Caples Crest
Kirkwood
About this zone
Caples’ Crest is Kirkwood’s looker’s-left base area: mellow, practical, and quietly important. It’s anchored by Snowkirk and Caples’ Crest chairs and serves a mix of true beginner terrain, easy intermediates, and key transit routes. For newer skiers, Snowkirk is a straightforward green that loops back to the main base. For stronger skiers, this zone is mostly about access—two lifts that move you toward the backside and, eventually, Devil’s Corral via Vista—rather than destination skiing.
Best When
This zone works well early in the day for warm-up laps, ski school, or clean groomers before heading elsewhere. The west to southwest aspect gives it a slightly different sun exposure than much of Kirkwood, which can help soften snow on colder days or late mornings. It’s also a good choice when you want lower crowds, need a low-stress start, or are staging a move toward the backside without diving straight into steeper terrain.
Watch Out For
Transit here takes time: getting to the backside requires riding both Snowkirk and Caples’ Crest, which can feel slow if lines build. Terrain near Red Cliffs quickly steps up from intermediate into advanced, especially if you poke farther out or start hiking—easy to drift into more serious snow and exposure than expected. Visibility can flatten fast in storms, and while sidecountry access exists, it’s not casual terrain despite frequent avalanche course use.
Map
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