Jason Hidalgo

jhidalgo@rgj.com

Uber is doubling down on the area after its recent Tahoe launch by offering passengers an additional service option.

The ridesharing company announced that its UberSKI service is now available to customers in the region, making Reno-Tahoe only the second area in the nation to have the option available.

UberSki allows passengers to request an UberX car — the designation for the company's low-cost vehicle option — but with all wheel drive and a ski rack for transporting skis and snowboards. Using the service will add a $5 base fee to a customer's fare.

"It gives people an opportunity to get where they need to go and avoid the awful parking situation or hiking across the lot with all their gear to get to the bottom of the slope," said Taylor Patterson, a spokeswoman for Uber.

The UberSKI service comes at an ideal time as the Reno-Tahoe area kicks off this winter season with above average snowfall after several years of drought conditions. It also comes right along the heels of Uber launching its service in Lake Tahoe, which the company celebrated less than a month ago with such guests as Olympics and X-Games medalist Jonny Moseley. The company gained approval to operate in Nevada after much legal wrangling last year.

The only other market to offer UberSki is Salt Lake City, where the response to the service has been "overwhelmingly positive," Taylor said. In contrast, demand in the Reno-Tahoe area is still in its infancy.

"Because Reno is a smaller market, people are really excited about the concept but it is still gaining traction," Taylor said. "People are still finding out about it so it's just getting off the ground."

Salt Lake City also has the advantage of having people use UberSKI straight from the airport. Asked whether Uber pick ups will be possible at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, the company would only say that discussions are ongoing.

In the meantime, Uber hopes its UberSKI service catches on as the ski and snowboard season progresses.

"It's just another option, especially if you're heading up the mountains in the weekends when it gets so crowded and crazy," Taylor said. "As we grow in Reno, we should begin to see a lot more people use the product."

How to use UberSki

Open the Uber App

Move the icon to uberSKI

Request your ride and enter destination (*base fare will include a $5.00 fee for UberSKI)

Source: Uber

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