Expanding on the success of our partnership with Palisades Tahoe, we are now offering a HALF DAY backcountry ski experience.
Our half-day groups will access the Tram Ridge Zone as it allows us to avoid using backcountry skis and boots. You can get a taste for backcountry skiing using your everyday resort setup.
Skiers and riders are still expected to wear an avalanche beacon and carry a probe and shovel. You can rent this equipment from us.
You must be an advanced-intermediate skier/rider that is competent on and off-piste in a variety of conditions, and 1-5 days of previous touring experience is required. Here is a good example of intermediate skiers and riders.
What To Expect
We start our day with a ride on either the Funitel or Tram. We proceed to the Broken Arrow zone within Palisades Tahoe, and we exit into the Tram Ridge zone through a gate that only Alpenglow Expeditions groups can use. These boundaries are still closed to the public. We’re able to ski in the Tram Ridge zone into Shirley Canyon, floating down slopes of various steepness through playful terrain. Near the bottom, we make a hard right and use the last bit of vertical to get back to the trailhead. From here we pop the skis off and in 10 minutes or less, we’re back in the Village ready for another lap.
Even on the most crowded days at the resort, we’ll have this backcountry zone mostly to ourselves. Similar to ski school participants, Alpenglow ski clients will have lift line privileges with their guide to efficiently move toward the ski area boundary. Once in the Tram Ridge zone, we are immediately in an uncontrolled avalanche area – our guides will be critical in selecting the best lines for us to ski.
Most half-day groups will get a maximum of two laps, depending on fitness levels and ski ability.
Who Can Participate
Advanced-intermediate skiers/riders that are competent on and off-piste in a variety of conditions are welcome. You should be confident skiing all blue runs and most black diamond runs at a ski resort (including ungroomed terrain). Here is a good example of intermediate skiers and riders.
1-5 days of touring experience or our Backcountry 1.0 course is required as a prerequisite for this trip. While the hiking to riding ratio is lower than a traditional day in the backcountry, uphill travel is still required.
Skiers or riders 12-16 years old can join us with a parent. 16 years and over are able to join without accompaniment.
