The Palisades are our backyard and undeniably one of the most classic areas of the Sierra. Not only do they house the highest concentration of 14ers in California but they are incredibly beautiful with lakes, meadows and peaks of all shapes and sizes. Unlike Mt. Whitney, which can be seen by every tourist who knows what they are looking at from the comfort of their vehicle, North Palisade and its neighbors can only be seen by those who dare venture deep into the mountains.
What you might not know is that the Palisades and their frontcountry hills offer some of the best spring skiing in the Sierra. Conditions can bring anything from corn to powder, blue runs to double black diamonds, and warm sunny approaches to comfy dry campsites.
Join us on this 4 day odyssey where your experienced and local backcountry guide will pick out a great camp to spend a few nights and pick out some steep ski runs that will make your quads shiver for more!
Your SMG ski guide will contact all members of the group by phone and email to introduce themselves and discuss the proposed itinerary based on current conditions and the group profile. The final meeting details will be communicated at this time.
DAY 1-3
Meet your guide early in the morning and head out into the moutains to ski creme de la creme!
DAY 4
Head out feeling psyched!
Prerequisites:
Advanced-expert downhill skiing skills
Ability to control speed and execute fall-line turns in control and comfort in difficult snow conditions (deep powder, heavy and/or moist snow, breakable crust, firm or icy, etc.)
Ability to execute hop turns on 40 degree+, firm slopes, coming to a complete and immediate stop at the finish of each turn
Ability to sideslip forward and backward, with edge control, on steep, firm slopes
Experience ski touring in the backcountry using ski touring equipment (boots, bindings, skins, transceiver, shovel, probe, etc.
Ability to make uphill facing kick-turns in an uphill track on a slope
