Sitting at an elevation of 4,000′ surrounded by peaks that jut up to 14,000′, Bishop’s big backyard is an understatement. Any time of year provides a veritable adventure buffet in our playground, but nobody does spring like we do. You can easily ski powder in the morning and climb in shorts and a T-shirt in the afternoon. A true oasis for outdoor fun.
Feast On The Best ‘Corn’ On The Planet
If there’s a time of year to visit the Eastern Sierra for backcountry skiing, it’s spring. As the Owens Valley gives way to wildflowers in full bloom, the upper elevations are still deep in snow. What you find up high is no ordinary snow either. It’s corn snow. Resembling a frozen corn kernel, this forms when you have cold, clear nights and warm, sunny days. In fact, the Southern Sierra naturally manufactures some of the best corn snow on the planet.
Go East, Go West… Too Much To Ski In A Lifetime
From town, you can see the line-up of impressive peaks that offer 100% organic non-GMO wild corn that once you get a taste of it, you can’t get enough. As the snow recedes up higher, a lot of these lengthy approaches mid-winter become doable in the spring due to dirt road access. This includes iconic peaks like Mt. Tom, Mt. Humphreys, and Peak 13,121. And to the east of town, you’ll find the White Mountains providing yet even more options to choose from.
Solve Problems Like Nobody’s Business
Once you’ve gotten your fill of corn, it’s time to get to the “meat” of Bishop’s backyard – bouldering. The same place that provides access to ski descents such as Mt. Tom is also a hotbed for bouldering, albeit at a lower elevation – the Buttermilks. Here you’ll find technical highballs such as Ambrosia. And nearer to town, you’ll uncover volcanic tuffs strewn about in the Happy and Sad Boulders such as the Hulk. There’s a reason why thousands annually make the pilgrimage to Bishop to test their mettle. We have a lot for you to test it on!
From climbing in a T-shirt to harvesting some of the best corn snow on the planet, spring is truly king in Bishop’s backyard. And once you’ve accomplished your mission, you can celebrate with a frosty pint or a tasty dinner at one of our many Al Fresco dining destinations. Now that’s living at its best.
