Under the Condition Reports heading see the Weather & Road link. Really great photo though, with the distant mountains in the background. skiing stevens It had, Have you been up Jacobson trail as of late? Guests will start the day by snowmobiling to the base of the day's objective, where they will then use alpine touring gear or splitboardsto climb to the top and ski down for as many laps as the day allows. This whole region From Cardinal Peak in the Chelans to Goode out of Stehekin is a wild area. Lou thanks for the great trip reports. All NCMG staff are trained and supervised by owners Larry Goldie and Jeff Ward, who are IFMGA licensed Mountain Guides and Instructors/Examiners for the American Mountain Guides Association. When you find a tour meeting all these qualities, print the route info and the topographic map. The Cascades are extremely magnificent to ski on. Your day will start before the lifts start spinning so you and your guide can go over the necessary safety briefing, including how to use your beacon, shovel, and probe and how to get the most out of skiing with a guide. Happy New Year to you and Craig. Based on such experience, Washington State sojourns tend to be exercises in shell jacket testing under full moisture conditions. The Stevens Pass Bike Park will be opening on July 28 for Bike Park Pass Holders and open on July 29 for the general public! Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Helping people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. After getting a sense of the expected weather, open up the Winter Reports matrix (also in the Condition Reports area). Please use the Live Chat tool within your account or contact us at (970) 754-0005 to connect with an agent today. How Can You Monitor All This? The right-hand column (Avalanche Info and Telemetry) is particularly important for monitoring snow conditions. Home to groomed resort skiing and access to some fantastic backcountry ski routes. Check it out and I hope it inspires you to check out some of these amazing areas. Since these trips are arranged on a custom basis, it is easy for us to find a tour to suit your fitness level and riding skills. Perfect. We remain committed to doing everything we can to help keep you safe this season, so you can focus on having a great time on the mountain. Its about nourishment and learning. This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips Backcountry riding does require a certain degree of fitness. We're tourists, so we can't get enough of the ghost trees. updates, images and resources. Continuing east puts you at the base of another glade; ascend this glade to a gentle saddle on the ridge. Ive done a lot of ski trips in my life. In this photo Louie is enjoying a pair of Kamchatka Salopette, meaning full side-zip bibs that are nice and minimalist. Along with exploring Stevens trade routes, today also involved testing a few items from Mountain Equipment. Farm the gentle north-facing slopes off the summit and youll end up on the open runs of the old ski area. In the matrix that displays, the right-hand column (Ski Area Weather) lets you access a weeklong forecast for backcountry destinations around the region. If you are scheduling a course field trip. Happy New Year. You can find anything from steep couloirs to some of the best tree skiing if you can find a parking spot. Full summer hours of operation are Thursdays-Sundays, 10am to 6pm. All rights reserved. Hope you all have a safe and prosperous New Year! Participants dont need to be advanced riders but the more experienced you are, the more fun it will be. I have a pair myself this year and think they might be in the running for best quiver of one from October to July!!! On Thursdays, the Sourass Blue Mountain Bottom Boys-a ragtag ensemble of area musicians and skiers-fire up live bluegrass. Drive SR-2 to Stevens Pass (4,000 ft). Some examples: 1) 18 inches of new snow just blanketed Stevens Pass. Camp at Lake Wenatchee State Park (parks.wa.gov), 20 miles east of Stevens Pass on Highway 2. Pre-Trip Briefing - Pt. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. Have You Climbed Any of Americas 14 Friendliest Summits? Some of these sites give data for multiple elevations, so also study whats going on at higher elevations. click here to use the app to support your local avalanche forecasters, Friends and Resupplies on a Ski Traverse of The Colorado Trail. One night a month, Uncle Ulis hosts Homegrown Ski Film night, during which local ski cinematographers screen their latest efforts. That being said non of the tours around are considered easy access but the Monte Cristo Range to the North is a great area. Since you are on a Mobile Phone I have the trips listed above the Images.Sorry about the headache and a full version can be seen on desktop, Kyes Peak via the Pride GlacierCircumnavigation of Columbia Peak. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); All Human Powered Sports! We believe good things come from people spending time outside. NCMG offers threetypes of backcountry experiences at Stevens Pass. Log in and send us We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. 3) Theres been a foot of snow at Stevens Pass and only 2 inches of new snow at Mission Ridge (not unusual).

