The ride: The Timberline chairlift is an old-fashioned three-seater, slowly climbing to a ridge that offers skiers and boarders a variety of terrain suited to all skill levels. The top of the ridgeline provides a gentle cruiser for beginners or also can be used to return to the base facility. Sidewinder gives intermediates a wide open run with a couple of pitches steep enough to pick up some speed. Experts can get thrills on steeper, narrow runs falling off the ridgeline or among the scattered trees on ungroomed Sun Slope.

Runs to try:

* Powder Keg: After an easy ridgeline traverse, the route back to the lift dives off at a pitch ideal for early intermediates.

* Sidewinder: It twists and turns while descending in a manner that snowplowers can manage while better skiers can have fun going faster

* Sun Slope: Off Sidewinder's groomed path, its pitch is conducive to good powder skiing. But facing the sun, it can get thick.

* Dynamite and Exterminator: Either of these runs off the ridgeline test the quick-turning ability of skiers and boarders - and with a steepness that requires execution.

* Runaway: Another advanced run to the bottom, wider than the ridge shots but under the lift, too.

- Mike Gorrell

POWDER MOUNTAIN RESORT

* Name of lift: Timberline

* Vertical drop: 900 feet

* Number of runs: 10

* Difficulty rating: Beginner to advanced

* Why try it: Some challengers here, some cruising there