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Whether you have the popular Ikon, Epic Pass, other season pass, or don’t have a pass this winter, join skiers, snowboarders to connect for Lake Tahoe Ski and Ride Trips ❄️⛷🏂
Mark your calendars and join SnowPals‘ Social Meetups! Read about us on Facebook | Yelp
Come hang with SnowPals and plan this winter’s ski, snowboard trips to Lake Tahoe to make the most of your pass, to powder hound to Utah, Colorado, Jackson Hole Wy, the Cascades Mountains, Japan powder hound aka JaPOW (Feb 2-8, 2025 JaPow trip to Niseko United), French and Italian Alps, Austria or where ever there are deep powder snow freshies to be had! Here’s an opportunity to expand your circle of ski, ride pals for resort based and backcountry ski touring. SnowPals over the years have helped to form countless friendships, and a few marriages 😉 View past events photos.
Join our fun Social Meetups: RSVP below or on EventBrite (link opens in a new window)
RSVP for
👉 SF Backcountry Skier, Split-boarders Meetup on Tuesday January 14, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM with special guest Richard Bothwell (pro backcountry guide and Avy instructor) (scroll down to read event details)
👉 South Bay Silicon Valley Thursday Meetup on Thursday January 16, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
👉 San Carlos Meetup on Thursday January 16, 2025, 6 PM to 8 PM
PAST EVENTS
👉 South Bay Santana Row Whiskey Tasting on Wednesday January 8, from 5 PM to 7 PM
Past Kickoff Events:
=== 1/14/2025 San Francisco Backcountry Skiers, Split Boarders Meetup ===
Join backcountry skiers and snowboarders to connect for BC ski touring trips, share tips, wisdom and experiences and exchange contacts with similar skill level backcountry skiers/split-boarders.
When: Tuesday 1/14/2025 from 6pm to 8pm.
Where: Zeitgeist located at 199 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103. Enjoy craft beers & a spacious patio with picnic benches create a festive setting for this popular Mission spot. “Founded in 1977, the bar and beer garden Zeitgeist is a Historic Legacy Business in San Francisco, known for their Bloody Marys, Margaritas, 64 taps of craft beer, and full bar.” View drink and eats menu.
Host for this event: Aubrey with co-host Steve.
SnowPals’ Event Fee:
$10 for members
$19 for non-members (join SnowPals to get the members’ event discount rate). Read about us on Facebook | Yelp
Light appetizers will be ordered for our group; enjoy some tasty finger foods with your drinks! Pay for your own drinks and any other food, as desired. *Event fee terms: your event ticket is transferable to another person for the same event date if you can not go. No refunds.
This event is limited to 25 participants max; we will update this page when this event is fully booked.
If this event is fully booked, to get waitlisted.
RSVP below or on EventBrite (link opens in a new window)
1) reach out to Tim at to let us know (copy and paste the following questions to your email to answer)
a) which event are you RSVPing for?
b) how many people are on your RSVP? Yours and their name(s)?
c) for Tahoe ride-sharing, which resort(s) do you frequent? Can you offer a ride or would like to be a passenger?d) are you interested in small group travel discount trips from international ski/ride POWDER destinations, trips to SoCal’s Mammoth Mountain Resort (leveraging your Ikon Pass), to chase deep powder snow freshies to resorts in..
Utah, Colorado, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Wyoming (averages around 38.1 feet of snow annually),
the Cascades Range (extend northward for more than 700 miles (1,100 km) from Lassen Peak, in northern California, U.S., through Oregon and Washington to the Fraser River in southern British Columbia),
Alyeska Resort on the Ikon Pass in Alaska (this resort averages around 54.1 feet of snow annually, but can receive as much as 70.6 feet of snow. It’s located in Chugach State Park, just outside of Anchorage),
Mount Baker Ski Area on the Ikon Pass, Washington
This resort averages around 54.1 feet/16.5 meters of snow annually.
Once you send us your email RSVP, we’ll request event payment. Your event payment confirms your participation.
When you arrive at the event venue, please ask for the SnowPals table/gathering spot, show your digital or printed receipt at the event to Aubrey and Steve (co-host) for entry.
Arrive early as appetizers are limited, enjoy while they last. Pay for your own drinks & any other food, as desired. Please put this event on your your calendar with a reminder so you won’t forget.
SnowPals’ SF meetup after work: Richard Bothwell, will be our guest for this evening’s SF backcountry meetup:“ Richard Bothwell, Backcountry CFO (Chief Fun Officer)
Since 1996, Richard has been the backwoods & backcountry expert, climbing guide, splitboard guide, and a pretty good backcountry cook, too. Richard has climbed, skied, snowboarded and guided trips all over the world including 4 of the “7 Summits” (Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Denali, and Elbrus).
