SnowFest: a Snow Lover’s Playland

Lake Tahoe is about to “spring” to life with its 29th annual celebration of SnowFest. With activities on and off the snow, events include the a polar bear swim, wacky human bowling and a crazy costume parade. I spoke with the executive director Ruth Schnabel about the gathering that draws up to 30,000 snow lovers each year. Celebrations kick off with a laser show, torchlight parade and fireworks at Squaw Valley on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. and last until March 14.

Wacky Human Bowling. Photo Credit: Niobe Burden

Q: How much work goes into planning for SnowFest?
A: Serious planning for SnowFest goes on year-round, although it ramps up in September. We try to have our first publicity–60,000 rack cards–out before Thanksgiving, so visitors to Tahoe during the holidays make the decision to return for SnowFest in March.

Q: What is your favorite event at SnowFest?
A: I’d have to say the two parades are my favorite events because they’re truly funky small-town parades. Everyone in the parade knows everyone on the sidelines, so there’s much interaction. We have the Vulcans who have come out from the St. Paul Winter Carnival for the past 25 years as guests in our parade; a group of former classmates from the University of Wisconsin Madison who reunite here and have been in our parade the last couple of years and will return this year; and the Tahoe City Kiwanis Club Snow Shovel Drill Team. We will show off all of our big snowplows–they do wheelies, etc. during the parade.

Q: What are some of the best deals at SnowFest?
A: All of the restaurants and bars offer deals. Pick up a copy of The Weekly or the Sierra Sun to find all of the specials in town.

Q: SnowFest is meant to showcase skiing in March. Can you describe why the conditions are so nice this time of year?
A: We usually have some of the best snow–and the best storms are in March, which bring lots of snow–and when it’s not snowing, the sun is shining and its skiing. Today [Thursday] is a typical example–nice snowfall yesterday, clear blue sky with sunshine today. It doesn’t get much better than that!

For a full list of events, a lift ticket/lodging deal to Squaw Valley and more information on SnowFest, visit www.tahoesnowfestival.com.