Gourmet Ski Tour: Fun and Fundraising.
By Tim Hauserman
This has been a challenging year for cross-country skiing in Tahoe. There hasn’t been a ton of snow, and the biggest storm of the year left mainly rain on the cross-country ski trails. But the Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Education Association (TCCSEA) has persevered through these tough conditions, because they have a job to do: Help kids fall in love with cross-country skiing, an incredible sport that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.
TCCSEA produces the Strider Gliders program, which provides instruction and fun to 250 kids between Pre-school and 5th grade for eight weeks each winter. This winter they had to make do as best they could, even playing a bit of Ultimate Frisbee for two weeks before there was enough snow to ski, but the kids always had fun. TCCSEA also gives hundreds of local kids the chance to ski through its Free Skiing for Schools program, and teaches dozens of school classes each year the science of Sierra winters via the Winter Discovery Center.
The TCCSEA is able to put on these programs because there are people who like to sample delicious food and drink while slowly walking or skiing around the Yellow Trail at Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Area. Locals and visitors alike, having fun, while doing good, at the Gourmet Ski Tour. This year the 13th annual Gourmet Ski Tour is set for March 9th beginning at 12:30 pm. Restaurants donating their cuisine include Sunnyside, Christy Hill, Truckee River Winery, Wolfdales, Lanzas, Mamasake, Jakes, Bridgetender, Uncommon Kitchen, Men Wielding Fire, Ron Allen Personal Chef, Sugar Pine Cakery, Tahoe House and the Coffee Connexion.
There will be live music by the “Sneaky Creatures” and libations to help you get your dance on. Tickets cost $40 (with a discount for Tahoe Cross-Country season pass holders) and can be obtained by calling Tahoe Cross-Country at 530-583-5475. The event organizer, Lin Winetrub, is also looking for volunteers to help set up and make the operation run smoothly. If you would like to help, contact Lin at linw500@gmail.com