There is a fast route up to Norse Peak and a safe route so since this is an app where anyone can read it I will put down the safe one even though even that is not 100% safe. Starting off at the base of Crystal Mountain you will notice a groomer on the lookers left of Gold Hills which is the route you want to ascend. Before long there will be a switchback where it is a hard right towards the top of Gold Hills lift but on the left you will see a sign for the Bullion Basin Summer trail, this is where you want to go.

Following the Bullion Basin Summer trail you can take the long and easy trail to the left or the fast and a bit more advanced trail on the right. Whichever one you choose soon enough you will be back on the main trail and heading towards the lower basin of Bullion Basin. Once there you still have a small switchback that will take you to the standard East Peak ascent route. Sticking in the semi dense trees it is time to start climbing and once you are just below the summit ridge you can start making a long traverse north and when I say long it is LONG.

Soon enough you will make it to the top of Lake Basin and need to drop elevation to make it to Scouts Pass before following the ridge all the way to the summit of Norse Peak. Standing on top there is an open slope just to the south that will take you into Lake Basin. This line is short and sweet but really shines if you get it in good corn conditions.

Once in Lake Basin the safest route to head back up is by heading Southeast until you arrive on a mellow ridge then from here make the final push up to the ridge. From here head west towards the main Crystal Valley and once on top check your watch, if there is time this is a great time to once again drop into Lake Basin and follow your just freshly broken skin track back up for the final descent down the East Peak area.

For your final ascent from the high point don’t get greedy and make sure to do a hard skiers left ski traverse until you are near the west ridge of East Peak and start making your descent. Before long the ridge will drop off and you will start riding through dense trees. Don’t loose too much elevation because once again you need to do a hard skiers left traverse to the Bullion Basin Summer trail where you can ride all the way back to the base after a small flat section.

Click here for a trip within the area and much more photos https://www.whereiskylemiller.com/crystal-mountain/norse-peak/