Deep Snow, Old-Growth Trees and Classic Northwest Descents. Log in and send us bring 100 Classic Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Routes in Washington, by Rainer Burgdorfer (The Mountaineers Books). I am sorry I missed seeing you both this time around. Since you are on a Mobile Phone I have the trips listed above the Images. There are parking lots on the east and west sides of the pass. updates, images, or resources. From this one site you can see weeklong graphs of whats taken place at Stevens (On the Pacific Crest) , at Tumwater Mountain (20 miles west of the crest) and at Mission Ridge (40 miles west of the crest). 3. It does not exist. When looking at these graphs, the safest region to ski is often obvious. The snow looks great. We will be happy to help you learn backcountry skiing and snowboarding but we want to make sure you get the most out of your day. 1. Today we tested some Mountain Equipment shells, but a water column eval was not to be. f you are scheduling this as a non-course related activity, please limit your group size to 12 people.

Perfect day. A tweener destination. Mountaineers Books is a registered trademark of The Mountaineers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. If you're spending time skiing in the area for a weekend, consider staying at our, Green Trails Alpine Lakes West (Stevens Pass) No. The snowpack near Stevens Pass borders on the ridiculous as do the number of stormy days. We will need to make sure we have reservations for all the guests and the guides before we can book an "out of bounds" day at the resort. We'll cover as much of it as possible over coming months. I also like the first picture of Louie better. The thinner snows and sunnier skies of the Blewett Pass area. With so much powder, I ended up on the DPS most days. This route/place should only be used for activities that will be conducted inside the ski area boundary and lift-accessible backcountry. This year the reservations system makes things a little more complicated. Its much more like skiing in Colorado than Washington. But dont: A rescue will run you $1,000.THE SNOW: When the early rays of spring turn the Northwest snowpack into freshly poured cement, Stevens often has predictably fluffier stashes. Please use nearby Routes & Places like, Backcountry Skiing, Climbing, Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding, Scrambling, January, February, March, April, May, November, December. The BlewettPass/Mission Ridge environs, meanwhile, log around 160 inches of snow per year, receive copious amounts of sun, and have colder temperatures (often 10 degrees colder). Traverse of the Stevens Pass BackcountryHeather RidgeSkyline Ridge. Light and Fast or Fun and Functional? All Rights Reserved. Once the lifts start spinning you will hop on the chair and head to where the best snow is. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North Americas highest mountain. WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. Once the snow starts to get tracked out inside the ski area you will head outside the boundary ropes to explore new terrain. This is where things start to get wild with a lifetime of mountains surrounding you. **Note: At the side of the the online guidebooks, a search box helps users narrow down the selections. With the thin snowcover and the colder temperatures, the snowpack sometimes mirror continental conditions and can form temperature-gradient snows that can be unstable for longer periods of time. Get Snow Reports from Ski Areas Worldwide with Gaia GPS, How to Time Your Backcountry Ski Tour to Harvest Perfect Spring Corn. We kept wanting to include the undercast in our photos.

From here, you can head east up the ridge toward the summit and ski the fall line slopes directly below the saddle through an old clear cut. The Mountain Loop Highway gives you access to everything.

We were in that neighborhood as well. Stuart. The short approach combines with great tree skiing to make Yodelin one of the best backcountry options in the area on storm days. Sign up for Outside+ today. updates, images, or resources. Sunsets in the mountains are pretty dreamy. And while safety should be the overriding factor in where you decide to ski, on those days when the entire region has rather uniform hazards (not unusual) the telemetry data can help you see where the skiing will be best, what aspects you might want to ski (or avoid), and the elevation you might want to ski (or avoid). Looking for help regarding your season pass, Epic Pass, or online account? Beautiful stuff! Many areas were impassable, I came home to look at photos of the usual descentsthe runs pictured in guide books and online are currently inundated with new growth trees to the point where I couldn't even skin through them.

