As we enter 2012 adapting remains the name of the game for local backcountry enthusiasts. Backcountry skiing, the regular focus of these reports, has been a tough pursuit. There’s just so little snow that even where snow does exist on NW-N-NE aspects it’s patchy, thin, and not very appealing. The Snowbot seen above, housed at PDQ on the West Shore speaks to the real “State” of current Tahoe backcountry ski conditions.
Signs like these are not that uncommon either, no matter where you’re kicking it in Tahoe.
There are patches out there for sure, the Sierra Avalanche Center guys are still keeping tabs on things as we progress into 2012, but the majority of backcountry skiers in our community have taken two main approaches to this ongoing, difficult scenario.
- Seek out what’s good, whether it be found locally, regionally, or far off. Note that “what’s good” doesn’t necessarily have to be skiing.
- Skin and ski early at participating ski resorts to stay in backcountry shape, and earn a few turns in the process.
While some have been heard complaining, for obvious reasons, there’s just no worth in that for the greater cause so these first two approaches will focus the initial State of the Backcountry offering for 2012. What may be surprising to some is that there’s been a bunch of backcountry skiers and riders on the number two program. The Sierra is seriously thin-I think we all know that by now, but the availability to skin and ski before resort operations begin has been on the minds of many.
While it may not seem all that sexy (because it’s not) it has been the choice of many in the community. However, a major blow was put down this week when Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol asked that no one skin the mountain anymore, pre-opening, for fear of liability issues. While the words were handed down in a respectful manner, it’s a clear sign of the times. Smooth snow is a truly scarce resource nowadays. Perhaps lift-serviced skiers were pissed that their groomers were being “tracked up”, or maybe there was fear that more and more would join the ranks of the early morning crew if this weather pattern continues? In reality, I’m not 100% sure, but as far as I know it’s a first for Alpine Meadows to actually tell people not to skin up the mountain.
With that said hopefully the other few resorts that allow uphill travel, mostly those that operate in partnership with the USFS, will still be cool with the few who are trying to stay in backcountry ski shape. If you happen to be one of those who are skinning resorts pre-operation please be as respectful to the employees and operations at your chosen hill, even though I know you already are. In reality, it’s a bit ridiculous that it even has to come to this, but a consistent pitch of snow, whether it’s fake or real, is truly a scarce resource in demand these days.
That brings us to number one on the list, the choice most people I’ve spoken with are employing because there’s always something fun to get into in Tahoe. Unless someone is already in or has plans to head to Western Europe, Japan, AK, Baker, or B.C. anytime soon, alternative activities remains the name of the local game. Mountain Biking and Rock Climbing have been the activities most locals have been fired up on lately. Lots of people have been biking in Auburn, the East Shore, and many have been seeking out south facing crags.
I’ve also seen a few boats and SUP’ers out on Lake Tahoe. With the glassy conditions it seems the opportune time to take advantage. Kayaking conditions have been pretty sweet as well, evidenced by the glassy conditions at sunset most of this past week.
Really people have been trying to get on just about anything that can keep them entertained. Swimming shots have been fun to check out on the site recently, the coast continues to serve up reported great conditions for surf, and I’ve even heard of a few fun adventures where people have been hiking in and around Squaw via the Tram. Why not? The temperatures have gotten a little warm and thus influenced skating and ice climbing conditions, but that’s meant chasing the sun whether to bike, climb, or do whatever has been worthy of pursuit.
The last few shots of this State of the Backcountry come from a super fun recent outing to the Owens River Gorge, which is commonly located as a world-class sport climbing destination. Of course there’s another activity I’d rather be doing on the Eastside right now, but just a few miles north of Bishop, with hot springs, free camping, and good people all a part of the gig, it was a welcome outing from Tahoe as a little something from the Eastside is due right about now.
Enjoy whatever it is that you’re stoked on doing right now, keep it positive and adapt to the continuing weather. Have a great MLK Weekend! Let’s hope this so called shift makes it to us next week and it’s a sign of what’s to come in 2012!
yes snowbot…my thoughts are extremely cold right now..so cold that it’s gona do something soon, and you will not be needed round here no mo
Whoever hired that Ullr Snowgod should resign! A basic Police check shows he’s a fraud, a con and he doesn’t have a visa!
Uphilling at ski resorts during operating hours, and at night even is a very dangerous and unsafe activity. Here in Sun Valley, Idaho it is getting way out of control. These non paying wannabees are a huge safety issue. I wish all resorts would ban uphilling before someone gets hurt. Totally against it.
Appreciate your thoughts Jumbo, but skiing in and of itself is dangerous. People get hurt skiing inbounds, riding the lifts, in the backcountry, etc. It comes with the territory no matter which way you look at it. I completely see the argument for safety with skinning inbounds, but in looking at what SKIPhan posted, the rules MM has would be a more proper way to go about it in my eyes (thanks for sharing that). It’s also a really surprising move after all these years for Alpine to just now decide to shut it down. They’ve always been cool with uphill traffic, and with a little respect and thought, most who choose to skin at a resort pre-operation watch out for groomers, employees, etc. and don’t do it when the mountain is open. At least that’s been my experience.
