2026 Spring Ski 14er Edition

[tblack]

Planning to summit a couple of 14ers in March and considering either Sherman or Mount Bierstadt. I have my Avy 1 certification and am looking for partners to join me.

Given the low snowpack this season, what other 14ers would you recommend as relatively safe options?

[Dave B]

I'd recommend waiting until the week of to make plans. Yes, it's been dry. It could stay dry. It could not. It most likely will stay dry, but spring conditions can be as much about the longer days as actual temperatures.

[Been_Jammin]

Belford's Northwest Gully is an easy intro to 14er skiing.

[Jorts]

Quandary is probably the lowest hanging fruit.

[SchralpTheGnar]

Depends on what you mean by relatively safe, but I’d say in terms of avalanche terrain exposure quandary east ridge, Sherman , bierdstat and Elbert east ridge have least exposure, but not zero. Whether or not they are skiable is another question, although they would probably all go as long as you don’t mind some dings and who know about snow conditions.

Belfords northwest gully is steep enough to slide, so only ski something like that after consolidation which even on. Low snow year can still be May, especially for that aspect.

Patience is a key aspect in this endeavor

[tblack]

Updating everyone on my attempt… I did hike to the Bierstadt trailhead with my skins on. I didn’t feel comfortable hiking up with my skis on my back once I got to the actual ascent where there was no coverage. So I skied down and that was really fun!
I’m thinking of going to the southern most 14ers like a Culebra and the few near Alamosa. I’m excited to get started but I’m worried about getting there and then not being permitted to go up Culebra. What is the email address to check with ranch? Any recommendations for things to do in Alamosa? I want to spend a few days there and hopefully complete all of them.

[kyrawhitworth]

You need to book a permit in advance with Cielo Vista Ranch for Culebra. They have availability for spring weekends looking at their website. https://www.cielo-vista-ranch.info/acti ... ng-hiking/

[SchralpTheGnar]

If you’re planning on skiing down south you are gonna have a hard time.

[Jon Frohlich]

If you’re planning on skiing down south you are gonna have a hard time.

You were so close.

[climbingcue]

If you’re planning on skiing down south you are gonna have a hard time.

Absolutely, the first picture in my Strava was the hour glass on Little bear on 3/19/26 and it has only melted out more. I don't think there is going to be any 14ers to ski this year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/17785154088

[jfm3]

This is quite literally the worst winter in history to ski 14ers/13ers/anything. The way it's going, just about every 14er will be completely dry by late May. You want to ski some peaks, go out east. They'll be tomahawking down Tuckerman's Ravine into July.

[two lunches]

If you’re planning on skiing down south you are gonna have a hard time.

Absolutely, the first picture in my Strava was the hour glass on Little bear on 3/19/26 and it has only melted out more. I don't think there is going to be any 14ers to ski this year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/17785154088

lmao- what hourglass?! good night that's barren.

also that's a really, really cool perspective of little bear!