He’s climbed extensively in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru, including summtiing Alpamayo, Artesonraju, and Tocllaraju. He’s also snowboarded down 7500 meter/24,000′ peaks in China. He’s surfed (poorly) on four continents as well.Richard served at the Executive Director of AIARE (American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education) from 2016-2018.
In 2023, Richard authored Light Tours of Tahoe, a backcountry ski guide focusing on mellow tours that avoid avalanche terrain.Certifications and trainings that Richard holds or has held: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and Top Rope Site Manager, AMGA Apprentice Backcountry Ski Guide, AIARE Level 3 avalanche training, AIARE Avalanche Course Leader, Wilderness First Responder, PSIA 1 Ski Instructor, and ACA Sea kayak instructor.
Richard is passionate about avalanche education and backcountry snowboarding. He teaches avalanche classes for The Nickolay Dodov Foundation, Feather River College and Lake Tahoe Community College. Most of all, Richard loves connecting with people and sharing his knowledge with others.”Join us to ask him your QA backcountry ski touring questions at 6pm tonight. See you there!
Frequently Asked Question:
Why is it a good idea to have a backcountry skiing partner?
Having a backcountry skiing partner is crucial for safety, as it allows for shared decision-making, immediate assistance in case of an accident, better avalanche safety measures with beacon checks, and the ability to help one another in challenging terrain, significantly reducing the risks associated with venturing into the backcountry alone; essentially, a partner provides a safety net and enhances overall enjoyment of the experience by sharing the responsibility and knowledge of the mountain environment.
Key reasons to partner up for backcountry skiing tours:
✔ Avalanche safety:
A partner can help with avalanche risk assessment, beacon searches, and rescue efforts if someone gets caught in an avalanche.
✔ Decision-making:
Sharing the responsibility of route selection and deciding when to turn back based on conditions.
✔ Emergency response:
In case of an injury, a partner can provide immediate first aid and call for help.
✔ Communication and accountability:
Open communication about concerns and abilities, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
✔ Shared knowledge and experience:
Learning from each other’s skills and expertise, especially if one partner has more experience in the backcountry.
✔ Enhanced enjoyment:
✔ Sharing the adventure and the thrill of the backcountry with someone else creates a more positive experience.
Join SnowPals to partner up to pool resources, wisdom, and to stay safe for backcountry skiing / split boarding touring adventures.
Feel free to with friends to invite.
=== 11/14/2024 San Francisco Kickoff ===
Limited appetizer platters will be ordered for our group; enjoy sumptuous appetizers with your drinks! Pay for your own drinks & any other food, as desired.
When: Thursday November 14th, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. Asiento specializes in craft drinks, creative cocktails and delectable bar bites. A live band will be playing in the parklet area.
Where: Asiento 2730 21st Street in SF
Asiento is 21+ inside but have a large parklet outside.
Host for this event: Maureen will help connect skiers and boarders, and facilitate winter Tahoe ride sharing. She is an *Advanced level rider (25+ yrs) with an EPIC pass* and she loves to snowboard and connecting people to share their love of snow sports! Her joy of life is riding through the trees & fresh powder.
She has been to a few international resorts, and got more on her snowboard travel destination list to tackle! Also her top Tahoe resort is Palisades/Alpine (had IKON pass last 2 seasons). Previous ski leases (but not this year).
Maureen works 12 hr shifts in medicine, off weekdays (likes to avoid weekend skiing chaos). Any others with similar schedule/flexibility? Be sure to connect with her! She lives to chase powder; so far for 2024, one trip to Snowbird in Jan, Whistler in Feb. Otherwise Tahoooooe!! 😉
** If you have your season pass ID badge, wear it to easily connect with other pass holders who have the same pass. **
Event Fee: $10 per person. Light appetizers will be ordered for the event. Event fee terms: ticket is transferable to another person if you can not go. No refunds.
Event Capacity 60: as of November 10, 2024, we are fully booked at capacity of 60 RSVPS. Our first batch of tickets on Eventbrite is sold out. This is the second batch. We’ll close the RSVP form below when we reach 60.
When you arrive, please ask for the SnowPals table/gathering spot, Maureen is the event host, show your digital or printed receipt at the event for entry. Arrive early as appetizers are limited, enjoy while they last. Pay for your own drinks & any other food, as desired. Please put this event on your your calendar reminder so you won’t forget.
TRANSPORTATION: Take the BART 24th Street exit (use BART Trip Planner) or use Uber ride. Area parking available.
