High Sierra Ski Tours

Ski touring in the High Sierra Nevada of California is one of North America’s premier multi day wilderness ski touring experiences. The magnificent and very remote backcountry ski terrain in the High Sierra coupled with the more stable Spring weather make for a ski touring paradise that is unlike many other mountain ranges of the world.

The first very big difference you will find in High Sierra ski touring is its remote wilderness character and the absence of ski huts. While some may prefer the comfort of alpine ski huts such as what you would find ski touring in the Alps of Europe or at the fly in ski lodges of Canada, there are many who prefer the immersive wilderness experience and the self-reliance of ski touring with carrying everything you need on your back. While touring on skis in a full snowpack two days back in the High Sierra you are out there, really out there.

While the ski touring itineraries in the High Sierra are almost endless, here are a few of the most classic ski tours to be found in California’s range of light.

ski touring high in the sierra nevada

The Sierra High Route Ski Tour

The most famous and one of the longest trans-Sierra ski tours. The 6-7 day Sierra High Route ski tour goes from the sagebrush near Independence on the East Side of the Sierra over to the giant Sequoia’s on the West side of the Sierra Nevada at Wolverton (or visa versa). Most of this iconic ski tour is within Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park and comes near to the furthest point you can get from any road in the lower 48.

traversing along the sierra high route ski tour

One of the more difficult of the commonly done ski tours in the High Sierra, the Sierra High Route is a very committing ski tour that requires a high level of ski touring proficiency and you need to be solid on your skis. Light is not only right on the Sierra High Route, it’s mandatory. You are covering a lot of terrain and skinning a lot of vertical over many days, if you are weighted down at all by anything non-essential it may make the difference between success and failure. And at a crucial point on this ski tour you are just as far from where you started as to where you are going, something to think about.

A spectacular ski touring camp on the Sierra high Route

The ski touring terrain is classic and spectacular. Rising from the sagebrush of the Eastern Sierra you cross over one of the Sierra’s most formidable passes, Shepard’s Pass. Then atop the Tyndall Plateau it’s a long very gradual ski descent into Milestone Creek and up into the Milestone Basin. At this point you are traversing the Great Western Divide past Triple Divide Peak and ski terrain becomes a bit more technical. Eventually you make your way onto the gentle Tablelands which takes you past Pear Lake and into the Giant Sequoias at Wolverton.

 The Yosemite High Route Ski Tour

A lesser-known 4-5 day trans-Sierra ski tour, the Yosemite High Route Ski Tour goes from June Lake just North of Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierra to Badger Pass in Yosemite National Park. The ski tour takes a swath through the Southern section of the Yosemite high country exploring the remote Clark and Southern Cathedral Ranges before passing by Ostrander ski hut and ending along the Glacier Point Road near Badger Pass.

A committing ski tour as all trans-Sierra ski tours are, it is a small step down in difficulty from the Sierra High Route. There is not quite as much steep ski terrain and the up hills are a bit less on average. It is recommended for those backcountry skiers who have some previous Sierra ski touring experience.

 The Evolution Loop Ski Tour

One of the best ski touring loops out of the Bishop Creek area of the High Sierra. A 5-day High Sierra ski tour that combines stellar ski touring with opportunities for some great peak Aki descents along the way.

climbing towards echo col on the evolution loop ski toiur

Leaving from Bishop Creek at Aspendell you climb up past Lake Sabrina and onto the Sierra Crest at Echo Col. After possibly using ropes over the backside of Echo Col, it’s descending, traversing and climbing to Muir Pass which is where the Muir stone hut is located. Its recommended to spend an extra day near the hut and ski one of the great ski mountaineering objectives nearby by such as the Black Giant.

From Muir Pass you ski down and then up to the Darwin Bench and Darwin Basin, which also has some very good ski descents in the vicinity, before making your way over Lamarck Col and then the long descent back to Aspendell. A good yet somewhat challenging ski tour for those with some previous overnight ski touring experience.

using ropes climbing over echo col

 The Ritter Range Ski Tour

The Ritter Range ski tour has many possible variations in this special zone of the High Sierra. It can be done in a long out and back ski touring loop from either Mammoth Lakes or June Lake and back, or it can be done from Mammoth Mountain in a long semi-circle also finishing up in June Lake. Along the way there are multiple ski mountaineering objectives, the most famous of which is Mount Ritter itself which offers a great ski descent from its summit that is a bit easier than it looks. The Ritter Range offers many ski touring options from a circumnavigation of the range to a challenging ascent and ski descent from Banner Peak. Many couloirs exist as well. Camping locations near the many lakes, including Thousand Island Lake, are about as scenic as you could ask for anywhere.

ski touring in the beautiful ritter range of the high sierra

The Alpine Col Ski Tour

A shorter 3-4 day ski tour out of the Bishop Creek area in the Eastern Sierra, this is a great overnight High Sierra ski tour for those who have a little less time than what some of the other tours would require. Also a great ski tour for those more adventurous backcountry skiers on their first overnight ski tour. Easily done by fit ski tourers in 3 days, it’s nice to add a layover day in the Darwin Basin area to allow for some ski mountaineering and touring objectives in the Mt Darwin area.

Rising out of Aspendell you climb past North Lake and on up over Piute Pass and into Humphreys Basin. Then its past the Goethe Lakes and over Alpine Col (The Keyhole works as well) and down into the Darwin Basin. The ski tour finishes up over Lamarck Col with an option to summit Lamarck Peak to add some extra vertical to your ski descent back down to the cars.

Taking a break and drying the feet on a high sierra ski tour

Mammoth to June Lake Ski Tour

Perhaps one of the best beginner overnight ski tours in the Sierra Nevada. Going from the base of the ski lifts at main lodge on Mammoth Mountain Ski Area to the June Lake loop to the North, this 2-day ski tour is a ridge traverse along the San Juaquin Ridge that culminates atop San Juaquin Peak, (11,000 ft). Then it’s a spectacular 4000 foot descent down into the June Lake Loop.

Along the Mammoth to June Lake Ski tour

Along the way you are afforded magnificent views of the Ritter Range to the West and the volcanic Mono Craters to the East. Its best to ski down off the East side of the ridge to find a sheltered campsite for the evening. A great first overnight High Sierra ski tour that is still challenging enough to be interesting. Finishing up at the Double Eagle Spa on the June Lake Loop is a classic way to end it with a nice hot soak in their Spa.

fresj powder turns on a high sierra ski tour

And more…

This is only a sampling of what the Sierra Nevada has to offer in terms of ski touring. Its almost endless really and different tours and variations exist everywhere from the Monarch Divide ski Tour to the Redline Traverse Ski Tour and so many more. The High Sierra has a lifetime of ski touring awaiting!

Interested in a guided High Sierra ski tour? International Alpine Guides home base is in the High Sierra and we offer a selection of High Sierra Ski Tours in the Spring.

by Dave Miller, IFMGA mountain & Ski guide