Sun, Big Bend, SP Bowls
Alpine Meadows
About this zone
A remote, high-alpine sidecountry zone tucked along the ridge between Ward Peak and Grouse Rock. This is expert terrain with a real backcountry feel: open bowls, alpine faces, and glades stitched together by long traverses and short hikes. The further you push along the ridge, the quieter it gets. Sun Bowl, Big Bend Bowl, and SP Bowl each offer slightly different looks, but all share a committing, uncrowded vibe and long fall-line skiing that drains back toward Sherwood.
Best When
This zone shines when you want space and are willing to work for it. East-facing terrain means it skis best after storms that fill in the bowls, or on cold, clear days when the snow stays preserved. It’s a good change-up when the main lifts are crowded and visibility is decent enough to navigate alpine terrain. Expect fewer tracks and more solitude the farther you go, especially mid-day once most skiers turn back.
Watch Out For
This is sidecountry, not controlled resort terrain. Patrol presence is limited, and self-reliance matters. Traverses and hikes are mandatory, exits are not obvious, and everything funnels into a very flat runout near Sherwood that can mean a long slog if you don’t carry speed. Alpine exposure, variable snow, and navigation errors are real concerns here. Once you commit down a bowl, you’re in it—plan accordingly.
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