Mount Tom

January snow stretches from the 13,652' summit of Mount Tom to the floor of Owens Valley nearly 10,000 feet below. Elderberry Canyon, the prominent S-shaped gorge winding across the center of the mountain, ranks among the Sierra's best ski descents—even when you can't ski all the way to Highway 395. Mount Tom, California.

— January 8, 2006

Andy Lewicky is the author and creator of SierraDescents