Privately guided days consist of just you, your hand picked group, and your guide. With this arrangement, you’re able to call the shots helping to shape the day with your guide as you see fit. The goals and outcome of a day out with our guides is customized to your group.
- Want to rip as many laps as you can? We can put the learning aside and get right to it.
- Want to find the rarely skied nooks and crannies with the best cold pow? Our guides know the area better than anyone, and Alpenglow’s exclusive lift access at Squaw Valley gives us the ability to find the best conditions out there.
- Want to build your backcountry skills? Our guides love to teach, and can focus your day on uphill skills, avalanche safety skills and more, all while skiing and riding in the backcountry.
You must be an intermediate to advanced skier for this trip and be comfortable on ungroomed terrain. Here is a good example of an intermediate skier and an intermediate rider.
Location
Your day out will take place somewhere on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, within the Tahoe National Forest. We have many trailhead options at our disposal and with your input, your guide will pick the location with the best conditions for the day. Alpenglow operates in partnership with the Tahoe National Forest and Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows.
What to Expect
Depending on fitness level, technical ability and daily conditions skiers and riders can expect to get multiple laps of fresh tracks in the backcountry. 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 guide and a gear check to make sure everyone has what they need for the day. Depending on the day’s conditions and weather, your guide will make the decision on which trailhead you’ll be using for the day.
You should expect to hike through beautiful terrain for a couple hours at a time. During downhill portions you’ll be greeted with the conditions of the day and should be prepared to ski or ride in variable snow conditions ranging from cold powder to firm but carveable chalk snow.
Who Can Participate
Intermediate and Advanced skiers or riders who have anywhere between no experience to years worth of days in the backcountry. 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. These videos are a good example of the intermediate to advanced skiers and riders.
Skiers or riders 12-16 years old can join us with a parent. 16 years and over are able to join without accompaniment.
Rentals
A complete backcountry touring setup is required, and we can rent it all to you for a small cost. We rent beacons, probes, shovels, touring skis, touring boots and splitboards.