Tahoe

Angora Ridge is another area with a short approach, easy navigation, and very limited parking. These are 600-foot descents in view of the neighborhood, so use this slope to get to know a new partner or try out new gear before a bigger trip. Looking around: Angora Ridge is the launch pad for trips to Angora Peak, Echo Peak, and Flagpole Peak (not described in this book).

Basin Peak is a top choice to push a little deeper into this zone after you’ve skied the closer-in descents off Castle or Andesite Peaks. It’s a little farther, so there are fewer crowds than on the south-facing runs off Castle Peak. The top of Basin provides great views back to the north side of Castle Peak and down toward Warren Lake.

Boca Hill is another close-to-home area for a short, casual tour. The low-elevation trailhead and summit mean it doesn’t hold snow for long, especially the steeper south face. On the northeast and east aspects, the upper half of Boca Hill is steeper; the lower half is fairly low-angle. When you park at the dam, you can see just about everything you’d ski on the hill. This is a popular area for snowmobiles, too.

Staying at the Bradley Hut with friends is a Tahoe backcountry classic. There is fun skiing right out the door of the hut. Skiing out and back in a day is also a nice fitness tour. Get reservation information at: https://www.clairtappaanlodge.com/backcountry-huts.

Brockway Summit and Picnic Rock provide a quick, low-angle tour through treed slopes, as well as a view of Lake Tahoe. The 7,000’ elevation trailhead helps this south-facing area hold snow even when lower elevations have melted out.

This zone sees much less traffic than any other Castle Peak zone, and avoids most of the bobsled track exit from Castle Pass. Most importantly, it often sees spring corn. You can see the Cornholio Bowl from I-80 if you’re east of the rest areas, the lower “lunch spot” hill is visible as you skin to Castle Pass (it’s the low-angle hill across Castle Valley). Access to the Cornholio area is straightforward. Getting back can sometimes lead to adventure (frustration) if you ski too far south before heading back to the main trail at Castle Valley. For an extra adventure, try the tunnels approach. The PCT crosses under I-80 via two tunnels. The tunnels are not often passable, as they require a specific set of conditions—not so much snow that they are blocked, and not when things warm up, causing water to flow through them. Don’t count on the tunnels being open if you haven’t checked them out yourself. Looking around: The top of the Cornholio Bowl is also the approach to north-facing chutes of Castle Peak, and the top of the Frog Lake Cliffs. If time allows, check these areas out for future reference.

The Northwest Trees area provides fun skiing on north and west aspects. In spite of the name, there is open skiing available on the West Slopes Descent. The routes listed avoid the actual Northwest Trees route, which goes into avalanche terrain. Looking around: The ridge between Basin and Castle provides a great view of the north-facing terrain and chutes of Castle Peak.

Chickadee Ridge may be the best known low-angle tour in Tahoe. The high-elevation trailhead gets early-season snow—and often sees snow when it’s raining at lower elevations. With both north- and south-facing terrain, it can be a solid choice during mid-winter storms and for spring corn season. The north-facing side has more trees. Routefinding is easy and runs are short, making it a reasonable choice for new partners to get to know each other. It’s feasible to do all the highlighted lines in one day, making this a good zone to develop a better sense of how aspect can affect snow conditions. Ski a lap on Chickadee Ridge South (see next page), then the west-facing Chickadee South Bonus, then ski Ed’s on the north side, and you’ll be able to compare snow quality on three different aspects.

This zone shares some of its northerly neighbor’s best qualities: multiple aspects make it a good storm or mid-winter choice; it’s a sensible “first date” with a new partner. Unlike the north side of the ridge, however, the south side is a motorized-accessible area. You may be sharing the zone with snowmobiles.

Echo Lake is another area for short, fun runs with your choice of north or south aspect. Tour here to sharpen your understanding of how terrain affects the snowpack—pull out your probe and see the difference between snowpack depth on both sides of the ridge. Once you’re on the ridge, the terrain steepens quickly. The elevation of the area is similar to that of Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort. Check weather and snow conditions at the resort to reduce your uncertainty a bit about conditions at Echo Lake, especially the north aspect. Looking around: The ridge continues to Becker Peak, Talking Mountain, and on to Ralston Peak; panoramic views of the Desolation Wilderness. These areas are not described in this book, as they contain significant avalanche terrain.