This lesser-known area can stay good weeks after a storm and has a completely different feel to skiing near the pass. Log in and send us Location: 86 miles northeast of Seattle Pass Elevation: 4,061 feet Vertical drop: Up to 1,500 feet Minimum Time Needed: 2 hours Method: Out-and-backTHE SCENE: Cradled deep in the Cascade Mountains off Highway 2, Stevens Pass offers a surprising variety of powder fixes-from full-day summit tours to concentrated drive-up sessions. The Mountaineers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For extremes, we have the two very different snow and climatic conditions of Stevens Pass to the west on the Cascade Crest and Blewett Pass/Mission Ridge over 40 air miles east of the crest. Pre-Trip Briefing - Pt. This area is characterized by more snowy weather than sunny weather, relatively warm winter temperatures (most winter days range between 25 and 35 degrees Fahrenheit, and a classic maritime snowpack where winter avalanches are most likely to occur on the day following a storm. In late winter and early spring the slopes are perfect training grounds for practicing ice axe arrest and other snow travel techniques. Its positioned better and brings out the background. @2020 - All Rights Reserved. Stevens waved goodbye with a brocken spectre.

The east-facing gladed slopes that drop off the right side range from mellow to moderate-perfect for all levels. At Vail Resorts, we have a unique responsibility to protectthe environment and futureof the sport we love while supporting our communities. Learn more about the steps were taking for the 2021-22 season below. Take a lesson, sample the bike park with a single day ticket, or purchase a season pass to ride all summer long. Ill be at Hilda Hut in the Selkirks in a couple of weeks and I hope we have snow as good as you found. Its probably time for me to replace my Scarpa Lasers. Once youve decided on a general destination (Stevens Pass, Icicle Canyon, Blewett Pass, Mission Ridge area), open up our online Skiing-Backcountry guidebook and use the geographic locators and the tour difficulty numbers to identify possible tours. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who made our trip so magical. To hit the quicker out-and-back on Yodelin Ridge, about 10 minutes east (toward the old ski area), leave your car at the Smith Brook Snowpark on the north side of the highway, and cross the road to the trailhead (look both ways-drivers scream around the blind curve). Depending on weather and conditions we can stick close to the Cascade Crest where you will find the deepest snow and amazing tree skiing as well as some bigger mountain descents. For backcountry skiers, much about a safe and enjoyable day of touring is wrapped up in the decision of where you ski. I like the first shot of Louie much better. The 600- to 800-foot fall line runs are great for skiing laps throughout the day. Stevens Pass averages over 470 inches of snow per year. 1 from NCMG on Vimeo. Finally focusing on in Holden Village and the Mountain Loop Highway. Tax ID: 27-3009280. Start the tour at the Yodelin parking lot, 1.7 miles east of Stevens Pass on the south side of the road. Get special offers, resort updates and snow alerts. Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada.

Expect snow depth here to be closer to be 50 to 60 percent of the snowpack at Stevens Pass. Snowmobile-AssistedBackcountry -We have several zones to choose from when using snowmobiles. Pacia, This is the first area to get tracked out as you can be on top of your line in under two hours. Get hand-picked trail guide posts, events and more delivered to your inbox specifically with you in mind. Even with the open boundary policy at adjacent Stevens Pass resort, the areas numerous backcountry bowls and chutes are rarely crowded. Sorry about the headache and a full version can be seen on desktop. Enchanting PNW, Woody Dixon leads the way. We wish you equally wonderful adventures in 2013. People will still need to climb for their turns but the snowmobiles allow us to access terrain deeper in the mountains. To access Skyline Ridge (also known as Heather Ridge), park in the resort lot on the north side of the highway. We can accommodate your day to your level of fitness, but the more you prepare, the more you will enjoy your day. NCMG operates under Special Use Permits with the Okanogan-Wenatchee, and Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests, and is an equal opportunity outdoor recreation service provider. Click on the different links for Stevens Pass, Blewett Pass, and Mission Ridge. In contrast the access to the Chiwaukum Range and Nason Ridge is accessible all year. But Im not some kind of DPS acolyte now (grin), just traveling with only two pair of skis, one skinny and one fatter, due to need to test I chose DPS for the fatter ones and Manaslu for the smaller ones. On powder days that typically means several laps inside the ski area. Stevens Pass Bike Park is back and opening soon. These photos look awesome. Designed and developed by 3Sherpas. Perched on the crest of the range at 4,061 feet, the pass is a geographical anomaly, benefiting from both heavy snowfall out of the west (450 inches most years) and cold air flows from the east. Log in and send us

