About this episode
In the last couple years of record-breaking snowfalls, budget shortfalls, staffing shortages and lack of affordable housing for CalTrans road crew workers, plowed parking areas for backcountry access are no longer a given. The Tahoe Backcountry Alliance is working with community leaders to help address these issues, focused on expanding winter access for all non-motorized users. Since 2015, TBA has expanded access for motorized and non-motorized use in Johnson Canyon, created a plowed parking lot on the west end of Donner Lake, is about to open a new lot for Tallac access and created a free SnoPark pass system for local residents. We sit down with TBA Executive Director Anthony Cupaiuolo to chat about the importance of access for winter recreation in and around Lake Tahoe, the ongoing parking issues on the West Shore, its impacts on the local recreation economy and what the protocol is for backcountry users when parking areas haven’t been plowed.3:00 – PowBot rides a legit snowmobile for the first time and actually liked it.5:00 – Bumping into the Tahoe backcountry legend Otto on the skintrack in Ward Canyon.7:00 – Palisades Tahoe can’t manage to get their mountain open…again. 7:45 – On a Musical Note: Trail Whisperer is loving listening to The Black Keys and The White Stripes and Pow Bot is watching No Good Deed. 10:15 – Listener shout outs and Dope or Derp? Subaru Crosstrek17:00 – Introducing Anthony Cupaiuolo of Tahoe Backcountry Alliance and First Tracks Productions.22:00 – Backcountry “carpooling” with three people using one snowmobile and PowBot’s skijouring harness. 24:50 – Blowing up the secret spots. Cody Townsend’s new The 50+ episode about the West Shore of Lake Tahoe. 26:50 – Anthony got invited by Sierra Academy to the Hutchinson Lodge at Donner Summit for a photo and video presentation to kids about skiing.28:30 – Mount Rose aka Mount Surprise and skiing the Bronco Chutes near Relay Peak. 33:20 – Anthony featured in a short film about Mount Rose called “A Rose fo
