November 8, 2010

Early Season Storm Drops 6" to 8" at Hightest Elevations

If these first two storms are a sign of things to come it looks like we are in for another awesome winter. Yesterday afternoon as the temperatures dropped the rain finally turned to snow, most of the night the white stuff kept coming down.

Squaw Valley reported 2" to 3" inches of wet sticky snow at 6200' with 6" to 8" at 8200'. This is the crazy part...Alpine Meadows reports no new snow as of 9:30am November 8th. Now either the Snow Gods are blessing the Big Mountain or the fine folks at Alpine Meadows forgot to look out the window. On the summit Sugar Bowl reports only 0" to 2" of new snow, and Boreal reports no new snow from this latest storm.

Going out on a limb here, we think that Squaw is the only mountain with accurate early season snow reports. We can also tell you that Granite Chief employees live for snow, so if a flake to hits the ground The Chief will report it...and no we aren't talking the kind of flake that doesn't show up for work on a powder day and scams a lift ticket, we are talking POW, the white stuff, fluff, even cement.

The rains in October and the wet snow received during the night make for a perfect setup for the upcoming ski season. The rain soaks in and causes the ground to freeze and the wet sticky stuff will adhere to the rocks and slopes. Ski area guns were blazing last night and into the morning. With the help of Mother Nature and the hard work of mountain management we just might be skiing by Thanksgiving. We'll keep you posted.

October 26, 2010

Robert Frohlich, author, storyteller, has died from stomach cancer.

Robert Frohlich has lost his battle with cancer and the North Shore community has lost a longtime friend. Fro moved to Squaw Valley in 1977 while working for ABC Sports as an assistant to the producer, since that time he has won numerous awards as a sports writer and columnist. His awards include 1st Place, Best Feature Writer from the Nevada State Press Association and 1st Place, Best Sports column from the National Newspaper Association. He also received the Far West Ski Association’s Bill Berry Award for feature writing. In 2006 the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce awarded Fro with “Outstanding Employee Service”.

Fro also authored the book “Mountain Dreamers: Visionaries of Sierra Nevada Skiing”. In 1998 he was awarded the prestigious ULLR Award by the International Skiing History Association. “Skiing With Style”, his second book, was published in 1999. In 2001 “Mountain Journal” was published for the Intrawest Corporation.

Always active in our local ski community, Fro chaired many committees including Snowfest and the Lake Tahoe nomination committee for the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay. Robert Frohlich was a mountain dreamer himself. He believed in the power of community and was taken by the many colorful personalities in it. He did much to keep the history of skiing and the faces of those that contributed to it alive and not forgotten. Steve McKinney, Stan Tomlinson, Wayne Poulsen, Jimmie Huega, to name a few are known to those that came after because Fro with his storytelling would not let them die.

The burden now lies with us to keep our characters and their stories alive for future Lake Tahoe generations of skiers.

It is said that you are not gone until the last person that knew you is gone. Robert Frohlich, better known as Fro, will be with us for years to come.

October 24, 2010

Powerful Fall Storm Hits Lake Tahoe.

The weekend storm that hit Northern California dropped several inches of rain and the season's first measurable snowfall at the highest elevations of the Tahoe Basin. Wind gusts at local ski resorts were clocked at up to 132 mph.

To many locals the Truckee River water levels and the flooding of Squaw Valley Meadow brought back memories of the big floods of January 1997.

Temperatures remain cool and snow is still visible halfway up the Mountain Run of Squaw Valley. Skiing enthusiast take this storm as a sign of things to come.

February 24, 2010

CR Johnson Dies In A Ski Accident at Squaw Valley

We have lost one of the nicest young men in our skiing community.

Pro Skier CR Johnson was killed in a ski accident while skiing with friends at Squaw Valley. The group was skiing the Light Towers when CR crashed and hit a band of rocks.

