Navaho Pass

Navaho Pass delivers a solid spring ski tour with 3,350 feet of climbing over 11 miles in the Teanaway. The route follows the summer hiking trail for about 2.5 miles before hitting consistent snow around 4,100 feet, then transitions to skinning through open clearings toward the pass at 6,380 feet. The basin below Navaho Peak opens up with moderate-angle slopes ideal for spring corn skiing.

From the pass, the view stretches across to the Stuart Range and the Enchantments, with Dragontail and McClellan prominent on the skyline. The 360-degree panorama from the ridge crest puts this tour's visual payoff well above its modest difficulty. East-facing slopes hold corn snow longer into the day, while west aspects soften early and lose coverage faster as the season progresses.

This is a strong choice for skiers looking to build multi-day touring fitness or introduce friends to spring backcountry skiing. The terrain is forgiving, the approach is straightforward, and the reward-to-effort ratio is excellent. Late May visits may encounter bare patches on the lower trail and weakening snow bridges over the creek, so plan the line of descent carefully as the season wears on.