During my skiing lifetime around Northern California, there have been two massive years with top to bottom lift-served skiing on July 4th. Those years were the Summer of 1995 and 2011. But what about a normal year or worse yet, a below normal year?
Bottom line for the Summer of 2013 – Head South on Hwy 88 near Carson Pass. You can make some easy turns on the legendary Patch on Forestdale Creek Road or more significant descents on Roundtop and the Sisters near Kirkwood…but last weeks’s sizzling temps mean its going fast!
For an example of coverage on a bad year, on July 4th in 2007, the ‘main’ patch was gone but the ‘left’ patch was barely skiable.
On a better year, the ‘main’ Patch is still kicking in mid August!
The Big Years:
1994-95′ = Squaw kept Shirley running on weekends through the end of July. Alpine Meadows ran most lifts on July 4th.
2010-11′ = Squaw, Alpine Meadows, Sugar Bowl and even Kirkwood re-opened with Chair 6 lift access and endless possibilities.
A major July highlight was July 2nd, 2011 at Kirkwood. With a summer hiking policy in effect (had to load chair while carrying equipment)…we had one goal in mind…THE CIRQUE!
Here’s a little vid I made of the day…
Chad Paeglow makes a scenic turn with Desolation Wildnerness in the background…
Dan heads up to the top of Thimble Peak…along with a Silver Lake cameo.
This is for you America!
I wonder who set up this fancy starting gate on Carnels?
Jason Metzler drops into the Cirque….in July.
Dan Ricciato decided to flash his line…
After the crux, it was a nice corn couloir down into the Lower Cirque…
Of course, the suncups popped out near the flatlands of the Corral…
I told you it was top to bottom skiing!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA!
That vid looks like so much fun!
Strong work. That’s a big hike up to the cirque. 4th o july beer tastes that much better after
Ah, the secret sierra summer snow patches.