Thurstan Peak via Adams Canyon North Ridge

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

The best way to ski Thurstan Peak is by helicopter. If you don't have one of those, the second best way is by snowmobile. And if you don't have one of those, you might consider the Adams Canyon North Ridge Trail.

The best experience on this trail is probably had mid-winter as this would allow one to skin and ski most of the ridge. The description I'll give here, however, is of a late spring ascent:

Boot the trail until you hit snow. I finally hit snow at about 7,800 feet, at about mile 2.5, at the saddle just below the false peak that is the start of the final ridge leading to the summit. This is where I transitioned from hiking shoes to ski-boots with boot-crampons and ice-axe until I reached a bit beyond the false summit. I could then skin from there to the peak. I threw the ski-crampons on just before the final summit push.

Regardless of the time of year, you want to be extremely wary of cornices at and near the peak.