Lots of fun in the “off season” at Lake Tahoe…

Personally, I love “off season” for traveling.  Spring at lake Tahoe means fresh green grass, wildflowers swaying in a soft breeze and less crowds.  You can hear the wind whistling in the pines and the lake lapping on the shore in the quiet.

And my favorite place to stay, the Resort at Squaw Creek at Squaw Valley has some wondrous and fun May activities scheduled.

Skiing:

There’s still time for a few last runs of the year—at Alpine Meadows, which will be open for skiing Fridays – Sundays through May 13.

Biking and hiking:

May can be a terrific time for biking (Resort at Squaw Creek rents bikes).  A twenty-mile long paved bike path meanders through the pines and along the shore of the sparkling blue lake.

Also, hiking to nearby waterfalls in Shirley Canyon at the far western edge of Squaw Valley or Eagle Falls near Emerald Bay should be possible due to the lower than average snowfall this year.

Fly Fishing:

But here’s one of the best things to do in May: head to the on-property Resort at Squaw Creek Fly Fishing Center, led by expert fly fisherman Matt Heron.  Heron, a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor, started fishing at age three and has been going strong for twenty-six years, twenty of those years fly-fishing.

The fly fishing center features private, stocked ponds, lessons and options for guided trips to local rivers.  It also offers a variety of classes to teach you all about this ancient angling method.

The most popular class, called Cast N’ Catch (3 hrs) offers the best of both worlds, casting instruction and fishing. Class begins with an hour and a half casting lesson, which leads into an hour and a half of guided fishing on the private ponds.

Here’s how Heron describes the fishing in May at the Resort at Squaw Creek:

“Most people think that summer is the best time to go fishing, but most

fly fishers know that spring is one of the best times of the year to catch trout in the Tahoe area. And, so far, 2012 has been no exception. Guide trips are fully underway on the Truckee and other rivers, and fishing has been spectacular to say the least.

Watch a video of Heron catching a thirty-pound rainbow trout

With less than normal snow accumulations this year, fishing should continue to get better over the next few months.  We are usually able to stock our ponds at the Resort at Squaw Creek by mid-May with beautiful rainbow trout, and we really start to get busy around Memorial Day.”

The resort offers their popular Creek Creatures class for kids and also special women’s classes this season and can custom tailor classes for a group.

Whether your spring fun is skiing, hiking, biking or fishing, come back at the end of the day and soak in one of the resort’s hot pools, enjoy a massage at the spa and a sumptuous meal at the Six Peaks Grille.

If you are planning to head to Lake Tahoe this Memorial Day holiday, take advantage of the Resort at Squaw Creek™ Memorial Weekend Bed & Breakfast Package.  The package starts at $199 per room, per night, and features daily breakfasts in Six Peaks Grille for two adults and two children (12-and-under), and accommodations in a Deluxe Guestroom.  (Available May 24-May 28, 2012. Resort fees and taxes are additional, and the offer is subject to availability.)

The Resort at Squaw Creek’s Robert Trent Jones, Jr. golf course is expected to offer 18 holes of play for Memorial Day weekend.  And the water slide will open again for the season, such fun for kids of all ages.

The Memorial Weekend Bed & Breakfast package can be booked at Visit Squaw Creek , or by calling 800.401.9501, using promo code MDAYRSC.

For more information on fly-fishing classes:

• Squaw Valley Fly Fishing
• Matt Heron Fly Fishing

Looking for a fun spring get-away or spring break vacation?  Don’t want to pay for expensive flights to Hawaii or face the long flight?  Well, here’s a beach in California that rivals any Hawaiian beach:  La Jolla, California.

The Spanish word, “la joya”, means the jewel and San Diegans call La Jolla the jewel of San Diego.  I’m a native of San Diego and can vouch for its charms.

La Jolla is close to all the famous San Diego attractions:  Sea World and the San Diego Zoo, 15 minutes away, the San Diego Wild Animal Park, 40 minutes, Lego Land, 30 minutes.  The Birch Aquarium and Museum, part of Scripp’s Institute of Oceanography, is just a few minute drive up the hill.

The European feel of the village of La Jolla, chock full of interesting boutiques, restaurants and art galleries invites fun strolls.  Scripps Park winds along the coast for playing and walking.  The clear water of the nearby cove offers great swimming and the chance to observe sea life for snorkelers.

In the center of the village, The La Valencia Hotel, known as the “Pink Lady“, has been an icon since it opened in 1926.  Stop in for a drink or a meal or just to admire the great views and enjoy the tiled courtyards, hand painted murals and Spanish mosaics.

Also in the village, San Diego County Museum of Modern Art offers a culture break from the sun and sand.  Want to flash back to the past? Then stop in at Harry’s Coffee Shop, a “sixties décor” coffee shop that serves breakfast all day.

