Tahoe Donner

Check your summer calendars and register early!

Summer will be here before we know it! That also means now is the time to start thinking about summer camp, swim lessons and other summer activities for you and your family. We opened up summer program registration in early March. This is two months earlier than in the past.

That’s right, due to the many requests last summer, we answered the call by beginning registration for Tahoe Donner Summer programs in March this year. The registration schedule – with dates and times – is below. Follow the links to get summer 2013 program info and links to the registration website.

Our diverse camp programs for ages 3 to 14 are packed full of learning and exploration. We believe in challenging your kids through new and diverse outdoor experiences. Our programs focus on outdoor education and environmental awareness. Day campers will participate in various activities such as river rafting, rock climbing, beach outings, hiking and exploring the Tahoe National Forest. Our staff aims to give each child a great mountain experience while providing a fun and safe learning environment. For information on 2013 Day Camps, including dates and rates, see Day Camp program information or our registration information page.

Monday, March 4, 8 a.m. – Day Camp Registration opened for Tahoe Donner members
Monday, March 18, 8 a.m. – Day Camp Registration opened for guests and public

We offer a variety of programs from youth and adult swim lessons to lifeguard training and certification. Come join us for some fun in the sun! For information on 2013 Aquatics programs, including dates and rates, see Aquatic program information or our registration information page. 

Monday, March 11, 8 a.m. – Aquatics Program Registration opened for Tahoe Donner members
Monday, March 25, 8 a.m. – Aquatics Registration opens for guests and public

Come explore the Sierra Nevada mountains by horseback. Join us for our Horsemanship Day Camps, back this summer by popular demand. For information on 2013 Equestrian Camps, including dates and rates, see the Equestrian page. Links to purchase Horsemanship Day Camps will be activated on the following dates:

Thursday, March 14, 8 a.m. – Horsemanship Day Camp Registration opened for Tahoe Donner members
Thursday, March 28, 8 a.m. – Horsemanship Day Camp Registration opens for guests and public

Children must be members in order to register on these days. Members are entitled to early registration dates, so if you are planning to register your child for any of these programs, please make sure your information is current at the Member Services office. All you need to do is make a quick call to the Member Services office at (530) 587-9400 to make sure your child is listed as a current member. We suggest you check the status of your children before the registration date so any issues can be resolved in advance of the registration date.

Be on the lookout for the 2013 Summer Fun Guide, coming soon.

Questions?

Call Lisa Hussar, Recreation Manager, at (530) 587-9438 or the Trout Creek Recreation Center at (530) 587-9437. For Equestrian questions, call Holly Cain at (530) 587-9470. If you would like assistance with the registration process or your online profile, contact Member Services at (530) 587-9400.

HOMEOWNER PROPERTY INSPECTION PROGRAM

View the FAQ sheet for the homeowner inspection program.

Tahoe Donner Association (TDA) was established in 1971 with the construction of private homes and multiple family units beginning in the spring of that year. Forty-two years later, TDA consists of 5,791 single family homes, 114 multiple family units, 567 undeveloped lots and 7,000 acres of land. As the association ages, maintaining the high quality of our community includes communicating and working with homeowners to address appearance issues.

Currently the Architectural Standards Office (ASO) performs compliance activities through positive engagement patrols. The compliance inspector covers all 68 miles of road in Tahoe Donner on a monthly basis and identifies, on average, 75 percent of all new compliance-related violations. The other 25 percent of compliance-related violations are generated by neighbor complaints. While staff does look for obvious violations when conducting street inspections, management has not had a systematic initiative to gain access to homeowner property for inspections as allowed by the Homeowner Defensible Space Program. Recognizing the fact that the association facilities and homeowner properties are aging, goals and objectives were identified in the Strategic Plan 2010-2015 to begin addressing both.

As a part of Strategic Plan Goal 4, work began this last year in developing a proposal to bring to the board of directors which would call for inspections of existing homeowner properties over a regular schedule as well as inspections of homeowner properties as they change hands in ownership or in the family. The board of directors discussed the plan at board meetings from July 2012 through September 2012; membership comments and feedback were considered during this period. At the September 2012 board meeting the board of directors approved moving forward with the program. The focus will be on providing education to homeowners on the association’s program while identifying properties whose exteriors may be in need of improvement to keep with association standards. Emphasis will be placed on compliance, not on punitive measures.

Homeowner Property Inspection Program

Goal
Preserve the appearance of Tahoe Donner homes so as to maintain home values in an aging community.

Inspection Details
There are two parts to the program:

Part 1: The program will be implemented on a unit-by-unit basis beginning with Unit 7. Approximately 250 homes in that unit are scheduled for exterior inspections of the view from the street. This is not new to existing operations, rather a codification of existing practices and a systematic approach to view the entire association beyond member complaints.

Part 2:  A full 360-degree exterior inspection will occur after a property transfer. This part of the initiative is new and allows the association to address any exterior compliance issues at rate of 250-500 homes per year.

Inspections will focus on the following elements:

1. Does structure have any damage?
a. Is structure in need of staining or painting?

2. Quality of roof
a. Any maintenance needed; missing shingles?
b. Does metal roof need repainting?
c. Chimney cap or flashing need maintenance?

