LAS VEGAS -- Lee Canyon has fresh powder, and hundreds of skiers have been testing the slopes at the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort.

However, many of them don't know an avalanche will happen on those slopes in a few days. While it sounds dangerous, it will be a man-made avalanche when no one is around.

The safety managers of the resort make the difficult climb through the steep terrain of Lee Canyon about three times a week to several areas of the resort and start digging.

They test the snow's strength and measure the layers of snowfall to make sure a natural avalanche doesn't happen on their watch.

"I see three, for sure, definitive layers," snow safety manager Greg French said.

In the past couple weeks, about two feet has fallen.

"Snow doesn't have to be deep to cause an avalanche, it just has to be a certain recipe," French said.

Plans have been announced for the first master-planned community in southern Nevada since the recession.

The Olympia Companies announced plans to build Skye Canyon, a 1,700-acre community near Grand Teton Drive and U.S. 95 Wednesday. Plans include 9,000 homes along with commercial development and gaming uses.

There are also plans for a hiking and biking trial system and parks designed for outdoor activities.

The same company developed the Southern Highlands master-planned community in the southwest part of the Las Vegas valley and the Southern Highlands Golf Club.

Groundbreaking for the new community is set for the spring.

LAS VEGAS - Excitement builds at the Boys Town in northwest Las Vegas. The kids are receiving a little cheer for the holidays. The bedrooms, which have not been remodeled in 23 years, are undergoing a major update.

"A lot of these guys come from nothing. They don't have anything nice to call their own. They come in with a small little box in their hands," said foster parent Doug Spellman. "To have something brand new, they're going to freak out."

There are three homes for boys and two for girls. Each is structured with a host couple. Originally founded as a nonprofit dedicated to caring for orphaned boys, Boys Town now helps all kids who are going through troubling times.