Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol

04/14/2026

Few pictures to relay the feeling of winter coming back!

Our patrol on Sunday opted for safer laps on Sunrise Bowl amidst increasing snowfall. First lap had excellent skiing conditions, but on second lap three feet of new snow proved more of a controlled snowplowing exercise rather than skiing. But the season has been extended and the fun continues!

04/09/2026

Please join us in congratulating four new patrollers who passed candidate final last weekend!

Francesco DiMare
Francois Jeanneau
Jamie Morgan
Eric Wilhemy

The final exam tests knowledge in rope rescue, outdoor emergency care, navigation, and avalanche safety and recovery. A huge accomplishment, well deserved! This brings our active patrol to 43 patrollers for the benefit of us all in the Tahoe backcountry.

04/03/2026

It’s never too early to practice avalanche search!

Enjoy the new snow, meet our patrollers (and avalanche dog Buddy!) and run a practice or two at the season’s last Coffee and Beacon on Saturday 4/4 at Tamarack Peak Trailhead!

03/23/2026

At TBSP we train all our patrollers in travel, navigation, survival and search and rescue (SAR) in winter mountain environments. The Mountain Travel and Rescue course is taught in classroom and field sessions, including mock scenarios to ensure the patrollers know how to apply what they have learned to real life situations.

Pictures from the course of the 2026 season, with the overnight field session completed last weekend. Sleeping in a snow cave, night time search and rescue mission, and learning to work with a helicopter is never boring!

03/15/2026

It’s not over yet!

On Saturday 3/14, the popular Coffee and Bacon event for avalanche search practice was held at Tamarack Peak TH, while another patrol toured Relay Peak and Incline Peak areas.

Snow coverage was better than we expected, and East bowls of Relay and its fake peak just South of Relay above 9,000 ft provided nice spring skiing conditions well into early afternoon, and even East face of Incline Peak remained supportable until 3 pm, without signs of rollers and there are patches of continuous snow all the way down, but prepare to get bushed out for a wrong turn.

The strong winds probably kept the snowpack cooler through Saturday. Warmer temperatures and decreasing winds on Sunday and beyond will likely cause snow to soften earlier. Aim for higher elevations, follow precautions of softening snow and keep your eyes open for obstacles on or near the surface.

03/11/2026

Lower elevations are losing snow coverage quickly, so we are relocating this Saturday’s (3/14) Coffee and Beacon event to TAMARACK PEAK TRAILHEAD.

There’s still snow to be enjoyed and practiced on!

03/10/2026

Meet Scooby, who is proud of passing his Search and Rescue Avalanche Certification at Brundage Resort in Idaho! You may meet him in Tahoe backcountry as he is patrolling with his owner Michael.

02/24/2026

Thanks for overwhelmingly positive response to the Coffee and Beacon events!

More avalanche beacon search practices scheduled:
- Saturday February 28, Alpine Meadows at Alpenglow Backcountry Demo Event
- Saturday March 14, Johnson Canyon TH
- Saturday April 4, Tamarack Peak TH

Drop by to meet our patrollers, learn about backcountry safety and get some practice! For Alpenglow Sports Demo Event, a separate registration is needed on their web site.

Be on a lookout for at least one more, in Carson Pass with Eldorado Backcountry Ski Patrol, date to be announced.

02/24/2026

02/24/2026

Sunday 2/22/26 patrol visited backside (E) of Mt Judah. Signs of wind loading on the upper portion of the east facing aspect (backside) of Mt. Judah. Cornices cut by Sugar Bowl Ski Patrol along the ski area boundary (Mr. Judah ridge) set off small sluffs but no obvious crowns were observed. No cracking or whomping observed.

Finding the Feb 10th facet layer required digging a 6 foot deep snow pit.

Warm rain forecasted for Tuesday 2/24. Check out the latest avalanche forecast when you are heading out, the snow pack is adjusting rapidly.