Alpine turns it up a notch with terrain parks

By Kathryn Reed

Alpine Meadows’ Errol Kerr is ready to bring home the gold in the skier cross event at the Olympics in Whistler in February.

But the Truckee resident won’t be wearing red, white and blue. This is because he will be skiing for Jamaica.

“I want to represent the land of my father,” Kerr told the Jamaica Gleaner last spring. “That’s the dream.”

He could have skied for the United States, but his roots run deep to the Caribbean island nation.

For the thrill seekers, this North Shore resort that expects to open Dec. 5 has revamped its terrain parks. Features have been installed along several trails on the upper mountain. They are incorporated into the natural contours of the 2,400-acre mountain.

Park features will be scattered along parts of Kangaroo, Boomerang, Tiegel, lower Palisades, Terry’s Return, and Loop Road.

Alpine is all about working with various types of skiers. Disabled Sports provides daily coaching and adventure to students with physical and mental disabilities.

Equipment is tailored to the athlete’s needs. This may include a mono ski with riggers, stand-up outriggers or sit skis. Lessons are offered twice a day. For reservations, call (530) 581.4161.

Alpine Meadows will be home to Tahoe’s only NASTAR racecourse.

To make the whole process of getting on the mountain easier, Alpine has installed radio frequency based turnstiles. This means no unzipping your jacket to find your pass. The ticket can be anywhere on you.

Tickets can also be purchased at home. Adult tickets are $59/day.

All of this should eliminate lines for buying tickets and speed up the process to get on the chairlift.

Season passholders and Alpine Club members can link their credit card to this pass so it can be used at the resort’s restaurants and retail outlets.

This durable plastic card is the size and weight of a credit card. It means less paper used each day to create individual lift tickets.

Another deal is the Homewood-Alpine combo college pass for $299 that allows skiers-boarders access to both resorts.

The Alpine Club frequent-visitor program is still going strong. Members can ski for $44, get discounts at Resort at Squaw Creek on lodging packages, and other deals. Details are on the website.

After a day on the slopes, Alpine will take up to 20 people in snow cats up the mountain for a private dinner and an evening of stargazing.

For more information, go to www.skialpine.com.