01.20.11
From the issue Bear Necessities
Zoning Out
Sure heli-skiing can be an amazing adventure, but those on a backcountry budget should call the pros at Mountain Adventure Seminars. Their Zones Adventure takes strong advanced and expert skiers and boarders down the otherwise closed to the public backside of Bear Valley. Each trip maxes at out 8 people and always includes at least two guides. The off-limits ski bowl is huge, leaving plenty of fresh powder for everyone. Carve signature turns in the "green, blue or red zone," but be sure to get in a good warm-up first: these runs are intense—with up to a 43-degree pitch. Steep, deep and dreamy.
TIP: Mountain Adventure Seminars also offers tamer backcountry ski adventures like its snowcat and sidecountry adventures.
Mountain Adventure Seminars (209-753-6556) runs trips on most weekends through the winter. Call ahead to reserve. The Zones Adventure is $50 per person (or $90 with a lift ticket).
