THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESERVATION WITH THREE SISTERS BACKCOUNTRY!
This page contains the details you need to prepare for your trip. If you don’t have a trip scheduled yet, the info below can be helpful for your planning. There is a lot of information here, so make sure every member of your group reads through all the details. Please double check our calendar to make sure your group’s date is correct.
Current Route Conditions: Updated: March 27, 2024:
Day 1: Great coverage 5-10 feet
Day 2: Great coverage 3-10 feet
Day 3: Great coverage 1-5 feet (some thin/melted out spots in the last mile)
*These are general coverage conditions of the 22 mile route, not day to day surface conditions which can change daily or ever hourly.
Pre-Trip Meeting:
On the morning of Day 1, you will meet TSBC staff at the Upper Three Creeks Sno-Park at 8:00am (a 7:00am or custom meeting can be arranged, see below). At this pre-trip meeting we will discuss current route conditions and loan you laminated maps.
Shuttles Description:
You will leave your vehicles in the Three Creeks Sno-Park by our field office. Cog Wild will then shuttle you in a van to Dutchman Sno-Park which is the start of Day 1. Overnight parking is allowed at Three Creeks Sno-Park with a Sno-Park pass. 3 day passes are available at Ace Hardware in Sisters. It’s a good idea to leave comfortable shoes, water, dry clothes, snacks and any other comforts you would be excited to have at the end of your adventure waiting in your vehicle upon your return.
If there are some members of your group who don’t want to do the Sisters leg of the Shuttle in the morning the group can just send your shuttle drivers to the Three Creeks Sno-Park. The rest of your group can be picked up at the LOGE in Bend as the shuttle swings back through Bend. Please note that group members who just meet at the LOGE will have missed the pre-trip meeting and will have to rely on info from those who were at the pre-trip meeting. Also note, our permit does not allow our guests to park overnight at Dutchman Sno-Park.
The shuttle ride takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes in good weather (Icy roads and/or holiday traffic can increase the drive time quite a bit). The shuttle will be dropping you off at Dutchman Flat Sno-Park. There is an outhouse, but no other amenities.
Shuttle Times:
Standard Shuttle (Default)
8:00 am Pre-Trip meeting at Three Creeks Sno-Park
8:20 am Load Cog Wild Shuttle Van
9:30 am Approx time Shuttle will swing by the LOGE in Bend to pick up additional group members
10:30 am Approx time arriving at Dutchman Flat/Sno-Park Start.
Early Bird Option (Highly recommended early season/holidays/and storm cycles. Must be requested in advance with TSBC)
7:00 am Pre-Trip meeting at Three Creeks Sno-Park
7:20 am Load Cog Wild Shuttle Van
8:30 am Approx time Shuttle will swing by the LOGE in Bend to pick up addition group members
9:30 am Approx time arriving at Dutchman Flat/Sno-Park Start
Self Shuttles:
Any group running their own shuttle must still meet TSBC for pre-trip meeting at the Three Creeks Snowpark. If it is not the morning of your trip, it can be done the morning prior at 8:00am. If the whole group is new to our traverse we recommend all skiers be present at pre-trip meeting.
Maps and Navigation:
On Day 1 Laminated maps will be loaned to each group at the trailhead. The recommended route is marked by a combination of Forest Service blue diamonds and our own yellow flagging in trees. As much as we maintain the route, some flagging can be obscured and it is possible to loose the route. Its also fun to take detours. Therefore a back-up form of navigation is essential. Map/Compass/Altimeter can be difficult in the dense trees, but very helpful if you know how to use them. We created a map to be used on a smart phone that will help you navigate easier.
Step 1: View this page with your smartphone where you have good WIFI (Not at the trailhead!)
Step 2: Download the free Avenza PDF Maps App. to your phone.
Step 3: Download our TSBC Hut to Hut Traverse Map to your phone
Step 4: Open the map within the your new Avenza App on your phone. It will take a few minutes to "process"
The app and map can be used in the field on Airplane mode to see where you are. You will appear as a blue dot in the terrain. Have multiple people, if not everyone, in your group load this app and map. Let us know if you have any trouble with this.
