The foreboding cliffs that crown the ridge above Kirkwood Mountain Resort hide a vast array of impressive freeride lines.
Kirkwood Mountain Resort is home to ski runs of all difficulty, ranging from beginner all the way up to expert. No matter what kind of skiing you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find it here. That said, if you’re looking for a challenge, Kirkwood can definitely provide! While Kirkwood may not be as infamous for gnarly freeride lines as nearby Palisades resort in Olympic Valley, the cliffs that crown the ridge above Kirkwood Mountain Resort, combined with Peak 9795 to the south of the resort and Thunder Mountain to the north of the resort, together offer a wide array of impressive freeride lines ranging from merely challenging, to insanely technical. Here are 7 of the most impressive according to a guide on FATMAP.
- Heart Chute – Located at the Summit of The Sisters just past Once is Enough, is one of the toughest lines at Kirkwood. A narrow chute shaped like a heart surrounded by large volcanic walls that funnel into a large cliff. Usually requires one or two turns, then a small cliff jump ‘into the heart’ and then making turns above the cliff exit. Best is to wait until big snowpack years.
- Top of the wall – Incredibly steep slope littered with small cliffs that can be heavily corniced up top. It is the area that runs along the summit of the mountain. About halfway across the top is the hardest part and mostly gets avoided due to a decently sized cliff. CAUTION – traverse tracks run just below the steepest portion. High speed turns and landings off cliffs may be difficult on non-powder days. The easiest entrance is the furthest part down the ridge which acts as a natural saddle. On large snowpack years it can be groomed.
- Upper Chamonix – An extremely steep chute that generally has a cornice with a runout into Chamoix. Almost always requires an air to get into the chute. As the snowpack deepens, you can air into the chute from either side.
- Mainline – The most conservative line in the zone that avoids rocks and cliffs located in the saddle before the peak. A great safe line for powder skiing. Remember to stay hard right at the bottom so you can hike back out to the resort that ends up on Palisades ridge. You could bootpack or skin depending on your preference. Skins may be helpful on the return to the resort.
- Thunderbowl rights – Steep bowl that is out of bounds from Glove Rock to the skier’s left of Palisades Ridge. Great powder run but make sure you stay the right so you do not have to hike back up to Palisades Ridge. Area has some rock features on the skier’s right.
- Pipeline – Take Chair 4 to Chair 15 and then hike up Covered Wagon Peak. From here you can go to either side of Covered Wagon Peak and follow the ridge in the southeast direction that leads to peak with a radio tower. You can ski tour or sidestep to boot-pack. That peak is Mellisa Coray Peak. From there, follow the main ridge to the most prominent peak, Peak 9795.A pretty consistent north facing pitch from the top of Peak 9795 that funnels into two narrow chutes as you descend. The snow is generally good in here but also a but wind-affected on the upper section. Route finding is a bit tough as it’s a blind rollover. Best is to stay a bit skier’s right until the line fully comes into view. There’s an alternate pencil chute on the upper skiers right section and usually pretty narrow but wide enough for jump turns. The run opens up below if you do carry speed on the exit. Just make sure you stay more skier’s right.
- IceFall Chute – Steep exposed line that has an icefall cliff that leads into a chute from the summit of Thunder Mountain. The icefall may disappear on massive snowpack years. The north facing chute holds generally high quality snow.
