Estelle Bowl
Alpine Meadows
About this zone
Estelle Bowl sits at the far edge of Alpine Meadows, tucked beyond Wolverine and Beaver and right up against the ski boundary. It’s a compact, high-alpine bowl accessed from Summit with a short hike around the ridge. The terrain is open and exposed through the middle, with trees lining the flanks if you want something a bit more defined. It’s not the steepest zone at Alpine, but it’s undeniably expert terrain and feels committing due to the location and setting above Estelle Lake.
Best When
This zone shines when you’re looking to get away from the main flow and find snow that’s seen fewer tracks. The bowl spans roughly northeast through southeast aspects, with a strong east-facing bias, so it can hold cold snow after storms and soften nicely with early sun on clear days. High elevation and its position near the crest help preserve quality longer than most Alpine zones, making it a good choice once closer-in terrain starts to feel skied out.
Watch Out For
Access requires effort and commitment, and once you’re in, you’re skiing consequential terrain far from quick exits. Visibility can be an issue in flat light due to the open alpine nature of the bowl. The run quickly rolls onto a bench before funneling into Poma Rocks, so speed management and line choice matter. Conditions can change fast with wind, and mistakes here tend to compound given the remoteness and terrain.
Map
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