Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center

Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center

Whether you are visiting or a Tahoe local, the new museum at the Donner Memorial State Park is an educational, interesting and beautiful way to spend the afternoon.

Located on the east shore of Donner Lake, the new center opened in the summer of 2013. The 9,400 square feet museum is the central attraction along with the Donner Party historic sites, monument and nature trails for outdoor education.

The center’s theme is "Crossing Barriers Changing Lives". Exhibits include displays focused on the Donner Party, regional Native American history, construction of the Transcontinental Railroad through the Sierra by the Chinese workers, and development of roadways over Donner Pass. While it may seem like a lot to take in, the information is well laid out with short video clips to watch based on each topic. It is really amazing what has happened throughout history in this region.

Surrounding the museum you will find the very large Pioneer Monument and sites where the pioneers camped when trapped by the treacherous winter. The monument is dedicated to the pioneers who crossed the Sierra on their way west in 1846-47.
The Donner Party-legendary pioneers who fell victim to the harsh Sierra Nevada winter. Sadly, only 49 of the 89 members survived. The base of the monument is 22 feet tall marking the immense amount of snowfall from that winter.

Just across the parking lot from the monument you will find the start of a short 1/2 mile nature loop weaving through the nearby stream. Trail markers will point out several trees and other plants native to the area. This is an easy place to enjoy a mild fall day and soak up all that you have learned about the rich history that surrounds you.


Donner Memorial State Park Visitor CenterOpen 9am – 4pm
Entry is free, parking is $8/day

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

2015/2016 Tahoe Ski Pass

2015/2016 Tahoe Ski Pass

The air is getting crisp and Mammoth Mountain has already reported snow flurries.  Are you ready for a big winter in Tahoe? Reports of the monster El Niño continue… have you purchased your season pass yet?  Now is the time as most pass prices will go up in or after October.   Every resort in the Tahoe area has it’s perks.  It will be hard to pick just one.  With Northstar’s Epic Pass you can ski at over 12 resorts, three of which are here in the Tahoe Basin.  Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows has teamed up with Sugar Bowl and Sierra-at-Tahoe to give pass holders bonus days at their resorts.  Squaw/Alpine has also set up their "Worry-Free Guarantee" program giving customers a credit for next season if they don’t use their pass more than 5 times this season.  Sugar Bowl throws in food and beverage discounts and 1 trail pass/lesson/rental at Royal Gorge Cross Country Center.  Diamond Peak and Homewood Mountain Resort always have the best Lake views.  Boreal Mountain has teamed up with Woodward Tahoe with a season pass good for both venues so you can polish your park riding skills on and off the mountain.  What mountain will you choose?  

Northstar 
Passes starting at $499

Squaw/Alpine
Passes starting at $409

Sugar Bowl
Passes starting at $269

Diamond Peak
Passes starting at $349

Ski Homewood
Passes starting at $439

Boreal Mountain
Passes starting at $259

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

IRONMAN- Lake Tahoe

IRONMAN has become one of the most popular triathlon races in the world.  IRONMAN started in Hawaii in 1978 and now has more than two dozen races held all over the world from Taiwan to Australia.  Athletes competing in these races have trained for months and years ahead of this day for the chance to break a personal best or to simply finish.  To go out and watch these athletes is exhilarating, inspiring and of course the competitors will appreciate some encouragement from the sidelines. 

This Sunday, September 20 IRONMAN will be coming to Lake Tahoe with prime viewing locations at Squaw Valley, Kings Beach, Tahoe City and Truckee.  
The 2.4 mile swim will take place in Kings Beach with a 1.2 mile course-the athletes will do two laps starting at 6:40am.  From there, athletes transition to the 112 mile bike ride.  The course will take riders on a two lap triangle loop with corners at Kings Beach, Tahoe City, Truckee and back to Kings Beach.  On the third lap around, riders will take a left turn as they pass by Squaw Valley.  Transition two is in the Village at Squaw.  Competitors will then take off on the 26.2 (marathon) run to Tahoe City and back and then back again to Tahoe City before they complete their day in the heart of the Village at Squaw and become an IRONMAN finisher.  The final stage is an incredible place to be as athletes will be finishing into the night with a final cut off time at 12am Sunday night, that’s 17 hours 15minutes after the start.  What a day! 

Look out for local athletes Jeff Dostie who is competing for a personal challenge. Jeff Schloss, who has completed 2 Iron-distance races, is hoping that living at altitude will help him with his goal of qualifying for the Ironman World Championships. Adrian Tieslau has trained through the demanding schedule of a full time job and 3 kids.
All throughout the weekend the IRONMAN Village will be open with shops and vendors in the Village at Squaw.  On Saturday at 9am join in on the IRONKID.  Kids ages 3 to 15 can compete in a 1 mile or 1/4 mile race at Squaw Valley.  The IRONMAN will bring much excitement to the area this weekend.  

Swim. Bike. Run. Go. Go. Go!

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Lake Tahoe Autumn Food & Wine Festival

Now in it’s 30th year, the Lake Tahoe Autumn Food & Wine Festival is one of Northstar’s most anticipated events.  The festival is three full days of cooking seminars and demonstrations, culinary competitions, wine tastings, a farm-to-Tahoe dinner, live music, a gourmet marketplace and more. 

