Palisades Tahoe Backcountry Tour
– Single Run
Palisades Tahoe Backcountry Tour – Single Run
Palisades / IKON pass required. Don’t have one? We offer our clients discounted day passes to ride the lifts for backcountry access. Please inquire for more information.
- Call to Book Your Tour Today!
Ride With Tahoe’s Best Ski Guides
Questions? Inquire Here.
Join our private ski guides for a single lap in the Tram Ridge Zone backcountry! Avoid using backcountry skis and boots and still get a taste for backcountry skiing using your everyday resort setup.
At the top of Broken Arrow, your private guided ski group will exit the resort boundary, entering the Palisades Tahoe backcountry, exclusive only to Alpenglow ski guides. Expect a 5-10 minute hike upon exiting the boundary and another 10-15 minute skate out of the zone after skiing.
Skiers and riders are still expected to wear a beacon and carry a probe and shovel. Alpenglow provides these items at no cost to all reserved clients.
You must be an intermediate to advanced skier for this course and be comfortable on ungroomed terrain. Here is video showing a good example of intermediate skiers and riders.
What To Expect During A Single Run Through Palisades Tahoe Backcountry
Your private ski guiding group start the 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 guided ski groups can use. These boundaries are still closed to public. We’re able to ski in the Tram Ridge zone down 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 off our skis or boards, and in 10 minutes or less we’re back in the Village.
Even on the most crowded days at the resort, this zone is truly the backcountry. Similar to ski school participants, Alpenglow ski clients have lift line privileges with their guide to efficiently move toward the ski area boundary. Once in the Tram zone, guided ski groups enter an uncontrolled avalanche area – our ski guides will be critical in selecting the best lines to ski.
Who Can Participate in Palisades Tahoe Backcountry Skiing
Intermediate and Advanced skiers or riders. Skiers and riders must be competent in a variety of terrain and snow conditions. Skiers and riders must be able to link turns on ungroomed runs while maintaining control. This is comparable to skiing ungroomed black diamond terrain confidently. Skiers or riders 12-15 years old can join tours if accompanied by a parent. Skiers and riders 16 years and older may join without accompaniment.
Technical
- 11:30 AM
- Meet & Greet
After meeting in the Alpenglow office, we leave the base area and begin the day.
- 12:30 PM
- Depart the Ski Area Boundary
After a safety briefing, we depart from the ski area boundary.
- 1:00 PM
- Finish Day
Once we ski through Tram Ridge, we skate out the Shirley Canyon Trailhead where take a short walk back to the Palisades Tahoe base.
Our Palisades Tahoe Backcountry Ski Guides.
Palisades Tahoe Private Ski Guiding Questions
We meet in the office 1985 Squaw Valley Road #23 at 11:30am. Once logistics are all set for the day, we head to the Tram or Funitel around noon.
Skiers must be confident on a variety of terrain, including black diamond-caliber descents. Prior ski touring experience is not required, although excellent physical fitness is important. If you can get down the mountain- we can get you up!
The amount of hiking during the day varies based on snow conditions. There can be a short 5 minute hike to get out of the ski area (5 minutes) and another 10 minute skate over flat terrain to exit the zone on your way out.
If terrain is not accessible and we cannot run your tour due to terrain closures or avalanche safety concerns, we will make arrangements to refund or reschedule you.
Please read our full cancellation policy below for details.
All skiers will be equipped with avalanche rescue equipment, but no special skiing and riding equipment will be needed.
In general, your gear for the day will be very similar to a day of skiing in the resort – see the Equipment List below.
At Alpenglow, we have only the highest standards of safety and guide qualifications. All of our local backcountry tours are led by AMGA trained/certified guides. Our guides assess the snow conditions and avalanche hazards every morning to mitigate risk, and are supervised by fully certified IFMGA guides.
You will receive a welcome email shortly with more information about your day. Please be sure to fill out our waivers, and let us know if you have any rental needs. Verify you have all your personal gear that you’ll need, and give us a call if you have questions about any aspect of your Alpenglow adventure.
Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy
We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance to protect your activity purchase against unforeseeable circumstances. We recommend Spot as a provider of trip insurance. Spot is a 3rd party provider and is not affiliated with Alpenglow Expeditions – please refer to the Spot website or contact Spot directly for all terms and conditions.
Palisades Tahoe Backcountry Skiing Equipment List
Avalanche TransceiverA digital transceiver that is simple to use or that you are extremely comfortable using.
Recommended: Black Diamond Recon Avalanche X Beacon
ShovelA lightweight metal avalanche rescue shovel. Extendable handle is recommended.
Recommended: Black Diamond Evac 7
ProbeA strong, lightweight avalanche probe, 260-300cm.
Recommended: Black Diamond QuickDraw Pro Probe 280
Lightweight Baselayer TopA long sleeve base layer that is fitted, lightweight and quick drying. Make sure it is long enough to tuck in.
Recommended Men’s: Black Diamond Men’s Solution 150 Merino Crew
Recommended Women’s: Black Diamond Women’s Solution 150 Merino Crew
Mid-Weight Warm Layer TopThis mid-layer will be worn over your base layer most of the trip.
