It is a beautiful afternoon, but it did not start out that way. I woke up to wind-driven snow slamming against my window. Checking the weather told me the snow was going to stop at 8:50am, but winds would be strong most of the day. As far as I can tell, the winds died down at the base of Alpine, but continued blowing over 50 mph over the ridge top. All lifts were open today, but some did not open until after 9 am due to the weather. The snow that fell this morning dusted yesterday’s surface, but that was all of the accumulation of new snow that landed today.
I did not venture onto the mountain today. A day of needed rest and business obligations combined to keep me off the hill. I did speak to a few people that were on the hill this morning. During the early hour, wet snow was falling on the lower portion of the mountain. Conditions did not sound all that good. When Summit opened, areas around Sunspot were supposedly pleasant. I think there were clumps of ice under the new dusting of snow. Seeking in between trees was also reported as fun. Of course, you had to endure a facial sanding provided by winds whipping snow crystals into a frenzy at the top of Summit. I can tell you the snow I encountered along roads and in parking areas at homes I was showing to clients today was wet. Great for making snowballs, but not so good for skiing. Hopefully those of you on the mountain today found some good snow and made the most of it.
Have you ever wondered how trails at Alpine Meadows were named, or who they were named after. Here are a few answers. I hope they are correct.
Scott Chair: This lift was named after the Scott family, who were early settlers in the Lake Tahoe region. Scott Peak is also named after the Scott family. In addition to the peak and chairlift, Shirley Lake and Shirley Canyon were named after the Scott family. Shirley Scott was known as a person who cherished the natural beauty of the Tahoe Region.
Originally the Sherwood Chairlift was referred to as the Sherwood Forest Chairlift. Thus, came trail names inspired by such characters as Robin Hood and his companions. Robin Hood, Maid Marian, Nottingham’s Notch, and Friar Tuck.
Kangaroo Chair and the Kangaroo Run were named after a jump known as the Kangaroo jump. In days past, we would ski down Kangaroo Ridge and into a gully between Kangaroo Chair and the run out to Summit. Picking up speed as we dropped into the gully would give us enough momentum to jump off the lip on the far side of the gully. This was known as the Kangaroo jump. It was very popular in days past.
The Roundhouse Chair was named after a proposed restaurant that was intended to be built at the top of the lift. The restaurant would have been named Roundhouse after a similar restaurant that existed in Sun Valley.
There was a contest a number of years ago to name three runs. B was suggested by Greg Jellinek, Werner’s Schuss was named in honor of Werner Schuster who was director of the ski school. Melanie Jackson suggested the name. Daryl Nolch won for suggesting the trail named Boomerang.
This was interesting to me. Subway Chairlift derived its name from its original designation in the resort’s initial public offering document. It was referred to as “Sub-Debutante.” The idea was that the lift would function as a lift serving terrain slightly more advanced than the beginner areas, yet still suitable for novices. Over time, the name was shortened to Subway.
Alpine Meadows was founded in 1958 and opened in 1961. John Reily developed it and initially called it Ward Peak Ski Resort. He thought of it as an alternative to Squaw Valley. Peter Klaussen assisted John with the development of the ski area.
Terry’s Return was named after Terry Jones, a ski patroller who served the resort for over two decades. The trail was named in 2005 upon his retirement.
Sandy’s Corner was named after Sandy Paulsen, Wayne Poulsen’s wife. They were involved in the early development of the ski area. The Poulsen family has a very long history in the Tahoe Area.
Art’s Knob is named after Art Johnson, a ski patroller who worked at Alpine in the 1960’s. He was involved in an avalanche on this slope, leading to the naming of the area in his honor.
Reily’s Run was named after John Reily, the initial developer of Alpine Meadows.
Enough for today.
Enjoy your day,
Andy
I’ve heard that D8 was coined after a Caterpillar D8 tractor toppled on the run while grooming.
Rest of the Ds followed.
That is true, his name was Northrup. I believe. He helped build lifts at several north Tahoe areas.
I believe you are correct. A D8, supposedly driven by Lowell Northrop, lost traction and flipped over during the construction of Summit chair.
