A Toast to Tahoe Skiing brings Mark Wellman, a paralympian, nationally acclaimed author, filmmaker and adventurer who crossed the Sierra Nevada on a pioneering sit-ski journey, to the Nov. 7 gala at Resort at Squaw Creek.

Paralyzed in a mountain climbing accident, Wellman, author of Climbing Back, has participated in two Paralympic Games and gained recognition for his historic paraplegic ascents of the sheer granite faces of El Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.

In addition to entertaining and informative speakers, the evening features gourmet food, a dynamic fashion show, a video history of Lake Tahoe’s resorts, an auction, and the premiere of the Lake Tahoe segment of a major new ski film featuring some of Tahoe’s most recognizable names including Jonny Moseley, Daron Rahlves, Jamie Burge, JT Holmes and Errol Kerr and others. Tickets are on sale now.

The theme of the second annual event is “Mountain Dreamers: celebrating the pioneering spirit and history of skiing at Lake Tahoe.”

Eric Brandt will serve as the master of ceremonies. Author and historian Mark McLaughlin, who has been seen on the History Channel, CNN, The Weather Channel, and has an upcoming book due about Lake Tahoe’s rich winter sports history, will give a presentation on the evolution of skiing and the rise of the resorts at Lake Tahoe.

In addition, a bevy of local Olympians, ski film athletes, and local notables will participate in an upbeat fashion show displaying the latest ski fashions from Squaw Valley Sports, Sports Tahoe and Squaw Creek Sports. Auction items will include a California Snow Gold Pass good at resorts throughout California and Nevada, courtesy of the California Ski Industry Association.

A fundraiser for Squaw Valley Institute, a nonprofit organization that brings events of cultural and educational significance to the Lake Tahoe region, the gala takes place the Grand Sierra Ballroom at AAA Four-Diamond Resort at Squaw Creek, which is situated at the base of Squaw Valley USA. The event begins at 6 p.m.

A free after-event party will take place in Resort at Squaw Creek’s Sandy’s Pub from 10 p.m.-1 a.m., featuring ski movies along with food and drink specials.

Tickets for the gala are $85 per person in advance; $100 at the door. VIP tickets are $120. A few VIP tables remain at $1,200 per table, which offer seating for 10 with prime access to the fashion show runway. For ticket and VIP table information please visit www.squawvalleyinstitute.org, or call (530) 581-4138.

Special room rates are available at Resort at Squaw Creek for A Toast to Tahoe Skiing from Nov. 4-7.Deluxe Guestrooms start at $99 per room, per night, based on availability. For room reservations call 800.401.9501, or visit www.visitsquawcreek.com.

Sponsors for the event include Sierra Heritage Magazine, Resorts Sports Network, Tahoe TV, Inside Tahoe Truckee TV, Squaw Valley Times, The Weekly, Squaw Valley USA, Alpine Meadows, Homewood Mountain Resort, Silver Bean Coffee, Swank Audio Visual, Resort at Squaw Creek, and Christina Cutler Graphic Design.