“In-bounds backcountry experience.” It’s a term used a lot at Solitude because much of the terrain there feels wild. Honeycomb Canyon and Evergreen Peak are two such zones. But I think Highway to Heaven comes the closest to a true backcountry… er sidecountry… experience.
Highway to Heaven location
Highway to Heaven is a gated area located at the top of the Summit Express chairlift. What gives Highway to Heaven so much appeal is that the gate often remains closed until the day after a storm. So if Solitude’s front side is tracked out, Highway to heaven offers another shot at fresh tracks.
When ski patrol does open the gate and you pass through, you’ll instantly feel like you’re in the backcountry. That’s because in a way, you are. Sure this area is controlled for avalanche by patrol as it’s technically in bounds, but it still feels like you’ve ducked a rope to poach forbidden powder.
How to ski Highway to Heaven
Just because Highway to Heaven is within Solitude’s resort boundary, doesn’t mean it’s easy to ski. It may be a snap to drop in, but the workout comes when it’s time to hike back out.
When you first pass the open gate, you may immediately drop in right then and there. This is the best option if you’re among the first to ski here after a big snowfall. Otherwise, it’s best to traverse out onto the face. As a rule of thumb, the farther you go, the less tracks there will be. But you also lose a bit of vertical fall line the closer you get to Twin Lakes Pass.
Once you choose your line, be careful. There are small cliff bands halfway down and toward the bottom to watch out for. Many skilled skiers and snowboarders can huck off these natural features, but if you like to keep your skis on the snow, just know the cliffs exist and are unmarked.
As you near the bottom of the canyon, start to make your way skier’s left. You must traverse this way to reach the bootpack back up to Solitude’s front side. If you get powder hungry and ski all the way to the bottom, you’ll get stuck in flats and will then have to slog your way over to Twin Lakes Reservoir to reach the bootpack.
How to return to Solitude’s front side
When you reach the boot pack, take off your skis and start hiking. At the top you’ll find yourself at the start of the Evergreen Peak boot pack, which is also the top of Corner Chute. The SolBright Trail begins here as well.
Stay Safe
Solitude’s boundary goes all the way to Twin Lakes Pass, which is a very popular backcountry skiing spot. If you traverse out that far, be aware that any terrain beyond the pass, or on the other side of the canyon, is backcountry and avalanche prone. If you do venture beyond Solitude’s boundary, you must have the proper avalanche safety gear such as a beacon, probe and shovel. You also need to ski with a buddy who has the same gear.
On the way out, if you traverse past the boot pack, can you hook up with Solbright and ski out? This seems like a good option if not interested in a vertical hike out. Looking at the map, this seems possible.