South Face of Lone Peak

This one is hard to miss from the valley floor! If you live in Utah County or have driven through it northbound on I-15, surely you've noticed an enticing massive face of snow that just beckons to be skied. Falling south from the summit of Lone Peak, this face offers several thousand feet of pure blissful skiing. Not too mellow, not too steep. Perfect for big open turns! A pure delight in both powder and corn. And if you're still feeling fresh after skinning ~6k vert, head on up for another lap, but this time on the south face of Bighorn Peak, just to the east. Careful though, the exposure multiplies for this run as it skis above dangerous cliffs.

Start at Schoolhouse Springs Trailhead in Alpine and start skinning. Ideally, snow line will reach the trailhead but that's not always the case, especially in the spring. It's recommended to bring a pair of hiking shoes in case you need to walk for a ways. Head north along switchbacking roads and trails. After awhile, you will get to meadows labeled as "Hamongogs." Keep chugging and the line will come into view. Seeing the line in all of its glory should give you additional motivation to journey on. Continue straight up. Roughly 6,000' vert later, you will get to the ridge. The true summit of Lone Peak requires a few spicy moves but it's not necessary to summit for this line, just drop in wherever looks good!

The approach is long, occasionally disorienting, and thin/bare. Also, timing the snow conditions can be tricky since it's south facing and not sheltered at all. In any case, start early!

This line is a good way to avoid the crowds of the Central Wasatch just on the other side of the ridge.