Head over to La Jolla Shores Beach, one of the very best beaches in Southern California—a long, wide stretch of white sand, good waves for swimming, surfing, body surfing and kayaking.  Divers also love the beach because there’s a deep shelf just offshore for exploring.

My favorite hotel is the La Jolla Shores Hotel, right on the sand of La Jolla Shores beach.  Even with all the activities nearby in San Diego, the beach is so lovely, you may never want to leave the hotel.  Or after a busy day of sightseeing, relax in the heated pool and Jacuzzi, or in your ocean view room, with free wi-fi.  The hotel’s ocean front restaurant, The Shores, serves breakfast, lunch or dinner.  Check out their spring specials, with rooms starting at $199.

And just next door at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, the legendary Marine Room restaurant sits right on the sand, so close to the incoming waves that on a stormy night or during a high tide, the waves put on an exciting and wondrous wave dance as they splash against the windows.

During a low tide, explore the tide pools just north of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography Pier at the north end of the beach.  The University of California at San Diego and Scripps Institute of Oceanography sit on the hilltop above.

In the village at La Jolla Shores, you can rent surfboards, wet suits and kayaks or join a group kayaking expedition.  Or join a surf camp and learn to surf, during spring break or summer.

You can also rent a mountain or road bike, kayak or snorkel or go on a bike, kayak or snorkeling tour.

All the fun attractions San Diego offers are right there, yet you’re on a gorgeous beach.  Instead of costly airfares to Hawaii, just drive or fly to San Diego and enjoy the same fun, as the Beach Boys crooned ‘in the warm California sun’.

Fun highlights:

• La Jolla Shores Hotel
  8110 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla, CA 92037
  (877) 496-6063
• Harry’s Coffee Shop
  7545 Girard Avenue La Jolla, CA 92037
  (858) 454-7381
• Birch Aquarium
  2300 Expedition Way La Jolla, CA 92037
  (858) 534-3474
• Surf Diva Surf Shop
  2160 Avenida De La Playa # A La Jolla, CA 92037
  (858) 454-8273
• La Jolla Bike and Kayak
  2158 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037

Ó Diane Covington 2012

Diane Covington here, one of TouristTravel.com’s roving reporters, today writing to you from beautiful Squaw Valley, California.

Winter made her fashionably late entrance with a blast of over four feet of fresh snow in the past few days and more is on its way.

I’m staying with my fiancé at the beautiful Resort at Squaw Creek, which Conde Nast Traveler magazine ranked among the top 50 ski resorts in North America.  The resort is known for both family and romantic vacations and when you stay here you can see why.  (AAA also gave it a Four-Diamond rating.)

We love that we can hop on a lift right outside our suite when we’re ready to ski. We skied the fresh powder at Squaw Valley, stopping for lunch at Rocker’s Restaurant at the base—don’t miss the hot spinach artichoke flatbread, topped with jack and Parmesan cheese, real après ski comfort food.

We skied back to the Resort at Squaw Creek in time for a soak in the outdoor hot pools before our massages at the spa.  The heated blankets on the massage table welcome me from the cold and the massage relaxed all the muscles we’d used all day.  I lounged in both the sauna and steam room before heading back to our room.

Our cozy suite looks out over the valley that has transformed into a Winter Wonderland in the last few days.  We can choose between skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or ice-skating, not to mention the heated pools and spa or staying by the fireplace in our room, curled up with a book.

Dinner at Sandy’s Pub and Six Peaks Grille

Skiing in fresh snow is fun, but driving in it at night to go out to dinner isn’t.  But we’re lucky to have a choice of excellent restaurants here at the resort to choose from.

Our first night, I enjoyed the best fish taco I’ve ever tasted at Sandy’s Pub, which serves American pub fare and microbrews in a casual and friendly atmosphere with non-stop sports on TVs.

Last night we strolled through the arcade of shops and across the lobby to the Six Peak’s Grille, where chef Chad Shrewsbury uses local organic farm sources to create his trendy and tasty menus.  We began with a rich Butternut Squash Soup, then I enjoyed Wild Salmon on a bed of asparagus paired with a velvety Fransican Estate Cuvee Sauvage 2009 Chardonnay, while my partner sipped a lush Groth 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon with his tender Filet Mignon.

A variety of freshly baked rolls and fingerling potatoes complemented our dinners and the crackling fire next to our table made our dinner memorable not only for the sumptuous meal but also for the romantic ambience.  For dessert, we chose the light and fluffy Lemon Cheesecake.  Yum.  Good thing we’re skiing every day!

Then we bundled up for the two-minute refreshing walk in the crisp night air back to our room.

