January 31, 2017 Sierra at Tahoe

It was nice to return to Sierra with our free tickets, sunshine, and spring conditions.  Yes, the snow pack is BIG and the snow banks in the parking lot are BIGGER. Years ago during a bad year at Snoqualmie we could ski at Sierra because they were both part of the same parent company.  Those days are gone, but now we have the Powder Alliance pass.  We followed the sun and the conditions just got better. Sierra is a great tree skiing area with runs cut in the treed slopes. The amount of terrain is large, especially if you ride the old double lift that drops you off at the start of a steep treed gully. There were no lift lines, just skiing. The area is along highway 50 on the south side and most terrain is facing northwest. Just across the road from the ski area on the north side of highway 50 is the Desolation Wilderness. This large area is a backcountry touring gem. The photo is of Jill with the Desolation Wilderness in the background with Ralston Peak at 9285 feet to the left. Access is from highway 50 – if you can find a parking spot.  The other photo was taken as we descended from Echo Summit and looking north of Lake Tahoe. Yes, Lake Tahoe is covered by fog; we were 1000 feet above lake level and have never seen fog covering the lake before. We stopped for lunch at Orchid Thai in SLT and asked the waitress about the fog. She said that it is very unusual, hadn't seen it in the 13 years that she's been there. Hmmm.

Sounds like a gem of a place!