Outbound Escapes: Diamond Peak Happenings

By Genny Howe, The Sacramento Bee, Calif.

Jan. 18–Newcomers ages 7 and older can receive a beginner lift ticket, lesson and rentals for $25 during Diamond Peak’s Learn to Ski & Ride Week, Monday through Friday. For more information: (775) 832-1177.

Diamond Peak’s senior instructors will conduct clinics for those 55 and older, focusing on techniques and movement patterns that are efficient and easier on the body.

The 55-plus clinics will include a meet-and-greet, followed by a two-hour lesson. Clinics are set for Saturday, and Feb. 9 and March 16. Meet at the Loft Bar between 9:15 and 9:30 a.m. for refreshments. Cost is $30 per clinic, $47 for the clinic and a lift ticket. For more information: (775) 832-1130.

While parents hit the slopes, kids can join Snowfall Cinema, a ski program for ages 7-12 that includes a ski or snowboard lesson, a pizza party and entertainment in the Diamond Peak Base Lodge at Incline Village.

The Snowfall Cinema package is $55 and js offered Saturday as well as Feb. 3 and March 31.

For more information: (775) 832-1177.

View birds of prey

David Rosen will lead a tour to Mather Regional Park to observe the habitats of kestrels, eagles and other raptors from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.

It’s part of the Science in the City series presented by Sacramento Splash, which promotes watershed education.

Meet at the Splash Education Center, 4426 Excelsior Road. Reservations are required. Cost is $10 general, $5 ages 6-18, free for ages 5 and younger. For more information: (916) 364-2437, www.sacsplash.org.

Well-tunes

Familiarize yourself with bike repairs at Bicycle Planet’s free class — because the bike shop doesn’t make house calls in the middle of a trail.

The class is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Bicycle Planet is at 1860 Prairie City Road, Folsom. Registration is suggested. For more information: (916) 355-1234.

Hiking the Sutter Buttes

Trek over an ancient volcanic lake bed, part of the Sutter Buttes, during a winter hike through Bragg’s Canyon hosted by the Yuba Historical Society.

There will be two hikes offered from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, rain or shine. One group will journey through the hills and valleys of Bragg’s Canyon. The second jaunt will be a little more strenuous, to Yana Peak.

Cost is $40 general, $30 for Yuba Historical Society members. To register: (530) 846-3024.

Downhill drag races

The Queen of the Mountain Drag Races at Heavenly Ski Resort will be among the highlights of the Blue Gay-la: South Shore Lake Tahoe’s Gay and Lesbian Ski Week on Wednesday through Jan. 28.

Slated amid entertainment on and off the slopes such as comedy shows, ski parties and boat cruises, the races (Jan. 27) are a slalom course challenge for men and women in drag. Celebrity judges will award prizes.

The race only is free to participate; an all-mountain access lift ticket is $60. There will be special discounts for casino lodging, and snowmobiling and boat cruising tours during Gay and Lesbian Ski Week. For more information: (800) 288-2463, www.bluelaketahoe.com.

Sharing common spaces

Children can learn how to stay safe in mountain lion territory through crafts and games with Emily Cunnison of the Mountain Lion Foundation at the American River Conservancy’s Kids Discovery Day program, “Living With Lions.”

The program will be 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday (with an adult lecture from 12:30 to 2 p.m.) at the American River Conservancy Nature Center on Highway 49 in Coloma. Cost is $5 general, $3 for members (advance registration required). For more information: (530) 621-1224.

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Sacramento Bee, Calif.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

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