There wasn't a single cloud to be found in the blue bird sky as we set off from the Ptarmigan Cirque parking lot. It was another frigid -25 degree morning, and while I can't say our toes were stoked to be stuffed into ice cold pieces of plastic, our spirits were high as we started up an already well-trodden skin track with a warm morning sun shining brightly down on us.

Basically following the Pocaterra Cirque summer trail to a tee, we parrelled the highway for about 700 m before turning left into dense forest and traversing around the base of Highwood Ridge. We encountered a few more "downs" than we would have liked here, and after a little bit of survival skinning/skiing to wake us up (the dicey and icey state of the skin track added to the fun 😂), we were relieved to emerge to more open terrain below Highwood and Grizzly Ridge's steep north face.

We made quick work of the approach thanks to the solid skin track leading exactly where we needed it to, and soon arrived at the back of the cirque, where we could easily gain the south ridge of our objective. The imposing east face of Mount Pocaterra loomed over us as we followed a short series of switch-backs past treeline and were already enjoying some stunning wintery views as the slope eased off and we easily continued up the now open ridge towards the final steep summit push.

While the skin track did continue switch-backing it's way up the final steep slope, it also traversed over a few too many bare, rocky sections for our liking, and we chose to protect our expensive gear, throwing our skis on our backs, and bootpacking straight up the final 200 m to the summit ridge. Despite the freezing temps, we once again experienced the power of south facing slopes + a fierce sun, and found ourselves shedding layer after layer as we steeply climbed to the false summit.

The tracks stopped at the false summit, and it was up to us to pave the way along the short summit ridge. Although wind loaded, there wasn't enough snow to make us feel like we were doing anything sketchy and were soon standing on the summit with absolutely stunning views in every direction!

It's not often that we get lucky with weather this good in winter, and while we spent some time soaking in the incredible, cloudless summit views, a group of three splitboarders appeared on the false summit, transitioned to "ride mode" in no time, and promptly dropped down the steep chutes on the northwest face! Our original plan was to bootpack back along the summit ridge, and down the rock-protruding slope we ascended, before finally getting some turns in on the lower slopes where some more snow had collected, but as we watched the boarders cruise down the powder-filled chutes, our plans quickly grew in magnitude! Since there had only been one big dump of snow, followed by cold temps, there hadn't been a chance for weak layers to form in the snowpack quite yet. While this meant that an avalanche was less likely, it also meant that there was no solid base covering the rocks below! We considered our options, and ultimately ended up choosing "fun" 😉!

Now remember what I said about there being no solid base just yet? Well, that means that if you turn too hard in the wrong place, you slice right through the powder to the jagged "snow sharks" lurking just below. And that's exactly what I did...About halfway down the chute, I made a turn, heard a loud bang, and was sent off my feet, upside down before I could even register what happened! Somehow, miraculously, I managed to do one complete summersault, and land right back on my feet, skis attached and poles in hand, and while I may have been able to finish off the run as if nothing happened, my ski wasn't so lucky...Upon arriving at the valley bottom I hesitantly flipped it over to take a look at the damage and my heart sank as I discovered an absolutely MASSIVE core shot along its base 😭! So much for protecting my expensive gear!

Once descending into this hidden valley - sandwiched between the long northern ridges of Mount Pocaterra and Pocaterra Ridge - there really isn't any easy way out! You either follow the valley out over 5km to the north (leaving you about 7km away from your car...) or you skin up to the Mount Pocaterra/Pocaterra Ridge col (aka Little Highwood Pass), and then easily descend the side you came from. A hard decision, I know, but we ended up choosing the latter 😂.

A solid skin track from the splitboarders made our lives significantly easier, and it wasn't long before we gained the required 150 m to Pocaterra Ridge's west ridge, and were transitioning back to ski mode for a speedy descent down the south side bowl. We held off from putting skins back on until we reached Pocaterra Tarn (which is actually non-existent in winter), and even though the sun was now rapidly setting, we noticed another skin track heading up the powdery slopes below Grizzly Ridge's north face, and just couldn't resist a few more turns before calling it a day!

I really didn't want this day to end, but the sun had other plans and after relishing those last few weightless turns (this final lap was soooo worth it!!) it was finally time to leave this skier's paradise behind 😢.

Our headlamps illuminated the way for the last couple kilometers, and before we knew it, we were back at the open flats along the highway, finishing off a memorable day with a peaceful walk in the darkness.

I'm glad that I let the "I wanna ski" voice get the best of me...because this trip was an absolute hoot! I never thought of Pocaterra Ridge as a ski objective before seeing it from across the highway the previous day, but I'm sure happy I did, because I think skiing might just be the best mode of transportation for this one! There are so many options for making fresh turns and the bootpack was a breeze! (Especially when you compare it to something like Chesmill...) It was amazing to pick up where we left off last May (with a snowshoe and ski ascent under clear, blue skies), and I really hope the trend continues and we get a few more days like this, and a lot less of that whiteout crap that we had last year 😝!

