Mark's Ghost West

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

This is my go-to on bad-snow days, but it is a higher risk than most other runs off Bountiful Ridge. I guess I'm not worried about advertising this run, because most people are too lazy to get to it. To get to this run, you really have to want to ski it, because there is a lot of good ski terrain you have to pass up before you get to it.

When everything else is sun-crusted, icy, or otherwise terrible, Mark's Ghost West often holds preserved or recrystallized powder. On a day when I was super bummed about the horrible snow conditions all along the approach to Mark's Ghost West, the bowl itself completely surprised me with better turning and snow quality than what I've ever experienced at any other time on B-Ridge. It just goes to show that on bad-snow days, you just have to know where to look for the good stuff!

The key here is the shaded, northeast aspect, but this also factors into potential instability.

From the top of this run, you can't see to the bottom, because there are trees in the way that make you think there may not be any good shots, but don't be fooled! Wiggling through the trees reveal several little open pitches of snow in an area scenic enough to make your heart explode! If after reaching the bottom, you find red snow, you'll know what happened.