Come play in the pow pow!

Fat flakes are falling, and the "Whoops!" and "Oh yeahs!" can be heard echoing from every corner of the Lake Tahoe Basin as stoked skiers and snowboarders charge through the freshies.

The President's Day weekend storms have dropped almost five feet of fresh snow on the mountains around Tahoe, and with Ski-Skate Week going down this week, it's the perfect time to get up here and enjoy the powdery conditions.

We've also got some big events coming up including the Winter Dew Tour this weekend, which will bring the world's greatest ski and snowboard athletes to take on the superpipe and terrain parks at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort. And next weekend brings the Nissan Freeride World Tour Tram Face competition to Squaw Valley. Get more information about both of these events below.

So don't wait. Make the commitment to getting up to Tahoe this week and come play in the pow pow.

See you in Tahoe,

--The Powderhound

Get amped for the Dew Tour
Bringing the world's best pro snowboarders and skiers to Northstar-at-Tahoe

The Winter Dew Tour was established in 2008 as the world's premier season-long winter action sports tour. The 2008-09 Winter Dew Tour consists of on-slope competition as well as music concerts and various other lifestyle elements. Head over to Northstar-at-Tahoe Feb. 19 through Feb. 22 to see the world's top snowboard and freeski athletes compete in superpipe and slopestyle events for the Dew Cup and a share of the $1.5 million prize purse.

Click here for more Dew Tour!

And then check out our interview with professional snowboarder Steve Fisher, this year's U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix halfpipe winner and Dew Tour competitor.

Squaw Valley to open Tram Face to pro skiers/riders for Nissan Tram Face competition

When the world's top freeriders descend on Squaw Valley USA for the Nissan Tram Face -- Squaw Valley, from Feb. 27 to March 5, 2009, the valley will erupt with street parties, live music and a week of celebrations not to be missed... and of course, world-class freeriding action on a never-before-opened-for-competition venue: the legendary Tram Face at Squaw Valley USA.

Click here to read more

Silver Belt Banzai results
Daron Rahlves and sister Shannon win men's and women's titles

With another 20 inches of snow falling overnight, the 24 racers still in contention for the Silver Belt Banzai woke up Sunday to stormy conditions, low visibility, and the same menacing course that had taken its toll on the field the day before.

Truckee ski racing legend turned ski-cross star, Daron Rahlves, led the field after qualifying, and played the role of race promoter from the very beginning -- convincing his sponsor Red Bull to provide support, Sugar Bowl resort to provide the venue, and the racers themselves to ski the course in the not-quite-ideal conditions on Sunday.

Click here to read more

Sign up for Powderhound and enter to win two Diamond Peak tickets and a stay at the Hyatt

Sign up for the Powderhound Report, our e-mail newsletter that will keep you up to date on what's happening in Tahoe winter sports action. Plus, all subscribers will be entered to win two tickets to Diamond Peak and a two-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe.

Some of the topics the Powderhound is covering this winter:

• The Experts Corner. Top advice about everything from downhill to aprés ski, avalanche safety to driving in the snow
• Up-to-the-minute snow conditions
• Contests for lift tickets, free stays and more
• Quick updates on the most current ski events
• And many more!

Log on to Tahoe.com now to sign up

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