backcountry ski

Gear - check, group food – check, transportation - check.  It was go time for a mini getaway, a four day ski trip to a yurt at Virginia Lakes, just off of highway 395, north west of Mono Lake.  The backcountry accommodation we were headed to is part of the High Sierra Snowcat and Yurt program, which currently offers two yurt locations in the eastern Sierra (with a goal of four, stretching from Virginia Lakes to Sonora Pass).  At a base elevation of 9,000’, and peaks reaching over 12,000’, the area is often embellished with snow, and this year most definitely so.  Our group consisted of an ex-Warren Miller star, a former Skiing mag cover athlete, instructors, and life long skiers.  Common denominator (besides older demographics) - we were all in search of fun, fresh air, and clean tracks.

High Sierra Snowcat makes the backcountry venture easy, with the Virginia Lakes yurt comfortably sleeping 8, a group kitchen, and an auto feed stove that leaves you wondering whether you really need to bring a sleeping bag. Our group took advantage of HSS’s transport service up to the yurt, bypassing the 4.5-mile ski in, so as to make more gravity fed ski time.

ski

Given our overwhelming winter, NOAA’s script called for near ideal conditions: Sierra spring weather with a corn producing freeze / thaw cycle, and a short breeze period to keep us from overheating. Our first run off the ridge leading to Dunderburg Peak consisted of crispy, creamy, hybrid kernels, as the late afternoon sun began set.  The following two days presented edgy chalk to butter, all depending on our aspect preference. Views were often unlimited, with Mono Lake, the Dana Plateau, and Hoover Wilderness acting as backdrops.  As an added bonus, we had this backcountry Eden all to ourselves.

The dream days were followed by choreographed dinning, fit for nights out on the town.   In all, fun, fresh air, clean tracks, and great food … Consensus – we are all in again only next year four nights / five days of backcountry yurt skiing.

For more information on the High Sierra Snowcat and Yurt, go to:  www.highsierrasnowcat.com

Article written by John Claussen.