Lake Tahoe

Authorities at Lake Tahoe on Monday solved the mystery of a scuba diver who disappeared 17 years ago in the mountain lake's deep, frigid waters. The well-preserved body of Donald Christopher Windecker was discovered July 23 on an underwater shelf, 265 feet below the surface. A remote-controlled mini-submarine with a robotic claw raised the remains July 27. The recovery occurred on the lake's west side, near Rubicon Point. Officials delayed releasing Windecker's name until dental records confirmed his identity.

Makes sense since the region straddles the two states, but California and Nevada officials announced Thursday that they are joining forces to lure the Winter Games back to Lake Tahoe in 2022. The return of the games to Lake Tahoe would mark the first time the games have been in the U.S. since Salt Lake City in 2002. Squaw Valley, a resort on the California side of Lake Tahoe, hosted the Winter games in 1960. The pristine mountain lake is surrounded by ski resorts on the California and Nevada sides.

With new jobs hard to find, some of the unemployed headed to the mountains this winter to look for a job, even if the work only lasts as long as the snow. Lake Tahoe area ski resort officials said they saw a significant surge in the number of applicants, many overqualified, for positions such as lift operators, parking lot attendants, ski instructors and chefs. People with graduate degrees and years of professional experience laid off from their "real jobs" have been willing to move to the snow, live with roommates and work for minimum wage.

Ski resorts from Southern California to Lake Tahoe are crowing over the latest series of storms that brought much-needed snow to a dry season in which they've been playing catch-up all winter. Bear Mountain and Snow Summit in Big Bear Lake received 24 to 27 inches of snow as of Sunday afternoon. Snow-making machines were turned off as the storm blew through the mountains. (Roads are open but chains are required on Highways 38, 18 and 330 that lead to the resorts.) The storm also dumped 18 to 22 inches of powder at Mountain High in Wrightwood where the East and West resorts opened Sunday.

Renting out a room in his home was both a financial necessity for Christopher Paulsen and a hedge against loneliness. "It was like empty nest syndrome, and I thought I could use a few bucks to offset costs," said Paulsen, 48, whose youngest son left home here last year. Paulsen placed an ad on Craigslist and got many responses. He chose an AmeriCorps volunteer to take over the room for a year in his two-bedroom town home in this small town at Lake Tahoe. "I don't want to raise kids over again, but this means I have someone around the house and helps pay the bills," Paulsen said.

Ski resorts from Southern California to Lake Tahoe are crowing over the latest series of storms that brought much-needed snow to a dry season in which they've been playing catch-up all winter. Bear Mountain and Snow Summit in Big Bear Lake received 24 to 27 inches of snow as of Sunday afternoon. Snow-making machines were turned off as the storm blew through the mountains. (Roads are open but chains are required on Highways 38, 18 and 330 that lead to the resorts.) The storm also dumped 18 to 22 inches of powder at Mountain High in Wrightwood where the East and West resorts opened Sunday.

The zip line today is what mountain biking was 10 years ago: a hot new money-maker for ski resorts in the off-season. Among the latest places to add such an attraction is Kirkwood Mountain Resort in Lake Tahoe . The price of its just-opened zip line: $125 per person. Turns out gravity is its own thrill ride. Kirkwood’s zip course, which connects eight segments, can  reach speeds of 35 miles per hour. Offering scenic views, it bobs and weaves through heavily forested parts of the mountain.

Bring on the snow (and indeed there's already snow at Lake Tahoe and Mammoth ) to cash in on this foul-weather deal. Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar in Truckee, Calif., discounts eats and drinks each time a bona fide storm warning is issued in the Lake Tahoe area. It's a nice way to meet the locals and take a break from the slopes -- provided you can get there and back.  The deal: Stormy Weather Get-Togethers, a kind of happy hour that goes into effect when the stormy weather blows, feature $3 microbrews, $1 off a glass of wine and $6 margaritas as well as discounts on appetizers, salads and entrees.

Bill Stall's article (Opinion, May 12), "Trouble at Tahoe: Water, Air and Traffic," is right in saying it is premature to declare Lake Tahoe "saved." The once crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe will always be in danger as long as there are people who want to build near the lake and other people who are willing to let them. I sincerely hope that representatives from California and Nevada will continue to negotiate through the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and agree on a plan to prevent further development of the area and continue conservation efforts.

