Interested in backcountry skiing, but not sure if it’s right for you? Then keep reading. The purpose of this post is to break down the activity of backcountry skiing/riding in order to inform and prepare you for your first guided, backcountry skiing experience!
How is backcountry skiing different from lift service skiing?
Backcountry skiing and lift service/resort skiing are 2 very different animals. The most obvious difference lies in the mode of uphill travel; when at a resort you take a lift to the top, when in the backcountry you’ll be using you own strength, endurance and power to get to the top. Lift service skiing generally requires heavy development and/or alterations to the terrain, but in the backcountry you’re dealing with often untouched, natural, more remote terrain. Other differences between the two include things like avalanche control and emergency services; at a resort avalanche conditions are controlled on a daily basis, areas that are deemed unsafe are roped or blocked off and hazardous obstacles are marked. This is not the case in the backcountry where it’s up to your guide (and you) to make good route ascent/descent decisions and to keep an eye out for obstacles.
How is backcountry skiing different from cat skiing?
Cat skiing and backcountry skiing have a little more in common in that they both rely on terrain that can be remote, unmanaged and sometimes difficult to access. That’s where the similarities end though. When cat skiing you are, once again, being taken to the top rather than hiking to the top.
So, it should be clear at this point that backcountry skiing, of all the skiing disciplines, requires the most effort on the part of the skier. Hiking uphill on skis (called skinning) is physically challenging, but it’s well worth the energy. Skinning allows the skier to completely immerse themselves in the surrounding landscape and truly appreciate the natural beauty of the area they are exploring. Not to mention, once at the top you’ll be rewarded with a pristine, untracked, powdery ski line!
You will use a skin track or an up-track to ascend in the backcountry. If there is not a skin track already in place your guide will put one in. Using a skin track for your first time can be frustrating so be patient with yourself. Your guide will be able to share tips and techniques that will better help you use the skin track. Most folks pick it up quite quickly and once you have the hang of it you’ll find it’s as easy as walking.
What kind of gear do I need?
In order to access backcountry ski terrain you will need one of the following touring set-ups:
-Telemark skis and bindings
-AT (alpine touring, also known as randonee) skis and bindings
-Splitboard or snow shoes and poles
In addition to your touring set-up you will also need climbing skins (mohair or synthetic material which adheres to the bottom of your skis to create a surface of friction that keeps you from sliding backwards on the skin track) and a ski-specific backpack. Every backcountry skier should also carry 3 pieces of avalanche safety gear; backcountry shovel, probe and beacon. It is important to note that simply carrying avalanche safety gear does not necessarily mean you are prepared to deal with an avalanche situation. If you plan to spend unguided time in the backcountry you should consider taking an avalanche safety course.
When you book a guided ski day with CBMG you will be provided with Mammut R.A.S backpack, shovel, probe and beacon. All other gear mentioned above can be rented for a small additional fee.
What can I expect a day of backcountry skiing/riding to be like?
You will generally meet your guide at our office at 8am to fill out paperwork and do a throrough gear check. It is during this time that your guide can help you figure out how to use your gear if you’re not familiar with it (if you need to rent a touring set-up you may end up meeting with your guide the night prior to your trip so we can help you figure out the appropriate sizes and whatnot). You will be out all day, 8am to 3pm, unless you are doing a half day tour (9 am-Noonish), so it will be important to pack enough food and water to keep yourself energized and hydrated.
A day of backcountry skiing begins with your guide checking the weather forecast and the current avalanche report (you can check these reports yourself here). Based upon the information these reports provide, your guide will determine the best and safest place for you to ski that day.
The drive to the trailhead could take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the location that you will be skiing. Ascent time can vary greatly and is dependant on a number of factors including actual hiking distance, group size, group fitness, and weather/terrain conditions. You can expect to be skinning anywhere from 1 to 4 hours total. There will be ample opportunities for rest and snack breaks throughout the day. Remember, one of reasons you’re out there is to truly enjoy your surroundings so take your time, take some pictures, look around a bit and don’t feel like you have to rush. Your guide will set a pace that is both efficient and comfortable.
During the day you could be exposed to a variety of different types of terrain; open meadows, serene glades, treeless ridges and open bowls. On a low-avalanche danger day with good weather our clients can expect to get above tree line and ski one big run (right around 3,500 vertical feet). On days when the avalanche danger is higher and/or the weather is poor we will generally head for shorter, more protected tree/glade runs (about 1,200 vertical feet) where multiple laps are possible as long as you are up for it.
Keep in mind that all the above information is generalized. CBMG strives to provide custom, personalized guiding services and we rarely set a plan into motion without first considering our client’s fitness levels, comfort levels, skills, abilities and background. We can tailor any day out in the mountains to suit your needs. We recommend 1 – 3 days of acclimatization prior to the backcountry ski day, especially for clients coming from lower elevations.
How should I dress?
Conditions in the mountains can change rapidly and unexpectedly. It’s best to be prepared for the worst even on days when the weather seems mild. The smartest way to dress for a day of backcountry skiing is to use the ‘layer method’. Wearing a base-layer (long underwear), mid-layer (insulated or wind layer) and an outer-layer (waterproof or water resistant jacket) will allow you to discard or replace clothing as needed. While skinning you’ll be generating a lot of heat and might find that you end up in only your base layer, but once you stop moving you’ll cool down quickly and then can easily add more layers to your base in order to keep warm.
Most backcountry enthusiasts avoid cotton at all costs and opt instead to use garments made of synthetic material or wool. This not only applies to tops and bottoms but also to your socks, hats & gloves. If you tend to sweat a lot during high output activities you may want to pack an extra base layer so you can change if you get too wet during the hike.
If you’re still not sure what to wear we’re happy to further discuss with you clothing options for the day.
What kind of people enjoy backcountry skiing?
Backcountry skiing isn’t for everybody. Those who enjoy it the most tend to appreciate a challenge, like exploring the unknown, and don’t mind spending the better part of a day outdoors. If logging the most vertical turns in a day is your main objective or if you like to spend more time in the ski lodge than on the ski slopes, then backcountry skiing might not be your thing, and that’s okay. It’s better to be honest about your goals/abilities than to get yourself in a situation you might not enjoy. However, if being out in the wilderness and away from the masses, getting a killer workout, and making turns in the most pristine, untouched powder you’ve ever seen sounds like a good time, then backcountry skiing might just be perfect for you!
Got more questions? Something we didn’t cover? Want to look into booking your own backcountry experience? The CBMG staff is pretty much obsessed with backcountry skiing/riding and when we’re not doing it we love to talk about it so give us a call. We’d like nothing more than to get you hooked like we are!
Interested in reading some more? Click on the following links:
Guided Backcountry Ski/Snowboard Tours
Intro to Backcountry Skiing/Riding Courses
Tiff – Crested Butte Mountain Guide Staff
