Third Annual Spring Loaded In South Lake Tahoe. Events, Competitions And Entertainment, March 9 – April 5
Spring Loaded, the largest spring season event in South Lake Tahoe, California, takes place March 9 – April 5 and will feature four weeks of celebrations on and off the slopes, live music festivals, and a plethora of lodging, dining and après specials. Activities will reflect the unique nature of one of the country’s leading winter destinations. (www.tahoesouth.com)
NEW SPRING IN TAHOE’S STEP
Additions this year include the Altus Music Festival - four days of fun and adventure offering snow sports and music fanatics the best of both worlds, March 18-21. During the day, sunny skies and prime skiing conditions with sightings of colourful attire abound. At night, concert goers jam to artists across multiple venues in the casino corridor including MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe and the centre stage inside Harrah’s Lake Tahoe.
The Tahoe Film Crawl will showcase and celebrate short movies and documentaries based in the Lake Tahoe region or made by locals in the area, March 19-21. During screening, food and drink specials, raffle prizes from local vendors will be awarded at Ten Crows BBQ, Tahoe Ale Worx and South of North Brewery.
ON THE MOUNTAIN
The second annual “Pink Heavenly” benefits Barton Health, supporting local cancer patients, and raising awareness for all types of cancer. Participants can join the activities, live music, free portraits, raffles, and costume contest at Heavenly Mountain Resort’s California Base Lodge, March 21.
The 17th annual Gunbarrel 25 at Heavenly Mountain Resort is all about endurance, where skiers/snowboarders tackle and race 25 laps (or more) on “The Face,” the historic Gunbarrel mogul run, March 28. Skiers and snowboarders will try to impress judges and fans as they perform tricks, flips, spins during the Spring Rail Jam, April 4. The annual Pond Skimming contest launches with funky outfits and epic fails as skiers/snowboarders attempt to ride across a man-built pond to tunes from a live DJ, April 11.
Vans Methodology returns to Sierra-at-Tahoe, March 7, as contestants race down a banked hill slalom course while showcasing aerial tricks mid-race. All proceeds benefit The Revert Foundation, providing youth an opportunity to experience outdoor recreation. Annual Salsa Showdown turns up the heat with a salsa taste test, taco eating contest, Spanish jams at Sierra’s Solstice Plaza, March 29. The Boarding for Breast Cancer Shred the Love event returns with ski park jam, live music, a tribute ride, silent auction/raffle to help raise funds and awareness for breast cancer outreach, education programs and young survivor retreats, April 4. Retro Day embraces the best throwback vibes, neon onesies and stunner shades with contests for the best costume and tricks, April 5.
OFF THE SLOPES
The Luck of the Irish “St. Barles Day” at South Lake Brewing Company, March 17 will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as well as the brewery owner’s dog named Barley, who turns six. Guests who bring their dog in on a leash and/or wear an Irish costume, receive $1 off pints all night long. The evening will include a new beer release – Irish-themed of course, along with live music, and food for purchase.
Spring Loaded Brewfest & 5k Fun Run meanders through the Heavenly Village in the morning followed by live music, yard games, mechanical bull riding and samples from Sierra Nevada Brewery, April 4. A kick-off party the day prior also includes beer tastings. Bonus: experience the South Tahoe Beer Trail with hops and suds flowing daily throughout the eight local breweries; or let someone else drive with the Tahoe Brew Tours and get 10 percent off during Spring Loaded.
APRÈS SKI
After riding prime spring skiing with groomed corridor in the morning and corn snow in the afternoon, memorable après experiences are in order at Tahoe South’s restaurants and bars. An array of drink specials are flowing at Alpine Union inside Hard Rock, TaCo Cantina at Harveys, Lucky Beaver Bar & Burger, Azul Latin Kitchen, Basecamp Pizza Co. and South Lake Brewing Co.
Dining specials include special featured menus with cocktail, beer and wine specials at Brooks’ Bar & Deck at Edgewood Tahoe; MontBleu’s prix fixe menu and happy hour tapas at Ciera Steak & Chop House, and all-you-can-eat sushi at Fortune; Riva Grill’s Fish Taco Fridays; three-course and wine pairings at Hard Rock’s Park Prime.
For a complete list of current events, lodging and restaurant deals, visit: Spring Loaded. Tahoe South information: 1-800-288-2463 or www.tahoesouth.com.
