Backcountry Skiing -Southern California

Three times I have gone to the summit to ski down the upper part of Snow Creek. (and then climb back out).  None of them worked out.  First time - high avy danger.  Second time - problem with my friends hiking up being hassled by rangers so I had to wait on the summit.  Third time - very icy.  Shoulda opted in when a friend of mine wanted to do it in 1998, when the deep snow went down to about 4000 feet.

George Hayduke wrote:

When most people talk about skiing SanJ its to ski the NE Couloir Decent  - Snow Creek … Its a 10k ft line and has a rappel and access issues…

Snow creek is full on, but an awesome experience. It’s a shame the access issues are making it so difficult to get back there, but it helps keep the crowds away.

Tahquitz valley could be a fun tour when the snow is in, it’s all pretty low angle and holds snow well. It’s probably not deep enough coverage right now though. And the downhill could be better.. 

Hi everyone,

I've been resort-skiing my entire life and while I'd like to continue that career I'd also like to foray into backcountry ski touring.  Can anyone point me in the right direction in terms of gear?  I currently own nothing but I'm ready to invest in boots/skis/poles/bindings.  Is there a setup that can be used for both scenarios?

Any/all advice is greatly appreciated!!

Jeff J wrote:

Hi everyone,

I've been resort-skiing my entire life and while I'd like to continue that career I'd also like to foray into backcountry ski touring.  Can anyone point me in the right direction in terms of gear?  I currently own nothing but I'm ready to invest in boots/skis/poles/bindings.  Is there a setup that can be used for both scenarios?

Any/all advice is greatly appreciated!!

Take an Avi course would be my first suggestion.    There are a moly different AT set ups and that’s the route I would suggest, narrowing it down to which one is the hard part.   Are you proficient in all kinds of conditions? If not I recommend going to resorts that have lots of terrain variety such as Mammoth and locally Mt Baldy and Waterman to get used to skiing off the main runs and pushing yourself in all types of snow conditions.  Once you get your set up some easy “relatively” safe short tours near LA would be the 6000’ gate on Angeles Crest Hwy, tour up the old logging roads on the south side.   The old Kratka resort a little further up the road is also a good place to ski laps.  Start off slow and ski with others with more knowledge and experience.   

Thanks Kevin!!

Jeff J wrote:

Hi everyone,

I've been resort-skiing my entire life and while I'd like to continue that career I'd also like to foray into backcountry ski touring.  Can anyone point me in the right direction in terms of gear?  I currently own nothing but I'm ready to invest in boots/skis/poles/bindings.  Is there a setup that can be used for both scenarios?

Any/all advice is greatly appreciated!!

When buying gear, I recommend investing the most time and money buying boots. Buy them in-person and with a boot fitter if possible. Buy what fits the best. If its a budget issue, you can findings used skis and bindings easier.

Does anyone want to ski Jepson on Tuesday? Temps are going to rise after that and I'm afraid the conditions are going to turn to shit.

Thx Ethan, I've always considered boots the most important piece of skiing/hiking/mountaineering gear.  Any recommendations for a boot fitter that specializes in ski touring?

Anyone free to ski this week?

Caleb Milner wrote:

Snow creek is full on, but an awesome experience. It’s a shame the access issues are making it so difficult to get back there, but it helps keep the crowds away.

Tahquitz valley could be a fun tour when the snow is in, it’s all pretty low angle and holds snow well. It’s probably not deep enough coverage right now though. And the downhill could be better.. 

is there any good beta on this route? I always hear people talking about it but I’ve never seen anything in a guidebook. I would love to ski it! 

Josh P wrote:

is there any good beta on this route? I always hear people talking about it but I’ve never seen anything in a guidebook. I would love to ski it! 

https://www.sierradescents.com/skiing/san-jacinto/snow-creek.html

Robertson Pearce wrote:

https://www.sierradescents.com/skiing/san-jacinto/snow-creek.html

There’s also some general climbing beta on here, summit post, and a few other obscure websites. In recent years the snow hasn’t been as good as it was in that report, hopefully this season is different. Last season it had coverage down to 6,500’ and was decent conditions, except deep powder at the top. Hoping this years the year 

Looks like SoCal may gets snow on the evening of the 31st…. I‘m off until the 3rd. Anyone interested?

Kevin Mokracek wrote:

San J from the top of the tram is a super casual tour to the summit.  Great way to spend a day up there.  One of the best powder days I have ever had was on San J back in the 80's.  I'm sure it needs a bunch more coverage though but I'll be jumping on it again when it gets more.

Agreed … had a spectacular day up there w some good snow.. 

Ethan Ayer wrote:

Whatcha thinking? 

Hopefully get out to San G on the 2nd? Poke around tomorrow

Ethan Ayer wrote:

Hopefully get out to San G on the 2nd? Poke around tomorrow

I’m gunna poke up around baldy today see how I’m feeling. If I’m feeling good San g might be nice.

Tried to get out to San g today. Forgot it was new years with fresh snow. Took 2 hours to get from Forest Falls to Angelus Oaks. Bailed before I even hit the parking lot

I will be in Mammoth this next weekend Friday through Sunday if anyone else will be there and interested in a tour partner. Will be doing a mix of resort and backcountry and will probably limit the touring to low angle treed runs due to the relatively high avy danger up there with all the recent snow. Also if anyone is looking for new touring outerwear shoot me a message. Santa tried to get me some new jackets and pants but got the wrong sizes...