Palisades Tahoe's annual Lake Cushing Crossing stands alone in the cluttered world of late season ski resort pond crossings. Tahoe TV attained exclusive access to some rare footage taken at one of the earliest crossings, many years ago.

Veterans and first timers rarely disagree that Palisades Tahoe's annual Lake Cushing Crossing, now in it's 24th(?) year, stands alone in the cluttered world of late season ski resort pond crossings. To many, its the absolute favorite event of the season.

A few years ago, Tahoe TV unearthed some original video footage taken at one of the first Crossings, in the early 1990's. The surroundings are a bit different, and the early crowds a bit thinner, but the vibe was the same.

While memories are faded and stories vary, the first Lake Cushing Crossing was the brainchild of Jean Hagan, long time restauranteur and concession owner at Palisades Tahoe USA. As the 80's crossed into the 90's, Hagan was running, among other things, the infamous Palisades Tahoe Beer Garden (rumored to have been built by Warren Miller), located downstairs in the Olympic House which is now completely remodeled.

Jean, her staff, Tom O'Neil of Olympic Plaza, and many others cobbled together that year's first event, and named it for the small pond that sits in front of the Cushing house. Little did they know it would set the stage for the endless string of crashes and splashes, laughs and hilarity that have marked the tail end of the season now for the last twenty-plus years.

In any event, Tahoe TV invites readers to share their favorite stories and memories, photos and videos, of the Lake Cushing Crossing over the years, and to celebrate the good time spirit in which the event was born. I've had the good fortune of being part of the Crossing since the early days, and every year it's a pleasure and a surprise to see the good humor and high Palisades Tahoe spirit that permeates the valley.

-Eric T.

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