 20 non-stop destinations and the region�s new North Lake Tahoe Express daily airport shuttle (which launched last year). This November, there is the addition of a new direct flight to Reno from Baltimore/Washington D.C. through Chicago. Recently non-stop flights from San Diego; Bellingham, Washington and Chicago Midway were added.

North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. For lodging reservations, recreation and event details, call North Lake Tahoe at 1-877-949-3296 or visit www.GoTahoeNorth.com. Visitor information centers are located at 380 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. The North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus, Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, work together to promote North Lake Tahoe as a premier, year-round destination.

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