Rahlves Banzai Returns
April 6–12, 2026 | Published April 6, 2026
Hope everyone had a nice Easter, and greetings from Copper Mountain, Colorado! I’m out here with the family for USASA Nationals at Copper and taking in the future of freestyle skiing. Shoutout to all the North Tahoe athletes that made the trek!
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
Weather shift mid-week: Warm and sunny Monday–Tuesday (mid-60s), then a pattern change with showers returning Wednesday through the weekend. Snow levels stay high (7,000–9,000 ft).
Rahlves Banzai is back at Palisades (April 10–12): An iconic event returns after a long hiatus with a one of a kind hybrid freeride + ski cross race and a $20K purse.
Cushing Crossing Pond Skim moves to Sunday: The 34th annual pond skim goes down April 12.
Truckee Literary Crawl: A free, multi-venue event April 10–11 featuring 60+ authors across downtown Truckee.
Forest Service reorganization impacts Tahoe: Federal restructuring could affect Tahoe National Forest management.
WEATHER OUTLOOK
This week starts warm and dry, then turns more unsettled by midweek.
Monday and Tuesday look like the warmest days, with highs in the low to mid-60s around Truckee and light winds. Mornings will still be cold, with temps near or below freezing in colder spots.
By Wednesday, a shift begins as a low-pressure system moves toward the California coast. Expect increasing clouds, breezier conditions, and a chance of scattered showers.
Thursday looks like the most active day of the week, with higher chances for showers and even a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Winds could pick up, especially over exposed ridgelines and higher elevations.
Friday through Sunday remain a bit unsettled, with occasional showers possible and cooler daytime highs in the 50s. No major storms are expected, but conditions will feel noticeably different than the start of the week.
Bottom line:
Early week: warm, sunny, and calm
Midweek: transition to cooler, breezier conditions
Late week: mixed weather with occasional showers
Source: NOAA
LOCAL NEWS AND COMMUNITY UPDATES
Community and Regional News
Forest Service overhaul expands beyond relocation
New reporting suggests the federal changes go well beyond moving headquarters. Plans include shutting down regional offices, eliminating dozens of research facilities, and shifting decision-making power toward state-level political appointees, while also fast-tracking logging and development projects with reduced public input.Sunken fireworks barge removed from Lake Tahoe
A months-long recovery effort near Incline Village has officially wrapped.Three TTUSD schools earn top state honors
Strong recognition for local education programs.Tahoe Conservancy begins 25-acre forestry project in Tahoma
Focused on wildfire risk reduction, with free public fuelwood permits available.Truckee Literary Crawl returns April 10–11
A free, multi-venue event featuring 60+ authors across downtown Truckee.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, April 7
High West Professionals BNI In-Person Visitors Day (7:15–9:00am • The Lift Workspace, Truckee)
Wednesday, April 8
Town Race League – Denim on Denim (1:00–3:30pm • Palisades Tahoe NASTAR Course)
Truckee Chamber Lunch & Learn: Mental Health in the Workplace (12:00pm • Truckee Town Hall)
Thursday, April 9
Open Mic Night (6:00–9:00pm • Cottonwood Restaurant, Truckee)
Tangled Roots Poetry Open Mic (6:00–7:30pm • Alibi Ale Works, Truckee)
Friday, April 10
Truckee Literary Crawl – Opening Night (6:00–8:00pm • Church of the Mountains, Truckee)
Rahlves Banzai Kick-Off Party (4:30–7:30pm • Sierra Surf Club, Tahoe City)
Saturday, April 11
Truckee Literary Crawl (12:00–8:00pm • Truckee, multiple venues)
Rahlves Banzai Qualifiers (9:00am–3:30pm • Palisades Tahoe, Siberia Bowl)
Sunday, April 12
Rahlves Banzai Finals (9:00am–1:00pm • Palisades Tahoe)
Cushing Crossing Pond Skim (2:00–4:00pm • KT Base, Palisades Tahoe) https://www.palisadestahoe.com/events-and-activities/events-calendar/cushing-crossing
LOOKING AHEAD
Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival – April 25, Palisades Tahoe
SKI REPORT
Spring conditions are in full effect.
Palisades is running limited terrain (~10%) with 11 lifts spinning. Expect firm mornings, soft afternoons, and thin coverage on lower mountain routes. Download required.
AVALANCHE FORECAST
Wet loose avalanches remain the primary concern, especially on sun-exposed slopes during warm afternoons.