Photo Gallery

Leaving the Ptarmigan Cirque parking lot, and following an already well travelled skin track on the west side of the highway.

Two for two for bluebird days?! We never have this kind of luck in winter! Looking back at the skin track as we enter the forest, and start up the trail leading to Pocaterra Cirque.

Grizzly Ridge rises above us as we emerge from the forest.

Our first clear view of our objective for the day! Look at all those ski tracks!

Elpoca Mountain absolutely steals the show, looking down the valley to the north.

Looking out from the shadows. Mount Pocaterra, Pocaterra Ridge, Gap Mountain, Elpoca Mountain, and Rae's western outlier, from left to right.

Continuing up the skin track, as it traverses below Highwood and Grizzly Ridge's northern faces. We aimed for the back of the cirque, where Pocaterra Ridge's south ridge can easily be gained.

Mount Pocaterra's impressive east face rises beyond an innocent-looking Pocaterra Ridge.

Mount Tyrwhitt rises across the cirque, with a blinding sun peaking out just over the Grizzly/Tyrwhitt col.

The pre-broken track made for quick progress, and we found ourselves at the base of the south ridge in no time!

So many different tracks in one picture! A closer look at the upper slopes reveals a skin track, a bootpack track, and multiple ski tracks!

Following the switch-backs up the initially steep slope.

The ridge eases off as we climb above treeline.

I thought this was a cool angle 🙂.

Mount Pocaterra's snowy summit towers almost 500m above us!

Bootpacking straight up the final 200 m to the summit ridge. Note the splitboarders behind us on the lower ridge.

Similar to the previous day, the air temperature was pretty chilly, but with the ascent slope once again being south facing, we worked up quite a sweat before we arrived at the false summit.

Looking along the untouched summit ridge. I guess it's our turn to pave the way!

Mount Pocaterra's sheer east face forms a massive wall on the opposite side of the hidden valley to the north!

Breaking trail along the snow-loaded summit ridge.

Approaching the summit of Pocaterra Ridge! Photo credit: Dad

Looking across the highway, to the significant summits of the Misty Range! From left to right we have: Rae, Arethusa (with Little Arethusa below), Storm, and Mist!

A closer look at Storm Mountain and the long connecting ridge to Mist Mountain.

Elpoca Mountain and Tombstone South rise impressively above Elbow Pass.

Yesterday's summit, Little Arethusa, sits below the mountain it's named after.

Storm Mountain really stands out!

Looking down Pocaterra Ridge's long, undulating north ridge. While it makes for a popular summer traverse, I have a feeling it might be a little bit more complicated with snow covering it...

The highest mountain in the Highwood Pass area, Mount Rae, rises to 3218m across the highway!

Grizzly Ridge and Mount Tyrwhitt rise on the opposite side of Pocaterra Cirque, with Storelk Mountain peeking out over the col.

Highwood Ridge sits in the shadows, with Mist Mountain rising in the distance.

Looking back at our tracks along the summit ridge.

Dramatic lighting on Grizzly Ridge's western slopes.

Unobstructed view of Mount Pocaterra's entire east face!

Dropping in!

Looking down our chosen chute.

My dad makes his ski descent!

My dad enjoys the final few glorious (rock-free!) powder turns.

A look at the damage...

Tracks.

Easily ascending back out of the valley thanks to a solid track set by the splitboarders.

Looking back down the valley as we gain the shoulder, east of Little Highwood Pass. Note the angle of the slope we skied...Not somewhere you want to be in heightened avalanche risk!

Looking back across the slope.

Last look to Elpoca and Tombstone South, before starting down to the pass.

Having done enough damage to my skis for one day, I was a little bit more cautious where I skied, and we bootpacked a short ways down the ridge (past a couple rocky sections) before skiing down the south side of the pass.

More powder turns!!

Looking back to a sliver of light on Mount Pocaterra and Pocaterra Ridge, as we easily follow the valley down.

Looking ahead.

Tyrwhitt's stunning north face rears up in front of us.

The valley flattened out pretty quickly, but we were still able to keep enough speed going to traverse back over the south ridge and ski some glades on the southeastern slopes. All without having to put skins back on 😉!

Evening light of Rae's western outlier and Mount Arethusa.

Still in ski mode!

How can you resist a few more turns when there's already a skin track paving the way?! 😉

Enjoying an absolutely beautiful sunset! Elpoca, Rae, and Arethusa (L to R).

A closer look at some alpenglow of Elpoca Mountain.

Final touch of warm light on Mount Rae.

Even though it took effort to gain the elevation, as well as an extra two transitions, those few final powder turns were so worth it, and it was sad to leave this skier's paradise behind 😢.

Skinning back to the parking lot under a star-lit sky.