Gash Peak BC Ski- January 17th, 2026

Gash Peak, Bitterroot Mountains
Saturday, January 17, 2026

Leader: Francis Horton
Participants: Ben Bagniewski, Carson Ramsden, Mason Schweyen, Sam Watson

With a warm high-pressure system parked over the Bitterroots for the better part of a week, it was no surprise that this trip saw higher-than-usual attrition leading up to the weekend. Despite warm temperatures and a lack of recent snowfall, those of us who remained committed set out in search of good skiing.

Our primary objective was to ski the large north bowl off Gash Peak proper. We hoped the northerly aspect would offer some protection from the sun and preserve snow from previous storms. Two fallback objectives were identified in advance in case conditions didn’t support the main plan.

After loading into two vehicles, we headed down the valley to the trailhead. With a surprising level of efficiency, packs were shouldered and skis sorted, and we were on the trail by 9:00 a.m. The receding snowline meant a longer bootpack than on our trip two weeks prior, with skis finally going on around 6,000 feet. While spirits dipped briefly as we joked about the mid-January “spring” conditions, the prospect of early-season corn kept morale high.

When we finally got eyes on the north bowl—locally known as Sweathouse Bowl—it was immediately clear that our secret north-facing powder stash was about as real as my dreams of making a living skiing. Thanks to having solid backup plans, the group quickly discussed options and pivoted to a new objective. Before long, we were standing atop a ridge looking into a beautiful bowl filled with variable but skiable snow.

In all fairness, it skied well. We enjoyed it enough to skin back up and ski the neighboring bowl as well, ultimately skiing the two bowls farthest looker’s right on the main face.

As our predetermined turnaround time approached, we traversed out of the bowls, regained the shoulder we had skinned in on, and began our exit.

While part of me had been dreaming of deep powder and steep lines, I couldn’t have been more satisfied with how the day unfolded. The group was strong, the decision-making was solid, and the stoke never faltered. In the end, we covered approximately 10 miles and 5,000 feet of elevation gain