Expanding on our success in year one in partnership with Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows, 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 skis and boots.
Skiers and riders are still expected to wear avalanche beacon and carry a beacon probe and shovel. Alpenglow provides these items at no cost to all reserved clients.
What to Expect:
We start our day with a ride on either the Funitel or Tram. We proceed to the Broken Arrow zone within Squaw Valley, and we exit into the Tram Ridge zone through a gate that only Alpenglow Expeditions 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 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 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 in depending on fitness levels and ski ability.
Who Can Participate:
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 12-16 years old can join us with a parent. 16 years and over are able to join without accompaniment.
Alpenglow Expeditions operates under a special use permit from the Tahoe, Inyo and Eldorado National Forests. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
