Nevada City and Grass Valley for a ski break

My wife and I attended both tourism workshops in our county this fall — one in Grass Valley and one in Truckee — as part of the effort to boost tourism.

I enjoyed the Truckee one most of all, because it provided some fresh thinking. For example, most of us think of going from the western county to the eastern half for skiing and winter sports — but it cuts both ways

After visiting Truckee, people observed that vacationing skiers might like to enjoy a break to the more temperate western county for shopping, wine tasting and events such as Mardi Gras, provided the highway over the “hill” is dry. I liked the potential for inter-county collaboration on tourism.

I’ve been discussing this concept with some local merchants, some of whom have wanted to promote the western county as a ski stop — for lodging and dining.

The upcoming issue of Sierra FoodWineArt magazine, and its companion website SierraCulture.com, will promote Nevada City and Grass Valley for a “ski break.”

It also will feature the Nevada City Mardi Gras, which runs March 5 and 6. The Mardi Gras, as many of you know, features traditional cajun food, street faire, a masquerade ball and parade.

Ike’s Quarter Cafe dishes up home-made, all-natural cajun fare year-round, and it will be discussed too.

It also will feature local photography from Gary Swenor (the woman in the Mardi Gras mask) and Larry Miller (whose food shots I am very fond of). Larry is a big Ike’s fan too. This one is blackened fish with red beans and rice, a classic cajun dish.

The magazine circulates to Sacramento, Reno, Butte County and Tahoe/Truckee, so it will help promote this idea to “flatlanders.”