North Lake Tahoe Skiing Great, Despite Dry January.

TAHOE CITY, Calif. -- Perception is everything in the ski business, and recent publicity has focused solely on a relatively dry January. But ask any skier or snowboarder who frequents North Lake Tahoe's slopes on a regular basis, and they're touting another story, one that commends ski resorts on their ability to crank out man-made snow and provide good ski conditions.

"The skiing is fantastic," Rebecca Lehmkuhl, a Tahoe City resident and weekend skier at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, said. "If you're not here, you're missing out. We continue to take our girls every weekend to enjoy the snow."

All of North Lake Tahoe ski resorts have invested heavily in the industry's top snowmaking equipment, which provides what Mother Nature sometimes does not. The area also benefits from the Desert Research Institute's cloud seeding program, which brings more snow to Lake Tahoe and has been conducted in region since the 1960's.

"I keep hearing there's no snow," Karen Willcuts, production manager of Tahoe City-based New Tahoe Company, said. "Have those naysayers been to the slopes lately? I just skied Squaw Valley USA and it was great."

According to tourism officials, the key to good skiing during a dry, early winter is to call ahead to ski resorts and research who is making snow and how much. Once in North Lake Tahoe, it's recommended to stay inbounds and ski on designated runs.

According to meteorologists, North Lake Tahoe may get a break in the weather, as the unusually warm air will be pushed out next week, giving way to a colder pattern. Traditionally, Lake Tahoe receives most of its snowfall in February and March. In fact, it's not uncommon for the destination to receive 19 feet of snow in just one month.

"It's only February 2," Andy Chapman, tourism director of the North Lake Tahoe Marketing Cooperative, said. "We still have a long winter ahead of us, one that promises to bring low temperatures and the optimal snow pack that our economy relies on."

For current ski conditions, lift ticket information, lodging and where to fuel up after a day of skiing, click to www.GoTahoeNorth.com or call 1-877-949-3296.

North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. Visitor information centers are located at 380 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City, California and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village, Nevada. The North Lake Tahoe Marketing Cooperative is a partnership between the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. The combined efforts of both entities are aimed to further promote North Lake Tahoe as a premier, year-round destination.