Adamanda's USA '95: Ski Trip

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After two ski holidays in the French Alps we thought we'd have a go in the USA. What a contrast! Great organisation, everyone's friendly, low prices - it's very different from skiing in France, although despite the inevitable natural beauty of the mountains, the towns in the Sierra Nevada can't compare to the cuteness of Savoyarde villages. Mind you, there are some pretty nasty purpose-built resorts in France too.

Lake Tahoe

Ringed by mountains, beautiful Lake Tahoe is the setting for several downhill and cross-country ski areas. This view of South-western Lake Tahoe was taken from a trail on the California side of Heavenly Valley. (Lake Tahoe is exactly on the "elbow" of the California/Nevada state line. Heavenly is the only ski resort in the USA straddling two states).

It's a beautiful place - the sky is so blue, and the lake is so smooth - this 1/30th second exposure was taken braced on the rail of the Tahoe Queen going back to Heavenly from Squaw Valley, and there's no blur!

Emerald Bay is, depending who tells you, the most photographed part of Lake Tahoe/California/the World. Whatever, I can understand why - it's stunning. The hermit who once lived on the tiny island in the middle built the small tower to be buried in, but his rowing boat sank in a storm on the Lake and his body was never recovered.

Lake Tahoe from a ski lift
Lake Tahoe from a ski lift 		Lake Tahoe from the deck of the Tahoe Queen
Lake Tahoe from the deck of the Tahoe Queen
Emerald Bay
Emerald Bay 		Emerald Bay
Emerald Bay Tahoe Queen in Emerald Bay
Tahoe Queen in Emerald Bay

San Francisco

A bonus (as if one were required or deserved) of skiing in California is that from London you fly to San Francisco, undoubtedly one of the world's great cities. After we'd skiied we spent a couple of days in the City staying at the incredibly cheap Travelodge on Fisherman's Wharf. From our room we could see Pier 39 (and hear the sealions!) in one direction and the Coit Tower in the other.

The February weather was a bit miserable to get good photos until our last few hours in the city, when the fog magically cleared to allow Amanda a great picture of the Golden Gate Bridge from the eastern viewpoint while I got this photo of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco from a little way up into the Marin Headlands.

Golden Gate Bridge Golden Gate Bridge


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