Meetup agenda:
* enjoy drinks, appetizers, share last season’s powder day stories
Get maximum use out of your Ikon Pass, Epic Pass, Mountain Collective Pass, Powder Alliance Pass, Indy Pass, Cali Pass, or resort specific pass
+ exchange contacts for AWD 4WD rideshare to/from Lake Tahoe
+ connect with similar skill level ski, ride buddies for resort & backcountry
* share tips on which season pass is best to buy: Ikon, Epic, Indy, Cali, Power Alliance, Gold Pass, etc. (join to leverage group discount season pass) for those still deciding
* Join our JaPOW Trio in February 2025 ski/ride travel destination trip to Hokkaido (to Niseko United resorts) to make max use of your Ikon and Epic Pass (option for backcountry local mountain guide/side country CAT skiing)
* plan chase powder trips to Utah, CO, Jackson Hole WY, Austria, French, Italian, and Japanese Alps, Whistler Blackcomb, Lake Louise trip for both resort based leveraging your season pass (and backcountry skiing)
* meet/join group cabin ski lease share organizers(many of the ski lease organizers are the same from the previous year), learn more about joining a cabin for the winter
* get inside tips and advice on all things Lake Tahoe and snow sports from our avid skiers, riders
We hope to see you there to make some new ski/ride pals and to get stoked for the 2024/25 ski/board winter season!
=== 11/7/2024 Oakland Kickoff ===
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When: Thursday November 7, 2024, from 6 to 8pm
Where: Mad Oak Bar ‘N’ Yard – is a happening watering hole with a patio, plus beer on tap & rotating chefs dishing up tasty snacks.view their drinks and grub menu.
Event Host: Ashlee will help connect skiers and boarders, and facilitate winter Tahoe ride sharing at the event. She loves to shred POW, and she’s an Ikon Pass holder for the 2024/25 winter. She also runs a ski lease share in Tahoe City with 2-3 spots available, interested? check out her listing.
Event Fee: $10 per person. Light appetizers will be ordered for the event. Event fee terms: ticket is transferable to another person if you can not go. No refunds.
RSVP for Oakland’s Kickoff (opens in a new window)
When you arrive, please ask for the SnowPals table/gathering spot, Ashlee is the event host, show your digital or printed receipt at the event for entry. Arrive early as appetizers are limited, enjoy while they last. Pay for your own drinks & any other food, as desired. Please put this event on your your calendar reminder so you won’t forget.
** If you have your season pass ID badge, wear it to easily connect with other pass holders who have the same pass. **
Event Area Map
Use BART Trip Planner to plan it.
We hope to see you there to make some new ski/ride pals and to get stoked for the 2024/25 ski/board winter season!
=== 1/8/2025 Santana Row West San Jose Whiskey Tasting Meetup ===
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Vintage Wine Merchant Santana Row Whiskey Tasting: Woodford Reserve
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Tasting Flight Fee: $20.00 pay directly to Vintage Wine Merchants
SnowPals’ Event Fee:
$10 for members
$19 for non-members (join SnowPals to get the members’ event discount rate)
*event fee includes limited light appetizers
Host: Tim (SnowPals CFO, Chief Fun Officer/founder)
1) reach out to Tim at to let us know (copy and paste the following questions to your email to answer)
a) which event are you RSVPing for?
b) how many people are on your RSVP? Yours and their name(s)?
c) for Tahoe ride-sharing, which resort(s) do you frequent? Can you offer a ride or would like to be a passenger?d) are you interested in small group travel discount trips from international ski/ride POWDER destinations, to trips to SoCal’s Mammoth Mountain Resort (leveraging your Ikon Pass), to chase deep powder snow freshies to resorts in..
Utah, Colorado, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Wyoming (averages around 38.1 feet of snow annually),
the Cascades Range (extend northward for more than 700 miles (1,100 km) from Lassen Peak, in northern California, U.S., through Oregon and Washington to the Fraser River in southern British Columbia),
Alyeska Resort on the Ikon Pass in Alaska (this resort averages around 54.1 feet of snow annually, but can receive as much as 70.6 feet of snow. It’s located in Chugach State Park, just outside of Anchorage),
Mount Baker Ski Area on the Ikon Pass, Washington
This resort averages around 54.1 feet/16.5 meters of snow annually.
Once you send us your email RSVP, we’ll request event payment. Your event payment confirms your participation.
When you arrive, please look for Tim in the bar seating area, show your digital or printed event receipt for entry. Arrive early as appetizers are limited, enjoy while they last. Please put this event on your calendar with a reminder so you won’t forget.
