Peak Mountain Guides Blog

Guide Matt Wade and client Larry Hall just completed a ski descent of the Lavender Couloir on 14,150′ Mt. Sneffels.  This is a classic ski mountaineering trip in the San Juans that includes an exciting roped climb to the summit, a chance to top out on a highly regarded “14′er”, and a beautiful ski descent that begins in a tight couloir and finishes on wide-open rolling terrain nearly 3000′ feet below.  Larry sent us this note after the trip: “Thank you again for the great ski day on Mt. Sneffels.  It will forever be on my list of top ski memories!”

Larry enjoying perfect turns during a ski descent of 14’150′ Mt. Sneffels.

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Our lead guide Matt Wade recently authored an informative and interesting blog post for our long-time supporters, Backcountry Access.  In the post, which follows the activities of a recent Peak Mountain Guides Level 2 Avalanche Course, Matt describes a process for managing avalanche risk in a complex snowpack.  Click the link below to read the story.

Managing Risk in a Complex Snowpack

The Colorado College Outdoor Recreation Club took hut skiing to a new level in February with pillow drops, log hits, and all around incredible skiing! This video is from a Blue Lakes Hut Trip we did with this crew over President’s Day weekend.  A big thanks to guide Mike Bromberg for his artistic talent in compiling this short film.

The big storms of mid-to-late January have produced excellent backcountry skiing and some lively conditions for avalanche courses.  Since January 16th the San Juans have received over 3 feet of snow, most of it coming in “right-side-up” storms that have started warm and finished cold, making the surface snow cold, dry, and soft – which is primo for skiing.  The big load has also tested the snowpack’s strength, creating a perfect learning environment for our avalanche courses.  We’ve been out enjoying the nice skiing as well as the great conditions for avalanche education.  Following are some photos from our recent trips.

Recent storms have produced excellent backcountry skiing.

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We had a great AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course over New Year’s weekend.  The interesting snowpack conditions made for good learning opportunities and we skied some good snow too!  Following are some photos from the course.

Tyler digs a quick snow profile to evaluate the reactivity of wind slabs.

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Give the gift of skiing or snowboarding!  When you book a day of backcountry skiing or snowboarding for a friend, you come along for free!  A third person can join for 1/2 off!  All touring equipment is included free of charge.  This special is valid for any day of backcountry skiing or snowboarding during the 2011-2012 season.  Reservations must be made by December 25, 2011.  Email us at info@peakmountainguides.com or call 970-318-1011 to make your reservation today!

Visit our backcountry skiing webpage for more info.

Give the gift backcountry skiing or snowboarding this year with our holiday special.

Chad and I (Matt) had our first day of the ski season yesterday (11/8). We skied great boot-top powder on North facing terrain in Commodore Basin.  There was 4″ of fluffy new snow capping a substantial 3 foot deep snowpack.  The skiing was very smooth and predictable, and lots of fun!  In fact, it was pretty outstanding for November 8th!  Following are some photos from our day:

Chad riding boot-top powder in upper Commodore Basin on November 8th.

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Bruce, Amy, and I had a wonderful day of ski mountaineering on Potosi Peak in the Sneffels Range yesterday.  Our 5-hour round trip climb and ski descent included a climb of the West face of Potosi Peak (finishing on the SE side of the summit pyramid), a ski descent of the North couloir, a short climb back up to the lowest Potosi/Teakettle saddle, and then a final ski descent of an unnamed South facing couloir to the car.  It was an outstanding ski mountaineering tour!

Dropping into the North Couloir of Potosi Peak

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Yes, it’s true, today was a powder day.  And with 9″ of new, cold snow it was a really good powder day!  Actually, for May 11, it was pretty remarkable.  Here are some photos from the “Serpentine” ski descent Jack and I did on Red Mountain #2.

Jack enjoying amazing powder riding on May 11th

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The seasonal snowfall total for the Northern San Juans has reached 415″, which is just 15″ shy of the seasonal snowfall record for the range!  Our recent 4-day storm deposited nearly four feet of snow, which was like like Christmas in April for skiers.  Here are a few photos from the highway department’s avalanche control work on Red Mountain Pass yesterday:

Avalanche control results on the Blue Point slide path near Red Mountain Pass. A large slab of storm snow released on a dust layer.

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