So, this trip saved the best for last. It was nuking when we left the parking lot at the trailhead Monday afternoon. From my room at the Summit Inn I could see the lights go dim on the highway as I-90 was shut down at the Pass for an extended period. My excitement ramped up when I saw 15 inches on my car in the lot in the morning, knowing there was more up high. All told Alpental had received two feet since they closed on Sunday, and it came in right side up. It was going to be an epic day at Alpental…IF the gates to the Back Bowls opened. Hey, if not I now knew where to tour in the Valley!
A few words about Alpental, which I’ve probably said already. I’ve described it to some as the Mad River Glen of the West. Throw in a little Plattekill for good measure. It’s a small area, in terms of facilities, with only four lifts (two worth riding), a magic carpet, and a modest base lodge. The amount of inbounds terrain is small by western standards, but given the plentiful steeps, trees, bowls and other features it skis much bigger than its acreage. What Alpental lacks in sheer numbers it makes up for in vibe and variety of terrain. It’s a special place and more than worthy of a couple days of your storm chasing time.
Then there are the Back Bowls. Honestly, of all the backcountry zones I’ve skied (and that includes Baker, Crystal, Tahoe, and the Cottonwood Canyons) the Alpy Back Bowls may be my favorite. It doesn’t have the grandeur of Superior, or the sprawling, multiple wide open bowls of Crystal, or the awe inspiring high alpine of Baker. However, what it has is the best variety of terrain I’ve skied in one place, from open bowls, to incredible trees, hairball steeps, cliffs galore if that’s your thing, and so many natural gullies, pillow lines and other features. It’s a veritable playground where caution (or knowledge) is your best friend because there are so many places you can find yourself in real trouble with a wrong turn.
The Back Bowls are accessed through three gates (Nash up high, Snake Dance and Elevator down lower), with Nash having the exposed high alpine requiring the most control work, thus opening last. You are supposed to obtain a (free) back bowls pass (basically a liability waiver). Beacon, shovel, probe recommended, but entry requirements are lax compared to a place like Baker.
Enough words already, right? I’ll tell the day though pictures.
The Good, the bad, and the….well, there was no ugly.
A number of locals complained they had never seen lift lines as long as they were Tuesday. However, that line moved quicker than I thought it would and died down as the am went on. On advice of a local my first run was untracked under the lift rather than join the Edelweiss (Chair 2 to summit) madhouse right away. Once I got back up Chair 2 was about a 30 minute wait.
A Junior freeride comp was going on this week with course inspections starting at noon on terrain under Chair 2, so first run up top was over to Shot Six…
….and this line.
A good morning got better as next trip up Chair 2 Snake Dance and Elevator gates were open. Woohoo! This is what was to be found…
So much fun. While it wasn’t UT or CO light, it was as good as east coast powder gets, and knee deep. Of course it would only get better as next lap up the Nash gate had opened for a couple laps more fun…
All in all it was an incredible, exhausting day. For those interested Alpental has night skiing, too. While I felt guilty not getting a couple runs in before leaving for the red eye (only an hour away) I just didn’t have it in me. Needless to say, I was asleep before wheels up and woke upon touch down.
So, other than some video I may be able to post up later that’s a wrap on a great chase!
Thanks for reading.