*I Phones sometimes need your “locations services” to be turned on. Go to Settings, Privacy, Location Services, Avenza Maps -check “Always”
Choosing the Right Gear:
Ski Selection
Skis: Bring metal edge skis with scales or lightweight telemark skis with skins. The wider the better!
Boots/Bindings: Beefy Nordic (NNN BC or 3 Pin/duck bill) and coordinated binding.
Alpine Touring and Telemark gear that is more suited for descending might be a bit too heavy and bulky. Skate skis and track classic skis without edges will be too light and flimsy.
No show shoes. We have had a few people try and show shoe the route… they all had a very difficult time snowshoeing that far.
IMPORTANT! If you plan on renting skis, plan ahead. Mountain Supply in Bend, Pine Mountain Sports in Bend and Eurosports in Sisters have limited quantities. You must plan ahead and reserve, shops are closed some days of the week. Let them know you are skiing our traverse and you want the “widest” nordic skis they have to rent..
Skins
We highly recommend skins. They can be extremely helpful ascending and descending in hard-pack conditions. TSBC has skins that work for most skis. These are free to borrow, or $60 if you want to purchase. Its best if you have your own that custom fit your skis.
Gear
Our goal is to try and reduce the gear you have to carry so the ski is more enjoyable. Each hut will be stocked with wood stoves, propane cook stoves and full kitchen supplies. Each bunk will have a mattress and sleeping bag. You are required to bring your own sleeping bag liner. You are welcome to bring your own sleeping bag as well if you don’t mind carrying it. You will need to melt snow at the huts for drinking water. There are outhouses stocked with TP.
Pack Video!
Individual Gear Checklist:
Backcountry Nordic Skis with metal edges and scales, the wider the better! Larger, heavier skis will be more stable and overall less effort than lightweight skis.
Why metal edges??? Over 22 miles and 3 days conditions change. If there are icy sections, the edges will be essential. In addition, most XC skis without metal edges are mounted with wimpy XC bindings, which offer little stability and can break easily with a heavy pack and varied conditions.
Skins (TSBC has 40mm skins available to borrow or $60 for purchase. Your own that custom fit your skis are best)
Boots (NNN-BC, Three Pin, duckbill or equivalent)
Poles (adjustable or downhill poles are best, not long flimsy nordic poles)
Shell Pants
Shell Jacket
Long underwear tops and bottoms
Midweight jacket
Insulated Jacket
Beanie
Sunhat
Sunglasses
Goggles
3 pairs socks
Lightweight gloves
Heavyweight gloves
Toiletries and personal items
Headlamp with extra batteries
Two Liters of water to start
Boot Gaiters
Backpack that can fit all your gear inside
Cell phone and battery/power pack
Snacks and lunch for Day 1
Sleeping bag liner / or your own sleeping bag
NOTE ABOUT SLEEPING GEAR: Our huts are stocked with 20 deg sleeping bags. They are not washed everyday. If you feel more comfortable, you can bring your own bag. If you do bring your own bag, consider the weight. You don’t want your pack too heavy, making it difficult to ski. No pillows are provided. If the wood stoves stay lit, the huts can get very warm.
Mandatory Group Gear:
First Aid Kit
Shovel
Digital Map Downloaded on Cell Phone along with Avenza app
Emergency Satellite Communication (Spot, Inreach, Personal Locator Beacon etc...)*
Emergency Shelter for 2 (tent, tarp or bivy sac)*
* These Items available on loan from TSBC
Hut Food Stocks:
Each hut is stocked with the ingredients listed below. Please supplement these ingredients with fresh fruits, veggies, meats, snacks or anything else you wish to carry. These supplies are stocked once week or as needed. We cannot make any additional substitutes/changes etc… please be respectful and limit the amount of beer you consume. There is no breakfast or lunch provided on Day 1.
