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The return of the King — Elvis hits the slopes at Mt. Rose on Jan. 6 |
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Written by Emma Garrard/Tahoe World
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Tuesday, 02 January 2007 |
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 Instead of packing Gore-Tex and a ski hats for their last Tahoe vacation, brothers Daniel and Tom Smith, from England, donned polyester suits bespeckled with rhinestones, capes, sideburns and gold sunglasses.
As if pulling up to a sugarcoated Graceland, the brothers drove into the parking lot at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe and were promptly greeted by Elvis directing them to a parking spot. Elvis handed them their day passes as they made way to the slopes, then helped them get on the chairlift.
Elvis Day at the resort takes place annually on the Saturday closest to his Jan. 8 birthday, and if everything happens as usual this year, the two brothers will be back in their Kingly garb for another Elvis Day at Mt. Rose on Saturday, Jan. 6 — the 13th annual.
 “Elvis is an icon in Nevada in his own right,” Mt. Rose Marketing Director Mike Pierce said after last year’s celebration. “It is a very unique day. How often do you get to see Elvis on skis?”
Besides brothers Tom and Daniel Smith, who annually spend a great deal of effort perfecting their costumes, other Elvis skiers last year included, “Telvis,” (Elvis on telemark skis); “Board Elvis,” (Elvis on a snowboard); “Joe Elvis” and “Rehab Elvis” (self-explanatory).
The skiing Elvises kept in character all day and took several cocktail breaks at the Timbers Bar where Elvis bartenders served a special drink called the “Blue Suede Shoe.”
 So why does Elvis keep coming back to Mt. Rose?
“They are very accommodating here. They are playing my tunes on the radio. There’s a lot of Priscillas, and the altitude keeps the snow fresh.” Rehab Elvis said jokingly. “I haven’t had this much fun since I overdosed at the Bonanza Casino in Memphis in ‘76.”
Q&A with Mike Pierce, Mr. Rose Marketing Director:
By Paul Raymore
Tahoe World
Tahoe World: How long have you been doing these Elvis Days?
Pierce: I think this is year number 13.
TW: What was the original inspiration behind it?
Pierce: He’s the king of rock and roll...
It’s mostly because it was a great reason to have a party. You take a whole bunch of people dressed up like Elvis, acting like Elvis, and it’s funny.
 TW: Is Elvis Day a really big deal? I understand that people come from as far away as Europe to take part?
Pierce: We have these two guys who come here from England every year. They set their calendar by it. So it’s got a cult following just like probably everything Elvis does.
We started it semi-low-key and we really turned it into more of a staff event after we got all the staff into it. We got them all a bunch of gear and let them have a ball with it, and that goes over a whole lot bigger than when we try to get the public into it.
We get all the staff into it and really have a fun day, and that transfers the fun right to the guests. So we wind up having more and more people show up all decked out in their own version of Elvis — be it fat, young, jumpsuit, Hawaiian, whatever — and it’s just funny who shows up.
 TW: So how many Elvises do you expect to have on the mountain on Jan. 6?
Pierce: It depends. If it’s a blizzard, who knows. If it’s a nice, sunny day, you could have anywhere from 50 to 100 Elvises. We’ve got all our employees and a bunch of signature Elvises that are at key places around the hill.
TW: Are there scheduled events throughout the day? Or is it more of a free-form party?
Pierce: It’s kind of an all-day thing. The whole premise is that no matter what, when you come to Mt. Rose that day, Elvis is going to help you in every which way, shape or form: He’s going to greet you in the parking lot; he’s going to give you a hard time from the roof as you’re coming in; he skis around the hill; he visits all the kids.
Then at the end of the day is the bigger party. We get a band — it’s not necessarily an Elvis band, but they definitely have fun with the whole game — and it’s a big bar party [at Timbers Bar] in the afternoon.
 TW: Do you have any tips for folks who want to dress up like Elvis themselves this year?
Pierce: You can never go wrong with a onesie. Elvis was a big fan of the jumpsuit.
Chrome shades are kind of key, sideburns, and a cross between a Mississippi accent and a deep dark voice. And a cape is king; if you can make yourself a cape, that will set you apart a little.
Oh, and one of the most fun trends is the Priscillas that have been showing up. We are getting that late-50s, early-60s chic look really coming out on Elvis Day as well.
 TW: Anything else people need to know?
Pierce: Just basically come ready to smile and laugh a little bit. It’s a fun day.
All photos by Emma Garrard/Tahoe World
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 02 January 2007 )
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