I need to rent gear, what information should I provide in advance?

We have an excellent selection of backcountry ski gear available to rent. We offer top of the line equipment from Black Diamond Skis, Tecnica Boots, and Jones Snowboards. Many of our guides use the same gear available in our demo fleet. If you have any gear or sizing questions, we would be more than happy to get you situated to ensure you get the most out of your day in the mountains. Splitboards We have Jones Splitboards available to rent in sizes 145cm, 152cm, 160cm, 161cm, 162cm, and 164cm) Please let us know your stance/binding angle preferences if you are planning to rent a splitboard setup. A/T Ski Boots Alpine touring ski boots from Technica Boots are available to rent. Sizes range from 23.5 to 29.5 in both genders. Avalanche Equipment Avalanche gear is mandatory for all peoples traveling in alpine terrain. If you do not already own gear, we rent an avalanche kit (incl. beacon/shovel/probe) for a small daily fee.

What is your local adventures cancellation policy?

Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy

What safety standards do you have?

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.

What sort of experience is required for this trip?

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.

I just booked a tour, what do I do now?

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.

I don’t have any avalanche gear - can I still sign up?

Yes! We rent beacons, probes, and shovels for a small daily fee.

Can I customize a day for my group?

Yes! A large portion of our business is designed around custom adventures. Booking a private day gives you the freedom to tailor the day around your goals, pace, and group size.

Is lunch included on this trip?

Lunch is not included. We recommend bringing a sack lunch and plenty of water.

How much hiking will we do on the Truckee Skyline Traverse?

The Truckee Skyline Traverse is a 12-mile trek. It can be expected that much of the day will be spent climbing.

What is a good course to take in preparation for the Truckee Skyline Traverse?

Try our Backcountry 2.0 , or book a private backcountry tour ! Perfect for sharpening your backcountry skills!

Where can I purchase trip insurance?

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.

Advanced

Truckee Skyline Traverse Ski Tour

private backcountry ski guiding in lake tahoe with professional mountain guides

Truckee Skyline Traverse Ski Tour

$679

+$125 per additional person

Sierra Crest, CA

Full Day / 8 Hours

A must-do backcountry ski tour for any California backcountry skier, this guided backcountry ski day follows the legendary and beautiful sierra crest from Sugar Bowl Ski Resort to Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort. The Truckee Skyline Traverse Ski Tour requires excellent physical fitness and proficient backcountry touring skills and experience.

Booked privately every day in winter 2025/2026

Inquire

Tour Overview

This Lake Tahoe ski traverse will take you along the iconic sierra crest from Donner Summit to Olympic Valley, passing through some of the best backcountry ski terrain that Lake Tahoe has to offer.

At times following the ridge top, at times skiing classic descents off either side of the crest, this guided ski tour is not to be missed.

Traditionally skied in two days, we are offering this as an advanced 1-day journey along the crest of the northern Sierra Nevada with our Tahoe ski guides. With stunning lake views, expansive vistas of remote portions of the Granite Chief wilderness, the Truckee Skyline Traverse is a must do for any California skier. This is a long day, and skiers/riders must be in excellent shape and capable of hiking for many hours at a time. The typical time to complete this traverse ranges from 7-10 hours.

Who Can Participate in the Truckee Skyline Traverse Guided Ski Tour

Expert level skiers/riders that are competent on all black diamond runs in a ski area, on and off-piste, in all conditions. Skiers/riders must have either our Backcountry 2.0 course plus 5-10 days of touring experience, or 25+ days of touring experience.

THE ALPENGLOW DIFFERENCE

As a Tahoe guiding comapny 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 mountains. 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.

Preparation

Prerequisites

Backcountry 2.0 course PLUS 5-10 days of touring experience, OR 25+ days of touring experience.

Technical

You must be an expert level skier/rider that is competent on all black diamond runs in a ski area, on and off-piste, in all conditions.

Fitness

Excellent physical fitness is required. Participants must be able to hike for many hours at a time while carrying a pack. This is of paramount importance, as it is difficult to abort the tour part way.

Morning: Meet & Greet
Meet at Alpenglow office, gear check and introductions. Ride shuttle to Sugar Bowl Ski Resort.
Mid-Morning through Afternoon: Ski Tour
Once we arrive at Sugar Bowl we ride the Lincoln chairlift where we access the backcountry. From here we follow the Sierra Crest to Olympic Valley. Alternatively, we can get an earlier start by skinning from Donner Pass well before the Sugar Bowl Lifts open.

Alpenglow’s Tahoe Guides

Our Truckee Ski Guides

Meet who you might be skiing the Truckee Skyline Traverse with.

FAQ’s

Truckee Skyline Traverse Guided Ski Tour Questions

The answer to our most commonly asked questions about our guided Truckee Backcountry Ski Tour.

: We have an excellent selection of backcountry ski gear available to rent. We offer top of the line equipment from Black Diamond Skis, Tecnica Boots, and Jones Snowboards. Many of our guides use the same gear available in our demo fleet. If you have any gear or sizing questions, we would be more than happy to get you situated to ensure you get the most out of your day in the mountains.

