IFMGA Guide Zeb Blais about to drop into a perfect corn run on Perry's Peak above Frog Lake in Truckee. Photo by Dave E.
Frog Lake Backcountry Skiing Conditions 2025-03-13
Our North Tahoe snowpack went from a warm and sunny spring skiing to a snowy winter wonderland overnight - while we were out at the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts in Truckee! We left on the morning of March 11, plastered with sunscreen and sporting or lightest layers, our skis barely penetrating the frozen snow surface. We skinned up through a mix of crusts and consolidated, still frozen corn snow on the south face of Castle Peak.
In the span of 72 hours, we went from perfect corn to deep powder skiing, with a day of fun and fast storm skiing in between. Being able to ski great runs in almost any conditions is a testament to the variety and depth of the terrain at the Frog Lake Huts.
On day one, we made the most of the glorious corn, smiling to ourselves, knowing that we were in store for a solid Sierra storm. Storm totals were rumored to be measured in meters rather than centimeters, and we were excited for the opportunity to be at the remote huts during such an event. Trail breaking be damned, bring on the snow!
An amazing corn run on Perry's Peak during a guided ski trip at the Frog Lake Huts in Truckee. Two days after this picture was taken, this slope would produce a large (D2) avalanche triggered unintentionally by a snowboarder from another group. The avalanche occurred just hours after the storm let up on Thursday. Photo by Zeb Blais.
The storm stuck to its guns, and on Wednesday we got a lazy start to the day as we waited for the snow to accumulate. The storm was even lazier than we were, and our midmorning tour began with only a few inches of accumulated snow, much of it being graupel. Patience paid off, and by midafternoon we were hooting and hollering, and enjoying 6-8 inches of new snow.
Afternoon snow at the Frog Lake Huts in Truckee skied rather nicely by the end of the day! Photo by Zeb Blais.
Silky consistency in the Lichen Lounge at the Frog Lake Huts in Truckee. By early afternoon we were having a grand 'ol time! Photo by Zeb Blais.
We started late, and skied late as the snow piled up. It was hard to cut our day short as the skiing kept improving, but by 5pm the storm was ramping up and by 6:00 we were back at the huts, ready for some après snacks and dinner.
Homemade Pizzas at the Eschenbach House. Food is one of our specialties on guided Frog Lake Huts Trips and we pull out all the stops to eat well! Photo by Zeb Blais.
By 10pm we were ready for bed and the snow outside had really piled up! We knew we were in for a treat the following day, and also a lot of really deep trail breaking. Storm totals had come in at a foot and a half (45cm) at the huts and we knew it would be deeper on the north side.
The morning after the storm at the Eschenbach House at the Frog Lake Huts in Truckee on March 13th during a guided backcountry ski trip in the Frog Lake Backcountry. Photo by Dave E.
Thursday morning, we were up before the dawn, we knew we would have a long day of deep powder skiing and trail breaking ahead of us. The storm had not disappointed and the Frog Lake Huts were absolutely stacked with snow. Southern exposures and flat areas were merely boot-top deep snow, with deeper drifts here and there. Northerly aspects were scary deep in places - the type of skiing where you can't fall over or you might not be able to get up without help. We needed to find slopes we could ski without triggering an avalanche, but that were still steep enough to ski.
Luckily, the Frog Lake Huts have an incredible variety of terrain that delivers for almost any snow condition - from sunny spring skiing to waist deep powder. I sussed out the storm snow and found some of my favorite spots were holding deep, stable powder and we were able to ski some of my deepest turns of the year, even when including two trips to
Hokkaido, Japan and
British Columbia.
Deep turns in the Frog Lake Huts Backcountry. Photo by Zeb Blais.
After our descent, it was time to pay the piper. Despite the depth of the snow, the trail breaking was reasonable - it was light and right side up! We wallowed out of the north facing terrain and made our way to the east where the trail was a little more manageable.
Return from the deepness. The trail breaking was quite deep on leeward aspects in the Frog Lake Huts Backcountry. Photo by Zeb Blais.
Not satisfied, we opted for a quick lap down a slightly faster and less deep pitch of east facing skiing. The March sun had already touched the surface, but the skiing was still pretty nice and a bit faster than the deep, cold snow on the north. We cycled back to the huts and started making tracks for the trailhead.
Shortly after departing, we noticed that a snowboarder had triggered a large (D2) avalanche that had cleared about all of the new storm snow above. The track ran from around 8,000' all the way to Frog Lake. We quickly looked for an exit track and combed the debris, wanting to be positive that there could be no one caught in the large pile of debris. We submitted the
observation to the Sierra Avalanche Center when we returned to the trailhead.
Return from the deepness. The trail breaking was quite deep on leeward aspects in the Frog Lake Huts Backcountry. Photo by Zeb Blais.
With the avalanche hazard at considerable, we carefully navigated our way back to the trailhead. Deep snow was tough on the lower angle slopes getting back to the cars, but being deep in the backcountry during the wild storm and scoring some glorious powder turns earlier in the day made it all worth it!
Want to Join us for a Guided and Catered experience at the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts in Truckee?
Our guides know the terrain at the Frog Lake Huts better than anyone and we love guiding skiers and splitboarders there! Blackbird Mountain Guides has a range of options to support your Frog Lake Huts Trip. From fully guided and catered trips to private guided trips where you've already reserved or just want to hire a porter to haul out some heavy food or booze to make your trip extra special, we've got you covered!
Book a spot for you and your whole crew on one of our fully guided and catered Frog Lake Huts trips! We book dates at the huts, staff our best guides, plan out all the meals for the trip. Porters are included in the cost, and they haul in loads of fresh breakfast and dinner food for the whole trip. All you need to do is focus on skiing and eating!
If you already have a hut reservation, hire us to guide your trip! Add in-depth knowledge of the terrain and an added margin of safety with our expert guides! Additionally, you can also Blackbird plan the meals, porter in the food and cook for your group! We do a lot of Frog Lake Huts trips, and we know how to plan and cook delicious meals!
Got a Frog Lake Huts Trip planned but don't wanna break your back hauling in food and beverages?! You've got a hut reservation and feel like you have the terrain dialed and just want to eat and drink well without having to break your back hauling in heavy fresh food and booze. We'll carry it in for you! Meet our porters on the day you're going in and we'll do the heavy lifting! Details on our booking page.
About the Author
Zeb Blais is an IFMGA Mountain Guide and AIARE Avalanche Course Leader based in Truckee California. He loves all the disciplines of mountain guiding - ski, rock and alpine climbing - but skiing is his first love. In the winter he enjoys backcountry skiing, guiding local and international ski trips, and teaching avalanche courses across the west coast, from Bishop, California to Mt Baker, Washington.
