All winter, snow blows off the summit of Mount Washington and is collected on the slopes and ravines below it, so that by the time spring returns, a deep snow pack has settled, to the thrill of back country skiers.
Each year, from early April until late May, skiers make a two and a half mile trek to one of those most storied places on the mountain, Tuckerman Ravine.
Here is where the best, and the most challenging, spring skiing in the East can be found. A glacial cirque, Tuckerman has a pitch of 35 to 55 degrees, making it one of the few places outside of the Rocky Mountains and the Sierras where avalanches can be triggered.
Located in the White Mountain National Forest, which does not allow mechanized travel, Tuckerman Ravine can only be reached by making the 2.5-mile hike up and on a nice spring weekend, thousands of people, most toting their ski equipment on their backs, make the hike to the floor of the ravine, before setting out for the last climb to the top of the bowl.
This is where extreme skiers can test their mettle and have. Back in 1933, after daring skiers traced out a route from the top of the Headwall to the floor of Pinkham Notch, the Inferno was born.
In 1939, Olympian Toni Matt took on the Inferno, schussing over the Headwall and down to Pinkham Notch at speeds of 85 mph, finishing the legendary race in 6 minutes, 29.4 seconds.
Tuckerman Ravine is for expert skiers, although not all who make the hike go there to ski. Many simply enjoy sitting on what are known as the Lunch Rocks and cheering on those with strong legs, incredible skills and brave hearts.
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