3. Garbage Can Enclosure (GCE) or Animal Resistant Garbage Can Enclosure (ARGCE)
a. Is there an ARGCE or a wooden enclosure?
b. Maintenance issues?
c. Does structure need painting or staining?

4. Is exterior lighting compliant?
a. Are any fixtures broken or in disrepair?
b. Are flood lamps aimed downward?

5. Are all visible deck or stair brackets painted?

6. Check for any illegal structures (additions, fencing, sheds, etc).

7. Does gas meter have adequate protection from potential snow load?  If meter already has a shed for protection, is it painted to blend in with the house?

Implementation and Inspections:
Homeowners will receive a 10-day notice that their property has been scheduled for an exterior inspection. The Tahoe Donner compliance inspector will conduct inspections beginning in February 2013. Notification of inspection results will be mailed via certified mail (return receipt requested). If your home passes the initial inspection, you will be notified by postcard and no further action will be required. If your initial inspection indicates that action is needed, we will work with you to define a reasonable timeline for compliance.

Program Compliance
Enforcement of the program will be supported by existing Architectural Standards and Covenants Rules and Regulations.

Program Administration
Program administration will be assigned to the ASO along with the Architectural Standards and Covenants Committees, and is scheduled for launch in February of 2013.

Call the ASO office at (530) 587-9406 or email Tahoe Donner’s compliance inspector, Roy Richner, at rrichner@tahoedonner.com with questions or to obtain more information.

A copy of Tahoe Donner’s Covenants Rules and Regulations can be downloaded online.

Get out and play! Here are some enjoyable Tahoe Donner activities paired perfectly for winter.

Cross Country Night Skiing and Race Series
Every Wednesday through February 27 enjoy skiing 5 kilometers of trails under the lights from 5 – 7 p.m. In addition, Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center hosts night race series for those looking for a little competition. For more information on ticket pricing and dates of the race series visit Tahoe Donner cross country events or call (530) 587-9484.

Condition your Body at Trout Creek  
Conditioning the body for winter sports will help increase performance and prevent injury. Trout Creek Recreation Center offers a Core Strength and Balance Training class and Yoga for Skiing. For more information on program times and classes offered visit Tahoe Donner fitness classes or call (530) 587-9437.

Full Moon Snowshoe
Count the stars and experience the solitude of winter evenings by joining us for a full moon snowshoe. For a complete list of full moon snowshoe dates and pricing visit Tahoe Donner Recreation or call (530) 587-9437.

Bingo Night at Pizza on the Hill
Pizza on the Hill introduces Bingo night during the winter on Saturdays from 6 – 8 p.m. The summer Bingo nights are immensely popular, so we’re trying out winter Bingo. Join in the fun, win great prizes and snack on tasty pizza and sandwiches from the new menu. Pizza on the Hill also returns to regular operating hours of 5 – 8:30 p.m., Thursday – Sunday.

This year Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area is introducing ski and snowboard lessons for the little ones. It’s the perfect option for families who wants all the kids to have fun on the hill. The Snowflakes program is great for the beginner skier and Snow Shredders is the way to go for the snowboarder. Both programs cost $119 per day, include lunch, and are offered daily from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

For parents that want to hone in their skills while the kiddos are off having fun, Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area has a few great options. Read below for lessons and packages and visit the lesson page for even more information.

2012-13 Snowflakes Ski School (ages 3 – 6 )

The Snowflakes Ski School has special instructors and its own kids’ room. Each session includes specialized instruction and a low student-to-instructor ratio. Children must be at least 3 years of age, potty trained, and willing to ski.

Snowflakes (age 3 skiers) $79 Half Day only
Snowflakes (age 4-6 skiers) $119 Full Day, $79 Half Day
Morning 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Afternoon 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Full Day 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  Full day lessons include lunch.

Purchase online at ShopTD or call (530) 587-9444 and then press “0″ to make your reservations today.

2012-13 Snow Shredders (ages 5 – 6)

Snow Shredders is designed for the youngest snowboarders, ages 5 – 6. Small class sizes plus energetic instructors add up to a great learning experience.  Each session includes specialized instruction and low student-to-instructor ratio.

Snow Shredders (age 5-6 snowboarders) $119 Full Day, $79 Half Day
Morning 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Afternoon 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Full Day 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  Full day lessons include lunch.

Purchase online at ShopTD or call (530) 587-9444 and then press “0″ to make your reservations today.

Helmet Policy: Tahoe Donner requires all students under age 13 to wear a ASTM F2040 helmet. We offer helmets in our rental shop for $8 and helmets available for purchase. All packages include helmets.

2012-13 Private Lessons

Classes will move at your own pace and are individually tailored to your group. Reservations can be made by calling (530) 587-9444 or by stopping by the ticket office.

Half day private (3 hours for up to 4 people) $229
Full day private (6 hours for up to 4 people) $395
One hour private $89 all levels; $20 per hour for each additional person

2012-13 Adult Ski and Snowboard Group Lesson Packages

These packages are designed for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.  Packages include a full day lift ticket, a two hour group lesson and full day equipment rental, including helmet.

