Lower Niagara's Left

This steep face is rarely visited. Most skiers and riders that venture to Niagara's hit Old Faithful and Johnsons, the twin money makers on this steep piece of terrain. Lower Niagara's Left is a little harder to find and it also needs a bit more snow for the upper rocky section to fill in. On a good snow year, this face can offer a nice slope for adventurous experts to escape the crowds. Ski or ride the upper field above the tree band that bisects the Niagara's area. This section doesn't get skied as often as the line that heads towards Old Faithful. Wiggle through the trees and work further left than you think you need to and find the opening below the thickest part of timber. The upper section of this face is rocky, especially on the skier's right side. A few rocky ribs poke out partway down, so keep an eye out for these. Enjoy the steep apron below as this area is not easy to access and you might just have it all to yourself. Instead of veering right towards the runout of Old Faithful, instead stay left through the undulating glade. Just above I-5, the slope steepens and opens one last time. Don't miss the return trail. Snowboarders, however, might want to continue down Lower Employee Housing to the parking lot and grab the shuttle bus back to the base area rather than traverse the long return trail.