CR was not only known for his great skiing but also known as one of the most approachable pro skiers in the business. CR was born and raised in Truckee and he and his family have been a part of the Squaw Valley community for two generations. CR’s father, Russ Johnson worked on Squaw’s ski patrol and was an expert avalanche forecaster for nearly 20 years. This is truly sad news and our hearts and thoughts are with CR’s family and friends.

We will update information as it becomes available.

February 12, 2010

Jimmie Heuga Passes Away At the Age of 66

A true champion in every sense of the word.

Jimmie Heuga, a true American hero passed away in a Colorado hospital from complications of a respiratory problems. Jimmie was the first of two Americans to medal in Olympic skiing events. During the 1964 games Heuga took the bronze in the slalom and Billy Kidd took the silver medal. Their Olympic success opened the door for future Winter Olympic athletes.

When Jimmie was ask about his medal performance he told the Denver Post, “There were no expectations. We had no track record. But yeah, I accomplished one of my dreams.”

Jimmie Heuga was a champion in every sense of the word. Shortly after the 1968 Olympics where Heuga placed 8th, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Jimmie took an aggressive stance against the disease with diet and exercise, changing the way people approached the disease. He was determined to help those with this debilitating disease. Jimmie founded the Jimmie Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis. A nonprofit now called Can Do Multiple Sclerosis. The effects of MS eventually confined him to a wheelchair.

”He was the personification of determination and never giving up; he inspired so many people,” Billy Kidd said in a statement from the US Ski Team. “Jimmie’s accomplishments on the race course will forever be remembered. But it’s his accomplishments and drive in the fight against MS that will continue to help so many people live their lives. His life is an inspiration.” Jimmie was born and raised in Tahoe City and was named to the US Ski Team at the age of 15. His father Pete Heuga ran Squaw Valley’s Cable Car for years. Jimmie is survived by his father, his wife and three children from a previous marriage.

February 2010

Local Truckee Radio 101.5 & Granite Chief Report from Vancouver

JD Hoss at the games reporting live!

Keep your radio tuned to 101.5 for the best coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Local radio KTKE and Granite Chief has teamed up to get JD Hoss at the base of Whistler to bring you interviews with athletes, the latest on the medal count, and how our skiers and snowboards are fairing at the games. JD promises to not torture you with figure skating and curling and get right to the heart of winter sports, skiing and snowboarding.

JD has spent the last year putting it all together, raising funding through sponsorship and interviewing our local Olympic gamers getting us insight on their training and personal thoughts on the 2010 Winter Games. Granite Chief is proud to be working with 101.5 and JD. We will be live in the studio talking about the games, the athletes, and their equipment. Over the years The Chief has helped out many local World Cup and Olympic skiers.

Listen up on Truckee’s KTKE radio 101.5 and blog on to www.granitechief.com where can post your commentary with ours.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Nude photo posting of Lindsey Vonn, Julia Mancuso, Marco Sullivan and Nate Holland will not be tolerated. Nude and raunchy photographs of French athletes are perfectly acceptable.

December 29, 2009

Squaw Valley Ski Corporation Buys The Intrawest Village...Done Deal???

What will it mean for the big mountain?

We’ve been aware that the talks between Intrawest and Squaw started up again in October, but wholly smokes, this time the lid was kept on pretty tight. I’ve had my nose all over the valley trying to sniff out some details and I got nothing.

As many of you know Granite Chief had been cleared to move to a better location in the village, then all of a sudden everything stopped. At first we all thought things with Intrawest had stalled because everyone was working on the Copper Mtn. deal, (Intrawest owned Copper sold to Powder Corp). As it turned out the brakes were put on bringing all future plans for Village merchants to a screeching halt because Squaw Valley Ski Corp reopened negotiations to purchase the Intrawest Village. The word; it’s a done deal. What isn’t clear is when Squaw will take over operations. Some say February but the most recent scuttlebutt points to January.

Well, we all knew it was going to happen, but the big surprise is that the talks hit the table so soon after last spring’s negotiation fell apart.

