Sherb derb
- Leaders
- Kathy Camenzind (C S), Kausalya Mahadevan (A coB coS), Xander Uyttendaele (coB coS)
- Program
- Winter School
- Type
- Backcountry skiing
- Terrain level
- B
- Trip date
- Saturday, January 17th
- Difficulty rating
- moderate
- Prerequisites
- Ski black diamonds and ungroomed terrain in a ski resort. Hike 2000 ft with a heavy pack.
We will be exploring the most popular and famous backcountry ski trail in the White Mountains, the John Sherburne Ski Trail / The Sherb.
The Sherb is accessed by skinning up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, and we will skin up, then ski down for a total of about 4.5 miles and 1,800' of elevation gain per lap. We'll try to do a second full or partial lap if time allows and can grab a hot chocolate at Pinkham notch in between!
If this is your first time backcountry skiing, or if you have not skied this trail before, please make sure this trip is right for you. We will encounter uncertain snow conditions (can include ice, exposed rocks, bumps, water bars, tight turns, etc.).
You should feel comfortable making tight turns and navigating bumps on tired legs. We will be skinning uphill, which feels like a medium-to-strenuous hike with extra weight on your feet. You should feel confident in making controlled turns to avoid hazards such as exposed rocks in the trail. There will be also be a mandatory in-person pre trip meeting before Thursday’s lecture at 6pm outside the MITOC office. We will fit skis and boots so expect this to take some time
Signup
- Algorithm
- lottery
- Maximum participants
- 5
- Signups opened at
- Jan. 13, 2026, 6:26 p.m.
- Signups close at
- Jan. 14, 2026, 9 a.m.
- Notes
1) Will you be renting skis and/or boots from MITOC? If you know what size you'd like please add it, or if not add your height.
2) How many days of skiing have you done in the past two years? Any backcountry?
3) Rate your comfort with skiing the equivalent of Black moguls & glades at a resort (1 = not comfortable/haven't done, 2 = a little uncomfortable, 3 = somewhat comfortable, 4 = comfortable)