"The snow in the lower elevations might be getting thin, but in the high elevations the spring skiing remains phenomenal. The upper snow elevationsin 2006 are 120 percent of normal," says Bela Vadasz of Alpine Skills International (ASI).



"The spring season traditionally has provided the best time to ski the highest mountains of California. A good snow pack, combined with long, warm days and great travel conditions, make for exceptional ski camping. The next six weeks should be real special."

Bela and his wife Mimi are owners of ASI, now in its 27th year. "Every trip to another mountain range (in the world) boosts our appreciation of the Sierra Nevada. Our roots are in the Sierra wilderness. It has provided us our most unique experiences," explains Bela.

"One of our favorites is the Sierra High Route, the premier Trans-Sierra route," says Bela who began his climbing career in the Austrian Alps at age 16. "This route crosses the Sierra Crest holding a scenic line between 10,500 and 13,000 feet. On it we ski high ridges, cols, cirques, and glaciated plateaus, all surrounded by breathtaking views and superb downhill runs."

In 1979, while attending San Francisco State University, newly weds Bela and Mimi decided to create a unique ski mountaineering school that would stress alpinism as not just sport, but a way of life. They obtained the support of S.F. State and the College of Marin, they rented a weekend cabin at Soda Springs atop Donner Summit, and they began ferrying students from the Bay Area up to the Sierra Nevada for two-day cross country and ski touring instruction.

"More than anything, we were very passionate about teaching people about mountain life."

Their enthusiasm captured the eye of Sacramento native Norm Sayler, owner of Donner Ski Ranch. Sayler sold them a nearby, derelict, maintenance building once used for employee housing. He also loaned the your couple money to create a hostel and headquarters for their business.

"It was around 6,000 square feet; it had 160 broken windows and was totally ransacked. But we were dedicated."

By the 1990s, ASI was sending its annual brochure to 30,000 subscribers. The little company's ski mountaineering and climbing expeditions included peaks in Europe, South America, Alaska, and Mexico. ASI guides such as John Hoffman, George Lowe, Chris Jones, Pete Leh, and Tom Carter, gave a personal approach that helped students grow as people...and outdoor enthusiasts.

Bela and Mimi's personal exploits continue to attract international notoriety. Among their significant achievements are ski descents of Denali and Makula and the ascent of Ama Dablam in the Himalaya. They also made the first American ascent of Integral Puetary on Mount Blanc, the longest route of the European Alps. In 2003 Mimi became the 13th American woman to summit Mount Everest (29,035 feet).

"After 27 years neither Mimi, I, or our guides have tired of teaching people backcountry skills and the love of mountain life," Bela says. "We keep developing educational ideas that allow people to enjoy and grow in the spirit of the mountains. There's no greater life sport."