I think most merchants had a good relationship with the Intrawest team so on one hand we are sorry to see them go. On the other hand we all want to be a part of a growing Squaw Valley. This could be a very good New Year!

November 12, 2009

Surprise Snow Blankets Squaw Valley & Lake Tahoe

Skiing by Thanksgiving? It’s looking good!

We were expecting rain all day yesterday, by sunset we had all given up, another storm passed us by…but what a surprise; we woke up to a beautiful blanket of sweet snow. All the trees cover and the upper mountain at Squaw Valley, socked in. Reports are calling for more light snow throughout the day, then mostly cloudy with super cold temperatures. That means the snow guns will be working overtime.

Skiing at Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley by Thanksgiving? Let’s tune up those skis and be ready.

October 24, 2009

Team Day

Manufacturer's Rock Bottom Team Pricing

Local Rep, Kristi Wingard Named Rep of the Year

October 24, 2009

by Talebearing Squawdog

Kristi Wingard flew back home from Norway with an unexpected award. Helly Hansen named the hard working, busy mother of three the Helly Hansen, USA sales rep of the year.

We all know that Kristi and her husband Craig, (Mr. Volkl), are two of the top USA sales reps in the ski business. But what does seem a bit odd is that Helly Hansen just recently has had a big turnover in their US rep force. Kristi is the company’s one and only rep in the US. Good spirited Kristi chuckled at the ribbing she took from her peers in the Tahoe ski industry rep community.

Frankly, Kristi would always win our vote even if the choices were many, but we’re not a Helly dealer; so there you have it, the big prize goes to Kristi Wingard, blowing the competition away, even though her favorite ski shop isn’t one of her accounts. We are your favorite aren’t we, Kristi?

September 30, 2009

A New Sense of Pride & Belonging Within the Squaw Valley Business Community

The announcement that was to come did not come. Squaw Valley Ski Corp did not purchase The Village from Intrawest. In the final hour the deal fell through. Why? We haven’t been able to find that out. Maybe the economy; as we all know many expansion deals have been put on hold, it is a sign of the times. The only thing we are hearing is the talks may resume next year. According to those at Intrawest some good things have come from the long talks and negotiations; a stronger commitment for the two parties to work together. According to Jason Roland, the commercial asset manager for Intrawest,” a strong Squaw Valley means a strong Village and a strong Village means a strong Squaw Valley”. As long as we are partners in the Squaw experience we are committed to working together to make the Valley, its mountain and the businesses within it the best they can be.”

Talking with merchants and restaurants in Squaw there is a new sense of belonging. The changes at Squaw Valley under the direction of Nancy Cushing, Mike Livak, and Joe Walsh of Intrawest have renewed a call for pride and competition with hopes of increasing the skier traffic to the valley. There’s lots of competition out there and our goal is to keep our skiers at Squaw Valley and to make Squaw converts of those that at this point have no particular alliance to a single ski resort.

Squaw has always been a place that provokes a sense of ownership from its customers. It is an odd phenomenon but none the less over the years Squaw and many of the businesses within it have developed what is almost a cult following. There is no other place quite like Squaw Valley.

September 15, 2009

A New Board of Directors Named to Granite Chief Scholarship Fund

The Granite Chief Scholarship Fund was founded by Herb and Treas Manning, the owners of Granite Chief Ski & Mountain Shop. In its third year the Fund has sponsored 10 athletes, supplying each with skis, boots, bindings, helmets and unlimited ski and boot services. GCSF has enlisted the help of ski manufacturers to provide top on the line equipment to those ski competitors that struggle with the financial challenges that many local ski families face.

According to Herb, the applications for sponsorship has made us realize that more is needed to keep our youth involved in skiing. We hope to not only help out with the expense of ski equipment but with the cost of competing. I knew this was big and we need to create a board of directors. The members of our board need to possess a passion for skiing and competing. I was a bit apprehensive at first to approach people like Tamara McKinney, Jimbo Morgan, Jim Dill and Shaun Carey, I know how much of their time they already donate to the community. I was pleasantly surprised at their reaction and eagerness to help.