My recollection was that Howard Carnell had contracted Bob Tonini to do some dozer work that resulted in him taking the big ride down D8 in a D8 Caterpillar. I didn’t hear about a roll over. I heard he was going backwards, however.
Beg to differ regarding Terry’s Return being named in 2005. It was aleady called that when i first started skiing there in the early 1980s.
The first Alpine Meadows map I could find that has Terry’s Return was in 1985.
I didn’t ski at the hill, but can tell you that it got warm and any un-tracked snow turned to glop. More glop fell from the sky during the morning too. In the nearby backcountry, yesterday was several inches of fast, new snow on top of a supporting wind crust. It was pretty fun on big skis. Today, it was thick and borderline dangerous. We only made it 2/3 of the way up the skin track before the snow sticking to our skins made it impossible to ascend. We applied skin wax of two different brands and it got worse.
Great history lesson Andy – thanks!
I was there. Run number one was smooth cream cheese on ice. Runs two and three were thick piles of crud on ice. Run four was thick piles of crud on ice with drizzle covered goggles and human missiles flying all over. Run five was walking to the locker room. Tomorrow is another day.
Love the history of names – I was just wondering about D8 this week and heard something similar from a patroller.
What about..
Ray’s Rut?
Wolverine?
Estelle?
Lower 40?
What is CK and SP?
Ray’s Rut likely is named for Ray Belli, former director of ski patrol. SP Bowl is Sierra Pacific bowl, the lumber company owners of most of that part of Alpine before it was purchased by the conservancy group.
I was under the impression that SP Bowl is so named because it was owned by Southern Pacific Railroad Company, not Sierra Pacific. The checkerboard white and green on earlier maps of the area show public (USFS) land in green and private land in white. Southern Pacific had a checkerboard of ownership in the area that dated back to the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad.
Southern Pacific was the previous owner of Troy and Sue Caldwells White Wolf property. SVUSA had first rights of refusal to the sale of the property but someone there at the time possibly neglected to open the letter stating SP’s intent to sell the property.
Totally right Dave. This is why I should not answer questions while simultaneously prepping dinner!
I think Rays Rut was named after an old time groomer – forgot his last name. Tim Longo would know. He also worked for Lowell Northrup I think.
From my book Tales from Two Valleys —
Squaw Valley & Alpine Meadows, when John Reily, Peter Klaussen, John and Sally Hudson ventured into the Valley to discuss the future ski area:
“While the men discussed the pros and cons of gondolas, Sally Hudson looked at the profusion of purple lupine in a small meadow, then up at the mountain, where snow lingered in the high cirques.
“John, I think you should call your ski area Alpine Meadows,” she said.
Ray’s Rut WAS named after Ray Belli. He and I logged all the timber off of Scott Peak to create the “Lakeview” lift and all the runs in May 1984. Ray built the access road from the bottom of the Lakeview lift to the Sherwood Chair. SP Bowl was named after the Southern Pacific Railroad, who owned the property before they sold it to Sierra Pacific Industries in 1987. Southern Pacific also owned KT-22 before selling it to Troy Caldwell in 1989.
Fun fact: After retiring Ray was in on the pickleball craze very early. I had many of his grandchildren in my classes. Ray always pushed to come help with a pickleball unit in PE. He was also an excellent basketball ref.
When I began skiing at AM in 1981-82, Roundhouse chairlift was called Victoria Station. I believe there was some sort of sponsorship tie-in with the restaurant group of that name.
Does anyone know the origin of yellow and ultraviolet? Why colors? Thanks. Paul
The lore is that the runs were flagged with different colors of tape before they were cleared.
Thanks for the quick reply. Flag tape makes sense. I wonder why ultraviolet though. Thanks gain.
Reily’s run might just be my favorite Alpine Meadows nugget. The unlappability of it gives it such a forbidden fruit appeal. You only get to ski it once or twice a day
Anyone know where the name “Rock Garden” came from? I’ve always thought it’s such a weird name for a ski run, especially an intermediate run right in the middle of the resort. Rocks aren’t exactly something you want in your ski run!