Beehive and Bear Basin are one of the most popular places to backcountry ski. There is fantastic scenery, great snow and the access is short and pretty easy. This route begins in Beehive Basin and then descends into Bear Basin. The trailhead parking is limited so try and get an early start. Once you reach the ridge between the two basins there are several descent options. This route descends the south bowl which is a little steeper. Bring some good skins because once you descend into Bear Basin you’ll need to skin back up to the ridge.

Beehive and Bear Basin are one of the most popular places to backcountry ski in the area. There is fantastic scenery, great snow and the access is short and pretty easy. This route begins in Beehive Basin and descends into Bear Basin. The trailhead parking is limited so try and get an early start. Once you reach the ridge between the two basins there are several descent options. Bring some good skins because once you descend into Bear Basin you’ll need to skin back up to the ridge.

Garnet Mountain offers a thrilling vertical drop that is steep with 2700 skiable vertical feet. The chute is treeless which does mean the avalanche danger is high so take caution and be sure to do a snowpack evaluation. The chute sees little skier traffic but the approach is a popular destination for snowmobiles. The first 2 miles of the approach follow a forest service road that is closed during the winter.

Dudley Creek has wide open terrain that makes great skiing. The approach is short but steep and boasts a long descent of 1,700 skiable vertical feet. Dudley is known for developing smooth, spring corn snow because of its southern exposure.

Dudley Creek has wide open terrain that makes great skiing. The approach is short but steep and boasts a long descent of 1,700 skiable vertical feet. Dudley is known for developing smooth, spring corn snow because of its southern exposure.

Yellow Mountain offers high alpine terrain with a variety of options on descent routes from moderate to extreme skiing. There is over 1,500 skiable vertical feet. Because of its southern exposure it develops a good corn snow during the warmer spring months. This descent is for extreme skiers and offers an open bowl that drops into an chute that is a blast when conditions are safe. Be respectful of private property in the area.

Telemark Meadows offers easy terrain with good deep snow. It is a great place for beginners or to just practice up your turns. The skiable vertical is short but the excellent stable snowpack make for fun and safe skiing. If the main routes are all skied out, head further up the hill to find some untouched snow. This is located inside the Yellowstone Park boundary so a permit is required.

This high alpine bowl with a chute in the middle makes for a fun descent. It offers a mix of different kinds of terrain. The approach begins at the Beehive parking lot and follows the popular skin route up to the ridge between beehive basin and bear basin. From here you follow the ridgeline to the summit. The descent is above tree line in a nice open alpine bowl with the well known “Buttcrack Chute” right in the middle. The run down to your car has a variety of terrain with lots of trees. The trailhead parking can be crowded so get an early start.

Starting just south of Wallowa Lake, this route follows the East Fork Wallowa River through the forest of the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Continuing through meadows, the trail passes by Aneroid Lake Cabins, which are perfect for an overnight stay in this basin. After passing the lake, you'll begin ascending up the mountains of the Aneroid Basin. This route first climbs to the top of Aneroid Mountain and descends down the steep south side. There are no trees for quite a while on this descent, but there is high avalanche danger. After descending the face, you'll head through a chute that will lead to the next climb and ski. The next climb will take you on the ridge above Dollar Lake. The descent begins down a cliff and then drops in a bowl. Use caution when exiting the bowl, as Dollar Lake is at the bottom. After this descent, the route joins back up with the approach trail for the return.

Hiking from Hwy 75 next to Redfish Lake leads you to the winter oasis of Bench Hut. This hut can be rented out and sleeps up to 20 people. This route leads to the hut and then up the slopes to the west of the hut. The descent is fairly straightforward down a section of the ridge that has little to no trees. There are various descents down this ridge just above the hut. The ridge to the southwest of the hut can also be skied.