Jimbo was especially excited that we were helping kids from all disciplines of competitive skiing; racing, park & freestyle and big mountain. “It’s all about mountain winter sports, it doesn’t matter what your gig is, it’s about competition, being the best you can be and passionate about it. It’s about staying involved in skiing.”

Tamara was equally excited at the thought of helping out local families. As a youngster coming up through the ranks to win the Overall World Cup and the mother of a daughter involved in ski racing, she knows firsthand that the financial commitment to competing can be staggering and many of our local talent will never realize their potential due to the cost demands.

Jim Dill, Shaun Cary and Gunner Wolf are also busy individuals that bring their enthusiasm to our board, each offering their own brand of expertise.

We all feel that this is a much needed endeavor. The new Board of Directors walked away from the first meeting with a plethora of ideas and a feeling of purpose.

August 10, 2009

Squaw Valley Names New Senior Vice President and General Manager

Big announcement coming out of Squaw Valley- Ernst Hager is retiring from his full-time duties as general manager of ski corp. He will be acting as an adviser on a consulting basis to ensure a smooth transition for the incoming Mike Livak. Mike will be reporting directly to Chairman and CEO, Nancy Cushing.

The new GM has a long affiliation with Squaw Valley, most recently as a member of the board of directors, and as far back as his youth when he worked as a ski instructor on the mountain. Mike comes equipped with an MBA with an emphasis in finance and marketing. He has also worked in administration, marketing, planning which led to the position of vice-president.

Ernst Hager has a notable career in the ski business as well. Before taking the helm at Squaw he was a U.S. Ski Team coach. Ernst is looking forward to spending time with his family and you can bet we will be seeing him on the mountain as he is an avid skier and a Squaw Valley local.

Congratulations to Mike Livak, we are all looking forward to working with you and to Ernst, see you on the hill.

July 8, 2009

Sierra Rainbow Adds Color To Tahoe City

Those of us that have lived in Tahoe for along time remember The Big Tree in the middle of the road in Tahoe City. The giant served as a landmark in our small town. Everything was just before or just passed The Big Tree. It was a dark day when the dying tree had to be taken down.

Thanks to locals The Big Tree was transformed into a beautiful carving and placed at the head of the stairs to Commons Beach. In June two locally owned businesses brightened up the carving, painting it to highlight the extraordinary work of art. All materials and labor were donated by Sierra Rainbow Painting and Jeremiah’s Tree Service.

The Big Tree lives on thanks to the help of generous, involved locals.

June 26, 2009

Got Beer? Not on the Truckee...

Truckee brew not anymore, or at least not on the Truckee River from July 3rd through July 5th. According to Lt. Allan Carter of the Placer County Sheriff’s Department, beer and alcohol of any kind will not be permitted on the raging flat water between Tahoe City and the River Ranch. Bike patrol and raft patrol will be issuing citations to thirsty violators and don’t think you can out paddle our boys in blue, (or are they in green?). According to Lt. Carter, his men are not averse to getting wet. So if you're involved in a high speed raft chase and the guy is wearing a Speedo with a badge pull over, he wants your beer.

June 15, 2009

Lake Tahoe Threatened by Mussel Infestation

The League To Save Lake Tahoe is urging boaters to use only dedicated Tahoe boats on the lake. It seems that boats used in other bodies of water unknowingly transport hitchhikers to the our lake. One of the biggest dangers to Tahoe are mussels, especially zebra and guagga mussels. These guys colonized and reproduce quickly posing serious, maybe irreversible damage to the water and beaches of Lake Tahoe.

If you plan to launch your boat in the lake this summer there are a few things you should know….

1. All boat launching ramps are now staffed by a boat inspector who will examine your boat for evidence of mussels. Boat launches are only open when an inspector is present.