It takes a little driving to reach the Elephant’s Hump, but you’ll be in an area with a short approach to several descent options on several aspects. These short tours are ideal to ski with a new partner and see how you perform as a team before setting off on a bigger objective, or to try out new gear. The mix of avalanche terrain and lower-angle terrain in a compact area provides a great opportunity to make terrain observations and decisions.

Incline Lake Peak is a popular destination thanks to its high-elevation (8,400’) trailhead and short approach to fun, slightly-steeper skiing than many of the other zones in this book. It’s popular for gladed storm skiing, and has an impressive view of Lake Tahoe from the summit. Although the highlighted route mostly avoids avalanche terrain, there is significant avalanche terrain adjacent to the route. Looking around: From the top of Incline Lake Peak, you get a view of many skiable peaks in the area, including Relay Peak and the south side of Tamarack Peak. You can also scout the start for the southeast face. You can’t see into the East Bowl from the summit.

With multiple skiable aspects and few areas of avalanche terrain, this zone is packed with light tours. There isn’t always sufficient snow coverage here, due to the relatively low trailhead elevation and south aspects. The Canyon is named after Albert Johnson, an African-American who operated a hotel and fishing guide service on Donner Lake in the late 1800s. The creek at the bottom of the canyon is Gregory Creek, named after Jackson Gregory, author and local high school principal in the early 1900s. “Spring Chicken” is named for Carrie Pryor, a fiercely independent businesswoman in Truckee’s red light district in the 1870s. Expect to share the area with snowmobiles, who typically travel well beyond the ski zones, but use the trail alongside the creek for access. If you hear a machine coming, step off the track to let them pass, and try to be as visible as possible. Looking around: The other side of Donner Ridge is Sunrise Bowl in Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort (affectionately called Tahoe Donner). From here, you can scope out future objectives.

This could be a mellow first tour with a new partner before a ski day in the resort. The route requires uphill travel inside the ski area boundary; see access notes below. The run is named in honor of Todd Offenbacher, a Kirkwood icon and selfless promoter of adventure who lives by his motto, “Never waste a day.”

Louis Meiss, along with his wife and ten kids, spent summers grazing cattle in this meadow, which he purchased in 1878. His cabin is still standing, near the base of the 9452 descent. This sector provides several descents, across several aspects, at 9,000’ elevation. Ridgetops can be windswept and firm while slopes a hundred feet lower are fat with pow. The cornices here get big and are practically impossible to see from above. If you’ve never skied here, one option is to ski down the PCT/exit route to the bottom of the Trees route so you can see the cornices from below, then skin up your chosen descent.

Stay on the south side of Meiss saddle for access to several short tour options with 300–600-vertical-foot descents on wide-open south-, west-, and southeast-facing slopes that generally avoid avalanche terrain. High-elevation trailhead (8,550’) and ascents to 9,000’ can provide early- and late-season snow, and colder precipitation when it’s raining at lake level.

Trimmer is a South Shore Classic, with the iconic Elevens run (not included in this book) visible throughout South Lake Tahoe. This zone pushes the boundaries of “light tours.” It’s not a big undertaking, but it has a significant amount of avalanche terrain, primarily north-facing. It was included in this book because it’s a good “stepping stone” to get into bigger terrain (Elevens, for instance), and because the ascent route does offer a lower-angle alternative to avoid avalanche terrain. Looking around: From the saddle/ high point of the highlighted route, you’re getting into the zone of Trimmer Peak and Elevens. Going above the saddle puts you in and under significant avalanche terrain, and is not described in this book.

Mount Judah sits on the border of Sugar Bowl Resort, near Donner Pass. The west face of the ridge is in the resort, while the north, east, and south faces are outside its boundaries. This area is named after Theodore Judah, who engineered the train route from Donner Pass to Reno. There’s a lot to see from Mount Judah, which is a big reason it’s in this book. Judah is the start of the Lake Run; Donner Peak has fun, mellow skiing on its south side, and the “nordwand” (north face) of the area from Donner Peak back to the car is full of spicier skiing options.

Ralston Peak appeals to me. It’s a nice long climb and ski, it’s on fairly mellow terrain, and is hidden from view. You get to the top, see the expanse of the Desolation Wilderness laid out before you, feel appropriately small in nature, then ski down to the highway, where you can reflect on an accomplishment that can’t be pointed to, keeping it personal for you and your team.

