Route Overview Peter Grubb Hut Starting Elevation: 7,200ft Summit Elevation: 7,800ft Cumulative Elevation Gain: 1,025ft (800ft there, 225ft back) Total Distance Covered: 5.8mi Description: The Peter Grubb hut is a quaint, accessible Sierra Club Hut just off of Donner Pass. With easy access to Castle, Basin, and Andesite Peaks, this 15 person hut is a great introduction to overnight ski touring. The map included on this page is an approximation with only some routes included. To purchase the full, high-accuracy map with many more ski routes around the Grubb Hut and the surrounding peaks cl ..read more

Are you too much of a ski bum to pay to watch ski movies? Need some Youtube entertainment to get your fix after a night of apres? Tired of short clips and want to watch full-length films instead? Fear not. We’ve found the best ski movies available for free in full-length on Youtube for your viewing pleasure. Few Words The best skier of all time. For free. On Youtube. A must-watch movie. Follow the Forecast Blank Collective’s 2020 film. An absolute barnstormer. Claim One of the MSP classics, featuring Shane McConkey, Mark Abma, Sean Pettit, Ingrid Backstrom in one of the strongest casts ev ..read more

Whether you’re ski touring in glaciated terrain, attempting serious ski mountaineering objectives, or just want a little bit of extra safety just in case, a rope can be an invaluable tool in your arsenal. There aren’t many ropes specifically geared towards ski mountaineering, but with rope technology constantly increasing, these lifelines are constantly becoming lighter and thinner – and therefor easier to justify carrying around. If you’re looking for a rope to bring out for glacier travel or on ski mountaineering adventures, take a look at some of our favorites below. Also check out: 6 Backc ..read more

Winter is here, and to share our excitement, we’ve teamed up with pro skier Michelle Parker for an epic giveaway! The winner will get a signed 11×17 print of Michelle schralping steeps in Tahoe, a $1,000 donation to POW, and some of Michelle’s favorite gear from Backcountry Ski Maps, HANAH, Black Crows Skis, Arcade Belts, and Darn Tough Socks!   To enter, head over to the contest page and submit your entry before December 20th, 2019. The post Win a $1000 donation to POW and some of Michelle Parker’s favorite gear! appeared first on Backcountry Ski Maps ..read more

Route Overview Trimmer Peak Starting Elevation: 6,500ft Summit Elevation: 9,915ft (but most stop at 9,100ft) Cumulative Elevation Gain: 3,300ft for one lap, including the skin back up to the saddle Distance Covered to top: 2.5mi (plus another 0.5mi to return to the saddle from the bottom of The Elevens Description: Trimmer offers relatively uncrowded skiing on some of the best glades around South Lake Tahoe. The map included on this page is an approximation with only some routes included. Our full, high-accuracy maps of ski routes around Lake Tahoe are available here. Maps are available i ..read more

Route Overview Rubicon Peak Starting Elevation: 6,250ft Summit Elevation: 9,183ft Cumulative Elevation Gain: 2,950ft Total Distance Covered: 2mi Description: Rubicon Peak is one of the true gems of the West Shore of Lake Tahoe. Perfectly spaced glades allow for excellent backcountry skiing, while a north-facing aspect and stunning views of the lake further add to the allure. The map included on this page is an approximation with only some routes included. To purchase the full, high-accuracy map with many more ski routes around Rubicon Peak, the West Shore, and more, click here. Maps are a ..read more

Backcountry skiing is an exhilarating and adventurous pursuit, offering a unique connection with nature and a sense of freedom. The prevailing wisdom frowns on solo touring and most skiers enjoy the camaraderie of skiing with friends or in a group, but when ski partners are busy, solo backcountry skiing can become the only choice. There is also a subset of skiers who find solace and excitement in exploring the backcountry alone. For those interested in exploring the mountains on their own, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with going solo and take measures to mitigate them. Be ..read more

Backcountry ski adventures are not just about the pursuit of untouched powder or the thrill of conquering challenging slopes—they’re also about the shared experiences and camaraderie that come from a big day out with your ski buds. A good group of touring partners can enhance your adventures, provide safety and support, and make the entire experience of being in the backcountry more rewarding. But how do you go about finding the right companions who share your passion for backcountry exploration? In this guide, we’ll take you on a journey to discover your tribe, providing valuable insights, ti ..read more

The Best Backcountry Ski Books for Pure Pleasure Top Pick – Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America Fifty Classic Ski Descents was put together by Chris Davenport, Art Burrows, and Penn Newhard. It details fifty incredible ski lines in North America with just enough pictures, statistics, and write-up to get your heart pounding. The book that inspired Cody Townsend’s The Fifty Project, this is the ultimate coffee table book for skiers and ski mountaineers. The only problem is that if you’re in North America, it probably includes a handful of lines in your zone, and you may become obsessed ..read more

Backcountry Ski Maps owes the backcountry community a huge debt of thanks for standing up for small businesses in the outdoor space, protecting the rights of the public to the word “backcountry”, and generally fighting for a more ethical outdoor industry. A Week of Terror One week ago, the Colorado Sun published an article outing the dozens of lawsuits that ecommerce giant Backcountry.com had filed against small businesses using the word “backcountry” in a company or product name. At first, it seemed as though a little guy like Backcountry Ski Maps would be in no danger – after all, we don’t c ..read more