DolomiteSport Backcountry Ski Conditions | Sierra Nevada

Yes, we have pretty much dropped off the radar for the last 10 days. The reason is obvious, winter arrived cold and dry. Here in the Sierra we have had some of the best snow I have ever seen in California and as luck would have it, the fluff has stuck around in the backcountry. Only today did it finally seem to be getting a bit dense. We had a good run of it.

While there is not much depth, and in many places little to no base, we are surprisingly not hitting much. At about 3000 meters there is nearly a meter of snow (sorry, I am on the metric system, America needs to join the rest of the world) but exposed ridges are blown free. South facing stuff, even up high, is beginning to get mighty thin. Basically, just be careful to not plow into things as there is no base.

By the way, why is there is NO Avalanche Forecaster currently employed in the Eastern Sierra but there is an Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center that raises money for these things? Anyone?

Today was backcountry day number 8 and for it Janine and I headed up Mt. McGee above Crowley Lake. For skiers, McGee sits like a showpiece as it literally rises straight above Highway 395. John Dittli skied it yesterday and reported good snow. Off we went.

Skiing in the Sierra Nevada is quite different than what we are more used to in Europe. 8 days out in popular areas and we have yet to see another person. Also, just a few days ago we had freezing temps, now we have powder filling the dark north faces and gullies, and we skin up to nearly 4000 meters in T-shirts before lounging in the sun on clear, warm summits.

Included are some snapshots of how the Eastern Sierra around Mammoth is looking for coverage. Sorry… no ski photos, we’ve not wanted to stop. Hint hint.