The Alpenglow Mountain Festival returns to North Lake Tahoe February 21st to March 1st.
The event focuses on human powered winter sports including backcountry and cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. There is a great deal of emphasis on not only having a good time, but learning how to travel safely through the backcountry in the winter.
Developed by Brendan Madigan and the rest of the folks at Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City, the goal of the festival is to introduce people to the joys of winter exercise away from the lifts. It is designed to encourage beginners and intermediates to try new sports, while providing an extra level of education and inspiration for those who are more experienced. Many of the events are free.
Since the snow is in short supply this year, some events have been cancelled. But many other festival events are not dependent upon snow, and there is still plenty of fun and educational opportunities to be had, including:
AIARE Avalanche Level One: A three day course to become Level One certified in Avalanche Education. Level One training is highly recommended for anyone who wants to head out into the avalanche prone terrain in the backcountry. Not sure what is avalanche prone terrain? That is one of the key reasons to take the course.
Several Backcountry Ski Tours and split board tours for all ability levels will be led by expert instructors.
Four different free yoga classes will be held with local instructors Hanni Schwiesow and Tammie Graham
Lake Tahoe Fat Tire Challenge 5k/10k and 20k Fun Races. Ever tried a fat bike? This is the perfect winter to try one, and join in a fun race at the same time.
Natural History hike or snowshoe with the experts from the Tahoe Institute for Natural Sciences. Always wanted to learn your Tahoe birds and trees? These folks are the best.
Snow safety presentation by the Sierra Avalanche Center.
Avalanche Beacon practice.
Wine, women and Wax…the kind that goes on skis.
Winter Wildlands Backcountry Film Festival, a fundraiser for Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area.
For all the details on all of these events, or the other activities you can be a part of over the ten days of the winter edition of the Alpenglow Mountain Festival, go to alpenglowsports.com.