How to Ski Tuckerman's Ravine

Once the exclusive domain of the most extreme of downhill skiers and riders, the backside of the mountain now beckons to a broader base of winter enthusiasts. Whether swooshing through glades or finding untrodden white in a hidden bowl, there is something both liberating and challenging about stepping off the trails and making your own way. While bowl skiing out west is more common, that doesn’t mean the east coast doesn’t have its slope side challenges. However, nothing truly compares to the off-the-resort feeling of foregoing the lifts and the luxuries and trekking upward to the very peak of New England for an attempted tackle of Tuckerman’s Ravine.

Things You'll Need

  • Skiing or boarding equipment
  • Hiking boots and proper outdoor attire
  • Extra clothing
  • Food and water
  • Backpack
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare mentally and physically. The most important step to making your adventure a safe success instead of a deadly failure is being realistically prepared for what is ahead. First and foremost, you need to be honest about your skiing or boarding abilities, and about your physical capabilities to endure a strenuous winter hike in ever-changing weather. You not only need to be an expert skier or rider, but you also need to be in great physical shape to trek in and up, with backpack and equipment, ski the day and trek back out.

    • 2

      Note the weather. Although Mount Washington is tiny in comparison to its western counterparts, it has experienced some of the worst weather on Planet Earth, holding the highest ever recorded wind speed of 231 miles per hour. No adventure on it should be taken lightly. Choose to attempt Tuckerman’s between mid-April and mid-May to avoid avalanche danger. Also, be certain to check the weather for the day’s conditions. Although the weather truly can change in a minute, knowingly attempting Tuckerman’s on a day of unsettled weather is just stupid.

    • 3

      Have the proper equipment and supplies. You need to transport all your snowboard or ski equipment, extra clothing, and food in and out. You’ll want good, sturdy hikers and gaiters if you hope to stay even a little dry.

    • 4

      Start out early and take Route 16 to arrive at the east side of Mount Washington at Pinkham Notch Camp. You can take the Tuckerman Ravine Trail up the two and a half miles from here. Don’t forget to check the weather and avalanche reports before you start out, then again at the base of the bowl.

    • 5

      Hike in. Allow plenty of time to hike in, ski and return before night fall. How long it takes depends on your pace, but allow two hours in and two hours out to be safe. And beware of those darkening skies.

    • 6

      Put your boots on and climb the bowl with your board or skis. No tow lines or lifts here. How far up you go is up to you.

    • 7

      Ski or board. Tuckerman’s can be phenomenally challenging or moderately so depending on you. Some folks hike in just to watch the athletics, remaining sideline spectators. Others, hike to what they consider safe altitudes and angles. The bravest (or craziest) among them head to the top or lip of the bowl, ignoring the near 45 degree angles they will encounter on the way down.