I was hoping by now to be skiing local slopes, not fantasizing about far away places, but...
Renowned for good snow, serious steeps, and fewer crowds, Kirkwood ski area is located about an hour south of most other California resorts in the Lake Tahoe region. The area has 2000 feet of vertical and 12 lifts spread across a wide ridgeline.
This is a real fine, high resolution character study capturing some of Kirkwood's most challenging upper mountain terrain, be sure to click on view full size. The steep face beside the chairlift to the left is known as The Wall. The promontory above it is Thimble Peak, elevation 9876'.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/88705191/88708768pcOrqF
Kirkwood website: http://www.kirkwood.com/winter.shtml

Talked to my sister in the east bay last night and another major rain storm was starting. It should be heavy snow at Tahoe - again - and they have had a great start already. It looks like a year for the Sierras.

Look at mammoth mountain too for some awesome powder all season long

www.mammothmountain.com

Jim,

Very nice picture. I particularly like the image of the skier in the foreground; it captures the dual anticipation/dread of skiing off a cornice. Dang, I sound like an art critic!

Even if it's only a two foot drop, it still makes you think, especially if the slope is steep.