Adult (ages 13-59) $89
Senior (60-69) $79
Lesson Only $45
Morning 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Afternoon 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Purchase online at ShopTD or call (530) 587-9444 and then press “0″ to make your reservations today.

Tahoe Donner is proud to announce a variety of new improvements for the 2012-13 winter season, which will enhance the member and guest experience including additional ski/snowboard lesson options for children, terrain upgrades and equipment purchases.

Pisten Bully Groomers
New to our winter operations this season are two grooming machines that will provide a significant improvement to both the cross country ski center and downhill ski area. The cross country ski center has purchased a brand new Pisten Bully Nordic 400 with a full factory-built track setting tiller system and a custom-built additional 45 gallon fuel tank. This is the absolute latest and greatest nordic track-setting machine that was used at the 2012 FIS Nordic World Championships. The extra fuel tank will allow Tahoe Donner to groom more trails in less time on a daily basis. The downhill machine is a Pisten Bully 400 Park model that will not only set amazing corduroy, but will help operators construct a state-of-the-art terrain park.

Full-Day Kids Ski Lessons
This is the first season that Tahoe Donner will regularly offer full-day ski lessons for kids. Full-day lessons were previously offered through the season-long or ski/skate week programs. This year there will be all-day options for the following age groups:
Snowflakes Ski School: 4 – 6, 7 – 12
Snowboard Snow Shredders: 5 – 6, 7 – 12
Three-year-olds can still take the half-day lessons that have been offered in the past, but will have to wait another year to participate in the all-day lessons.

10K+ of Cross Country Trails
Over the summer months, some great new terrain was identified for the cross country trail system. Miller Time is a short loop located at the west end of Euer Valley. This blue trail meanders through trees and meadows and is a great addition for anyone skiing Coyote Crossing. Cheetah is another short loop, which extends to the east of Lion’s Leap with views into Carpenter Valley. A short stretch of trail has been added to Showdown, which eliminates the steepest climb to make the trail a bit more skier friendly. Finally there are two new, unnamed trails – one is another snowshoe trail into Euer Valley off of Sundance, and the second is a long loop that summits Red Mountain and navigates the saddle on the west side. This last trail will be groomed only during specific weeks during the season, so stay tuned for more information as to when you can explore the new terrain.

Alder Creek Nordic Center
The beginning planning phase of this facility space began in 2011 and is moving along accordingly. Management and the general plan committee reviewed the preliminary space needs and program requirements, and have engaged membership in discussion at the board of director lead monthly board meetings. In late 2012 and upon board approval, the architect and general contractor shall commence with additional Town Hall meetings to further develop schematic design and construction cost updates for project completion slated for a date in late 2014.

Snowplay and Driving Range improvements
With increased Snowplay visitation and subsequent necessary accessible upgrades, a remodeled ticket kiosk, staircase, ramp, and driving range berming have been completed to improve summer events and winter activities.

Parking Lot Expansion
A new parking lot has been added at the downhill ski area. Tahoe Donner now offers an additional 65 parking stalls available for guest use, which is a 33% increase in parking capacity. The total capacity is now 260 vehicles on-site, an additional shuttle stop, and on-street overflow parking available during peak season. This enables Tahoe Donner to offer guests additional convenience and service throughout the ski season.

Cell Tower at the top of Eagle Rock Ski Lift
Upon successfully fulfilling the necessary contractual agreements required by the Tahoe Donner Board of Directors, American Tower (the general contractor awarded to install the cell tower and acquire interested service providers) is now working with local agencies for necessary construction permits and approvals. Aiming to start construction in 2013, the tower will be modeled as a pine tree and will be strategically located west of Eagle Rock, to include a larger area of improved coverage beyond Skislope Way.

Wayfinding Signage
Twelve main signs in Tahoe Donner as well as several smaller directional signs have been designed and constructed by renowned sign makers, Weidner Architectural Signage, whose clients include Adobe, Levi Strauss & Co., and California Academy of Sciences. Tahoe Donner management feels the new signs will enhance and better reflect the vibrant feel of the community. The main monument at the base of Tahoe Donner is made of Cor-Ten® metal – the latest trend in architecture because of its unique look and naturally oxidizing finish – which transforms into a rich color and texture over time, while maintaining its durability for years to come. All new signs incorporate the profile view of two popular ridgelines; along the top of the sign is a view of the Sierra Crest as seen from the Tahoe Donner Beach Club Marina, and Castle Peak as viewed along the Pacific Crest Trail. “The challenge presented was to develop and implement a sign program that unifies one of the largest homeowner associations in the country and have the signage be a reflection of the culture and beliefs of the residents.” said Designer/Senior Account Executive for Weidner Architectural Signage, Arie Kover. “The branding and way-finding signage was designed and fabricated with materials to endure harsh Sierra seasons.”

Dining and Pro Shop improvements at The Lodge
Upon direction from the board of directors and recent approvals from Truckee Planning Commission, our general contractor and architect are working to start constructing the covered pub deck, new sun deck, pro shop and snack bar expansion, kitchen improvements, and permanent grotto bar through the winter months and into the spring of 2013 as the operation’s schedule allows.