San Diego Ski Club Home

Backcountry Roots

The founders of the San Diego Ski Club waited until the conditions were right before hiking up Cuyamaca Mountain, so that they could capture the thrill of schussing back down. Some modern skiers honor this tradition by skiing both up and down local and Sierra slopes. SP Parker of the Sierra Mountain Center took this picture of club member Afra Roet's camp near Mount Humphries.

Alvin Walter, past president of SDSC, is a skilled mountaineer who provides us all with trip reports of feats which most would prefer to enjoy vicariously. Here is he taking a nice fall line in the San Gregonio area.

Trip reports from members

Backcountry - San Diego Ski Club Forum

Resources

In between the professional guided trips and the steep and the deep, there are many options for the person wanting to get into the backcountry safely. The local Sierra Club Ski Section provides outings of all levels of difficulty combined with training on the essential backcountry avalanche equipment (beacon, shovel, probe and brain).

Once basic survival skills are learned, there are alternatives to the rigors of snow camping. Rock Creek Winter Lodge offers cabin style accommodations with gourmet food or the webmaster's favorite, the Mosquito Hut. In the Rock Creek drainage near Tom's Place, the skiing is excellent and both wood and cooking gear are provided.

A good website for instructional videos, gear reviews and general interest for backcountry skiing is TelemarkTips.com.

San Diego Ski Club, founded in 1935, Family Oriented with Chalet and Active Racing Group

Backcountry Photos

Penitentes on Afra's May 08 Trans-Sierra

Tent City May 08 by Serge

The Group May 08 by Serge