Y-S lists favorites

At this time of year, many Yuba-Sutter residents' minds drift toward the mountains.

They imagine themselves gliding over freshly-groomed powder, soaring past snow-covered pines and inhaling the crisp mountain air.

Local skiers and snowboarders have lots of resorts to choose from in the Sierra Nevada. Each athlete has his or her favorite.

Northstar-At-Tahoe and Boreal Mountain Resort were the top hot-spots mentioned by local skiers and snowboarders. Locals enjoy the ski lifts and terrain, the good views and friendly people at these locations.

Yuba City resident John Thomas has been skiing for 27 years.

“It gives me a rush,” he said. “I enjoy the sport. I like skiing fast and hard.”

Thomas has been to a number of local ski resorts, including Sierra-At-Tahoe, Sugar Bowl, Boreal and Donner Ski Ranch. Northstar tops his list.

“I'd never skied it until 3 years ago, but it's such a good mountain,” Thomas said.

“When you get to the top, you have a killer view of the lake. It's absolutely gorgeous,” he said.

Carrington Allen, 17, of Yuba City, enjoys Northstar, as well.

“They have the best runs from beginner to expert,” Allen said. “It's crowded during the holidays and weekends. But everybody there is courteous.”

Snowboarder Ricky Price, 16, said his favorite part of the sport is staying on the board. He usually goes to Boreal Mountain Resort.

“It's a place where I can do tricks and jumps,” he said.

Sara Hrico, 20, favors snowboarding at Boreal too, but she steers clear of the jumps and rails.

“I'm not hardcore. I don't do that,” she said. “I can just get off the lifts and go down the hill.”

Hrico said she enjoys just about anything athletic, and snowboarding is sport she can do outdoors.

“And I like to dress up,” she said.

Appeal-Democrat reporter Breeana Laughlin can be reached at 749-4724.

You may e-mail her at blaughlin@appeal-democrat.com.