The BackCountry - Backcountry Guide Book - Lake Tahoe Sierra Mountains

Home » Guidebook

Backcountry Guidebook

Lake Tahoe and Truckee boast truly ideal backcountry ski touring. Sitting at the north end of the Sierra Mountain Range, we get tons of snow, while virtually guaranteed warm sunny days in-between storms. Access to trailheads couldn't be better, and we enjoy relatively less avalanche activity as compared to the Rockies and Wasatch Ranges. The Routes in this part of the guide are geared for skiers who will be using climbing skins and expecting slopes steep enough to make turns on. For more level ski tour routes that lighter weight "fish scale" or waxless - pattern skis are designed for, check out our Snowshoe & XC section of the Guidebook.

Please help spread the word about our online message board, where you can tell us what you're up to in the backcountry, and see what other folks have reported for snow conditions. The more people that use it the better! Our website also has excellent weather and snow conditions info.

Stop by for a last minute snow conditions report and more ski touring tips. We RENT everything you'll need to go backcountry skiing and our rates are listed on this website. We are the only shop in Tahoe or Truckee that rents critical items like avalanche transcievers, avalanche probes, shovels, crampons, ice axes and more. Our prices are very reasonable, and we are rarely out of stock. You can apply ALL of your rental expenses towards regularly priced purchases (must be different models each time). You can reserve items one day in advance by phone. We are open from 8:30am to 6pm everyday of the year, although we are often here earlier and later. If you have a big group, we are happy to provide extra personal attention and set up an appointment to outfit everyone.

We recommend Alpine Skills International (ASI) www.alpineskills.com. Since 1979, Bela Vadasz and his guides have been teaching mountain skills and taking people into the backcountry. ASI is one of only a few internationally certified mountain guide operations in this country, and operates upstairs in our Truckee store. Take an Avalanche I, II, or III class with them, or just go skiing with one of their guides like world class skier Eric DesLauries.

ASI guides backcountry ski tours at the Lost Trail Lodge as well www.losttraillodge.com. With parking practically across the street from our Truckee store, Lost Trail Lodge is tucked in a sweet spot up Cold Stream Canyon, with only a few easy mile approach. The accommodations are very modern, and sit right near big vertical tree skiing below the Sierra Crest. Also in our immediate area are a few rustic ski huts you can reserve through the Sierra Club. The Peter Grubb Hut is a few miles from I-80 on Donner Summit, on the west side of Castle Peak. The Bradley Hut is about 10 miles to the south, in-between Silver Peak and Tinker's Knob. And just north of that one, is Anderson Hut. This one sits beneath Anderson Peak, accessed easily from Sugarbowl Ski Area. Book these huts well in advance with the Sierra Club.

Another great way to get into backcountry ski touring is to read Backcountry Magazine cover to cover. This excellent resource will teach you where to go, what to bring, how to be safe, and generally keep you stoked all season. www.backcountrymagazine.com

Sincerely,
Mike Schwartz - owner

USER AGREEMENT FOR THE BACK COUNTRY GUIDEBOOK

These maps were not created with GPS accuracy. The recommended routes on these maps may be dangerous and even deadly depending on many variables such as current avalanche danger, weather, snowpack depth, skill and experience level, and time of day. If you are not an expert and experienced backcountry skier, snowboarder, snowshoer, or climber, we highly recommend you hire a professional guide to take you into the backcountry. We recommend excellent local guides and backcountry skills classes from www.alpineskills.com. You take FULL responsibility for yourself and your party when using these maps. There are inherent risks in going into the backcountry to ski, snowboard, snowshoe or climb. Those using this guide do so entirely at their own risk, and the author disclaims any liability for injury or any other damage by anyone traveling in the areas described. Please be patient if our guidebook recommendations end up being wrong for you. We don't know who you are! We are just showing you where we like to go enjoy the backcountry. Have a great time and please be safe!

BY PRESSING "I AGREE" BELOW, YOU CONSENT TO BE BOUND BY THE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.

To acknowledge that you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the User Agreement, click "I Agree."

I Agree

To indicate that you do not agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the User Agreement, click "I Do Not Agree."

I Do Not Agree


	The only way to hear about monthly sales and closeouts!