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MARJORIE BOWL | LOVELAND PASS | FRONT RANGE | COLORADO | UNITED STATES

MARJORIE BOWL
MARJORIE BOWL
Date Created: 12/19/2008
Last Updated: 12/19/2008
Ranking:Premier
Skiable Vert:2200 ft
Climbing Vert:2200 ft
Top Elevation:13,218 ft
Trailhead Elevation:11,000 ft
Ascent Mileage:1.5
AVG Ascent Time:2 hours
Ascent Type:Skin, Easy Crampon/snow axe
Trees:Sparse
Slope Aspect:Northwest
Steepest Section:35-45 Degrees
Slope Type:Ridge, Bowl, Chute, Couloir, Face, Gully
Exit:Sketchy but doable
First Descent:
Nearest Town:Keystone
AVG Snowfall:350
Snowpack:High winds and cold dry snow make for a typically dangerous continental snowpack. Most serious routes should be attempted later in the winter and into spring when temperatures rise and the snow begins to corn.

Highlights

Literally a stone's throw from the tracked-out moguls of Arapahoe Basin's East Wall, Marjorie Bowl is an extreme skier's fantasy. Lines of an almost infinite variety exist within this zone; including, open-bowl powder, steeps, chutes, cliffs, couloirs, all finishing off with an exit through trees that hide a fun little gully. No need to rush, though, good tracks are to be had into June in most years.

Ascent

Although you could access Marjorie Bowl by using the lifts at A-Basin and carrying across a long, and potentially dangerous, ridge traverse; no one in their right mind would want to ski onto the top of this bowl without first knowing what lies beyond the roll-over. The best approach is to park in the upper-most parking lot at A-Basin, across highway 6 from the equipment garage. Begin hiking across the road, near the garage, going uphill to the SE. In about 1/4 mile you reach the ski area boundary, follow this uphill into the drainage which leads into Marjorie Bowl above. After passing the tree line, continue into Marjorie Bowl to scope out an exit for your preferred line. Skinning up to the SW ridge from the inside of the bowl provides an excellent opportunity to perform representative angle/aspect stability tests, while the ridge, itself, provides a safe route to access the summit of the bowl.

Descent

Most of Marjorie Bowl's north facing side consists of nicely steep chutes, sometimes with uncertain exits. Hiking further north along the upper ridge will access the west facing wall, and some of the most technical skiing in Summit County. Most famous is the 1,000 vertical feet of perfect couloir skiing, known as "Shit for Brains". Beware of the intense late spring sun as it quickly softens up the west face, promoting inescapable wet slabs.

Access/Permits

No permits are required and access is unrestricted when entering from outside the ski area.

Photos

Need A Guide?

Alpine Ambitions
Alpine Ambitions leads educational, adventurous, ski experiences in some of the most quintessential ski locations on the planet. No matter where you are on the spectrum of skiers - from accomplished, expert skier ready to ski from the summits of big peaks, and in off-the-beaten-path locations to a novice skier with the desire to ski all-conditions and all-terrain, Alpine Ambitions creates the right environment for you....Hire this guide
Alpine World Ascents
Alpine World Ascents is a professional ski and mountain guide outfit based out of Boulder, CO, offering instruction and guiding year round locally and around the world: Rock, Ice, Alpine, Ski, Avalanche Safety. AMGA and IFMGA certified guides only....Hire this guide

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