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Frog Lake Backcountry Ski Conditions | March 13, 2025

Conditions went from warm and sunny spring skiing to a snowy winter wonderland overnight - while we were out at the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts in Truckee!

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    Frog Lake Huts Backcountry Skiing Conditions

    A recent 3 day trip to the Frog Lake Huts was one for the books. Fresh snow, good weather, and better company contributed to day after day of excellent skiing. 

    The Frog Lake Huts sit at 7650 feet and the snow has been stacking up all season out there.     Touring out to the huts was easy from both the Castle Peak Sno Park and from Johnson Canyon, with good coverage starting right at both trailheads. Recent storms dropped over 2 feet of fresh snow after a bit of rain, and the skiing is excellent right now. 

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      Lake Tahoe Backcountry Skiing Conditions

      A lot has happened in the Lake Tahoe backcountry since our last conditions post.  We left you off with the idea that the backcountry was skiing great - plenty of powder on top of a firm rain crust.  Since that post, conditions have done a complete 180, and luckily recovered, resulting in a full 360 - back to powder skiing!
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        Lake Tahoe Backcountry Skiing Conditions

        An inversion today in the Mt Rose backcountry.  Our latest Tahoe storm finished cold and left a soft blanket of snow on Mount Rose and most peaks above 7,000'.  ~ Lake Tahoe Backcountry Skiing Conditions...

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          South Lake Tahoe Backcountry Ski Conditions

          Blackbird Guide Jake Sellinger snooped out some incredible ski conditions on Stevens Peak this weekend.  With just under a foot of settled storm snow, cool temps and cloudy skies preceding the weekend, the snowpack was primed for success.  Our team found excellent skiing in the South Lake Tahoe backcountry around Stevens Peak. 
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            Lake Tahoe Backcountry Ski Conditions

            Spring came in like a lamb and turned into a lion! For a second there it seemed like the spring regime was taking over and our powder skiing days were numbered!  Friday night's storm brought about 15" to the mountains above 8,000', last night's storm tacked on another 7" and throughout the day today we eeked out another 3".  So, all in all, we received 2 feet in 2 days, not so bad!
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              South Lake Tahoe Backcountry Ski Conditions

              After a week of storming, the Tahoe area is in much better condition!  Over the last 7 days we've received over 4 feet of snow (125cm!) in the Tahoe area.  With a mix of cold dry snow, rain and more cold dry snow on top, it's been a perfect storm to top off the relatively meager snowpack that existed before this series of storms.
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                Donner Summit Conditions

                The Judah Ridgeline, looking uncharacteristically devoid of ski tracks.  Donner Summit Backcountry Ski Conditions 2023-12-23 Blackbird Guide Zeb Blais toured up on Donner Summit up to Mt Judah today.  Getting into the backcountry definitely poses a...

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                  Mt Rose Backcountry Ski Conditions

                  Blackbird Guides Jan + John toured the Mount Rose area today, Tuesday, December 12, 2023.  Ski quality was reported as very good, with creamy new snow around a foot deep above 8,500'.  Avalanche Conditions were CONSIDERABLE as forecast.
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                    Castle Peak Tahoe Backcountry Conditions

                    We cannot complain about yesterday's storm in North Lake Tahoe!  We got close to a foot of new snow out of it, dramatically improving the coverage and surface conditions in the Tahoe Backcountry.  Before you celebrate too much, remember that overall, the coverage is still thin.  

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                      North Tahoe Backcountry Ski Conditions

                      It's still early season in the North Lake Tahoe Backcountry, but that doesn't mean there aren't a few good turns to be made!  Blackbird Mountain Guides John Littleton and Jan Czyzewski went to Andesite Peak in the North Lake Tahoe Backcountry to check current conditions there.  While the snowpack is certainly thin still, there were some nice turns to be had!  Here are some photos and video from the excursion.
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                        Mt Rose Backcountry Ski Conditions

                        Despite a fall season that has been a little drier than most backcountry skiers and riders would like, there are decent turns to be had in the Tahoe backcountry right now.  The high terrain in Mount Rose backcountry is holding supportable snow with coverage that makes for some good turns!
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                          Tahoe Backcountry Conditions - Mt Rose 2023-05-29

                          It sounds ludicrous to be posting a conditions report on Memorial day, but all in all there are some good turns to had out there!
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                            Nov 8, 2022 - Current Ski Conditions North Lake Tahoe

                            Wanna know what conditions are like in Truckee and North Lake Tahoe right now?  Our blog fills in the details with video, pictures and description to give you an idea of what conditions are like.
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                              Conditions Report : Sugar Bowl to Palisades Traverse - March 25, 2022

                              The Sugar Bowl to Palisades traverse is THE classic Truckee and North Lake Tahoe ski traverse. When conditions get funky, you have to get creative! Our team re-imagined the route and got in a low snow traverse with more turns than the standard route! Read on for the low snow version of the Sugarbowl to Palisades Traverse!
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                                Conditions Report: Ebbetts Pass 2021-12-04

                                Objective: Hiram Peak North and Northeast Face via Highland Lakes Road When: December 4, 2021 Vertical: 1200 feet of skiable snow Snow Surfaces: Facets, Breakable Crust, Melt Freeze. It’s rare to get to Mt Hiram with such ease in December - apparently there is something good about the low snow conditions right now!
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                                  Conditions Report: Red Lake Peak 2021-11-15

                                  Lesson for the day: early season missions are hard on gear and tough on the body. Lots of dirt walking to reach snow, variable conditions and shallow snowpack are all a big part of the game this time of year. Splitboarding on Red Lake Peak was a humbling reminder that the mountains can always provide the challenge you seek.  The question is… how far are you willing to walk on dirt for your next challenge?
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                                  Conditions Report: Elephant's Back 2021-11-09

                                  Date: 2021-11-09 Location: Elephants Back East Bowl Objective: Assess snow and ski a line! When we arrived mid-day, it was raining lightly and we found 8 inches of new, wet, heavy snow spackling the ridge to our destination, Elephants Back. Despite an unfortunately high snowline, we were happy to see some fresh paint!
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                                  Desolation Wilderness Conditions Report: Echo Lake to Ralston Peak & Aloha Lake

                                  2021-04-19: Echo Lake to Ralston Peak and Lake Aloha This Sunday/Monday we toured from Echo Lakes to Lake of the Woods, just southeast of Lake Aloha in Desolation Wilderness.  It was remarkably snowy right from...

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                                  Tahoe Conditions Report: Sugarbowl to Pole Creek

                                  2021-04-17: Sugar Bowl to Palisades (or at least to Pole Creek - there's no snow to get to Palisades from the North right now) Yep, it's definitely adventure skiing, but still totally worth it!  Great snow conditions...

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