NCMG 2021. These are some of my favorite Stevens Pass ski tours with colder temperatures on the east side and two 9000 foot peaks in Leroy Basin. Woody took good care of us and it was especially nice to see the new line from Mountain Equipment. OurEpicPromise ProgressReportdetails this commitment, including $19.4 million donated to community partners thispast year and our advancement toward a zero net operating footprint by 2030. What boots did you end up using for your BC / WA trip? At Blewett Pass, however, the new snow may measure-in at 6 inches, making the new snow far more manageable for covering distance and moderating the avalanche hazard. Road grades crisscross the area and allow for easy route finding and mellow skin tracks. I have to say thanks to him for forcing me to get out of the Crystal Mountain bubble. Rock MountainRock, Howard and Mastif Traverse, Camping in the ChiwaukumsBig Chiwaukum Couloir, Cardinal PeakSeven Fingered JackBlack Hole CouloirChocolate Glacier Glacier PeakTenpeak MountainDakobed Traverse. For more vert, continue skinning two miles west to the summit above Skyline Lake, where you can drop into steep south-facing bowls that yield a thousand vertical feet of nicely spaced old-growth pines. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Please contact us for more details. The telemetry site at the bottom of our column WA State-All Mtn Weather Sites is especially valuable for letting you monitor the regionit gives you links to graphs for each weather site that is much easier to analyze. Union? According to many maps Stevens Pass is the beginning of the North Cascades. The result is a deep and dry snowpack that lasts well into May. Until you really know your stuff, when the hazard hits 4 (high) or 5(extreme), opt to downhill ski or Nordic ski on a groomed trail system. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lou.dawson.writer. On almost any given winter or spring day, the diversity of ski countries found here in Central Washington allow you to 1)lower your avalanche exposure and 2)find enjoyable snow conditions. Should you find yourself in Leavenworth-a faux-Bavarian town 45 minutes east of Stevens Pass where lederhosen are still de rigueur-be sure to stop by Uncle Ulis Pub (509-548-7262). WOW! Louie backcountry skiing Stevens Pass. Bonanza PeakGoode MountainMaude and Seven Fingered JackExtended Ptarmagin TraverseSuiattle TraverseMount Fernow. Visit Pro Mountain Sports in Seattle (206-522-1627), run by renowned Cascade climber Jim Nelson. Maybe it just needs a lot more snow. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure, Sno-Park Parking Permit (required in OR + WA 11.01 thru 04.30). 176S. The Mountaineers teaches skills and leads outdoor activities Finally the Icicle and Entiat canyons are tweener snowpacks. If daytime temperatures have remained below freezing, the Stevens Pass backcountry could be stellar especially on north-facing slopes. Spend a fair amount of time learning how to read and interpret these reports. For example, if you want to see all the Blewett Pass area ski tours, click the Blewett Pass check box and the total number of ski tours will be filtered down to that area. We hop, Sometimes you ride a bike, other times you push a, Its a beautiful day to be in the mountains! Avalanche hazard may be high at the crest while the skiff of new snow at Mission may be disappointing. Come to Colorado soon for more of those blue skies. Blewett Pass offers some amazing skiing and often holds cold, boot-top powder on the shady aspects. In fact, were thinking we might get to report on some rather disruptive gear along with rather good pastries, so stick around. For inquiries specific to resort offerings such as lessons or general questions please reach out to the resort directly: As an Epic Pass holder, you get 20% off food, lodging, lessons, rentals, and more. Get to planning your trip and enjoy the most time on the mountain! After 15 days of perfect pow, great friends and turns with Louie, it will be a while before Lou stops grinning. Another shot with DPS skis! You and your guide can decide which of these three options are best given the conditions and your goals for the day. From the saddle you can ski gentle glades or continue up the ridge to access steep tree lines. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. There are no resources for this route/place. From Rock Mountain to the west to Seven Fingered Jack to the east. The upper links to Avalanche-Eastside and Avalalanche-Stevens give you the generalized avalanche report for the East Slopes of the Cascades and for the Cascade Crest around Stevens Pass. Click all photos to enlarge. From scenic chairlift rides, guided hikes, disc golf and hiking we have a range of activities to suit all ages, whether you are planning a quick stop over on your way over the pass, or planning a day fun of adventure in the heart of the Cascades. Skiing on Cannon Mountain up the Icicle Canyon. Your email address will not be published. The, When is the last time you went backpacking? Consult Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center (206-526-6677; nwac.noaa.gov). Thank you for taking the time to check out this page and hopefully it gave you some inspiration for some new ski tours in Stevens Pass and beyond. For more about Lou, please see his personal website at https://www.loudawson.com/ (Blogger stats: 5 foot 10 inches (178 cm) tall, 160 lbs (72574.8 grams). Saw you at the Safeway in Leavenworth yesterday, celebrity sighting! On the page below the trips are put up starting from the west and heading to the east. Cascadian farewell to WildSnow. New gear, resort reviews, athlete interviews, and more. 2021Outdoor Project. To further understand whats going on around the region and where to spend the day touring, use the telemetry sites at Stevens Pass, Mission Ridge, and Tumwater Mountain, and compare whats going on at the same general elevation (around 4,000 feet) with temperatures, wind strengths, wind directions, total snow accumulation, and new snow. When it snows hard and you are looking to get out as fast as possible this is the place to be. The definition of shralping is never clear, but throwing Cascadian powder around does perhaps qualify. A variety of terrain makes Yodelin fun for both beginners and experts. Skiing down theses slopes must be a thrill. Oh, theyre good skis no doubt. If you include all the terrain within this area you can see why the Stevens Pass ski tours are so vast. After 1,500 vertical feet, youll hit the highway-the parking lot is about a mile back to the right, depending on where you pop out. for all ages and levels in the Pacific Northwest. On the western edge of the lake is a small village called Holden which is nestled in the mountains and this days a church retreat. Find the most up to date information regarding operating hours for various services. It was always a pleasure to head out with Scott McAlister. WenatcheeOutdoors has several tools to help you quickly monitor weather and snow conditions around the region. are you sure those were in the Cascades? We can also travel farther east, towards Leavenworth and Blewett Pass, where you will often find colder snow and a sunnier climate. Mount PughSpire PointSchimitar Glacier Glacier PeakSauk River to Highway 2Whitehorse MountainGlacier Peak via Cool Glacier. These trips do involve a bit of booting to get to the best runs but can be accomplished without specialized backcountry ski bindings or splitboards. Youre good to go. While looking at these forecasts, you may also double click on the Google map inside these forecast and get a forecast thats tailored to a more specialized region, like Mt. The area features steep tree skiing found off the ridge, while open glades dot the lower slopes. It can also make all the difference in whether youre slogging through storms with almost no visibility versus skiing sunshine, or whether youre skiing slopes coated with a few inches of powder versus busting through breakable crust. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. This area has every time of terrain you could ask for. This area is relatively quiet during the winter but once the low elevation trails melt out this area sees quite a bit of traffic. ** Study the topographic maps associated with those tours and make sure the aspects and general terrain match up with what you know about avalanche hazards and/or snow conditions. This post by Andy Dappen was originally published on 11/22/09. Yodelin, a ski area that was retired in the 1960s, sits just northeast of Stevens Pass, and the parking lot, open glades, and liberally spaced trees still remain. *Not eligible for Bike Passes. 2 from NCMG on Vimeo. *Not eligible for Bike Passes. Summer Activities , opens in a new window. The Eternal Decision, A Shoulder Season Ski Traverse: Three People, Three Sleep Systems, Springtime Primer: Securing Skis/Splitboard to a Bike Frame, Choices in the Wasatch: the DPS 94 C2 and DPS 100 RP.

