Sho Kashima is a moguls skier and member of the US Ski Team. At 17 he won the Junior Olympics title in Moguls and joined the US Ski Team at 19.
He grew up in Lake Tahoe, skiing at Heavenly Mountain Resort before moving to Utah where the team is based. He still calls Tahoe home.
What do you love about Lake Tahoe?
The scenery is unbeatable. There are so many different outdoor activities; there is no way to get bored while in Tahoe. Also, the air quality is great and the tap water is delicious.
Best place for coffee?
The Bean Bar Coffee Shop
Best place for apres?
Start at the top of the Heavenly gondola at Unbuckle, then work your way down to Fire + Ice at the base of the gondola.
Best place for breakfast and favourite dish?
Go to the Red Hut and get whatever is on special that day
Special occasion dinner spot?
Sushi Pier or Chart House.
What is your favourite event on or off the mountain during the season and why?
Check out Gunbarrel 25 this spring at Heavenly. I hear the new host is a real cutie…
Secret scenic spot – where do you take out of town visitors to WOW them?
Can’t give away a good secret, but the view at the top of the Gondola deck is a great, not-so-secret spot.
Secret powder stash or favourite run in the region?
Any run is great if you’re the first to get there on a powder day, but get up super early and beat the crowd to Killebrew Canyon on a good powder day!
Your favourite local character and why and where would we find them?
Chris Hernandez at South Shore Bikes. He was one of my childhood heroes as I was growing up skiing. He was a US Ski Team member when I was starting to take up Freestyle moguls, and now I still go to him for advice and just to hang out. He’s a good man!
What can you get there you can’t get anywhere else in the world?
I’ve seen Chris Hernandez go skiing, stand-up paddling, mountain biking, and golf all in one day. Pretty incredible. You also get one of the cleanest lakes and prettiest views in the world as you’re doing all of those activities.
If you had to buy one thing to take back with you as a visitor what would it be?
A pine cone (make sure that’s legal) and lots of selfies.
Best Lake Tahoe memory?
Growing up in the community and making friends for life there. With such an active community, everyone is so supportive of athletics and they are super helpful getting kids to the top competitive level. It really showed last year the Olympics, where Lake Tahoe brought home several medals.
