FROM THE MANUFACTURER

Drawing upon 30 years of ski mountaineering experience, Paul Richins has selected 50 of the finest ski and snowboard summit descents in California, from Mount Shasta to Mount Whitney. Included in these offerings is a superb mix of routes to challenge the limits of both intermediate and expert backcountry skiers and snowboarders. This is the most comprehensive guide available--including every detail the prepared ski mountaineer needs to know.

• Trips range from half-day routes to seven-day mini-expeditions
• 60 maps with both regional and route detail plus 70 photographs
• Information about trip highlights, duration, level of difficulty, mileage, elevation gain, and road and trail access

50 Classic Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Summits in California by Paul Richins, Jr. offers some of the finest ski and snowboard routes in California, ranging over a 550-mile span from the Cascade Range in the north, to Mount Whitney, to the Sierra Nevada in the south. Grouped into nine geographical regions, these summits represent the best of the best from well-known destinations to more remote areas to a sampling of the highest peaks. Historical anecdotes about each region round out the guidebook.

Tours range from a half day to seven days, and while all can be completed on either snowboard or skis, the author makes specific recommendations for the best snowboard descents. Each trip description includes a complete narrative of the ascent and descent plus information on trip highlights, trip duration, level of difficulty, mileage, elevation gain, and access. The appendix includes a list of California's highest peaks.

To many people, California is a hot desert with too many people that only surf and visit Coachella. For any serious ski mountaineer, however, California should be a seasonal destination for steep skiing and pushing limits. It’s not too far from anyone in the Western US and the conditions are often stable, especially in the spring. The almost-excessive amount of snow sets up quickly and turns the dramatic scenery into a mountain athlete’s playground. The long, awesome springs are too enticing to stay away from. Clean 5,000ft+ descents are rarely found this close to civilization.