Summary 
| Difficulty | 4 Intermediate-advanced |
| Length | 1.1 miles one-way (1.7 miles one-way to alternate end point) |
| Starting Elevation |
7150 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
-900 one-way |
| Navigation | Map and compass |
| Time | Short |
| Season | Late December through March |
| Snowmobiles Use | Low use |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Washoe City |
| Start | On the west side of Highway 431 and across the highway from the Tannenbaum Event Center, 10.3 miles west of I-395 North exit and 9.3 miles west of I-395 South exit. During events you may not be able to park at the Center and very little other parking is available. |
Description
This is a short, completely downhill tour for skiers looking to carve some turns. It is best skied during or immediately after a cold storm because of its low elevation — it ends at only 6250 feet. Fortunately the route is entirely on north-facing slopes so the first sun doesn't turn the powder to mush.
Tannenbaum Ski Area sign. Courtesy of The Western Lost Ski Area Project.
Fresh powder on ski run
About 1/3 of the tour coincides with the now defunct one-lift Tannenbaum Ski Area. Closed in 1981 or thereabouts, the original summit lift house and assorted machinery are still standing as are several lodges.
Also gone is the once nearby Christmas Tree restaurant that was destroyed by fire. In days gone by skiers could climb up the Old Mount Rose Highway, have lunch at the restaurant, and then retrace their tracks or ski down the old ski run. Although you have to bring your own lunch now, you can still make the loop as described in the Old Mount Rose Highway tour.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.2
Elevation change: -100 feet
From the trailhead (1) on the west side of the highway, ski north and parallel to the highway for 0.2 mile until you reach the top of an obvious ski run (2) where a ski lift ran straight up and down the slope to the north. Be very careful if you are crossing the highway to reach the trailhead.
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.2 - 0.5
Elevation change: -350 feet
Descend the old ski run north for 0.3 mile until you reach a water tank (3).
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 0.5 - 1.1
Elevation change: -450 feet
Pass the water tank on its east (right) side and descend northeast for 0.6 mile until you reach the NDOT Maintenance Station at the south entrance to Galena Creek Regional Park (4). In this section you should stay above the houses and the road to the houses that you will encounter. Once you reach the park facilities you can also walk down the plowed road to the end point.
Alternate Ending
Finding the alternate end point may well be the most difficult part of the trip because the route to it is not well defined.
To reach the alternate end point begin by locating the entrance kiosk (5) approximately 0.1 mile before the south entrance to Galena Creek Regional Park.
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 1.1 - 1.15
Elevation change: Nil
From the entrance kiosk (5) ski northwest for 0.05 mile until you reach the bridge across Galena Creek (6).
Waypoint 6 to 7
Miles:1.15 - 1.7
Elevation change: -50 feet
Cross the bridge and ski generally north for 0.55 mile until you reach the north entrance parking loop (7). The route follows the Bitterbrush Trail that is poorly marked at best, however, the route is often well trampled by snow-players. The restroom facility at the north entrance parking loop is visible from a distance.