At first glance "Lake Tahoe," the second feature by the 39-year-old Mexican director Fernando Eimbcke, looks very much like your standard minimalist import. Laconic characters, a fixed camera and unhurried rhythms amount these days to a lingua franca for international art film. It's a style that descends from such titans as Yasujir{omacronl} Ozu and Michelangelo Antonioni and that can now be seen in movies from every part of the world, not least those striving to capture the modern condition of estrangement and dislocation.

Marriott and Enterprise took two of the top honors in an annual poll of travel agents on suppliers and destinations they prefer. Marriott won for best hotel and resort chain and Enterprise for best domestic car rental company. Royal Caribbean was the top pick for best overall cruise line and Southwest was chosen best domestic airline. The poll of 113,000 agents was done for the trade magazine, Vacation Agent  . . . . Thinking of hiking Half Dome this summer? Note that permits will be required to ascend using the safety cables, the most popular route.

It's winter, so let the snow play begin. The ski-in, ski-out Resort at Squaw Creek at Lake Tahoe offers a family package starting at $299 a night that adds skiing, skating and sledding to room amenities. The deal: The offer is good for a room that accommodates two adults and two children 12 and younger.  Included in the package are free ice skating and skate rentals, free sledding and one free child's lift ticket (12 and younger) for Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. The deal requires a two-night minimum stay; prices start at $299 a night midweek and $349 a night on weekends.

Learning to ski or snowboard can be a little daunting -- and expensive. Several Lake Tahoe ski resorts this Saturday and Sunday are offering an insanely cheap deal called Learn to Ski and Board. It costs just $30 for gear, a group lesson and a lift ticket but only this weekend. Here are some participating resorts : Squaw Valley : Beginners ages 3 to 13 can learn how to ride or ski in morning or afternoon classes. Children check in at Squaw Kids. Reservations required; call (530)

Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky sexually abused a boy more than 100 times and threatened to harm his family to keep him quiet, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday by a new accuser who is not part of the criminal case. The 29-year-old, identified only as John Doe , had never told anyone about the abuse he claims he suffered until Sandusky was charged this month with abusing other boys. His lawyer said he filed a complaint with law enforcement on Tuesday.

About 42.5-million people will journey 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving this year, AAA says. That's up 4% over last year. The increase would be the first significant gain in holiday travel in 2011, the travel service says. The number of air passengers will rise 1.8% to 3.4 million, according to the report. Other estimates have predicted a drop in air travel. . . . TLC has ordered a new reality series that will take viewers behind the scenes at Southwest Airlines. The air date has not been announced.

Snow has started falling in Lake Tahoe's mountains, though ski resorts aren't scheduled to open until mid- to late November. But boarders and skiers revved up for the season might want to snag a six-pack -- six lift tickets at area resorts for $299 -- before the season begins. The deal: Ski Lake Tahoe Six-Pack Lift Ticket is on sale now for the 2011-12 season. Here's how it works: Each ticket can be redeemed for lift tickets at one of two resorts. Participating properties include Heavenly, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, Heavenly, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley USA. Holiday blackout dates and other restrictions apply.

A federal judge is blocking construction of new boating facilities on Lake Tahoe while he resolves an environmental lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed by the League to Save Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Club, challenges new regulations that would allow more than 100 new private piers, 10 new public piers, new boat ramps, mooring buoys and hundreds of slips. The regulations were adopted last year by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency after years of controversy. Environmentalists argue that new piers and ramps would increase motorized boating and the pollution that goes with it. In a recent ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence K. Karlton issued a preliminary injunction.

Bring on the snow (and indeed there's already snow at Lake Tahoe and Mammoth ) to cash in on this foul-weather deal. Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar in Truckee, Calif., discounts eats and drinks each time a bona fide storm warning is issued in the Lake Tahoe area. It's a nice way to meet the locals and take a break from the slopes -- provided you can get there and back.  The deal: Stormy Weather Get-Togethers, a kind of happy hour that goes into effect when the stormy weather blows, feature $3 microbrews, $1 off a glass of wine and $6 margaritas as well as discounts on appetizers, salads and entrees.