Happy Valley Hut Food Supplies:
pasta (GF also stocked)
marinara sauce (GF)
canned olives (GF)
canned artichokes (GF)
potato chips (GF)
hash browns* (GF)
eggs* (GF)
butter (GF)
olive oil (GF)
salt & pepper (GF)
garlic powder (GF)
coffee & tea (black, green & herbal) (GF)
individual creamer (half n half) (GF)
honey (GF)
sugar (GF)
oats
jerky (GF)
energy bars (Mix, some GF)
trail mix / nuts (Mix, some GF)
pancake mix
syrup (GF)
Good Life Beer
Red Wine
Lone Wolf Hut Food Supplies:
tortillas (flour & corn (GF))
beans & rice (GF)
canned salsa & hot sauce (GF)
tortilla chips (GF)
hash browns* (GF)
eggs* (GF)
butter (GF)
olive oil (GF)
salt & pepper (GF)
spices (GF)
coffee & tea (black, green & herbal) (GF)
honey (GF)
sugar (GF)
Oats
bars (Mix, some GF)
jerky (GF)
trail mix / nuts (Mix, some GF)
pancake mix
syrup (GF)
individual creamer (half n half) (GF)
Good Life Beer
Red Wine
*dehydrated but good (taste tested!)
Emergency Communication:
Cell phone coverage exists at each hut but is not always reliable. The route goes in and out of cell coverage. Texts work better than calls. Single texts work better than group texts. You can text 911.
We recommend that all phones be fully charged, packed away somewhere warm (breast pocket) and shut off (with the exception of 1 left on for navigation). Use them only in an emergency or for navigation. Conserve your battery. An extra battery/power pack charger is essential to have in case of emergency. Cell phone batteries do not like freezing temperatures, even if turned off.
All groups must have a backup form of Satellite communication (GPS Spot, InReach, etc..) If your group does not have one, TSBC has them available to borrow.
Self Sufficient Adventure:
No guiding is available and there is no ski patrol. Each group must be self sufficient and prepared to deal with an emergency while skiing the route. An injury or broken piece of equipment along the route can quickly be compounded in the harsh cold environment. Each group must bring an emergency shelter (tarp, tent or bivy) and shovel. Each hut is stalked with a set of snow shoes, extra skis, First Aid box and sleeping bags. These resources are available if some group members need to go ahead an get them to bring back to another group member.
Sometimes help can be far away and take a long time to get to you. In some cases, help may not arrive until the next day. Three Sisters BC staff will do everything they can if there is an emergency, but we are not on standby and not always available or able to reach you due to conditions. The same goes for Search and Rescue volunteers. Do not hesitate to call for help sooner than later. Texting is also a great way to communicate with us early if you are beginning to have some concerns.
Low Snow Years:
Sometimes early or late season... or if we have a terrible snow year, parts of the route can melt (or be wind scoured) to ground. In this case...pop off you skis and hike. It’s a mountain traverse adventure. This can be common the last 1-2 miles.
Wilderness skiing Disclaimer:
The terrain accessed by this ski traverse is true backcountry wilderness terrain. Hazards such as avalanches, hidden cliffs, tree wells, difficult to nonexistent emergency communication to outside help and other hazards are always present. These hazards are not managed by Three Sisters Backcountry, Inc. It is the responsibility of you and your group members to have the training and experience necessary to mitigate your exposure to these risks.
*Winter backcountry skiing thrives on inclement weather. Your group is responsible for your own safety and navigation. If you feel as though a particular storm or weather event makes the tour unsafe, then DO NOT GO! If your group determines that it is too dangerous to proceed, TSBC will provide alternate route variations. No refunds will be given. If this not a financial risk you are willing to take, please purchase 3rd party travel insurance.
Directions to the Sno-Park:
To get to our Field Office from Sisters: In Sisters, turn south on S. Elm Street this will become FS Rd. 16. Travel 11 miles, at the snow gate, turn left into Upper Three Creek Sno-Park, park by our office near the back of the parking lot. Sno-park permits are required and are for sale at the trailhead.
Sno-Park Road Conditions
The FS Road 16 up to the Sno-Park is often not plowed well. On storm days you may need AWD/4WD, high clearance, winter tires and/or chains. Also note that this road has poor cell coverage.
Local Weather Infomation:
NOAA (Mt Bachelor)
WEB CAMS
MT BACHELOR ~7000’
SANTIAM PASS ODOT
Each group member will be asked to sign an Acknowledgment of Risks form at the beginning of your trip.