This last round of snow enabled our Ski Patrol crew to open another piece of terrain in Mirkwood. The Cat Skiing guides had been working this terrain along with our ski-packing crew for several weeks. This process involves explosives and lots of ski-cutting and side stepping down the slopes. More details describing their work is described in this post from a few seasons ago. The Staircase zone is peppered with several cliff bands and technical lines. This is some of the most difficult terrain at Monarch and there are many unmarked hazards in this expert area. For those up for it, the skiing can be steep and deep.