Leave Seattle by 7 a.m., and by 9 youll be cherry-picking untracked chutes, bowls, and gladed slopes.THE DRIVE: From Seattle, drive north on I-5 to Everett, and then east on Highway 2 for 65 miles to Stevens Pass. Pacia. From the Monte Cristo Range to the South to Glacier Peak to the East. Sleep at the Cascadia Inn in Skykomish, 16 miles west of Stevens Pass (from $75; 360-677-2030). This is a great way to warm up the legs before heading into the backcountry. Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding With over 240 square miles of permitted terrain to choose from we can definitely find you the best snow and the coolest lines. I envy your vision and scenery. Ive been very fortunate to have great touring partners who called this area home. From Highway 2 on the east side you can find yourself on a ferry heading towards North Cascades National Park. Hopefully we will catch up with you in Colorado some time soon. Stevens Pass, Lake Wenatchee, Leavenworth, and Blewett Pass all offer something different. However, if daytime temperatures have been warm, the slopes around Stevens may be gloppy or even crusty. A sordid history of logging and some variably successful development (including two ski resorts: Stevens Pass, which is up and running, and Yodelin, now defunct) means theres an abundance of clear-cuts and access roads-a blight on the landscape to be sure, but a blessing for skiers seeking easy skin-ups and open backcountry slopes.

