January 25, 2019 Sugar Bowl - ASI

This was my second visit. My first visit was in the mid 1990's at an ASI (Alpine Skills International), www.alpineskills.com , 3-day backcountry course. This was the place to refine my backcountry skill set. Today was Jill's first visit. We parked in the best spot (according to the parking attendant) near the Judah Lodge. The Village Lodge is only accessed by riding the Village Gondola from a large parking lot and garage or by skiing/walking to it. We used our Powder Alliance passes.

Sugar Bowl is the closest area from Sacramento near I-80 and a short winding road on Old Highway 40. The area has 5 four-seat express,Summit and Crows Peak lifts. They have 4 mountains: Mt. Judah, Mt. Lincoln,Mt. Disney, and Crow's Nest Peak. With 1500' this is a BIG ski area within and outside of Sugar Bowl proper. You may have seen videos and trip reports of skiing outside of the resort down towards the "Truckee Lake" and over the "train line" - many stories. The terrain is wonderful with mixed trails and jumps, couloir's, tree lines...

This was a sunny day with groomers and a mixture of corn lines as the sun warmed the runs. We followed the sun, and it was surprisingly lonely out there. It was an emotional day to relive the Great Day's with ASI.

Photo A - ASI Home and Training "hill"

Photo B - ASI "The Palisades"

Photo C - Mt. Judah Express with Backcountry Access Gates A-D