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Skyline Ridge - Moonlight Bowl, April 2007
Seeking some redemption for our mediocre attempt at skiing Kaleetan Peak earlier this year (horrible snow conditions and deteriorating weather conspired against us), Brian Merkley and I decided to explore the slopes around Stevens Pass. With the recent onslaught of bluebird powder-day reports and photos of descents in Moonlight Bowl on Turns-All-Year, I simply had to check the area out for myself. Parking at the standard Skyline Ridge parking area (across from ski area), Brian and I donned our skis and made short work of the 'trail' to Skyline Lake. Oops, too far! Traversing right from the lake, we gained a shallow saddle overlooking Nason Creek Valley with Lichtenberg Mountain beyond. Although descent options directly beneath the saddle and on nearby slopes are available, we proceeded right (northeast) towards the fabled Moonlight Bowl overlooking Hwy 2. A short skin along an aesthetic ridge top soon saw us to the ideal drop-in spot. Rock-paper-scissors...ok, Sergio goes first! We made a couple laps in Moonlight Bowl before calling it a day. Returning to the car, we followed a narrow road of sorts below the slope we skied and followed it back to the parking area. With short and easy access, Moonlight Bowl is definitely a worthwhile alternative to the over-priced and under-whelming ski area at the pass proper! Moonlight Bowl's 1000ft+ slopes makes for a quick-and-dirty powder fix (in powder conditions that is). Mouse-over thumbnails below for a description and click to enlarge. )
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