** If you have your season pass ID badge, wear it to easily connect with other pass holders who have the same pass. **
Tasting Event Details:
Nestled in the heart of Kentucky’s rolling hills, the Woodford Reserve Distillery is a beacon of tradition and craftsmanship. As you approach, the picturesque landscape greets you with an air of timeless elegance, where the art of bourbon-making has been perfected for generations.
Whiskey Tasting Flight
Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey
Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey Double Oaked
Woodford Reserve Malt Whiskey
Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey
Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey
Where: Vintage Wine Merchants 377 Santana Row, Suite 1135, San Jose CA 95128 (click for driving directions)
=== 1/16/2025 South Bay Silicon Valley Meetup ===
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When: Thursday 1/16/2025, 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Where: Sports Basement Sunnyvale’s Summit Room | 1177 Kern Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94085 (click for driving directions).
Event Host: Jasmine is an avid snowboarder with an IKON pass and loves to share her passion for snow sports with other people! She’s aiming to learn more tricks and jumps in the parks this season! Jasmine has been to a couple resorts in the U.S. to chase pow but hopes to powder hound to some international destinations in the future. She works full time in the medical tech industry, and is off on the weekends. If anyone has a similar schedule/flexibility, be sure to reach out to her at the kickoff!
This event is limited to 50 participants.
If this event is fully booked, to get waitlisted.
Event Fee:
$10 for members
$19 for non-members (join SnowPals to get the members’ event discount rate). Read about us on Facebook | Yelp
*Limited light appetizers will be ordered for the event. **Event fee terms: ticket is transferable to another person for the same event date if you can not go. No refunds.
Event Exclusive Discount Perks: Basementeers get 20% off purchases while non members get 11% off purchases.
How to RSVP?
1) reach out to Tim at to let us know (copy and paste the following questions to your email to answer)
a) which event are you RSVPing for?
b) how many people are on your RSVP? Yours and their name(s)?
c) for Tahoe ride-sharing, which resort(s) do you frequent? Can you offer a ride or would like to be a passenger?d) are you interested in small group travel discount trips to international ski/ride POWDER destinations, and trips to SoCal’s Mammoth Mountain Resort (leveraging your Ikon Pass), to chase deep powder snow freshies to resorts in..
Utah, Colorado, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Wyoming (averages around 38.1 feet of snow annually),
the Cascades Range (extend northward for more than 700 miles (1,100 km) from Lassen Peak, in northern California, U.S., through Oregon and Washington to the Fraser River in southern British Columbia),
Alyeska Resort on the Ikon Pass in Alaska (this resort averages around 54.1 feet of snow annually, but can receive as much as 70.6 feet of snow. It’s located in Chugach State Park, just outside of Anchorage),
Mount Baker Ski Area on the Ikon Pass, Washington
This resort averages around 54.1 feet/16.5 meters of snow annually.
Once you send us your email RSVP, we’ll request event payment. Your event payment confirms your participation.
When you arrive, please join the group in the Summit room, Jasmine is the event host, show your digital or printed receipt to her for entry. Arrive early as appetizers are limited, enjoy while they last. Please put this event on your calendar with a reminder so you won’t forget.
** If you have your season pass ID badge, wear it to easily connect with other pass holders who have the same pass. **
We hope to see you there to make some new ski/ride pals and to get stoked for the 2024/25 ski/board winter season!
=== 1/16/2025 San Carlos Meetup ===
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When: Thursday 1/16/2025, 6pm to 8pm
Hapa’s Brewing Company 722 Laurel St, San Carlos, CA 94070 (Get driving directions). | View the craft beer menu, food menu
Event Host: Meghana. “I’m beginner level skier based in the Bay Area. I love spending weekends at Lake Tahoe (historically, Northstar, Palisades, or Squaw Valley resorts) to practice and enjoy the slopes. In the off season, I also enjoy kite-surfing or biking locally. I’m looking to connect with other winter sports enthusiasts to share tips, explore new runs, improve skills, and make the most of the Tahoe winter recreation. Whether you’re into skiing, snowboarding, or just enjoy the apres-ski vibe, I’d love to meet some like-minded people!”
This event is limited to 30 participants.
If this event is fully booked, to get waitlisted.
Event Fee:
$10 for members
$19 for non-members (join SnowPals to get the members’ event discount rate). Read about us on Facebook | Yelp
*Limited light appetizers will be ordered for the event. *Event fee terms: ticket is transferable to another person for the same event date if you can not go. No refunds.
