Wanted: Less Intense Ski Descents

So I'm touring with newbies this winter and need help finding suitable locations that don't max out their ability/confidence levels.

Have:

Reiner's, "Ski and Snowboard Routes" book,
Martin's "Snoqualmie" book,
"Snowshoe Routes - Washington" by Dan Nelson,
"Summit Routes",
All the Beckey Guides,
"75 Scrambles" (*and 101 errors  : ),
"100 Hikes" series by Spring and Manning

Everything I seem to be looking at is for a more advanced skiing level.


Hoping for more day trip ideas for a typical PNW winter that are blue to black downhill. Basically a Grade I or less (Kindergarten?) on Martin's "inevitable rating system", something on par with:

Muir Snowfield
Kendall Stump
Mt. Margaret (clearcut on south flank)
Hyak
Snow Lake Divide (possibly the max of what I'm looking for here)

This less-steep list will also be great to have on hand for high avy days.

Can you help add to the list?

As far as I remember the Seabury Blair book is full of the kind of tours you might be looking for.

Hex Mtn in the Salmon Le Sac area is a good starter backcountry trip.
Mt Margaret used to be pretty good -- but the regrowth trees are limiting the fun on the lower angle slopes -- and the stuff in the old growth trees is a bit steep.
The Heather Ridge and Yodeln areas at Stevens Pass.
Mazama Ridge near Paradise -- the slopes that following the hiking trail up from "4th crossing" on the Paradise Valley road up to the ridge are good intro slopes . The gentle center of the "back bowl" of Mazama ridge is nice too. The ski down Mazama ridge to Reflection lakes is a classic -- good intro to tree skiing.

The Hex Mtn and Mt Margaret trips problably aren't much use for the rest of this season due to sketchy snowpack at lower elevations.

BTW Hex is an excellent "high avalanche" route -- as it follows a ridgeline.

Add Pineapple Pass to your list. It was one of my first spots and pretty non-threatening. However, when I was up there last in early February there were a bunch of scary moats around rocks. So some caution is needed. Snow Lake is a good one, just be aware that there's a couple tight spots along the divide depending on which route along it you take. Nothing that can't be skidded or snowplowed (tested it out).

Check out the Mountaineers' cross-country ski books, many of these tours offer lots of opportunities for some turns.

I don't see anything around the Mt Baker ski area on your list. I think the area around Table Mtn and Herman Saddle would have suitable tours. A trip I remember doing in my early days was to ski up to Artist Point and carry skis up the trail route to the top of Table Mtn, then tour around on top. There must be others around there.

Researching routes myself for the proposed "No Sweat-Low Adrenaline" Ski Touring Club and I was just given a copy of "Backcountry Ski! Washington" by Seabury Blair Jr. . "The best trails and descents for free-heelers and snowboarders". Looks to have a lot of tours of the type you are seeking. Has topo's (basic), elevation gain/loss, avy rating etc.

Great suggestions so far.

Pineapple Pass (and Granite Mtn.[Snoqualmie]) are on the high side of the spectrum

acarey, I hadn't thought to look in the cc ski books, thanks for that!

Corey and Wooley, the Seabury Blair book looks right on point.  


Updated list here:

Stevens:

Heather Ridge at Stevens Pass.
Yodeln at Stevens Pass.

Snoqualmie:

Muir Snowfield
Kendall Stump
Mt. Margaret (clearcut on south flank)
Hyak
Snow Lake Divide (possibly the max of what I'm looking for here)
Pineapple Pass
Hex Mtn Salmon Le Sac area

Rainier:

Mazama Ridge near Paradise

The Tronsen Meadows area at Blewett is very nice for an easy touring day, with good skiing on the slopes of Diamond Head up higher.

Saint Helens, Hogsback (white pass area) and Mazama Ridge are very reasonable.

1)Paradise  tour up to Glacier vista ski down into edith basin either ski back to the lodge or go over the next ridge and ski down Bundy's  to fourth crossing. Return up the road to Paradise. just a ton of possible combinations  around paradise.
2) Nobody's mentioned Cowlitz rocks? Perhaps one of the finest and easiest tours  out of Paradise.
3) Snoqualomie  Silver peak basin via Nordic pass or around Rockdale  then Ollalie meadows .Stop at whatever comfort level and skill your group has. Buy the Nordic pass or not,
4) Hogsback at White pass. MY personal favorite for beginners.  And could still be  even after the lifts go in. Time will tell .
5) Nisqually glacier from Glacier vista down to the bridge.
If you know the way in a good year at the right time.

All the above bear avy protocol, All the above have blue/black slopes close by the gentle slopes for choices.  The trick to taking new victims/future partners out is to go where they are comfortable. Let them point to a black diamond slope and say hey "Can we ski  that next"

What about Summit West when they are closed? I've seen plenty of tracks up there at those times. Don't know what the resort's opinion would be.

Near Stevens, up Smith Brook Rd and find something on the West side of the road or go around Lichtenburg and into the bowl just north of Lichtenburg and ski some of the slopes found there.

Also, when rt 20 opens there is Cutthroat pass. Can get all the way to the pass and the ski down is very pleasant, with some double poling.

To make it more interesting and "wild" skip the usual start at the trail head, park right at Porcupine Creek and skin up, with some switchbacking using the east side of the creek until joining with the regular route.

Alan

from Hyak, the Nordic Pass blue diamond route to Ollalie Meadows. Options for Silver Peak basin
and Radio Mountain behind Mt Catherine.

Chinook Pass, Natches Peak and Yakima Peak if you can time it right when the road opens.

As far as I remember the Seabury Blair book is full of the kind of tours you might be looking for.

Blair's book is out of print but very good. Easy to use, amusing, and has short variations on common tours around Paradise, Bullion Basin, and Hurricane Ridge.

Blair's book is out of print 

Used copies are available on Amazon .

Regarding "Less intense ski descents", our meetup.com group is planning a tour of Bean Creek Basin in 3 weeks weather, avalanche, and road conditions permitting.  I've not skied in this area so I can't personally attest to Bean Creek Basin's "intermediate" rating in the Cross Country Ski Tours book.

Icicle Ridge is nice, mellow up top, and excellent scenery.  Something for everyone, and often very good conditions above about 4000'.

If you feel like getting an overnighter in and you all feel comfortable with rope skills on glacier, the Coleman-Demming is a very easy route. Roman Wall adds some exposure and steepness, but the rest of the route is easy grade for sure!

As of last Sunday, I can attest to Bean Creek Basin's "less intense" ranking.  Road access limits this tour to a relatively short spring season but it's an excellent one for newer backcountry skiers.

Trip report and some pics located here: www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7982959

Thoughts welcome regarding Mount Watson's status as a 'less intense' (or not) tour.

Someone's posted a nice trip report and pics here .

I'm thinking of heading up there once the road is opened a bit more.

Mary's Peak via Bean Basin