EPISODE · Mar 17, 2026 · 49 MIN
Ep. 80 - Daron Rahlves - Rahlves Banzai Tour @ Palisades Tahoe
from Tahoe TAP · host tahoetap
The Tahoe TAP podcast is back after a brief hiatus, once again tapping into the Things, Adventures, and People that fuel life in the Sierra. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway return behind the microphones to reconnect with listeners and share the stories shaping the Tahoe community. For their return episode, the show welcomes a familiar face and one of the most decorated American alpine skiers of all time: Daron Rahlves. Over the course of his career on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit, Rahlves captured 12 World Cup victories and 28 podium finishes, specializing in the sport’s fastest disciplines — downhill and super-G. He also represented the United States as a three-time Olympian, competing at the 1998 Winter Olympics, 2002 Winter Olympics, and 2006 Winter Olympics. But this episode focuses less on the past and more on what’s happening now: the return of the Rahlves Banzai Tour, making its long-awaited comeback to Tahoe after a decade-long hiatus. Scheduled for April 10–12 at Palisades Tahoe, the event blends big-mountain freeride terrain with the head-to-head intensity of ski and snowboard cross — creating one of the most adrenaline-fueled competitions in the sport. Born in Walnut Creek and raised in the mountains around Lake Tahoe, Rahlves grew up skiing the Sierra before becoming one of the fastest American downhill racers in history. One of the defining moments of his career came at the legendary Birds of Prey downhill in Beaver Creek Resort, where he conquered the demanding course three consecutive years, cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s premier speed specialists. In 2001, Rahlves captured the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Super-G title, a victory that further established him among the world’s elite racers. His accomplishments later earned him induction into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2010. Beyond alpine racing, Rahlves has always embraced life as a multi-sport athlete — winning a World Expert Championship in jet skiing in 1993, competing in extreme skiing events and motocross, and building a long-standing partnership with Red Bull. On this episode of Tahoe TAP, Rahlves joins the hosts to talk about his legendary racing career, the inspiration behind the Banzai Tour, and why bringing the event back to Tahoe feels like the perfect homecoming for a sport rooted in the region’s big-mountain culture.
What this episode covers
The Tahoe TAP podcast is back after a brief hiatus, once again tapping into the Things, Adventures, and People that fuel life in the Sierra. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway return behind the microphones to reconnect with listeners and share the stories shaping the Tahoe community. For their return episode, the show welcomes a familiar face and one of the most decorated American alpine skiers of all time: Daron Rahlves. Over the course of his career on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit, Rahlves captured 12 World Cup victories and 28 podium finishes, specializing in the sport’s fastest disciplines — downhill and super-G. He also represented the United States as a three-time Olympian, competing at the 1998 Winter Olympics, 2002 Winter Olympics, and 2006 Winter Olympics. But this episode focuses less on the past and more on what’s happening now: the return of the Rahlves Banzai Tour, making its long-awaited comeback to Tahoe after a decade-long hiatus. Scheduled for April 10–12 at Palisades Tahoe, the event blends big-mountain freeride terrain with the head-to-head intensity of ski and snowboard cross — creating one of the most adrenaline-fueled competitions in the sport. Born in Walnut Creek and raised in the mountains around Lake Tahoe, Rahlves grew up skiing the Sierra before becoming one of the fastest American downhill racers in history. One of the defining moments of his career came at the legendary Birds of Prey downhill in Beaver Creek Resort, where he conquered the demanding course three consecutive years, cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s premier speed specialists. In 2001, Rahlves captured the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Super-G title, a victory that further established him among the world’s elite racers. His accomplishments later earned him induction into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2010. Beyond alpine racing, Rahlves has always embraced life as a multi-sport athlete — winning a World Expert Championship in jet skiing in 1993, competing in extreme skiing events and motocross, and building a long-standing partnership with Red Bull. On this episode of Tahoe TAP, Rahlves joins the hosts to talk about his legendary racing career, the inspiration behind the Banzai Tour, and why bringing the event back to Tahoe feels like the perfect homecoming for a sport rooted in the region’s big-mountain culture.
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Ep. 80 - Daron Rahlves - Rahlves Banzai Tour @ Palisades Tahoe
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