Backcountry skiing Mount Aire
Skiing down the east face of Mount Aire.
Mount Aire, located in Parley’s Canyon, is a moderate peak with an easy approach and numerous options for a fun descent. The climb up is mellow and relaxing, despite the constant drone of cars and semi trucks on the interstate below. Views of Parleys and Millcreek Canyon are excellent and the skiing isn’t bad either.
The most common way to access the peak is to park at the Lambs Canyon exit off I-80 near Parleys Summit. Follow the skin track on the jeep trail that goes back down canyon to the west. Eventually, the track goes south into a grove of scrub oak. As you climb, the vegetation turns to aspen, then brush right before gaining the summit. At the top there are several choice lines to ski, like the north face or the wide chutes that fall from the east side.
Mason Diedrich and I did this tour and found very good powder on both the north and east faces. From the summit, we descended down the open, inviting north side until the aspen trees became too thick for making turns. After skinning back up, we chose a line down the middle chute on the east face that allowed wide, sweeping turns on perfect, creamy powder.
All of the gullies on the east side eventually lead back to Lambs Canyon and the car. It’s a quick return despite a bit of bushwhacking through pucker brush and a winding, bobsled type trail through scrub oak at the lower elevations.
Because of its location and ease of access, Mount Aire is ideal for a quick, before-work tour. As always, whenever in the backcountry, bring a beacon, shovel, probe pole and a buddy.
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