Lake Tahoe, CA, Backcountry Report: Skiing Fast Powder Snow Above Stunning Lake Tahoe

Miles Clark | Post Tag for BackcountryBackcountry | Post Tag for Conditions ReportConditions Report

Report from December 15, 2024

Yesterday, we got out into the Lake Tahoe, CA, backcountry early.

Well, we thought we were early, but people had already done two laps by the time we hit the top…

No matter, there was plenty of room out there, and our first run was buttery smooth.

Lake Tahoe, California. image: snowbrains

The wind had its way with the snow, leaving it dense, pressed, and very fast.

Even when you tried to speed-check the turn, the snow didn’t always let you.

I ended up in a pillowy zone I’d never been in before but without the courage to hit many pillows.

Dawn on Lake Tahoe. image: snowbrains

It’s still thin out there, and I did hit a rock or two.

The coverage was exponentially better than it was 2 days previous when I hit quite a few rocks on our first run.

We climbed back up and skied a north aspect on our way home, and the snow was even more wind-pressed over there.

Still fun, though, and we drove home happy.

Curves. image: snowbrains

Two pizza slices at Front Street Pizza put us in exactly the right mental headspace.

Thanks, California!

Avalanche Forecast

Photos

Tahoe trace. image: snowbrains
Dwanis on top. image: snowbrains
Snow on the coast range. image: snowbrains
Tahoe Trail bars fueling the charge. image: snowbrains
Duane smiles. image: snowbrains
December light. image: snowbrains
Windy pinecone. image: snowbrains
Wind. image: snowbrains
Light. image: snowbrains
Duane nearly to the top. image: snowbrains
Tahoe. image: snowbrains
Dwanis. image: snowbrains
Snow rocks. image: snowbrains
Blaze. image: snowbrains
Heavenly ski resort. image: snowbrains
Early morning light. image: snowbrains
Dawn on Lake Tahoe. image: snowbrains
Dawn on Lake Tahoe. image: snowbrains
Posted by Miles Clark |

Related Articles

Got an opinion? Let us know...