The Ritter Range is one of the most rugged and beautiful sections of the High Sierra crest.
Looking for one of the best ski mountaineering tours in High Sierra? We invented this 6-day point-to-point tour of the Sierra Crest from Mammoth Mountain to June Mountain. An unbelievable journey with epic ski descents! Best season is February through April.
From the trip description by Sierra Mountain Guides
On-snow support
- Independent: Below this trip's level of support
Ski or ride independently, without trip staff accompanying you on the mountain.
- Hosted: With your guide
Trip hosts ski or ride with the group, help everyone get oriented, and share local knowledge.
- Guided: Included
Professional guides lead the group and select suitable terrain and routes based on conditions and ability. Instruction is not included.
- Coached: Not confirmed
Professional coaches lead the group, select suitable terrain, and provide instruction and personalized feedback to help you improve.
- Backcountry guidingSMG Guide(s); Maximum guiding ratio of 4:1 and needs a minimum of 2 to run on these dates with these prices.
- 1 guide : 4 guests
Terrain, ability and who it is for
- Advanced-expert downhill skiing skills
- Ability to control speed and execute fall-line turns in control and comfort in difficult snow conditions (deep powder, heavy and/or moist snow, breakable crust, firm or icy, etc.)
- Ability to execute hop turns on 40 degree+, firm slopes, coming to a complete and immediate stop at the finish of each turn
- Ability to sideslip forward and backward, with edge control, on steep, firm slopes
- Experience ski touring in the backcountry using ski touring equipment (boots, bindings, skins, transceiver, shovel, probe, etc.)
- Ability to make uphill facing kick-turns in an uphill track on a steep slope
- Experience in multi-day winter camping and/or mountaineering
- Experience with the use of climbing ropes and technical competency in use of ice axe, crampons, and ski crampons
- Excellent fitness
- Sport
- Ski
From the trip description by Sierra Mountain Guides
What the price includes
Included
- Meals · partly
- Transfers · partly
- Avalanche rescue equipment (transceiver, shovel, probe)As needed.
- Group camping gear and technical gear
- Wilderness permits
- SMG Guide(s)
- Group camping gear and technical gear
- Meals (dinners and breakfasts)
- Return shuttle at the end of the trip from the June Lake area back to Mammoth Lakes
- Use of avalanche rescue gear (beacon, shovel, probe)
- Wilderness Permits
Not included
- Travel to/from the Eastern Sierra
- Lodging in the Eastern Sierra
- Food or drink in towns
- Snacks/lunches or drinks on the tour
- Personal or rental equipment
- Trip Insurance and Mountain Rescue Insurance (recommended)
Not confirmed by the operator: Lodging, Lift pass, Lesson.
Day by day
- Day 1: Meet your guide very early in the morning in Mammoth Lakes. After a gear check and final packing we head up to Mammoth Mountain, skin through the ski resort to Minaret Summit, then ski down the road to Agnew Meadows. From there we head up the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River to Shadow Creek. Ascend to Shadow Lake then on up to Ediza Lake where we make a basecamp.
- Day 2: Day tour! High circumnavigation of the Minarets. This is an incredible tour reminiscent of the Dolomites. The Minarets are the most jagged ridge of peaks in the High Sierra. We weave a tour betwixt the spires up past the southeast face of Clyde Minaret, up over the South Notch. over to the incredible Amphitheater Lake, and up to the Adams-Michael Col. From there we enjoy a technical ski descent down a beautiful couloir, often using ropes to enter, then wrap around the west side skiing down a roller coaster ride of ramps. Climb up to the Gap and ski back down the east side back to camp.
- Day 3: Another day tour! Mount Ritter (13,149') is the crown jewel of the Ritter Range and it has an incredible ski line from the very summit down its Southeast Face. If you have skied Mammoth Mountain then you have probably looked at this line front he lifts as your gaze went fuzzy and the drool dripped from the corner of your mouth and froze on your chin. We aim to summit the mountain and ski the face. A dream line of a lifetime.
- Day 4: Now that our packs are much lighter, we are ready to head up over the Ritter-Banner Col. If conditions are right, we will continue up the West Face of Banner Peak. This in an incredible ski line that starts just below the summit and drops 1800 feet to Lake Catherine. Camp there or cross North Glacier Pass and camp near Thousand Island Lake, depending on the group and conditions.
- Day 5: Another day tour, this time over toward Electra Peak on the Yosemite border or some steep skiing in the Mt. Davis zone of the Northern Ritter Range.
- Day 6: The Big Finish! Cross eastward to the San Joaquin Ridge and reach the final high point. Many amazing options from here including Carson Peak, Fern Creek, the Negatives, the Hourglass, the Positives, and more. If conditions are right we can finish via Devil's Slide or Hemlock Ridge to Four Seasons both of which finish at the Double Eagle Resort and Spa. Alternatively, we can finish on the slopes of June Mountain. Either way there will be a place we can finally put the packs down, enjoy a beer, and toast to a trip of a lifetime!
From the trip description by Sierra Mountain Guides
Location
Pins show the approximate main trip area—not a route, meeting point, or full itinerary. Confirm exact locations in the company's trip details.
Dates and prices
- Apr 17 – Apr 22, 20272026/27 · 6 days1,980 USD$1980 per person — the page shows "$" without naming a currency; USD read from the US-based operator; minimum of 2 to run on these dates at this priceAvailableChoose these datesBook on company website
Published as "April 17-22" under the 2027 dates.
- May 8 – May 13, 20272026/27 · 6 days1,980 USD$1980 per person — the page shows "$" without naming a currency; USD read from the US-based operator; minimum of 2 to run on these dates at this priceAvailableChoose these datesBook on company website
Published as "May 8-13" under the 2027 dates.
Prices, taxes and fees, required extras, inclusions, availability, and booking terms can change. Confirm the current price and trip details on the company website; source last reviewed September 24, 2026.
Good To Know
Maximum guiding ratio of 4:1 and needs a minimum of 2 to run on these dates with these prices. We can also arrange this trip on a custom private basis.
From the trip description by Sierra Mountain Guides
Reviews
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