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Booting the final steps to the summit of Wheeler Peak.

Wild Ski Tours in Nevada's Basin & Range

An introduction to backcountry skiing in an iconic western landscape

Ski Touring Difficult

Booting the final steps to the summit of Wheeler Peak.
Booting the final steps to the summit of Wheeler Peak. Photo: Conor Phelan

Description

Vast. Quiet. Rugged. Remote; these are all words that readily apply to the stunning Basin & Range topography of Nevada. It turns out that the most mountainous state in the Lower 48 has a lot of great backcountry skiing.

Be prepared - skiing these far-flung peaks requires an unusual level of self-sufficiency. There are no avalanche ratings, you are often far from the nearest gas station, and you almost certainly won't find any skin tracks to follow. Do your homework, and take the leap...you will likely find these tours to be among the most unique and rewarding of your season.

Every aspect of ski touring Nevada's Basin & Range fosters a sense of wonder and adventure. As you drive endless dirt roads, keep an eye out for herds of pronghorn and bighorn sheep. Soak in the most incredible sunrises and sunsets from your sagebrush campsite. Ski dawn to dusk for days on end without seeing another human being.

Welcome to the Great Basin.

Routes included