Alpen Wine Fest

Snap on your skis and take your mark for one of the largest Nordic ski races west of the Mississippi. This Lake Tahoe annual event is the main fundraiser for the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization. It is open to anyone who buys a ticket, and the proceeds are used to purchase equipment, fund avalanche education programs for local youth and support trainings for all the volunteers involved in the organization. The Great Ski Race welcomes cross-country skiers of all ages to put their skills to the test on a new 26-kilometer course. The course begins at Tahoe XC in Tahoe City, climbs up and around Mount Watson and finishes back at Tahoe XC. Imagine climbing out of the snowy Tahoe basin and being surrounded by breathtaking views of the sparkling lake and the sky-scraping Sierra Nevada Mountains. Whether or not you race through the course is up to you; some do and some don’t. It is recommended, however, that participants have some degree of experience before embarking on a 26-kilometer race. And once a participant crosses the finish line, they get to enjoy the after party with delicious food, local brew and live music for dancing. This Lake Tahoe event takes place every year on the first Sunday of March.