The de-icing contractor at California’s Truckee-Tahoe Airport (TRK) recently quit providing services, and the airport reports that it is unlikely any de-icing will be available in the foreseeable future. An airport spokesman said icing is, indeed, an important safety consideration during the winter months and encourages operators to closely evaluate the weather.

TRK airport district staff members [telephone (530) 587-4119] are certified weather observers and can provide current observations and trends but cannot issue forecasts. Some alternate airports in the Lake Tahoe area that are generally less affected by winter weather include Reno, Carson City and Minden, Nev. Additionally, the NBAA regional representative urges operators to check TRK’s noise-abatement procedures at www.truckeetahoeairport.com/noise.htm and, safety permitting, use the Truckee-Tahoe Airport recommended VFR noise-related procedures.