Wounded Knee

Steep expert terrain in the Back Bowls, opened in 1976 with the Summit Platter (now Summit Chair). Positioned below Rodney’s Ridge and to skier’s right of the central bowls; serves as a primary expert route and a critical patrol “skiway” for avalanche control and end-of-day sweep; patrol sleds use it to reach remote gullies and transport injured skiers toward the base. Accessed via the Summit Chair or Paradise Chair.

Naming

The name mainly reflects the run’s reputation for punishing knee-heavy skiing in the 1970s. Some veterans consider it the “easiest double black” at a major western resort; steep but without mandatory cliff-drops, though its length and consistent pitch keep its “knee-wounder” reputation. Connects to Split Rock on the sweep route.