Ski with a Scientist

Join us for a one-of-a-kind, on-the-mountain experience with scientists from the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center. Ski or ride alongside researchers as they bring Tahoe’s landscapes to life, sharing stories of forests, lakes, snowpack, and cutting-edge environmental research all while exploring Alpine’s terrain.

Featured Topic: Snowpack for Healthy Forests

Forest researcher Aaron Vanderpool explores the critical role Sierra snowpack plays in forest health and reforestation. Learn how TERC studies the relationship between snowpack, soil moisture, and forest resilience in the Tahoe region — and what changing winter conditions mean for the future of these mountain ecosystems.

Dates:

March 27: The Tech Behind Monitoring Algae, with Brandon Berry

April 3: Zooplankton in Ancient Lakes, with Stephanie Hampton

April 10: AUV Missions in Tahoe & Antarctica, with Alex Forrest

About the Tour

Ski with a Scientist is a free, guided, on-the-mountain tour hosted in partnership with the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center and the U.S. Forest Service. These interactive tours explore Alpine’s natural history, current environmental research, and the role of public lands all from a skier’s perspective.

*A valid season pass or lift ticket is required to participate.*

Event Details

• Tours take place on select Fridays at 1:00 PM
• Meet at the Alpine Lodge
• Tour lasts approximately 1 hour with six on-mountain stops
• Open to intermediate skiers and snowboarders comfortable on blue terrain
• Maximum of 15 participants per tour
• Sign up day-of at the TERC outreach table on Fridays
• Indoor presentations at 1:15 PM (Alpine Lodge) will replace tours during inclement weather