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The Needle

Lake Tahoe

Palisades Tahoe

The most technical of the legendary three unmarked chutes after Cornice Bowl

Freeride Skiing Extreme

Distance
1.8 km
Ascent
237 m
Descent
356 m
Low Point
2.3 km
High Point
2.4 km
Gradient
43˚
The Needle Map

PLEASE NOTE: The middle path is officially the line that is considered The Needle. The other two paths are simply alternative easier routes you can take if you find the main run too technical!

Description

To get to The Needle, head to the terrain further to the right (after the Cornice Bowl groomer). This area following Cornice Bowl contains three very nice chutes - Hourglass (the easiest and recommended for a first-time goer), Classic (the most aesthetic and arguably the steepest), and Needle (narrowest of the three, often requires hop-turns all the way down). The Needle itself has three paths with the middle being the main path that most ski and the side paths being alternatives that are less iconic. The middle path is extremely narrow as you navigate between two massive cliffs. Not for the faint of heart! The Needle is a great practice run for Light Towers and is definitely around the same difficulty as (if not harder than) Classic Chute.

Difficulty

Extreme

Extreme skiing terrain above 45 degrees. These routes are reserved for experienced experts.

Medium Exposure (E2)

2 out of 4

As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.

Remoteness

1 out of 4

Close to help in case of emergency.

Best time to visit

between February and April

Features

  • Bowl
  • Face
  • Trees
  • Cliffs
  • Couloir
  • Walk Required

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area