The team at Alpenglow Sports announces the lineup for its 20th annual Winter Speaker Series, presented by the North Tahoe Chamber. On Dec. 5, the series will kick off with pioneering local climber Emily Harrington and the nonprofit beneficiary, Truckee Dirt Union.
The season continues in the new year with rad artist, filmmaker and skier Chris Benchetler on Jan. 2, 2026; skiing icon Mike Hattrup on Jan. 23; big mountain skier and paraglider Caite Zeliff on Feb. 13; and cornerstone of the series, local mountain guide Dave Nettle on March 6. Five incredible speakers, five engaging shows filled with equal parts adventure and human experience, and five hand-picked, local nonprofits supported.
With more than 3,000 attendees annually, as well as a dynamic and global live stream component, the 20-year-old Alpenglow Winter Speaker Series has become one of the premier North American forums for adventure storytelling and community gathering. The series blends two goals: 1) to inspire and motivate mountain athletes to pursue their own outdoor dreams and 2) to educate about and raise funds for nonprofit organizations making a tangible difference in the North Lake Tahoe and Truckee community.
In addition, for the 20th anniversary, the Tahoe Fund has generously committed to match $20,000 of all in-person funds raised at the shows, 100 percent of which will be distributed to the five nonprofit beneficiaries supported. The continuation of this partnership bolsters one of the ultimate goals of the series to be a meaningful partner for nonprofit organizations in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee.
For the 2025-26 season, the nonprofit beneficiaries include Truckee Dirt Union, Truckee Roundhouse, Lake Tahoe Waterman Association, Headwaters Science Institute, and Tahoe Cross Country Ski Education Association (TCCSEA) respectively.
The series runs from December through March at the Olympic Village Events Center at Palisades Tahoe and via livestream on Alpenglow Sports’ YouTube channel. Every show is free to the public and all ages are encouraged to attend. At the shows, enjoy food available for purchase from MOGROG Rotisserie, a wide offering of drinks at the bar thanks to Alibi Ale Works, and two massive giveaways thanks to the athlete and event sponsors.
