Palisades Tahoe Backcountry Tours

Palisades Tahoe Ski Guiding

Want to rip as many laps as you can? We can utilize the lifts and minimize hiking.

Want to find the rarely skied nooks and crannies with the best cold pow? Our local ski guides know the Tahoe area better than anyone, and Alpenglow’s exclusive Palisades Tahoe lift access to certain backcountry zones give us the best conditions out there.

Want to build your backcountry skills? Our guides love to teach, and can focus your day on uphill touring skills, avalanche safety skills and more, all while skiing and riding in the backcountry.

Want to take full advantage of the spring skiing capital of the US? Our Tahoe guides will take you to our favorite spots!

THE ALPENGLOW DIFFERENCE

As a Tahoe-based guide company with countless expeditions to high-altitude peaks around the world over the last 15 years, we bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to our beloved home mountain in Tahoe, California. Our teaching and guiding philosophy has been honed from the flanks of the Himalayan giants to the technical peaks of Peru, and we are beyond excited to be able to bring our program to this fantastic mountain. In addition to our international expedition roots, we are accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), being one of the very few guide services in the region to hold such a high standard. Each of our guides is trained by the AMGA in the terrain in which they operate, and the program is supervised by internationally licensed IFMGA mountain guides. This high standard, along with our many years of experience, translates to a fantastic mountain adventure!

Alpenglow Expeditions operates under special use permit with the Tahoe, Eldorado, Inyo, Humboldt-Toiyable and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Palisades Tahoe Ski Guiding Locations:

At Palisades Tahoe (previously Squaw Valley), we ski and ride in two prominent zones: National Geographic Bowl (Nat Geo) and the Tram Ridge zone.

Nat Geo – Located outside the boundary lines of Granite Chief at Palisades Tahoe, the Nat Geo bowl and adjacent peaks have been long admired for their beauty, remoteness, and quality of terrain. Crossing the boundary at Palisades Tahoe with your guide, you step into a true backcountry skiing and riding experience with quiet solitude and playful terrain. There are many options for ski descents, and once you reach the bottom you’ll transition to uphill mode and gain the ridge that connects Palisades Tahoe to the Tahoe National Forest boundary. Some private ski guiding groups do multiple laps in Nat Geo, and some continue on to Tram Ridge.

Tram Ridge – This is the awesome north facing terrain that can be seen from the parking lot of Palisades Tahoe. Accessed from Broken Arrow, this zone is made up of glades, gullies and ridge lines. We can ski multiple laps in this zone, returning to the ski area to bump up the lifts, or utilizing our AT skis or split boards to skin uphill. Skiing out of the Palisades Tahoe boundary line on Tram Ridge has long been a dream of many a long-time Palisades Tahoe skier, and now it is a reality, exclusively with Alpenglow Expeditions!

Munchkins – At Alpine Meadows, we access the popular backcountry zone known as “Munchkins” off Scott Peak. Munchkins is a huge zone, with everything from mellow open bowls to perfectly spaced trees to steep technical lines. The zone’s diversity makes Munchkins the perfect place for the new backcountry skier or rider looking to build skills, and ideal for many laps for the experienced off-piste rider.

** We don’t decide which zone we will ski until the morning of the tour, to allow our guides to pick the best ski tour based on current conditions and the group’s ability level. In the event that there is no lift access that day (storms, closures, etc.) guides will pivot to an alternate area for a regular backcountry tour. Regardless of where the day takes you, you can be sure it will be a memorable time in the backcountry!

What To Expect With Private Ski Guiding at Palisades Tahoe

Depending on fitness level, technical ability and daily conditions, skiers and riders can expect to get multiple laps of fresh tracks outside of the Palisades Tahoe ski area boundary. Terrain varies from wide open bowls and widely spaced trees to steep, technical lines that will challenge even the most seasoned skier.

Each morning starts off with a safety meeting with your ski guide and a gear check to make sure everyone has what they need for the day. Depending on the zone, we’ll ride the lifts at Palisades Tahoe or Alpine Meadows before heading out of bounds. Lift access to these zones cuts out a significant portion of approach time, and can be used throughout the day to reduce the ratio of hiking to riding traditionally associated with backcountry skiing.

Who Can Participate in Private Ski Guiding at Palisades Tahoe

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).

5-10 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 12-15 years old can join us with a parent. 16 years and over are able to join without accompaniment.