The Sierra High Route Ski Tour Overview

One of North America’s most classic ski tours across the Sierra Nevada through the heart of Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park. In this grand trans Sierra ski adventure explore on skis the largest roadless area in the lower 48 states. A worthy goal of many ski mountaineers the Sierra High Route.

The Sierra High Route was originally skied by Otto Steiner, an Austrian immigrant who first skied a longer version that included the summit of Mt. Whitney in 1931. He traveled solo and completed the route in only 3 days! Today, we take the standard route from Shepards Pass on the East side of the Sierra and finish up at Wolverton on the West side near the Giant Sequoia Trees.

We meet on the West side where we board a private car shuttle to takes over to the East Side near Independence and up to the start of the tour. We then spend the next 6 days on the classic version of the modern Sierra High Route passing over Shepard’s Pass and the Tyndall Plateau. We then continue down into Milestone Basin and along the Great Western Divide past Triple Divide Peak and Deadman Canyon before arriving at the Tablelands. After passing by Pear Lake we arrive at the end of our tour at Wolverton where we meet a van shuttle back to our cars.

With over 30 years experience and over 46 Sierra High Route crossings under our belt, Alpine Skills International/International Alpine Guides is unquestionably the most exeperienced ski guide service operating the famous Sierra High Route.

The snowpack is now fantastic for 2024…Come join us this Spring!

 

 
 
 

SKILL & EXPERIENCE LEVEL

Previous multi day overnight winter camping backcountry skiing experience required using skins on steep terrain. Must be comfortable skiing black diamond runs up to 40 degrees at a resort in any conditions and double black diamonds in good conditions with a pack. Must be in excellent physical condition with the ability to go for 6-7 hours each day…day after day, after day.

2024 DATES

April 29 - May 5

 

COST: $2625

INCLUDES

  • All group camping equipment and avalanche safety equipment.

  • Private shuttle from Wolverton to the start the tour near Independence

  • Breakfast & dinner while in the backcountry.

  • Sleeping bag, pad and backpack if necessary. ($25 cleaning fee for using our sleeping bags)

  • Professional AMGA-trained or certified backcountry ski mountaineering guides.

For more info on this trip please fill out the form below:

Sierra High Route Ski Tour Itinerary

Day 1
We meet first thing in the morning up in Sequoia National Park at Wolverton where we leave the cars and catch a private vehicle shuttle over to the start of our tour near the town of Independence on the Sierra East side. We spend the evening at camp at the trial head. .

Day 2
We begin the adventure with skis on our packs and hiking up the Shepard’s Pass trail until we get to the snow line and begin the long skin up towards the Pass. We make camp for the evening part way up the pass .

Day 3-6
Finishing the climb to Shepard’s Pass we enter Sequoia National Park and descend across the Tyndall Plateau and towards Milestone Basin and the Great Western Divide. Passing by Triple Divide Peak, Deadman Canyon, he Kings/Kaweah Divide and making our way down into the Tablelands. Truly spectacular ski terrain in the most remote region of the lower 48 states. Depending in group strengths and conditions there may be time for some additional afternoon descents after setting up camps. We don’t list exact distances and camping spots along this section as it is crucial to keep the itinerary flexible to account for weather and other conditions.

Day 7
A final tour past the Pear Lake area brings us back to the Wolverton parking area and to the cars in the late afternoon.

Itinerary Subject to Change