My main ski partner Michael and I carpooled to the Mt Rose highway summit. The sign says the road is the highest mountain road open year round in the Sierra. At a base elevation of roughly 8,800ft the snowpack was the deepest of any area in the Lake Tahoe basin. There was a general plan to head north of the highway and search for good snow. Once we were 2 miles in, I realized I forgot my avalanche beacon. Instead of skiing back to the car, I flagged down a lone snowmobiler and asked for a ride to the truck to get my left gear. The snowmobiler was kind enough to let me stand on a foot board while we snowmobiled back to the highway. This style of snowmobiling is much more enjoyable than riding “Ace and Gary” style, especially on a trail full of moguls.

Relay peak area.

View looking northwest toward Truckee and Northstar ski area.

View to Lake Tahoe from Relay Peak.

Michael skinning back up for another lap of untouched powder on Tamarack-Relay peak saddle.

When the day was all said and done, we ended up covering 10 miles and 4,000ft of vert. This day on Mt Rose highway was characterized by long ridge traverses and a long skin in and out. This was only my 5th trip to the area and I keep discovering new ski lines. Snowmobiles are allowed in the are, but it is easy to get away from the crowds. And seeing views of Lake Tahoe and the Carson Valley is spectacular.