All Rights Reserved. Learn about our COVID-19 protocols Learn More, ($50 additional per person for snowmobile accessed tours). Glad you had a good job, but quit posting photos of sun in Washington. Find time to do the activities you love with the people you love. The biggest issue with this area is parking as you cant expect to get a parking spot after 8 A.M. so you better be fast. Tax ID: 27-3009280. More pre-trip videos can be found here - Pre-Trip Skiing Videos.

Well spend about a week back home then were on the road again, or in the sky. updates, images, or resources. Great photos! Totally Deep Podcast: Hats off (and some clothes off too) with Jack Kuenzle on Episode 100!

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There are no activities scheduled at this location. you can take at this route/place. I am so jealous of your experience that you can have. His movement is directed across the center of the frame rather than away from it. Each year he would have a new zone that was his interest of the year. First sun since October. While it is helpful to have a Level 1 avalanche course under your belt, each tour will begin with an avalanche safety briefing and practice session for all of our guests. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. The first look at these scenes takes my breath away. Turn a long drive over the pass into an overnight stay at the summit, or extend your day of biking or hiking into multiple days of fun by taking advantage of RV Camping at Stevens Pass. and peak combinations. This includes side trips, extensions Jove? Woody Dixon finds yet another patch of untracked Cascadian whiteness. Toured at Yodelin today (12/3/17), granted it is still early season, but the glades/fall line are extremely overgrown. Winter Sports Hiking/Trail Running/Backpacking Mountain Biking Climbing, Mountain, Sport and Ice Water Activities. Blower Pow Is Not the Only Reason to Visit This Japanese Village, How I Learned to Shut Up, Stop Worrying, and Just Ski the Damn Rocks, How Double Backflips and Human Waste Affect a Ski Expedition. Note: one problem with this link is that after clicking the telemetry site you want to see, youll need to scroll down to find the actual graphs. Althou, Time to take in the epic views for a moment during, Low Mileage Backpacking or Camping Food Hacks, The Paleozoics and Cenozoic of Silver Star, Stemilt Non-Motorized Area Comments Needed, Far Flung-Tarpiscan to Vantage Bikepacking Trip. Instead, the sky looked like Colorado but the ground looked like a glacier.

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