The Clamshell is a large alpine bowl containing a small icefield. It is located on the ridge to the west of Vertebrae Lodge. It is visible in many of the photos taken from the Road to Vertebrae glacier..

The Clamshell offers a large variety of lines including runs into the neighboring "Fruit Loops" bowl to the north(at the right hand side of the photo). Lines into Fruit Loops include "Forbidden Fruit", above the rocky tower and the "Plank", below the tower. Both lead to the "Waterfall", in the trees at the lower right. The ski-out from the bottom, through the "Table" and "Lower Table" offers very interesting terrain. The cat road at the left side of the Clamshell has been extended to the col to provide access to the anticipated extension to the Chatter Creek cat skiing tenure. The col at the top left is called the "Pearl" and the Pearl leads to "Oyster Bowl".

Well below the Clamshell, the area known as "Staff Trees" offers many gladed runs.

From the Clamshell we are looking north to Megahoop and Jo-Pal. In the middle is the west side of Lodge Ridge, which provides good tree skiing. Out of the picture to the lower right, the trees of Lodge Ridge open up into the large cut block known as the Home Run, with lines that end at the door of Vertebrae Lodge. The highest point on the horizon is the summit of Vertebrae Ridge, close to the Keyhole and the entry to Vertebrae glacier. The opposite view back towards the Clamshell is seen in this shot taken from the Road to Vertebrae Ridge.

Here is a closer look at Jo-Pal and the distant hillside.

Upper reaches of the Clamshell.        Another view in the Clamshell.

Unloading in the Clamshell. We can't get much higher.

The rocks above the Clamshell.        Other terrain in the Clamshell. Beyond this ridge, to the west, lies the whole new world of Oyster Bowl and Game Creek.

Leaving the Clamshell, we're ready for Forbidden Fruit. The pink purse is in attendance. Here's a panorama of the entire area. We are standing behind the large rocky "tooth" at the north end of the Clamshell. The Plank exits the Clamshell below the tooth.

Jamie over the edge. It's steeper than it looks.

Forbidden Fruit, our favorite exit from the Clamshell. A good slope that is shaded and holds snow well. The bowl that this drops into is called "Fruit Loops" which is out of the picture to the right. Here's an aerial shot of the Clamshell, Forbidden Fruit and Fruit Loops.

Lower reaches of Fruit Loops, above the Waterfall.

A pretty day in the Clamshell. One of our early posts in the Chatter News                                                    with thanks to Cliff Jennings

The small headwall called "the Waterfall" below Forbidden Fruit and Fruit Loops. Someone's up, under the cliff waiting for a "photo-op".
The outrun from the Plank (see the "photo-op" link)is just out of the photo, to the left. There are routes around this feature both to the right and the left of the photo. The young bucks like to go through the middle (scroll down).

Here's a view from the upper right hand corner of this photo.

Crichton takes a little air, followed by Kevin. The rest of us went around!

The end of a great run starting in the Clamshell and passing into Forbidden Fruit. Now we might drop down a bit and sample the Staff Trees.