home of the Pure Awesomeness Factor Better Data, Better Skiing

Sidewinder

Blue Northstar, CA

Steepest pitch23°
Vertical798 ft
Length3,666 ft
Average pitch13°
FacesN
Top7,991 ft

Sidewinder drops 798 vertical feet over 3,666 feet of skiing, with a steepest pitch of 23° about 1,940 feet below the top. That's steeper than 66% of the 5,615 blue runs we've measured in North America, and the 42nd steepest of 90 named runs at Northstar. It faces north.

How well Sidewinder holds snow

Snow preservationGood

Facing north at an average 13°, Sidewinder gets about 70% of the winter sun that flat ground at Northstar does, December through March. That's shadier than 72% of the runs we've measured, and the 23rd shadiest named run at Northstar. Its top sits at 7,990 feet.

Shaded snow stays colder and drier, so it holds powder longer after a storm and is slower to crust over or turn to slush in spring. Shading from ridges and trees isn't counted yet.

Sidewinder profile

under 25°25–35°35–45°45°+ Hover to follow the line on the map.

Where it is on the mountain

Runs like Sidewinder elsewhere

Nearby at Northstar

Measured by ZRankings from 1-meter USGS lidar. Steepest pitch is the steepest stretch of about 50 vertical feet along the skiable line. Run lines come from OpenStreetMap and can sit a little off the skied path.