2. Inspection fees range from $10 to $60 depending on the size of your boat. All funds go directly to the inspection program.

3. Inspection seals will be used for the first time. Boats exiting Lake Tahoe will receive a seal between the boat and the trailer such that it must be broken if the boat launches. If this seal is still intact when the boat is next launched in Tahoe, then no additional inspection is necessary.

If you are not launching your boat/board/kayak at an official boat ramp it is important that you take the following precautions…
All watercraft need to be washed thoroughly using a high pressure hose and water heated to 140 degrees. A solution of potassium chloride or a 6% chlorine solution should be used. The craft should be drained and dried.

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2009

Shane McConkey 1969 – 2009
Legendary skier, innovator, dies in a BASE jumping accident

Decorated big mountain skier and BASE jumper Shane McConkey was killed in a ski-BASE accident in the Italian Dolomites.

A member of the Red Bull Air Force and pioneer of the ski-BASE-ing phenomenon, McConkey experienced problems when his skis failed to release after launching off a cliff with the expectation of deploying his parachute canopy and then gliding down to the ground—as he had done successfully some 700-plus times before.

A longtime resident of Squaw Valley and a larger than life personality, Shane will be missed by all. Our hearts and thoughts are with his family.

Shane is survived by his wife Sherry, daughter Ayla, and parents Jim and Glenn.

For more information please go to: ESPN Link

MSP Films Link Official statement

February 3, 2009

Avalanche Takes The Life of Squaw Patroller

Andrew Entin, a veteran ski patroller at Squaw Valley has died after being caught in an avalanche. Squaw’s snow safety team was out on the mountain working avalanche control when Andrew was caught in a slide on the Hogback between Headwall and North Bowl. His partner dug him out and emergency crews rushed him to Tahoe Forest hospital where he was stabilized and transported to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno where he later died

Four plus feet of snow had fallen at the higher elevations over a 24 hour period. New snow on top of wet rainy snow and high winds had closed the upper mountain. We could hear blasting in the morning hours as Squaw’s snow safety team worked the mountain to get the effects of the storm under control.

Squaw Valley is a big mountain and the ski patrol/avalanche crew is a group of tough, experienced mountain men that work in dangerous conditions to make skiing safe for the rest of us. Forty-one year old Andrew was as tough and dedicated as they come. We will miss you Andrew, you have been a friend for many years. Our thoughts are with your family and your comrade patrollers, we will not forget you.


Your friends at Granite Chief,

Herb, Gunner, Darren, Kris, Treas, & Darby

January 12, 2009

Rossignol Ski Company Makes a Break From Quiksilver

The ski industry is in the midst of staggering change. Ski areas being gobbled up by large resort real estate companies and ski manufacturers being taken over by large holding companies. Just when you think things are starting to settle down a new acquisition is announced or in Rossignol’s case a rescue mission was announced.

Rossignol is one of the big names in the industry yet under the Quiksilver corporate umbrella Rossignol struggled to find its identity. Last month a group of investors purchased the company with the intention of putting the Big R at the head of the lift line.

The first thing the new company did was to name Bruno Cercley president and CEO. According to the Northern California sales rep, Jeff Sarlo, everyone in the company is excited to have Bruno at the helm. There is no doubt about the top guy’s position on Rossignol, “We are a snow sports company, skiing is what we do best.”

When Rossignol was at the top of the game Cercley was the president of the privately owned company before being sold to Quiksilver. The company is going back to its roots. With no shareholders to tie the company’s hands Rossignol can react quickly to market trends and changes. The focus will be on technology & product development, along with athlete sponsorship for slopeside feedback and brand recognition.

Bottom line, Bruno Cercley is a skier, he grew up in the Alps, and as he sees it the Big R is a ski company. The rooster lives!

This may not be local news, but it is BIG news to loco skiiers!

By Herb Manning
Owner/Hardgoods Buyer