The Backcountry Skiing Magazine, Community, and Interactive Ski Guide
Skiing the Backcountry Logo
SEARCH BY LOCATION:

CALIFORNIA | UNITED STATES

All Locations>>UNITED STATES>>CALIFORNIA

Summary

NORTH PEAK

NORTH PEAK
California's Sierra Nevada mountain range stretches 400 miles across the length of the state; beginning at the southern end of the Cascade Range near Lassen Peak, and ending about 100 miles north of downtown Las Angeles. California is home to both the highest, (Mt Whitney 14,505') and the snowiest (Mt Shasta 14,179'), mountains in the lower 48 states. California's maritime snowpack offers relatively safe backcountry skiing options throughout the winter, as well as high altitude corn skiing into the summer.

Mountain Ranges

CASCADES (3) | 400+ inches a year

Volcanic

LAKE TAHOE BASIN (42) | 500 inches a year

The Tahoe Basin is located in the northern Sierra Nevada range, straddling the California/Nevada border. Typically the Tahoe Basin is considered to include the length of the Sierra Crest ranging from 1-80 south through Desolation Wilderness, as well as the Carson Range across Lake Tahoe on the east shore, which is geographically considered to be an off-shoot of the Sierra Nevada range. Although the mountains of the Tahoe Basin are not generally large by most standards, the sideways-adhering snow offers some incredibly steep and technical skiable terrain.

THE COAST RANGE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA (1) | 150+ inches a year

The Coastal Crest in dotted with multiple peaks rising to around 7,000 feet. Deep snow covers these peaks 6 months a year.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (2) | 400 inches a year

Encompassing Yosemite National Park and its surroundings. Beautiful lines such as North Peak offer amazing couloir skiing.


Photos

Comments



Guide Books

Sign up to use or skiing guide.
Backcountry skiing is dangerous. Use our online backcountry skiing guide at your own risk.