Tahoe Via Ferrata
FAQ’s
no experience required
Recommended fitness level
Height & Weight requirements
What Do I Need To Bring?
SunscreenYou will be in direct sun for your entire tour, sunscreen is a must!
Reusable Water BottleRecommended: 1 Liter Wide Mouth Nalgene bottles.
Hiking Pants or ShortsWe recommend wearing something comfortable such as outdoor pants or shorts. Running shorts or leggings are also great options. Remember, you’ll be wearing a climbing harness the whole time, so medium or long-length shorts are typically more comfortable than short shorts.
Lightweight TopUltra-light base layer that effectively wicks moisture away from your body and is breathable. Quick-dry is important as well. One light-colored shirt is recommended for extremely sunny days.
Recommended (Women’s): Black Diamond Lightwire Tee
Recommended (Men’s): Black Diamond Lightwire Tee
Small BackpackBring a small backpack with the same essentials that you would pack for a short hike. Remember a water bottle (reusable please!) and a couple of snacks. There are plenty of great vistas on the Tahoe Via that are perfect for a snack break! In the California sun, sunscreen are a must.
Recommended: Black Diamond Pursuit 30 Pack
Sun HoodieLightweight, long-sleeve sun hoody that is great for protecting from the sun.
Recommended (Men’s): Black Diamond Alpenglow Hoody
Recommended (Women’s): Black Diamond Alpenglow Hoody
SunglassesRecommended: Vuarnet
HatBring your favorite baseball hat for shelter from the sun.
Recommended: AEX Hat
Approach ShoesPlan to wear sturdy closed-toe and lace-up shoes, such as a hiking or approach shoe. Running shoes are acceptable, but be sure that the sole is fairly stiff with good tread so you are comfortable climbing on metal ladder rungs and scrambling on rocks. We do not recommend skate shoes. If you don’t have the proper footwear or you want to try out a pair of our preferred via ferrata shoes, rent a pair of Black Diamond Mission LT 2.0’s for $10/day.
Recommended: Black Diamond Mission LT 2.0
Rain JacketDepending on the weather forecast, it is a good idea to bring a rain jacket on cloudy days.
Questions About Climbing The Tahoe Via Ferrata
Yes! We welcome outside guides and their groups through our guest guide program. This program is open to IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guides, as well as AMGA-certified Rock or Alpine guides. Groups must be booked on a private basis. Please call the office for more information: 877-873-5376
Non-private groups must have a minimum of 2 participants to depart. The maximum group size is 6 participants per guide, and larger groups/families will go out with several guides.
Private groups have no minimum size but will operate at a 6 participants per 1 guide ratio.
Yes! We can accommodate up to 144 people per day. Visit our Group Options webpage for more info. Please contact the office for group bookings of 13+: 877-873-5376.
There are morning and afternoon time slots every day of the week, from 8am to 3pm, every hour on the hour!
All Tahoe Via experiences will begin at the Alpenglow Expeditions booth located in the Tram Plaza Village at Palisades Tahoe. Once registration and safety demonstrations are complete, participants will be shuttled to the base of the routes in a 4×4 adventure vehicle.
Participants can reserve online at TahoeVia.com or by calling the Alpenglow Expeditions office at 877-873-5376. Clients can also stop by the Alpenglow office in the Village at Palisades Tahoe.
Please see the Equipment list above for a detailed list of what you should bring on the Via Ferrata. All technical equipment (harness, helmet, and lanyards) is provided by Alpenglow Expeditions and included in the pricing.
The Tahoe Via Ferrata is for everyone (as long as they are taller than 3’11”)! No prior experience is necessary and nearly all ages can participate. Please note that climbers under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult for any tour on the Via Ferrata. Additionally, due to the manufacturer’s limitations, participants who weigh less than 88 lbs or more than 250 lbs must be booked in a private group. The guide will add a second rope to the participant that is outside the weight limitations in the steeper, more vertical sections. This will not impact your ability to participate!
Alpenglow Expeditions offers a 2-hour tour, 3-hour tour, and a 4-hour tour in both group and private settings. These times include gearing up in the office and driving to the base of the climb. Check out our “What to Expect” video for more information.
Weather events such as lightning, rain, and snow may cause delays on the routes. Climbers will only depart if safe climbing conditions exist. When preparing for your climb, please dress appropriately for the day’s weather. Check your confirmation email for a link to the local weather report.
Via Ferrata connects participants to the rock 100% of the time through a specifically designed lanyard. These lanyards, which attach to the steel cable, will arrest the fall. Check out this video to see how our “Continuous Lifeline System” works.
No. All participants must be guided by an Alpenglow Expeditions Via Ferrata guide with AMGA (American Mountain Guide Association) training.
The Tahoe Via Ferrata is located at Palisades Tahoe Resort in Olympic Valley, California. The climbing experience will start at our booth in Tram Plaza and end at the Alpenglow Expeditions office in The Village at Palisades Tahoe. Both Via Ferrata routes ascend what is known as “Tram Face,” which towers directly above the base area of the resort, offering stunning views of the valley and the surrounding Sierra Nevada.
