Last year I had the experience of a lifetime. I made the transition from beach to mountains. I traded my surfboard and wetsuit for a snowboard and an Epic pass. With Canyons and Park City at my fingertips I rode as often as my schedule allowed. As my days on the mountain climbed into the sixties and seventies I was amazed to still be discovering new terrain daily. Now here I am, fifty-two days into my second season, and I just got fresh tracks through trees I didn’t know existed, two days after our last snowfall!
The opportunity for exploration at Park City is, in my opinion, at the very top of the mountain’s many assets. Whether it’s your first day on the mountain or you’re a seasoned veteran, there is a vast amount of terrain unknown to you just waiting to be explored. This season is particularly special. The addition of the Quicksilver Gondola has opened up a large portion of Pinecone Ridge that has never been in bounds before. So not only can you find a powder stash that is new to you, you can find a powder stash that is new to people. There are areas in bounds, accessible off the new Gondola, that have never been seen by human eyes. Just writing that makes me want to go hunting for them. I think it’s a really unique and special thing to be able to get the experience of discovery and exploration within the accessibility and safety of a mountain resort. Think of Park City as the biggest, snowiest canvas in the world. Here are a few pointers to help you draw your own lines:
Take in the area from afar. Above you can see Pinecone in all its glory, from Scott’s Bowl on the very far left to the Quicksilver Gondola just right of the center of the photo. The above picture was taken from the top of King Con Express. Silverlode, Motherlode, Jupiter and Thaynes all offer distinctive views of the new terrain.
It’s important to know what to look for. The ridge itself runs from South-Southwest to North-Northeast. So any ridge that branches off from the main ridge Easternly will include a North facing section. There are two easily visible areas that face straight North and are covered in big pines. It’s a safe bet that if it has been cold, the snow will stay good in these areas days after a snowfall as the snow will stay protected from the sun. There’s plenty more terrain that faces North off Pinecone but you’ll just have to find it yourself. After all, I can’t do all the work for you.
Don’t be afraid to work for your turns. More often than not, in order to get fresh, untouched snow you have to work for it. And it’s always better to work smart than to work hard. New Moon is geographically centered between the hike from Scott’s Bowl and the Quicksilver Gondola mid-station. The farther you move from these two access points, the more solitude you’ll find. New Moon is over a mile from the start of each hike. The distance from Pinecone to the Quicksilver Gondola mid-station is over two miles!
It’s not uncommon to see only a few tracks on Homelite, Sam’s Knob, New Moon and Quarter Moon. To give you some perspective these trails are all over a mile from either hiking access. You may be thinking that’s a lot of hiking, is it really worth it? Yes, yes it is. The best line of your day, week, season or life is waiting for you. And at what cost? Free exercise? Not to mention, the views aren’t so bad:
The hike from the Scott’s Bowl side gains over 400’ rather quickly with a fairly steep climb. To get here, get off of Jupiter Lift and go right. Stay high and and to skiers left until you get to the top of Scott’s. This will require a short hike. Once over Scott’s Bowl you’ll see Pinecone and can ride straight down to the gate. If you’re the type of person that likes to get a hike over with, this approach is the one for you. Once you summit pinecone the ridge is downhill all the way to New Moon, except one brief climb at the top of Half Moon.
On the opposite side, from the Quicksilver mid station towards Homelite, the hike is a bit more mellow. It rolls up and down, gaining 200’. There is a service road that runs along the back side of the ridge that makes this hike rather pleasant. Trees make it difficult in certain areas to gage what exactly you’re dropping into. This is where your aforementioned research from afar comes in handy. Always keep your head up and on a swivel. Spotting tree tops from a distance is a good indicator of what the slope is going to do. Use landmarks and reference points to always maintain a good idea of where you are. Always travel with a buddy and communicate hazards as you go.
Pinecone Ridge offers 800 new acres of largely unexplored territory. With the vast majority of that acreage being accessible only by hiking, this area truly favors those willing to work for their turns. It’s been my goal here to tell you what you need to know in order for you to find your own powder stashes. Perhaps I’ve said too much. Get out there and pioneer a line before someone else does. The best line of your life could very well be out there, waiting for you. Go find it.
Written By:
Adam Winerip