Miller film will benefit Carson ski

It maybe chilly out there, but it will be hot at the Carson City Community Center Saturday night at 7 p.m. when the Sporting Rage shows the latest Waren Miller film, "Impact."

This is a benefit for the Carson High ski team, so turn out. Tickets are $10 in advance at the Sporting Rage and $12 at the door. Kids 12 and under are $6.

Lots of women in this film, 17 in all, including Hannah Haardaway, Kelly Clarke, Wendy Fisher and freestyler Ingrid Backstrom. As usual, the skiing and snowboarding will be fantasy land to most of us but a joy to behold. If your ears are sensitive you might want to bring ear plugs. See you there.

• Diamond Peak is now open and Homewood comes along Dec. 10, if not sooner. Meanwhile, it's time to check out Mt. Rose Friday and Sierra-at-Tahoe Saturday.

• DC Shoes is pulling into Kirkwood Mountain Resort to set up a custom rail and custom wall ride in the Stomping Grounds Terrain Park, which will celebrate its grand opening this weekend. The two-day Jibfest and Passholder Appreciation Party will feature DJ Smoky spinning tunes on the Village Plaza, special deals for passholders, and the chance to trade in old hats for brand new DC beanies. All old hats will be donated to Kids Chemo Caps, so bring a bunch.

The Stomping Grounds Terrain Park, which has three times as many features this season and a brand new sound system, opens Saturday. To highlight the new features, DC Shoes will hold a "Guess The Shoes in The Rail" contest. Winners will receive a mail-in coupon for a free pair of DC Shoes.

The USASA Slopestyle competition leads off on Sunday with some of the best amateur snowboarders in Northern California and Nevada showcasing their talent. Rossingnol, 4FRNT and Rome Snowboards will demo equipment. Passholders can rack up raffle tickets during the Vertical Challenge on Chairs 5 and 6; each lap completed between noon and 2 p.m. earns a raffle ticket for a drawing to be held at 3 p.m. on the Plaza. Each passholder receives one free drawing ticket just for being there. Kids ski free on Sunday. Two children, 12 and under, can ski free with each paid adult lift ticket or valid adult season pass.

• All Tahoe-area residents and loyal Northstar guests are invited to attend Northstar-at-Tahoe's community days to celebrate the beginning of the new Village at Northstar. Northstar will host two community days - Tuesday and Monday Dec. 13 and 14 - from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The events will include live music, complimentary appetizers and beverages along with a preview of Northstar's Village Plaza and a sneak peek at other improvements to come.

• Northstar-at-Tahoe invites all aspiring skiers and snowboarders to start the season off right by enjoying a weekend dedicated to learning to snowsport. North Lake Tahoe's Learn More on the North Shore event has returned to Northstar for the fifth season and will be held Saturday and Sunday. For $20, Northstar is offering a learn-to-ski or snowboard package that includes a lesson, rentals and lift ticket. First-time skiers or riders must be 14 and over. Call (800) GO-NORTH.

• Learn to Ski and Ride for only $20. Diamond Peak wants everyone to have the opportunity to learn to ski or snowboard so the resort created a whole weekend for it. First timers can get a lesson, lift ticket and rental equipment for only $20 on Jan. 22-23. Call 832-1177

• Squaw Valley USA's Community Benefit Day is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 12. This annual event offers guests the chance to pre-purchase $35 donation vouchers that are valid for an adult lift ticket and ice skating session on Benefit Day. Proceeds from the online sale of the donation vouchers will benefit the Excellence in Education Foundation and the Tahoe Forest Hospital Foundation.

To participate, guests must pre-purchase donation will-call vouchers for $35 each online at www.squawshop.com. Each voucher is valid for one adult all day lift ticket and a two-hour ice skating session at the Olympic Ice Pavilion on Dec 12. After the online purchase, the tickets may be picked up at the will-call booth at Squaw Valley's main ticket portals on Benefit Day.

• Looking for that perfect holiday gift? Surprise your favorite skier/snowboarder with the Ski Lake Tahoe Sampler, which includes eight days of skiing and riding at Lake Tahoe's premiere resorts, available for $299.

The Sampler includes one ticket for each of the Ski Lake Tahoe resorts: Alpine Meadows, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Squaw Valley, plus two additional tickets, one valid at any of the three North Shore resorts (Alpine Meadows, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley USA), and the other valid at the three South Shore resorts (Heavenly, Kirkwood, Sierra-at-Tahoe). Sampler tickets are transferable and are good any day during the 2004/2005 winter season except Dec. 18-Jan. 2, and Feb. 19-21.

To purchase your Ski Lake Tahoe Sampler, visit www.skilaketahoe.com/tickets . Only 300 Samplers are available, and will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Sam Bauman is a Nevada Appeal Staff Writer. Contact him at sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.