by n Petra Molinan pmolina@sierrasun.comn | Feb 13, 2026 | Uncategorized
TAHOE BASIN, Calif. / Nev. – Tahoe’s own Alessandro Barbieri, 17, is making waves on the world stage as he competes in the men’s snowboard halfpipe at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Representing Team USA, Barbieri advanced to the finals after a strong performance in Wednesday’s qualifying round, where he placed fourth overall. The finals are set for Friday, Feb. 13.
In qualifying, each rider takes two runs, with only the higher score counting. Barbieri posted an impressive 88.50 in his first run. Though he fell on his second, his score was enough to secure a spot in the top 12 riders advancing to the finals.
Who is Alessandro Barbieri?
Barbieri grew up skiing and snowboarding in the Pacific Northwest and now competes for Tahoe Select Snowboard Team in the USASA Mount Hood Division. He made history as the youngest rider — and first American — to land a triple cork 1440 in halfpipe competition.
He burst onto the international scene with a silver medal at the 2024 Youth Olympic Winter Games in Gangwon, South Korea, and earned his first World Cup podium with a third-place finish at the Calgary Snow Rodeo in February 2025. Most recently, he showcased his signature triple cork in the Snow League in China.
As one of the youngest members of Team USA in Milan Cortina, Barbieri carries the hopes of Tahoe snowboard fans with him into the finals.
What Makes a Halfpipe Run Score?
Judges score riders on a 0–100 scale based on amplitude, difficulty, and progression:
- Amplitude: How high the rider goes above the pipe and consistency of height.
- Difficulty: Number and type of rotations, grabs, and tricks performed, including switch-footed moves.
- Progression: How riders connect tricks and push the sport forward.
by n Petra Molinan pmolina@sierrasun.comn | Feb 13, 2026 | Uncategorized
NEVADA CITY, Calif. – Nevada County supervisors on Tuesday approved a resolution authorizing the board chair to sign a Joint Memorandum of Association with Placer and El Dorado counties aimed at strengthening regional wildfire resilience and improving forest biomass residue management.
The agreement formalizes collaboration among the three Sierra counties to reduce hazardous forest fuels, support biomass utilization projects and coordinate economic development efforts tied to forest health.
“We have the trees, projects and communities asking for action on wildfire,” said Nevada County’s Board Chair and District 3 Supervisor Lisa Swarthout. “By working with our neighboring counties, we can attract biomass solutions that could support our local economy and help make the work of reducing wildfire risk more cost-effective.”
Three years ago, the California Office of Land Use and Climate Resiliency launched five pilot projects statewide to examine barriers to biomass removal through an initiative known as the California Forest Residual Aggregation Market Enhancement, or Cal FRAME.
The program identified the lack of long-term feedstock contracting as a significant obstacle to sustainable biomass disposal. Pilot projects studied ways to aggregate biomass supplies into regional brokerages to create more reliable markets.
Locally, the effort included developing Biofuel Development Opportunity Zone, or BDOZ, risk ratings for Nevada, Placer and El Dorado counties. The ratings evaluate an area’s suitability for biomass utilization and provide an investment-style risk assessment intended to attract bio-based business development.
All three counties received an “A” grade, signaling strong feedstock supply, infrastructure and capacity to support new biobased facilities.
Building on that momentum, the counties developed the memorandum to focus on coordinated actions, including sharing project information, pursuing joint funding opportunities, advocating for state and federal support, promoting bioeconomy facilities, coordinating SB 1383 compliance for woody biomass and supporting wood manufacturing projects.
County staff considered several organizational structures and determined that a simple memorandum was the most efficient way to begin joint action without the complexity of forming a new governmental entity. The agreement allows flexibility and can be amended by unanimous vote of all three counties.
Regional leaders said the collaboration will help align strategies across county lines.
“Placer County supports the Joint Memorandum of Association (MOA) among Nevada, Placer and El Dorado counties to strengthen regional wildfire resilience and coordinate responsible management of excess forest biomass,” said Kerri Timmer, Placer County Regional Forest Health Coordinator. “The MOA, adopted last week by Placer and El Dorado County Boards, creates a framework for collaboration among the neighboring counties to align strategies, share resources, and advance projects that reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health. With Nevada County’s pending action we can finalize the agreement and start working together to protect communities, critical infrastructure, and other key features across our shared landscapes.”
With Nevada County’s approval, the three counties can now formally move forward with joint projects aimed at reducing wildfire threats while creating new opportunities in the region’s forest-based economy.
“The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors has designated forest health, wildfire management and biomass utilization as top priorities and incorporated these issues into the County’s Strategic Plan,” said Carla B. Hass, El Dorado County Deputy Chief Administrative Officer. “We’re delighted to be part of this important memorandum of association that will benefit the safety of our collective residents and businesses in our fire-prone areas, develop a new workforce and support new and existing wood products and bioenergy markets.”