Skiing near Carson Pass is striking, if for no other reason than the dramatic alpine scenery around you. Skiing the Round Sister Saddle provides an opportunity to ski low-angle terrain amidst bigger terrain. Looking around: There is a lot to see on this tour. You’ll be skinning and skiing in the vicinity of some classic Carson Pass area ski descents, including Elephant’s Back, Round Top, and Sisters. Round Top is home to Crescent Moon Couloir, a dramatic ski objective visible from HWY 88 as you’re driving over Carson Pass. All these areas involve steep avalanche terrain, and are not covered in this book.

Rubicon Peak is the northern end of Lake Tahoe’s west shore classics, and is possibly the best neighborhood ski peak in Tahoe. With minimal avalanche terrain, widely spaced trees, a 9,183’ summit, northern exposure, and a chance for over 2,500’ vertical, Rubicon is the way to go for storm day and “day after the storm” skiing. Rubicon also provides great Lake Tahoe views. Consequently, you won’t be the only group there; with space at the parking area for about 6 cars, arrive as early as possible to find parking.

Another neighborhood backcountry ski area. The Manzanita Triangle clearing is visible to cars traveling on I-80. The open slopes may call out to an adventurous skier, but like a siren’s song, it may lead to frustration. The snowpack in the triangle often seems deep and consistent, when in fact it’s hollow around the manzanita bushes. Skiing the trees on south-facing slopes east of the triangle tends to be a more pleasant experience. The low elevation and south aspect make it uncommon for there to be a usable snowpack. When it’s in, go for it!

A Tahoe Donner neighborhood classic! A short approach and low-angle terrain make this a popular area, taxing the very limited parking. Sunrise Bowl is on the opposite side of Donner Ridge from Johnson Canyon. Much of the ridgeline itself is in the Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center (TDXC), and is groomed. Please don’t enter the cross-country center without a trail pass. Stay well off their groomed track, especially if you have a dog. It is very important to keep dogs off of the groomed track, as paw post holes require multiple passes with the groomer to repair. Looking around: The other side of the ridge drops into Johnson Canyon. You’ll see Hawk’s Peak about a mile to the north; it’s part of TDXC, requiring a trail pass to ski. If you’re looking for an adventure, head south/downhill from the Glacier Trailhead for 1,000 vertical feet of tree skiing down to the interstate.

Tahoe Mountain North is a quick, easy tour zone with minimal avalanche terrain. It’s neighborhood skiing for houses near South Tahoe High School and out to Tahoe Keys. The short descents and access to multiple aspects mean touring this zone is an excellent way to develop a better sense of how aspect can affect snow conditions. Looking around: Tahoe Mountain continues to the south, but is not covered in this book. The terrain is similar; go explore!

The south side of Tamarack avoids most of the crowds on the other side of the peak, and also avoids avalanche terrain almost entirely. The trailhead is fairly high (8,600’) and can often mean the difference between skiing in snow, versus rain at lower elevations. This area is open to snowmobiles. Looking around: This route takes you to the summit of Tamarack, where you can look into the steeper Hourglass descent. You’ll also be a short skin over to the top of Broken Glass. While you’re in the area, ski Chickadee Ridge for a Tahoe Meadow linkup!

With a relatively high trailhead at 7,750’, north-facing terrain, mellow slopes, 1,700’ of vert, and well-spaced trees, it’s easy to see why Waterhouse Peak may be the most popular backcountry destination in South Lake Tahoe. It’s used by people new to the backcountry, those looking for a short, easy tour, and it’s a storm-day favorite for more experienced skiers. It’s rare to be the only party at Waterhouse. From Waterhouse, you can see Powderhouse, the summit just to the west, Thompson Peak to the north on the other side of HWY 89, and the peaks of the Carson Pass area to the south southwest. These peaks are not described in this book.

The south side of Waterhouse barely made the cut for this book. It is nearly impossible to travel on the south side of Waterhouse and avoid avalanche terrain. Adding to the challenge, the less steep areas are more treed, and the more open areas are steeper. That said, the area is worth knowing about as it is less crowded, and provides some options when south-facing terrain is appropriate to ski.