Spring skiing at the iconic Spring Skiing Capital™ offers thrilling, one-of-a-kind adventures you won’t find anywhere else! We caught up with our Director of Mountain Operations, Jeff Goldstone, who shared his insider tips for making the most of Alpine in the spring. Dive into his recommendations and use our trail map to uncover the best spots on the mountain.
Morning: 9am-12pm
1. Early Morning Groomers On Summit
The key to spring skiing is following the sun. If you arrive at 9am, hit the groomers on Summit to warm up your legs and let the sun do its softening magic.
Pacific Crest North Bowl Zone
2. For a Challenge: Hike to High Beaver or Estelle Bowl
If you didn’t know, Alpine Meadows is known for its hike-to terrain. While it might be a bit more work, you’ll find 2 things when you hike out to the Pacific Crest North Bowl Zone, the home of Beaver & Estelle Bowls; STELLAR views of Lake Tahoe and equally stellar corn snow early in the morning.
Pro Tip: Ask a patroller at the top of Summit to see how the freeze cycle has been in Beaver and Estelle Bowls. They’ll tell you whether there is soft snow to be found in this zone mid-morning on any given day.
Take time to soak in the views from the Pacific Crest North Zone
Pacific Crest South Bowl Zone
3. Hike High-T
4. Sherwood Express
Wide open bowls greet you at the top of High T
5. Ice Bar
A trip back to Sherwood would not be complete without a pit stop at the famous Ice Bar. This outdoor snow lounge provides cold beverages, sun chairs for working on that goggle tan, incredible views of the mountains, and of course, good vibes.
Afternoon: 1-3pm
The Promised Land Zone
6. Scott Chute
7. Promised Land
Promised Land has the same vertical as Scott Chute, but not quite as steep. Head here for post-lunch lap #2.
8. Gentian Gully and Lower 40
These trails are behind Promised Land and have a similar aspect to that zone, so the turns will be soft and the pitch will be consistent.
Pro Tip: Jeff’s favorite spring skiing run is Townsend’s (not on the map). It doesn’t get skied that much and it’s a nice wide-open chute. Get there by traversing to the left of Promised Land, but not quite to Subway Cirque. Your end destination is the top terminal of Meadow Chair.
Corn snow typically falls under skiers and snowboarders top 3 snow surfaces to shred
Apres: 3-4:30pm
9. Main Lodge Sun Deck
Soaking up the sun and live music vibes on the sun deck overlooking the frontside of Alpine Meadows