The Tahoe Via is a very unique experience, most comparable to rock climbing. The Via Ferrata routes help participants learn to navigate the rock face on the protected climbing route with permanent steel anchors and cables that keep them safely connected to the rock 100% of the time. All climbs will be led by Alpenglow Expeditions’ experienced team of AMGA-trained guides.
Please click here to review our Domestic Cancellation Policy
What Are the Routes?
THE FLAMINGO BUTTRESS
All routes begin in the same place, with the Flamingo Buttress. This short section of the Tahoe Via Ferrata allows all climbers to quickly learn how to connect themselves to the rock and slide the carabiner along the metal cable using the Continuous Lifeline System. This starter section of climbing features a short cable bridge, as well as a near vertical section low to the ground so climbers can familiarize themselves with the system before going higher. The Flamingo Buttress ends when climbers move towards the start of The Loophole, Sundial Arete and the Skyline Traverse.
THE GREAT ESCAPE
Once past Flamingo Buttress, climbers will head up a short trail, less than 100 yards, and connect into the Great Escape cable section. The Great Escape starts in a small chimney, and then opens up onto beautiful granite slabs. Smearing our shoes, we’ll work our way up the slabs, using the texture of the rock to grip and the cable to ascend. After crossing a gully, we’ll take in the wonderful views of Olympic Valley from Sandy’s ledge, an ideal location for a snack and sip of water. From here, we’ll descend back down the Great Escape, and finish our climb on the descent trail back to the start.
THE LOOPHOLE
After completing the Flamingo Buttress and walking along the Tahoe Traverse overlooking the Village at Palisades Tahoe, the start of The Loophole shares the first 100’ of climbing with the Skyline Traverse and Sundial Arete. It climbs up a deep groove in the rock with fun moves before leveling off in a scramble. The route then splits off from the Skyline Traverse, and you’ll climb up through steepening terrain directly above the Village at Palisades Tahoe. At this point, a short but nearly vertical section gives off the feeling of a jaunty alpine climb in the High Sierra, as the route begins to weave back and forth among granite towers. Higher up, you’ll have the chance to wave hello to the world-famous Palisades Tahoe Tram full of amazed onlookers as it passes overhead.
Arriving at what is known as the Ski Tree (you’ll see why), the Loophole breaks off from The Sundial Arete and takes you out to The Olympic Valley Overlook for an incredible photo opportunity. After getting the perfect photo, you’ll continue traversing a ledge system back towards the Skyline Traverse. Rejoining a portion of The Skyline Traverse near the “monkey in the middle” bridge, you’ll descend with the assistance of ladder rungs, returning to the start of the climb after a final sloped section called The Great Escape.
With two hours of climbing, the whole experience from the start at our base camp in The Village at Palisades Tahoe to saying goodbye to your guide is about three hours.
THE SUNDIAL ARÊTE
After moving through the Flamingo Buttress, the start of the Sundial Arête shares the first 100’ of climbing with the Skyline Traverse before taking a right. Climbing through steepening terrain above the Village at Palisades Tahoe, climbers begin slowly gaining exposure from below. After a short, but nearly vertical section, the route begins to weave back and forth among granite towers. Climbers won’t forget to wave hello to the world-famous Palisades Tahoe Tram as it passes overhead full of amazed onlookers. Nearing the top of the Tram Face, climbers find themselves scrambling along a rocky ridge with incredible views of Shirley Canyon. Topping off the route, climbers cross a final airy and steep span, ending on a tiny bluff dubbed the “Island in the Sky”. It’s at this point that both routes rejoin before finishing together with one last airy section of climbing.
THE SKYLINE TRAVERSE
Sharing the same section of climbing as the Sundial Arete for about 100’, the Skyline Traverse breaks left while evoking an exploratory feel as it ventures up towards a series of slabs and ledges. After navigating the lower slabs, climbers will encounter a narrow chimney feature climbing right through the mountain. Once through the chimney section, the route moves through another ledge system before arriving at a bridge called “Monkey in the Middle”. Climbers will cross one at a time while posing for those instagram photos. Continuing to move up, it seems at each corner there is another angle to see and another playful section of climbing. Once near the top of the route, climbers must cross the 50-foot-long “Super Monkey Bridge,” using only one cable for their feet and one cable for hands. Once complete, the route joins the Sundial Arête for one final airy span directly below the large tram tower sitting atop the cliff.
FINAL RIDGE / DESCENT
After summiting, groups will enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of Palisades Tahoe while taking some photos to remember the experience.
From here, a short and beautiful hike along the ridge offers stunning views of Shirley Canyon, KT-22, and many other surrounding peaks. The hike ends at a mountain road where our 4×4 vehicle will be waiting to give a quick ride back to the village, where climbers can turn around and view the epic face they just climbed. Gear gets returned, and climbing plans for the future are dreamed up.
What’s a good next step after trying the Via Ferrata? Try a half-day of family rock climbing on Donner Summit.
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