Squaw Valley now America’s largest ski resort

The local buzz here is the recent merger between Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows ski areas, which means that skiers and boarders can now access over 6,000 skiable acres, more than 270 trails, forty-three lifts and eight peaks, with one lift ticket and a free shuttle between the two resorts.  That’s amazing.  (Check out www.squaw.com for the latest ski conditions and deals.)

With winter arriving so late, the Resort at Squaw Creek is also offering many early spring romance, ski and family specials.

For example, the Children Ski, Skate, Sled Free Package includes all that fun and deluxe guestroom accommodations for families including two children per room.  Prices start at $299 per night.

Or the Family Spring Break Package, which starts at just $219 per night.

Don’t miss this Winter Wonderland and some amazing deals. For the most up-to-date information, log onto www.squawcreek.com.

Diane Covington 2012

As environmentally concerned golfers, my husband Layne and I often worry about the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers on the golf courses we play, not only for the integrity of the environment but also for the possible effect on our own health as we walk those green fairways and breath in chemically-laced air.

Historically, golf courses have not been seen as paragons of environmental virtue but that may be changing. According to Audubon International, golf courses can provide an ideal setting for wildlife sanctuaries if properly designed and managed. Non-playable areas comprise some 70 percent of most golf courses; that’s a lot of paradise left unpaved. These spaces offer opportunities for wild animal “corridors” and allow native vegetation to flourish. By practicing erosion control, water conservation and water quality management, employing careful and minimal use of chemicals and maintaining wildlife habitats, golf courses can be a positive, rather than a negative, addition to a community’s environment.

To encourage the development of courses that are built and managed with such safeguards in place, Audubon International in 1991 in cooperation with the USGA established the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, an education and certification program that helps golf courses enhance the natural areas and protect wildlife even as they educate golfers about the importance of such practices. Being designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary is a singular honor that is only awarded to those courses that adhere to the program’s high standards.

As expats living in Costa Rica, Layne and I recently had the good fortune of playing just such a course and we highly recommend it, not only for its stewardship of nature but also for the excellence and fun of the course itself. Hacienda Pinilla is a gorgeous 4500-acre beach resort and residential community that boasts a 7300-yard, par 72 golf course set amidst the tropical dry forest and dazzling Pacific coastline of the northwestern province of Guanacaste, just south of the tourist town of Tamarindo. Designed in 2000 by respected course designer Mike Young, Hacienda Pinilla offers friendly wide fairways and smooth true greens, making for an enjoyable round of golf even for the novice player like me.

Maintaining the luxurious green look expected by most golfers requires a lot of water but Hacienda Pinilla takes a different approach. Guanacaste province is the driest part of Costa Rica and the Hacienda Pinilla landscape reflected that, even though we were just a few weeks out of the rainy season. By using TifEagle Bermuda grass greens, cut very close, the ball rolls true and fast despite the dry appearance of the greens and fairways. Even so the surrounding terrain is lush untouched grassland and impressive Matapalo trees, with the eerie calls of howler monkeys in the distance. The broad fairways are not soft and cushiony like heavily watered courses, but still have sufficient turf to hold the ball smartly for a good lie and a small divot. Of course, other times of the year Guanacaste can get abundant rainfall but because the course was constructed with drainage in mind and Costa Rica’s soil sheds water like a turtle, there are virtually zero days when the course can’t be played. The entire course is visually stunning but the dramatic oceanside holes are beautiful and melodious with waves crashing onto the shore just a nine-iron shot away.

Of course, there is a broader ecological focus at Hacienda Pinilla than just environmentally friendly golf. The resort has received a number of awards for their efforts toward having a “green” footprint. The elegant La Posada Hotel where we stayed has received a Sustainable Tourism Certification, acquiring three out of five possible “leaves” or levels, by the Costa Rica Tourism Institute (ICT) for their recycling initiatives and educational efforts regarding conserving energy, reusing towels and not smoking in buildings. Recycling is encouraged throughout the resort, with color-coded resin bags (which disintegrate when buried for three months) in each hotel room to segregate glass, plastic, organic waste and conventional waste products. The magnificent three miles of beaches for guests and residents have been designated as “Ecological Blue Flag” beaches by Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA), meaning they are clean and clear and safe for swimming. Seawater analysis is done every two months and trash is picked up from the beaches every two weeks, guaranteeing a pristine shoreline for visitors.

In addition to rental lodging for vacationers, Hacienda Pinilla also offers real estate opportunities for those who decide to make their home in this beautiful locale. The options are luxurious but predictably pricey, whether buying a lot to build on or choosing a custom built home in one of the residential sections of the resort. Still, the developer’s commitment to environmental concerns can be seen in all aspects of construction, from having a “green” architect on board to help design an ecologically friendly home, to leaving some 50 percent of the land undisturbed, to a prohibition on cutting down existing trees in order to build. In fact, they plant so many trees each year — some 80,000, according to the sales manager — they consider the overall project to be almost carbon-neutral.

