Ruby Mtns., NV

[Schralper]

Well just got back from a trip thru the Ruby's. OMG! Some serious sledneck terrain. Amazing b/c. We scored w/ 3.5' of fresh, no wind and night temps below 0 on 2/9 and then bluebird on 2/10. West Ruby's 20 mi. south of Elko. Heli operation was dropping off 1 ridge away from us. Then pow and hardpack in the east Ruby's on 2/14. Beauty couliors near Angel lake.
So anyone else been there?

[homerjay]

Yeah! Beautiful area. Last May my friend and I went there to ski corn. Long story short...winter storm blew in, we camped near harrison pass on the S end of the rubies, slogged uphill in a storm forever, skied one run in some trees, I clipped his dog with my ski edge, and we ended up heading 11 hours back to denver.

Access to Angel Lake was closed when we were there...shoulda poached it as it looked like the place to be. tons of sleds in Lamoille canyon.

[splat]

Originally posted by Schralper
So anyone else been there?

Haven't skied, but have looked at the Rubies hard a thousand times and share your thoughts on sledneck heaven. Over the last two years, Elko took an economic hit that left three bedroom houses with a garage and a barn on five acres selling for $25-$40K after mining went down the toilet. They've been trying to figure out how to revive the town. I say build a fukking tram and it's done. With just one tram. The well-intentioned but niave townsfolk think it can be done by making it a retirement community. A retirement community for skibums, maybe.

[Kellie]

anybody have pics of the terrain - we drove by at night under a full moon and could get an idea of what it might be like, but I'd love to see more!

[Red Baron]

There's plenty of info on the Ruby's here;

Ruby Mountain Heli-Ski

A sample:

http://www.helicopterskiing.com/gall...0483761550.jpg

[homerjay]

http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic19059.jpg

http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic19058.jpg

http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic19057.jpg

http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic19056.jpg

[Twoplanker]

Looks steep.

http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic19058.jpg

[homerjay]

at least 85 deg. for 6000 vert.

[ulty_guy]

fakking schaweet!

Originally posted by Red Baron
There's plenty of info on the Ruby's here;

Ruby Mountain Heli-Ski

A sample:

http://www.helicopterskiing.com/gall...0483761550.jpg

[Agent 00X]

I agree! 3.5' @-0F!! Yeah!!!! Never been to the Rubies but looped out to Great Basin National Park one New Years. Excellent, excellent, excellent trip. Stoked about skiing NV! Reno-Battle Mt.-Austin-Mysto cowboy canyon-Tonopah-volcanos-oil field-train museum-Ward Mt.(stupid leaky stove pump flame thrower .)/Ely (more cheap houses and closed Cu mine in Ely)-GBNP/Lehman Caves. The snow at Ward Mt./Ely and GB was so good, (recrystalized/sugar, shallow) couldnt stop, toured at nite too. Bought some fat rock skis from mntlion in part for the next trip back, hopefully soon before it warms up.

[Ubersheist]

Originally posted by Schralper
So anyone else been there?

Only in the summer. At the I was a geology student. Me and a few others got paid to hike around and collect rocks. Nerdy, but way fun.

It's a cool place in the summer, too. No one ever goes out there, so you and who ever you bring are the only ones for miles and miles. Loads of hiking and places to explore!

[Alkasquawlik]

Schweet. Going on this Monday for what looks like a 5 day sled, ski and shoot trip. How was the snow pack stability?

[Schralper]

Originally posted by Alkasquawlik
Schweet. Going on this Monday for what looks like a 5 day sled, ski and shoot trip. How was the snow pack stability?

The pack was way good. Especially considering the 40" new. Some natural releases noticed while sledding into Lamoille canyon. We skied mellow south aspects the 1st day and the moved up to north aspects on 2/10. Typical surface sluffing but good solid pack from what we could tell. East Ruby pack more windblown and sunbaked still some pow hidden though. Slednecking 101 getting in eastside. Westside easy road sled up thru the canyon.
Make sure you pack lotsa ammo and booze!
Wish I could post some pics but I shot almost all slides. Gotta get that scanned. Anywho if you check my profile there's a pic of Angel lake basin, a few pages back on my homepage.

[Trackhead]

Is the access an issue at this place? Private land or Forest service. Good sled access terrain?

Thinking about bringing the motorhome and the sled there in the spring perhaps.

[slippy]

Check the track tgr "super cooly" report for some Ruby action. I've been there, it's great.

[chill winston]

Tom Carter is one of the guides at ruby heli. great dude and one hell of a bc skier. Pioneered the redline traverse in the Sierra.

and here's a random little report of a quick day trip in the rubies on the way home to Cali from Alta.

[powstash]

Chill, cool report.

I've been thinking about a trip to the high peaks of the Nevada desert for a few years, scanning maps, looking at elevations, checking backroads, dreaming about not a soul for miles and all that pow/corn/etc to myself (and a buddy or two). Doesn't Plake do that stuff? Sled into remote areas of the desert mountains? I seem to remember seeing that on film or in an article a year or so ago.

Theres a similar place near Pomerelle Ski Resort in southwest Idaho. High desert mountains with lots of lines that rarely if ever see ski tracks.

[Schralper]

Originally posted by Trackhead
Is the access an issue at this place? Private land or Forest service. Good sled access terrain?

Thinking about bringing the motorhome and the sled there in the spring perhaps.

Go early spring as I think the pack disappears kinda quick.
Access w/o a sled is an issue, unless alot more road is open. West Ruby's, 20 mi south of Elko, sledding 12.2 mi from Lamoille Ranch to "end of road". Though sledding up the scenic byway its tempting to stop and hike. But blast up all the way, 1st. About 2500' gain goin up Lamoille Canyon Rd. Lotsa sleds here. East Ruby's just outside Wells. Nobody around, drove to snowdrifts blocking the road, then unloaded. 5.5 mi from sleds to Angel lake. Lotsa sidehill, big drifts to get over and 1 big hill. My short track '93 550 was a lil work. Newer 700cc+ machine easy.
While the heli would be a nice option, you can buy a good used sled and have $ left over for the cost of a week of Ruby mtn heli.
The FS in Elko had a good map, $7. Last chance Rd., on the way out to the canyon. Other access is an issue as the Ruby's are ringed by private prop. So only a couple public access points. Wilderness areas in center part of the Ruby's. Being able to stay and get messed up in the hotel/casinos on Elko (Wells= way small) is pretty sweet after a day of riding. Warm too.
Tip- if you or someone in your group looks the military type ask a military discount on the room. If asked just tell'em your out w/ some friends and you dont have your id card on you.

[midget]

Originally posted by powstash
Chill, cool report.

I've been thinking about a trip to the high peaks of the Nevada desert for a few years, scanning maps, looking at elevations, checking backroads, dreaming about not a soul for miles and all that pow/corn/etc to myself (and a buddy or two). Doesn't Plake do that stuff? Sled into remote areas of the desert mountains? I seem to remember seeing that on film or in an article a year or so ago.

Theres a similar place near Pomerelle Ski Resort in southwest Idaho. High desert mountains with lots of lines that rarely if ever see ski tracks.

You talking about Turntable?

[ak_powder_monkey]

Originally posted by Red Baron
There's plenty of info on the Ruby's here;

Ruby Mountain Heli-Ski

A sample:

http://www.helicopterskiing.com/gall...0483761550.jpg

OMG that looks soooooo sweet