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colu mn: urba n access san fra ncisco text: ben kopke Winter's here, the rain's back and you don't know what to do with yourself. It's easy, pack up a car and head to Tahoe where Summer's biking, boardsailing and climb ing have given way to just about every winter activity you can think of-not to mention some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the US. Tahoe's fun-in-the-snow season kicks off in November and gen erally runs through April, with some of the larger ski resorts staying open into July. For local information contact the Tahoe Visitor's Center at 1-800-AT TAHOE. Getting there is simple, take Interstate 80 from San Francisco to Sacramento. In Sacramento the road splits. Continue on 80 East through the low-key towns of Truckee and Tahoe City, or exit onto highway 50, which will eventually drop you right in the glitzy middle of South Lake Tahoe and all its casino-glamour. Either way, it's only a short drive to all the Sierra Nevada's have to offer. north of the lake CROSS COUNTRY CASTLE PEAK Sick of rush hour in the cross country parks? Get off the beaten track and onto a section of the Pacific Crest Trail. A six-mile round-trip to Castle Pass ascends almost 2,000 feet before returning to the entrance trail. While many skiers use the route to reach backcountry like the bowl at Round Valley, it won't necessarily be broken or easy to follow so you should get your hands on some good maps before setting out. Look for the USGS Norden and Soda Spring topographic maps. Entrance to the trail can be gained off Interstate 80 near Donner Summit, site of the infamous family barbecue, just look for signs to the Snow Park area. EVEN OLD DOGS LEARN NEW TRICKS Think you're good? You can be better. Alpine Skills International (ASI) offers courses for all lev els of backcountry skiers, snowboarders and climbers. Improve your ski mountaineering tech nique for your first glacier tour, or learn the basics for your first step outside the groomed trails. ASI also has relatively cheap hostel-style lodging. Call ahead for space availabil ity and course information: 530-426-9108. FREE THE HEEL Learn to Telemark in an afternoon at Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort, the mother of all Tahoe cross country centers. Every weekend, clinics begin at 1 :45PM and should have you free-heeling by the end of the day. The only prerequisite is a halfway decent snowplow. Royal Gorge has over 175 miles of groomed cross country trails and four lifts to accommodate tele mark and cross-country skiers. Contact Royal Gorge at 530-426-3871 . STAY INSIDE No rope-ducking necessary. Squaw Valley's six peaks have some of the craziest in-bound skiing in North America. Off KT- 22 hit Moseley's for its steep 1,800-foot vertical, as well as Rock Garden and Dead Tree Cliffs. For some low-key runs head to the Saddle off KT-22, a groomed intermediate, as well as Siberia Bowl off Squaw Peak. Boarders should definitely make an appearance at the halfpipes and terrain park in Central Park East, if only to sit back, watch and be impressed. This winter Squaw Valley will be opening the " Funatel," a 46-cabin gondo la-train that will take you up to the Gold Coast complex in style. One of the few resorts in the Tahoe area with night skiing, you can ride until your legs turn to jelly. Contact Squaw Valley for information at 800-545-4350. south of the lake' KIRKWOOD lake tahoe Board a local favorite. With an average snowfall near 40 feet, Kirkwood's amazing powder conditions are borderline danger ous. While there head to Buckboard off Chair 11 for a good cruiser, while snow boarders should try Snowsnake Gully. Contact Kirkwood for snow conditions and more information at 209-258-6000.