Lappi Lake
A nice tour into the high country around the Lappi Lake cirque
Ski Touring Moderate
- Distance
- 10 km
- Ascent
- 1.5 km
- Descent
- 64 m
- Duration
- 6-7 hrs
- Low Point
- 1.1 km
- High Point
- 2.6 km
- Gradient
- 34˚
This fine tour takes skiers into great north facing terrain in the mid-bass creek drainage. After following the standard creek bottom approach for the first five miles, break south just before the creek crossing (leading to the Pinball apron) and set a track which climbs with the counter to the bottom of the steep bowl holding Lappi Lake.
Description
From here, cross below the lake's exit waters, climbing looker's right of the lake. From the lake a number of adventurous ski options await. A west facing couloir is in plain view as is a north east face of wonderful glades. Just out of view, a clean south bowl, or an open northwest face drop all the way from the Bass-Kootenai divide down to the creek. From the ridge, adventurous skiers can continue to bowl bounce all the way to Bass Lake, or vice versa.. The views from this high divide will surely provide food for thought.
Indeed, Bass' series of north facing peaks (easily accessed from Lappi Lake) provide fine ski terrain for those willing and a relatively quick schuss egress by Bitterroot standards.
Difficulty
Moderate
Slopes become slightly steeper at around 25-30 degrees.
Best time to visit
Features
- Bowl
- Face
- Alpine
- Cliffs
- Couloir
- Ski Safari
- Tree Skiing
- Ski Mountaineering
Equipment required
- Skins