[Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows, Calif.] October 23, 2012 – Skiers and riders are invited to make their first turns this Thursday at Palisades Tahoe for a special, one-day Welcome Winter Fundraiser in celebration of the significant pre-season snowfall and to help raise funds for the newly formed Palisades Tahoe & Alpine Meadows Teams Foundation. The first storm of the season has already dumped up to 3 feet of snow on Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows with more snow on the way. In celebration of this good fortune, Palisades Tahoe will run the Searchlight chairlift this Thursday (October 25) from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to offer skiing and riding with lift ticket proceeds going to the Palisades Tahoe & Alpine Meadows Teams Foundation.*

“With the excitement of this abundant first snowfall we want to give our customers a taste of winter,” said Andy Wirth, president and CEO of Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows. “We hope everyone will take this opportunity to get out on the slopes in celebration of the new snow and to help support the Palisades Tahoe & Alpine Meadows Teams Foundation.”

The Palisades Tahoe & Alpine Meadows Teams Foundation is dedicated to supporting young amateur athletes interested in developing skills in snow sports through participation in a Palisades Tahoe or Alpine Meadows competitive or non-competitive ski or snowboard team.  The foundation was created to help with financial assistance to Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows snow sport team athletes who either have a financial need or have achieved a higher level of competition, which requires extensive travel and specialized training programs. Additionally, the foundation will provide financial support for coach continuing education programs with the goal of increasing the quality of coaching, instruction and development of athletes.

With snow still expected to fall through Wednesday, the first snow storm of the 2012-13 winter season has already delivered 28 inches to Palisades Tahoe and 36 inches to Alpine Meadows. Another 6-9 inches are expected by Thursday, which would bring snow totals to more than 3 feet.

Not only is the new snow a reason to celebrate by getting out on the mountain this Thursday for the Welcome Winter Fundraiser, it’s also a good reminder to purchase the Tahoe Super Pass as prices are only guaranteed through November 5. Starting at $429 for adults, the Tahoe Super Pass offers season-long access to 6,000 acres, 43 lifts and over 270 trails at Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows. The resorts’ first-ever unrestricted college pass starts at just $389. Both the Tahoe Super Pass and the College Tahoe Super Pass are available for purchase at www.tahoesuperpass.com.

*$10 voluntary donation for passholders and Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows will match the $10 donation. Searchlight is recommended for intermediate to advanced ability levels, not beginners. This event is a one-day, special event. Official opening day is scheduled for November 21 at Palisades Tahoe and December 7 at Alpine Meadows.