Add to this the fact that all profits go back into the community through support of local schools, scholarships for young people to continue their education or to study in the U.S. and employment of local Ticos. Indeed, the only Gringo working for Hacienda Pinilla is the golf pro! Clearly, many benefits flow into the local community from Hacienda Pinilla’s thoughtful stewardship of the pristine land they have acquired.

To preserve and protect the great gifts that Nature has placed here in this small corner of the world — the amazingly diverse flora and fauna, the oceans abundant with life, the rain forests’ misty magic — Costa Rica must ensure environmental sustainability and ecologically sound development. Hacienda Pinilla is a good example of a well-planned, environmentally sensitive resort that is doing its part to help ensure that future for Costa Rica.

If You Go:

• Hacienda Pinilla, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
• For reservations at Hotel La Posada, call 1-888-9-PINILLA

We’d heard about the famous Utah powder and decided to check it out for ourselves.  It was an easy flight into Salt Lake City and then just 36 miles up the mountain to Park City.  If you show your boarding pass, you can even get a free lift ticket on the day you arrive.

We chose Deer Valley because it was voted the number one resort by readers of Ski magazine for the fifth year in a row and we wanted to see what all the buzz was about.

Our first impression was the remarkable guest services. Friendly people in green outfits directed traffic, then helped us get our skis off our car.  There was even someone standing by the map when we got off the lift to help us know where to go. This level of service spilled over even into the lessons I signed up for during the trip . The lessons I took had four maximum in the class, with lots of individual attention.  Since I was starting over after a thirty-year hiatus so that I could ski with my grand kids, I was grateful for all the help.

The powder was real.  Fresh snow fell daily and the conditions were great.  My partner is an expert skier and I’m not, but the mountain offers something for everyone.  There are six peaks, five of which have green/beginner runs, and there are green runs all over the mountain.  That makes is a friendly family place. There are free guided mountain tours everyday to help skiers make the most of the mountain. In addition, the resort limits their sales of lift tickets to 6500-7500 skiers per day maximum so it doesn’t ever feel crowded.  With twenty-one lifts and one hundred runs spread out over their 2026 acres, they can transport 46,000 skiers uphill per hour.  That meant we didn’t wait in lift lines.

The mountain also offers award-winning restaurants for romantic evenings out or fun with the family. The elegant Mariposa, at Silver Lake Lodge at mid-mountain is the winner of a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and a #1 Zagat survey placement. (Tuesday through Sunday, 6 to 9 p.m. Call 435-645-6632 for reservations.) A great spot to take a break from skiing to enjoy lunch is at the Royal Street Café, also located in the Silver Lake Lodge at mid-mountain. If you go, be sure to sample one of their fresh baked cookies for dessert. (Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; 435-645-6632 for reservations.)

Our favorite restaurant was the Fireside Dining experience at Empire Canyon Lodge.  From our table near a crackling fire, we looked out a huge picture window, which lit up the winter wonderland outside—fat fluffy snowflakes falling onto huge evergreens already covered in snow. The restaurant offers hearty favorites from the European Alps, such as Swiss Raclette, stews, fire roasted meats and fricassees, each course served in front of a massive stone fireplace. In addition to the succulent main courses, we especially enjoyed the fresh biscuits, the roasted potatoes and an asparagus pesto that was amazing.  Perfect fare and ambience after a day of skiing.

Between dinner and dessert, we bundled up and stepped outside for a sleigh ride. We cuddled cozy under a thick blanket for a refreshing glide in the crisp night air, with snow falling and the bells jingling on the two massive horses that pulled our sleigh.

Then back inside for the dessert Fondue, my favorite course.  I learned that the word ‘Fondue’ comes from the French verb ‘Fondre’, to melt.  Our fondues included dark chocolate, caramel and white chocolate Grand Marnier fondues.The delectable choices to dip into the fondues:  Apple, banana, strawberries, pineapple, apricots, biscotti, chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon pound cake.

A warm dessert on a chilly evening.  Simply the best.

Fireside dining is open Wednesday through Saturday, 6 – 9 p.m. Free parking available.  Adults $56, Children $28 (11 years and younger), prices do not include beverages, tax or gratuity. Call 435-645-6632 for reservations between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily. For Sleigh Ride reservations please email  fireside [at]deervalley.com.

We agree with the readers of Ski magazine.  Deer Valley is #1 in our book too, for an all around experience of excellent skiing, service and restaurants. Get ready for a great season of skiing this year.

Diane Covington 2012