Splitboards
We have Jones Splitboards available to rent in sizes 145cm, 152cm, 160cm, 161cm, 162cm, and 164cm) Please let us know your stance/binding angle preferences if you are planning to rent a splitboard setup.
A/T Ski Boots
Alpine touring ski boots from Technica Boots are available to rent. Sizes range from 23.5 to 29.5 in both genders.
Avalanche Equipment
Avalanche gear is mandatory for all peoples traveling in alpine terrain. If you do not already own gear, we rent an avalanche kit (incl. beacon/shovel/probe) for a small daily fee.
: Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy
: 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.
: 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.
: 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.
: Yes! We rent beacons, probes, and shovels for a small daily fee.
: Yes! A large portion of our business is designed around custom adventures. Booking a private day gives you the freedom to tailor the day around your goals, pace, and group size.
: Lunch is not included. We recommend bringing a sack lunch and plenty of water.
: The Truckee Skyline Traverse is a 12-mile trek. It can be expected that much of the day will be spent climbing.
: Try our Backcountry 2.0, or book a private backcountry tour! Perfect for sharpening your backcountry skills!
: 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.

Equipment

Truckee Backcountry Ski Tour Equipment List

Here’s what you’ll need to backcountry ski in Lake Tahoe with.

Download Equipment Link

Select a category

Ski Socks
Ski socks will keep your feet warm and dry during long tours in the mountains.
Recommended: Smartwool
Midweight Gloves
These gloves should be full GORE-TEX®, and insulated. These will be the workhorse glove for any expedition.
Recommend: Black Diamond Tour Gloves
or Black Diamond Terminator Gloves
Lightweight Gloves
All-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
Ski Helmet
A ski specific helmet that is less than 10 years old.
Recommended: Scott Track Plus Helmet
Goggles
These 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
Sunglasses
Must 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). A Category 4 lens is recommended.
Recommended: Julbo Shield
Hat
Bring 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
Balaclava
We 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
Beanie
A 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
Lightweight Baselayer Bottoms
Fitted 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 Coefficient LT Baselayer
Soft-Shell Alpine Pant
You will spend most of your days in these pants. They should be breathable + water-resistant.
Recommended Men’s: Black Diamond Alpine Pants
Recommended Women’s: Black Diamond Alpine Pants
Hard Shell Jacket
A 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
Mid-Weight Puffy Jacket
A 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 Deploy Down 1.0 Hoody
Recommended Women’s: Black Diamond Deploy Down 1.0 Hoody
Lightweight Baselayer Top
A 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 Lightwire Long Sleeve
Recommended Women’s: Black Diamond Women’s Lightwire Long Sleeve
Sun Hoodie
Lightweight, long-sleeve sun hoody that is great for protecting from the sun.
Recommended Men’s: Black Diamond Alpenglow Hoody
Recommended Women’s: Black Diamond Alpenglow Hoody
Shovel
A lightweight metal avalanche rescue shovel. Extendable handle is recommended.
Recommended: Black Diamond Evac 7
Skis w/ Touring Bindings
A lightweight touring ski with touring bindings. Our guides suggest something between 108mm-115mm underfoot. Keep in mind that extremely lightweight boards are great on the uphill, but can prove challenging in variable conditions.
Recommended Skis: Black Diamond Helio Carbon 108 Skis
Recommended Bindings: Black Diamond ATK Crest 10 Bindings
Ski Touring Bindings
Alpine Touring bindings are designed to allow up-hill travel and down-hill descent. We recommend a lightweight binding with heel risers to assist on steeper terrain.
Recommended: Black Diamond ATK Crest 10 Touring Bindings
Splitboard
A splitboard that you are comfortable riding in a variety of conditions. Preferably a powder-centric board with good float (longer nose, setback stance).
Recommended: Jones Hovercraft, Stratos, or Mind Expander Splitboard
Climbing Skins
Many options are available, and are often comparable. Most important is to ensure your skins are trimmed properly for the ski you will be touring with. Skins with a secure tail clip are preferred.
Recommended for Skis: Black Diamond Glidelite Mix STS Climbing Skins
Recommended for Splitboards: Black Diamond Glidelite Mix Splitboard Climbing Skins
Ski/Splitboard Poles
Adjustable 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 or Expedition 3 Poles
Avalanche Transceiver
A digital transceiver that is simple to use or that you are extremely comfortable using.
Recommended: Black Diamond Recon Avalanche X Beacon
Probe
A strong, lightweight avalanche probe, 260-300cm.
Recommended: Black Diamond QuickDraw Pro Probe 280
Ski Touring Boots
These need to be a touring specific boot with walk mode, and a rubber sole. Typically sized a bit larger than your regular alpine boot, and light weight is a huge plus. Be sure to try many pairs on to find the right fit; it can make or break a day in the mountains!
Recommended: Fischer Transalp Pro or Transalp Tour WS
Snowboard Boots
The 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 Men’s: Burton Tourist Snowboard Boots
Recommended Women’s: Burton Snowboard Boots

Testimonials

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.