On Friday the main events are focused up on Northstar mountain.  The Ritz Carlton is hosting the Art of Mixology and a wine inspired Painted Vine event.  Another option would be to take a ride on the Big Springs gondola and meet at Zephyr Lodge for the Farm-to-Tahoe Dinner featuring fresh, sustainable and locally sourced produce with Northstar’s executive chef Chad Shrewsbury.

Saturday is packed with events to choose from. Cooking demonstrations like mozzarella cheese making, grilling, Autumn salad cooking and fall harvest desserts where you will learn how to incorporate the season’s best fall harvest fruits into delicious desserts. These events are all free and hosted by very talented chefs.  The progressive picnic for lunch sounds like a winner with beer and tapas tastings along with a professionally guided wilderness hike on Northstar mountain with breathtaking views and expert knowledge of the flora and fauna found on the trail.  For the afternoon, kick back and relax as you make your way through the Village at Northstar for the wine and brew walk.  Don’t miss the highly anticipated event that will top the night off, Blazing Pans Mountain Chef Cook-Off with celebrity chef Joseph Keller. 

On Sunday top chefs from the region will come together in the heart of the Village at Northstar for a Culinary Competition and Grand Tasting.  Each chef’s dish is paired with a perfect compliment from the winery or brewery of their choice.  Chefs will compete for the best marriage of food and wine/beverage and best food categories and the coveted Peoples Choice awards.  The pairings are open for ticket holders to enjoy.  

Click here for more information.

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Tahoe-Truckee Market Update - September

Tahoe-Truckee Market Update

September 

Only within the context for a surging real estate market can a month with 120 transactions and over $83 million in volume be considered disappointing. Both figures perfectly mirrors the 10-year average for the month of August and certainly indicated a stout level of activity for the region.

August is typically the launch point for the busiest stretch of closed transactions in any given year. The summer sales cycle consistently begins around July 4th with a period of window shopping that ultimately culminate in closed transactions throughout August, September and October before trailing off heading into the holidays. 

Demand for Tahoe real estate remains fundamentally strong. The Bay Area feeder market continues to thrive economically creating wealth for consumers whose sense of family and wellbeing instinctively bring them to our region many times every year.  Visitation to the region has been exceptionally high this summer and we’ve benefitted from perfect weather and a notable absence of adverse conditions including smoke.  Conversely, visitation was off substantially over the winter, which created a rather dry pipeline heading into the summer season and potentially elongating the sales cycle for many ski-oriented families.

This pattern is evident in the makeup of transactions in the month of August with 14 sales executed at prices greater than $1 million; exactly half the number from the previous year. These luxury consumers are most likely to be “retail” purchasers; those who will make a family-based buying decision while visiting the region.

Sales under $1 million, those more likely to be made by primary residents or value-shoppers, remain on par with a very strong 2014.

Recent talk of an El Nino winter is reviving interest in ski real estate at an astonishing rate. Judging by the overwhelming traffic at the various tent sales over a very busy Labor Day Weekend, demand for skiing is clearly pent up.  As freezing temperatures have begun creeping into the late nights and early mornings, we will undoubtedly see renewed optimism for strong winter conditions and unbridled enthusiasm for a return to the mountain.

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Tahoe Truckee Labor Day Tent Sale

Labor Day Tent Sale

It’s already September and the first Monday of the month means: Labor Day weekend. Time for a long weekend as we celebrate the last summer holiday and honor the American Labor Movement and all the hard workers of our country. In conjunction with Labor Day, you know you can always find a good sale. In Tahoe, sport stores all around town will be raising a tent outside with blowout prices on summer and winter gear. For many stores, this has become an annual event. Village Ski Loft in Incline Village is on it’s 41st Annual sale. Northstar will take over the entire roller skating rink to fit it all their discounted merchandise. Start Haus in Truckee has their own spin with a consignment sale in conjunction with their tent sale. Visitors and locals will score sweet deals each year at these sales. If you are getting ready for the big El Niño winter ahead, you will not want to miss out on the shopping around Tahoe this weekend.
 

5th Annual Labor Day Consignment Ski SaleStart HausTruckee, CA
Friday – Sunday
9am – 4pm

Village Ski Loft’s 41st Annual Labor Day Ski & Snowboard SaleVillage Ski LoftIncline, NVFriday, September 4 – Monday, September 78am – 5pm

BLIZZARD Ski & Snowboard Tent SaleNorthstar, CAFriday, September 4 – Monday, September 79am – 6pm

Labor Day Sale
Squaw Valley, CA
Friday, September 4 – Monday, September 710am – 6pm

Labor Day Tent SaleGranite Chief
Friday, September 4 – Monday, September 710am – 6pm

Labor Day Tent SaleTahoe Sports HubTruckee, CA
Friday, September 4 – Monday, September 79am – 7pm

Blue ZoneTruckee, CASaturday, September 5 – Monday, September 79am – 8pm

Labor Day Tent SaleTahoe DavesTahoe City, CASaturday, September 5 – Monday, September 7

Labor Day Tent SaleWillard's Sport ShopTahoe City, CA
Saturday, September 5 – Monday, September 79am – 6pm

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012