Summary 
| Difficulty | 4 Intermediate-advanced |
| Length | 5.3 miles one-way |
| Starting Elevation |
8500 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+900, -2550 one-way |
| Navigation | Map |
| Time | Full day |
| Season | Mid-December through mid-April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted on north side of ridge (first 0.9 mile) and low use on south side of ridge. [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Mount Rose |
| Start | Highway 431, 6.1 miles northeast of Highway 28 and 2.0 miles southwest of Mount Rose Summit. This is just north of where the "South Ridge" nears the highway. |
| End | Diamond Peak Ski Resort at Incline Village. |
Description
In the Lake Tahoe area the tour from Tahoe Meadows to Diamond Peak is only rivaled by it’s big brother, the tour from Tahoe Meadows to Brockway Summit, for outstanding ridge skiing and superlative views of Lake Tahoe. But unlike its big brother, the ridge you follow on this tour forms a dividing line between the lake to the west, and the arid lands of Washoe Valley and the desert mountains to the east. Imagine simply turning 180 degrees to see the contrasting panoramas.
Lake Tahoe from ridgetop
Washoe Valley from ridgetop
This 5.3-mile tour can be broken down into four distinct parts that combine to form a wonderfully interesting tour for strong, skilled skiers.
Part 1 — The tour along Chickadee Ridge.
Part 2 — Short, steep climb to high point of the tour at 9,225 feet.
Part 3 — 2.5 miles of ridge skiing to Diamond Peak. Your route along the ridge will be much more serpentine than you would expect from looking at the map due to abundant trees, rock outcrops and wind-generated ridges of snow.
Part 4 — Descent of intermediate ski run at Diamond Peak Ski Resort.
As you might imagine, this tour should be saved for fair weather when you can enjoy the skiing along the ridge top.
Although the ending point for this tour, Diamond Peak Ski Resort, is only 0.2 mile from the ending point for the Tahoe Meadows to Incline Village tour, the tours are much different — only the first 1.2 miles of the tours are the same. Beyond, the tour to Incline Village is a continuous, often steep, downhill run through the backcountry to its terminus. In contrast, the tour to Diamond Peak and the ski resort meanders and descends gradually along a ridge before descending an intermediate ski run at the resort. Also, while the tour to the ski resort is only 1.1 miles longer, it takes significantly more time.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.1
Elevation change: +50 feet
From the trailhead (1) ski east across a small clearing for 0.1 mile until you reach the trees on the opposite side (2). Do not be tempted to ski directly to the ridge and along it; the dense trees make travel slow at best.
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.1 - 0.7
Elevation change: +200 feet
Ski east and parallel to the ridge that is to the south (right), and climb gradually for 0.6 mile until you reach a less wooded area that ascends to the south (3). At this point you should be able to see a relatively clear route up the ridge.
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 0.7 - 0.9
Elevation change: +200 feet
Climb south (right) for 0.2 mile until you reach the ridgetop and more level terrain (4).
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 0.9 - 1.2
Elevation change: Nil
Traverse east around the south side of Peak 8996 for 0.3 mile until you reach a broad saddle (5).
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 1.2 - 1.6
Elevation change: +250 feet
Ski east and then climb southeast for a total of 0.4 mile to the summit of Peak 9225 (6). Be sure to ascend the northwest ridge of the peak and avoid its steep faces that may be unstable.
Peak 9225 from saddle
Waypoint 6 to 10
Miles: 1.6 - 3.6
Elevation change: +200, -850 feet
Ski south along the ridge, passing Peak 9085 and Peak 9065 to the west (right) and Peak 8777 to the east (left) for a total of 2.0 miles until you reach a location to the west (right) of Peak 8676 (10). Waypoints 7, 8 and 9 are provided for additional navigation aide.
Easy skiing along ridgetop
Waypoint 10 to 11
Miles: 3.6 - 4.1
Elevation change: -100 feet
Ski south toward Diamond Peak (Peak 8538) for 0.5 mile until you reach the The Great Flume ski run at Diamond Peak Ski Resort (11). This section of the ridge is heavily wooded and the best you can do is take the path of least resistance. Depending how high you stay, you may find yourself crossing a steep gully before rounding a finger and encountering the groomed ski run that is rated intermediate.
Waypoint 11 to 12
Miles: 4.1 - 5.3
Elevation change: -1600 feet
Descend The Great Flume ski run for 1.2 miles until you reach the base of the ski area (12).