1) reach out to Tim at to let us know (copy and paste the following questions to your email to answer)
a) which event are you RSVPing for?
b) how many people are on your RSVP? Yours and their name(s)?
c) for Tahoe ride-sharing, which resort(s) do you frequent? Can you offer a ride or would like to be a passenger?d) are you interested in small group travel discount trips to international ski/ride POWDER destinations, trips to SoCal’s Mammoth Mountain Resort (leveraging your Ikon Pass), to chase deep powder snow freshies to resorts in..
Utah, Colorado, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Wyoming (averages around 38.1 feet of snow annually),
the Cascades Range (extend northward for more than 700 miles (1,100 km) from Lassen Peak, in northern California, U.S., through Oregon and Washington to the Fraser River in southern British Columbia),
Alyeska Resort on the Ikon Pass in Alaska (this resort averages around 54.1 feet of snow annually, but can receive as much as 70.6 feet of snow. It’s located in Chugach State Park, just outside of Anchorage),
Mount Baker Ski Area on the Ikon Pass, Washington
This resort averages around 54.1 feet/16.5 meters of snow annually.
Once you send us your email RSVP, we’ll request event payment. Your event payment confirms your participation.
When you arrive, show your digital or printed receipt to Meghana for entry. Arrive early as appetizers are limited, enjoy while they last. Please put this event on your calendar with a reminder so you won’t forget.
** If you have your season pass ID badge, wear it to easily connect with other pass holders who have the same pass. **
We hope to see you there to make some new ski/ride pals and to get stoked for the 2024/25 ski/board winter season!
=== 1/14/2024 Silicon Valley Kickoff ===
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When: Thursday November 14, 2024, from 6:15pm to 8:15pm
Where: Laughing Monk Brewery in Sunnyvale. Brewpub known for its house-brewed beer, industrial-chic ambiance, pub fare & outdoor patio. View their drinks and grub menu. 1235 Oakmead Pkwy, Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Event Host: Jasmine is an avid snowboarder with an IKON pass and loves to share her passion for snow sports with other people! She’s aiming to learn more tricks and jumps in the parks this season! Jasmine has been to a couple resorts in the U.S. to chase pow but hopes to powder hound to some international destinations in the future. She works full time in the medical tech industry, and is off on the weekends. If anyone has a similar schedule/flexibility, be sure to reach out to her at the kickoff!
Event Fee: $10 per person. Light appetizers will be ordered for the event. Event fee terms: ticket is transferable to another person if you can not go. No refunds.
RSVP for Silicon Valley Kickoff (opens in a new window)
When you arrive, please ask for the SnowPals table/gathering spot, Jasmine is the event host, show your digital or printed receipt to her for entry. Arrive early as appetizers are limited, enjoy while they last. Pay for your own drinks & any other food, as desired. Please put this event on your your calendar reminder so you won’t forget.
** If you have your season pass ID badge, wear it to easily connect with other pass holders who have the same pass. **
We hope to see you there to make some new ski/ride pals and to get stoked for the 2024/25 ski/board winter season!
=== 12/4/2024 North Bay Kickoff in Petaluma ===
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When: Wednesday December 4, 2024, from 6:30 to 8:30pm
Where: Henhouse Brewery at 1333 N. McDowell Boulevard
Petaluma, CA 94954 – is a happening taproom pouring signature local brews & special releases by the pint or the taster..view their drinks and grub menu.
Event Host: Emily Huston will help connect skiers and boarders, and facilitate winter Tahoe ride sharing at the event. She is a skier with a deep love for the mountains, and this year, she’s setting her sights on more backcountry adventures. She’s lived in Mexico, Argentina, Finland, and Switzerland—though she likes to joke that it’s five countries if you count Texas! As a former USA/professional athlete and founder of HomeTeam, Emily has dedicated herself to helping retired and injured athletes find purpose beyond their sport, blending her passion for adventure with her commitment to supporting others through life’s big transitions. She also runs a ski lease share in Tahoe City with available spots, interested? check out her listing.
Event Fee: $10 per person. Light appetizers will be ordered for the event. Event fee terms: ticket is transferable to another person if you can not go. No refunds.
RSVP for North Bay Kickoff (opens in a new window)
When you arrive, please ask for the SnowPals table/gathering spot, Emily is the event host, show your digital or printed receipt at the event for entry. Arrive early as appetizers are limited, enjoy while they last. Pay for your own drinks & any other food, as desired. Please put this event on your your calendar reminder so you won’t forget.
** If you have your season pass ID badge, wear it to easily connect with other pass holders who have the same pass. **
PAST EVENT PHOTOS
with friends and family ♥
❄️☃️⛷⛸
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