Beginner/intermediate terrain at pico

[rocks860]

We're thinking of taking a trip up there this weekend. My girlfriend is a beginner/intermediate snowboarder and I was wondering how the easier stuff is at pico. We went to magic a couple weeks ago and she had no problem making it down the greens there from the top. I've never been before so just looking for some insight

 

[bdfreetuna]

Pico has relatively diverse easier terrain. There is not a really easy way down from the top. Golden Express quad area is entirely easier. The triple over on the right side access only easier terrain.

A-Slope chair on the left does have a couple easier ways down also. There is even a green and blue way off the Outpost lift.

Wait until your girlfriend is comfortable on other blues at Pico before taking her to the summit. Even the easiest way down off the summit has a steeper section that can intimidate beginners.

 

[rocks860]

Ok thanks. I saw the easier area off to the right and thought that looked ideal for her

 

[soposkier]

We're thinking of taking a trip up there this weekend. My girlfriend is a beginner/intermediate snowboarder and I was wondering how the easier stuff is at pico. We went to magic a couple weeks ago and she had no problem making it down the greens there from the top. I've never been before so just looking for some insight

I went to pico last year with my wife who at that point had been snowboarding less than five times. The triple was great and the trails were actually somewhat interesting for a beginner/low intermediate. Short though, so once confident id try out the lower quad. If she could do magic the lower quad at pico will be no problem.

 

[boston_e]

I'll echo basically what everyone else has said. Plenty of great "low intermediate" terrain off the Golden Express Quad (lower quad) as well as the Knomes Knoll Triple.

49er is the one blue square trail off of the summit and is indeed a step up from the blue squares off of the lower quad. There are two steeper pitches on it that might make it a bit more challenging for a low intermediate.

 

[rocks860]

Sounds like this would be a great option for us. Magic was a little tough as there were only a couple of options for her off the summit

 

[xlr8r]

I agree with what everyone else has said, but would add that there is no reason to go on the Outpost or Little Pico lifts for low intermediates. The easy way down from these lifts really are just traverses back over to the terrain served by the Golden Express.

 

[steamboat1]

Now if Pico still had the Birch Glade chair or the tower 10 mid-station that would be the ticket. Unfortunately they don't.

Big part of the reason they went belly up after installing the two quads.

 

[xlr8r]

Now if Pico still had the Birch Glade chair or the tower 10 mid-station that would be the ticket. Unfortunately they don't.

Big part of the reason they went belly up after installing the two quads.

But they kept the Birch Chair for a while after installing the two quads up until the mid 90s. It might have even been ASC that removed the Birch chair, if not it was removed only a year or two prior to ASC purchasing it.

I happen to like how it is set up now as the trails there, Lower Giant Killer, Birch Glade, Poma loop, are usually left natural and ungroomed, if the Birch chair was till there these would likely be groomed out every day.