1/23/08, 7:55PM

Jason Young/MSSP

"Throw your diamonds in the sky if you feel the vibe!" Devon Ketel forever, ever.

If you search for them, barely registering by scale size, there're amazing, uncut, unpolished resorts hidden in North America. These are places to be quietly protected and prized. Ones humbly claimed your own. Semi-secretive spots shared by few. Some the more obvious, others often missed, each easily out shadowed by the corporate-marketed destination mountains. Read on...

Several miles right off Interstate 5 in Northern California, between Redding and Yreka, approximately 60 miles from the Oregon border, then along Highway 89, on the southeastern facing slope of 14,179' Mt. Shasta is Ski Park.

Nestled below tree line, stands of White Fir and Silvertip-pines always ever green, white flocked-make up the kindly wooded lot. Lift ascents treat riders to expansive vistas. All existing only, as if it seems, that this place is mine or could be yours (along with a handful of good friends). I've been snowboarding here for 14 years. Written a story about Shasta in a "Tale of Two Mountains" for the defunct Heckler (#12).

The Ski Park's stats read soft-spoken, muted not silent, with their 275" annual snowfall, 425 acres, 1,390 vertical feet, 31 trails, three triple chairs, and night skiing. It's 20 percent beginner, 55 percent intermediate, and 25 percent advanced runs. They maintain two parks and a pipe.

If and when you do visit, you should find, at every turn, on every return, that Shasta is well worth the stopover on the usual way thru to somewhere else.

Courtesy: MSSP.

Trail Map.