Date/Time
Date(s) - 01/02/2026
Categories
Truckee Roundhouse is the Nonprofit Beneficiary
Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
Time: Doors open 6:00 PM | Show starts 7:00 PM
Location: Palisades Tahoe Olympic Village Events Center
Ages: All ages welcome
Livestream: Alpenglow Sports YouTube Channel
The Alpenglow Sports Winter Speaker Series, presented by the North Tahoe Chamber, returns on Friday, January 2, 2026, with an inspiring evening featuring skier, artist, and filmmaker Chris Benchetler. His presentation, “Illuminating the Threads of Connection,” explores creativity, intuition, and the deep connections between nature, art, and human experience.
This FREE community event takes place in person at the Palisades Tahoe Olympic Village Events Center, with a live broadcast available for those tuning in from home. Whether attending in person or online, all ages are encouraged to participate.
About the Speaker & Presentation
Chris Benchetler is known for pushing boundaries across skiing, film, art, and design. In “Illuminating the Threads of Connection,” he shares how nature, music, and collaboration have shaped his instinctual creative process. From skiing the slopes of Mammoth Mountain to designing skis, films, glowing skeleton suits, and collaborating with legendary artists such as the Grateful Dead, Benchetler’s journey reflects the power of intuition, healing, and creative expression.
The presentation parallels his newly released film, Mountains of the Moon, and explores the invisible threads that connect creativity, resilience, and personal growth. Through storytelling and reflection, Benchetler invites audiences to reconnect with their own creativity and awaken the artist within.
Community Impact & Nonprofit Beneficiary
Each Winter Speaker Series event supports a local nonprofit selected through a rigorous application process. The January 2 event benefits Truckee Roundhouse, a nonprofit makerspace dedicated to teaching, learning, and practicing a wide range of crafts, skills, technologies, and arts.
To date, the Alpenglow Sports Winter Speaker Series has raised nearly $2.5 million for local organizations. Funds are generated through raffle sales, bar proceeds, and generous anonymous contributions from the Donor Party, raising up to $100,000+ per event.
In celebration of the series’ 20th anniversary, the Tahoe Fund will match up to $20,000 of all in-person funds raised at each event, with 100% of matched funds distributed directly to the nonprofit beneficiaries.
Event Experience
Doors open at 6:00 PM, allowing attendees to enjoy a full pre-show experience, including:
- Sponsor activations with Arc’teryx
- Dinner available from MOGROG Rotisserie
- Beer and Hoppy Hour from Alibi Ale Works
- Wine and non-alcoholic beverages at the bar
- Exclusive tequila and whiskey tastings with Altamar
- Raffle ticket sales benefiting Truckee Roundhouse
Giveaways & Raffles
Thanks to event sponsors, there will be two epic giveaways:
- In-person raffle: Open to attendees who purchase raffle tickets at the event
- Online giveaway: Open to livestream viewers and anyone who purchases online tickets
Prizes for each giveaway are different, and participants may enter both. In-person winners and the top three online winners will be announced before the show. Remaining online winners will be announced immediately after the event and contacted by email the following Monday.
Upcoming Winter Speaker Series Events
- Mike Hattrup – January 23, 2026
- Johnny Collinson – February 13, 2026
- Dave Nettle – March 6, 2026
Attend in person on Friday, January 2, 2026, or livestream from home at 7:00 PM.
Learn More Here