Recommended Men’s: Black Diamond Men’s Coefficient LT Quarter Zip Pullover
Recommended Women’s: Black Diamond Women’s Coefficient LT Quarter Zip Pullover
Ski HelmetA ski specific helmet that is less than 10 years old.
Recommended: Scott Track Plus Helmet
Ski/Splitboard PolesAdjustable ski poles with powder baskets. Note: Splitboarders, be sure to use 3 section poles so they collapse small enough to reasonably attach to your pack while in riding mode.
Recommended: Black Diamond Expedition 2 or Expedition 3 Poles
Snowboard BootsThe same boots you wear at the resort are great for your splitboard. Be sure they’re comfortable, backcountry touring means long days in your boots!
Recommended: Burton Tourist Snowboard Boots
Synthetic TopA simple, lightweight synthetic jacket. This item is good for layering systems to stay warm in cold, wet conditions.
Recommended: Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoodie
Ski SocksSki socks will keep your feet warm and dry during long tours in the mountains.
Recommended: Smartwool
Touring BackpackInternal frame pack that is between 25 and 35 liters. Either purchase a matching pack cover, or use garbage bags as liners to protect from precipitation. Make sure the pack is fitted to YOUR body.
Recommended: Black Diamond Dawn Patrol 32L
GogglesThese will be worn on stormy or windy days. Make sure you are getting a snug fit with lenses for bright sun. Ventilation and anti-fog features are desired.
Recommended: Vuarnet Everest Goggles
Neck Gaiter (Buff)A multi-purpose neck gator that can also be worn under your hat. Make sure that it covers as much skin as possible and yet is still comfy.
Recommended: Alpenglow Buff
SunglassesMust have dark lenses. Minimal light should come in below, above, or around the sides of the lenses.“Wrap” style is best. Ventilation is important and a retainer strap is very useful (Chums or Croakies).
Recommended: Vuarnet Glacier 01
HatBring your favorite baseball hat for shelter from the sun. No white under the brim – the reflection off of it from the sun is blinding.
Recommended: Black Diamond 5-Panel Synthetic Cap
BalaclavaWe recommend a tight-fitting balaclava that is worn under your hat. Make sure that it covers as much skin as possible, but is comfortable enough to wear for hours.
Recommended: Black Diamond Coefficient LT Balaclava
BeanieA comfortable, warm well-fitting hat that covers your ears. Make sure that one of your hats fits under a helmet.
Recommended: Black Diamond Levels Beanie
Heavyweight GlovesThese gloves should be full GORE-TEX®, with a removable fleece liner (so you can take the liner out and dry it at night). These gloves are used at higher altitudes and are needed to keep your hands dry, and warm. Over the cuff style is desired.
Recommended: Black Diamond Guide Gloves
Lightweight GlovesAll-around gloves for mountaineering, backcountry skiing, and hiking. These gloves (and similar options) are warm, wind-resistant, durable and have a sure grip. You will rarely take these gloves off. They should be snug-fitting, and have some sort of reinforced palm.
Recommended: Black Diamond Alpine Softshell Gloves
Hard Shell JacketA lightweight, waterproof and breathable jacket WITH A HOOD that can withstand extreme weather conditions. Make sure you have pit-zips and if you are using an old jacket, re-waterproof it.
Recommended Men’s: Black Diamond Recon LT Stretch Shell
Recommended Women’s: Black Diamond Women’s Recon LT Stretch Shell
Hard Shell Climbing PantYour waterproof bottom layer for extreme weather days. Make sure you have water-resistant zippers, crampon patches + good pockets.
Recommended Men’s: Black Diamond Men’s Fineline Stretch Full Zip Pants
Recommended Women’s: Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Full Zip Pants
Mid-Weight Puffy JacketA simple, lightweight puffy jacket. This item is good for layering systems and staying warm. We recommend 800-fill down that is packable and resists inclement weather.
Recommended Men’s: Black Diamond Approach Down Hoody
Recommended Women’s: Black Diamond Approach Down Hoody
Lightweight TopUltra-light base layer that effectively wicks moisture away from your body and is breathable. Quick-dry is important as well. One light-colored shirt is recommended for extremely sunny days.
Recommended Men’s: Black Diamond Lightwire Short Sleeve
Recommended Women’s: Black Diamond Lightwire Short Sleeve
Lightweight Baselayer BottomsFitted and quick drying. This piece will be a base-layer that will get you through a wide range of temperatures. This can be 3/4 length bottoms if preferred.
Recommended Men’s: Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Baselayer
Recommended Women’s: Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Baselayer
An amazing day of guided backcountry skiing
“Just had an amazing day of guided Palisades backcountry skiing with Dave Nettle of Alpenglow Expeditions. Everything with Alpenglow was top notch from the reservation process and advance-prep right through the last run of the day. Dave was an awesome guide/partner, and incorporated just the right amount of education and knowledge-sharing mixed with a full day of amazing skiing.
If you ever find yourself at Palisades, I would highly recommend spending a day with Dave or any of the guides at Alpenglow!”Jayson D.
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