The problem is the most part! Not all people know or respect the fact that a groomer can kill you in a split second. Add on top of that, a winch cable that can cut your head off in one clean swoop; it’s not worth a couple turns. You know how upset a groomer would be to kill a skier? Go somewhere else. If you’re a backcountry skier, stay in the backcountry. I’ve seen countless people hiking up during a snow day, putting everyone in jeopardy. Be smart, go somewhere else.
There’s little to no snow in Tahoe or in the backcountry, hence why people are skinning up the resorts. Have you ever read these posts before? Brennan basically kills it 24/7 no matter what season but always in winter-he’s the real deal and I’m far from his only fan on this site.Does Alpine and Squaw workers monitor unofficial these days and post comments to be annoying? Seems like every other post I read there’s some tone of corporate shitdom. Groomers and whinch cables are to be avoided, like skiing the resorts on a weekend like this. Why do people in this country want to control absolutely everything? I want skiers to be safe but calm down people. Do you really think the backcountry skiers doing this would be doing it if there was 10 feet on the ground?
Getting worked up about uphill traffic does nothing to change the fact that there is (a) a large and growing community of people who choose to access slopes under their own power and (b) a complete lack of options at present, especially around Tahoe. People are looking for a different experience than the chairlift access kind and some exercise along with avoiding lines. It’s really not very fun to skin up inbounds and I would definitely stay away this year, but there are zero other options at the moment. I have a pass to Northstar and even skinned up to the top there! A more realistic way to deal with the situation is to accept that uphill traffic is part of the skiing pursuit for some and develop policy to manage it. The Forest Service especially should be requiring resorts that operate on USFS land to include uphill access into their permit review. All of us own the land. The resort only controls access to the lifts (and the parking, etc.). I resent being called a non-paying wannabee [sic] and think all Sun Valley skiers are fat, lazy and need to get more french fries on the hill and less freedom fries in the lodge.
Hey, Shockme, come on out and ski with us. Baldy is an awesome mountain to ski, and I assure you there are quite a few strong, fit skiers here. So your fat, lazy comment is comical. I was simply stating that uphilling has become a huge issue here, and even on good snow years people chose to hike Baldy for excersise and to scam the lifts. It is a safety issue and unless you ski Baldy everyday, you have no say and no clue what you are talking about. I grew up skiing Squaw and Rose and left there due to overcrowding and bad selfish attitudes. Idaho is paradise, come check it out and look me up. show us what ya got. We all know that you are so much better than us thanks to Gnar, but realize, we dont really care, cause we just a buch of fit skiers ripping huge vertical everyday. Northstar is cool, but come on now 3 runs with the boyz and you might see the light. Good luck and don’t forget “Those who spray do not know, and those who know do not spray”. Good luck to you. Hope it snows for you all.
Someone does it right on the east coast:
http://www.magicmtn.com/earn_your_turns.php
I’ve skinned inbounds when the mountain is closed a few places, but glad Magic supports this, it’s good for a few turns without having to commit to the entire day.
Just a memo to let you all know how out of control uphilling has gotten here on Baldy, (Sun Valley, Idaho) to you Tahoe folks. Yes, so far it is a low snow year. But aside from that, uphilling has become quite popular at resorts all over the U.S. Some places like JHMR have banned all uphiliing due to safety issues. Here, when we’re ripping high speeders down our awesome groomers, the last thing we, the paying customer by the way, want to deal with is uphill traffic. I’ve had some very close calls over the years, and patrol try to educate these hikers, but they feel they have the right to hike anytime of day. Sun Valley Company is aware of this, but so far nothing bad has happened, thank goodness. Most smart hikers get to the top early, which is fine, but there are those who choose to go during operating hours, and at night, and that has become a HUGE safety concern. Ever seen a winch cable at work ? Anyhow, most of our resort hikers are afraid of the backcountry, and are just getting a quick workout, and pretty much oblivious to their surroundings. Heck, there are a bunch of em that don’t even bring skis. They ride the lifts down for free by the way. So, we will see. I am against resort hiking mostly because of safety issues. As a paying customer, nowhere on my pass does it say watch out for hikers, but it seems they are here to stay and are just another obstacle for us to avoid. The skiing here is way fast right now, so when we see hikers, we just buzz em now. Making a game out of it. Have fun and prey we get some snow !
You only avoid obstacles that are printed on your pass? Did you also know that no plastic bags are toys, even the ones that don’t explicitly say so?
You Sun Valley people are funny. If you’re gonna hike up, you might as well bring your skis! C’mon people.
Open the dialogue with’em brotha, i’m sure you can solve the issue together!! Or move to Tahoe where we don’t have “uphillers”, just normal backcountry skiers.
Ha, Guess its a yuppie thing. We call them. CMO’s or check me outs. Different times brother .
Keepin it positive and still gettin after it as always. Nice to get some of that in these times.
Love reading your stuff, Brennan. Always entertaining and high quality work.