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Backcountry Skiing blogs, videos, photos, and a whole lotta stoke.

Into the Wild- Getting Started Backcountry Skiing | Boulder, CO United States | 03/31/09, by Goooompz

We all started backcountry skiing somewhere, somehow.� Perhaps you haven't started yet?� Or perhaps you know someone who is interested, but doesn't know where to begin.� Well, the best way to jump into the world of backcountry skiing is to take an avalanche safety class.� Alpine World Ascents in Boulder Colorado was nice enough to� to send a Skiing the Backcountry novice backcountry skier to their AIRE accredited Level 1 Avalanche Class. Here is his first journal entry:


I left the sunny state of California where the weather is nothing short of outstanding and the roads are never slicked with black ice for one reason-the mountains.� I've now got two years of Colorado fun under my belt and I couldn't be more satisfied with my decision to attend CU Boulder.� The close proximity of the mountains seems to have enlightened me.� These geological wonders are summer and winter wonderlands, providing ample resources for all types of sports and activities.� After experimenting with rock climbing, hiking, and inbounds skiing, I thought to myself, "What else do these Colorado Rockies have to offer me?"�

I stumbled upon the answer to this question when I attended the first of many Backcountry skiing club meetings.� With no expectation of joining or participating, I slid into a chair in the back of the room and began dozing as I waited for the meeting to start.� It took five minutes to transform me into the most enthusiastic backcountry skier wannabe in the room.� By the end of the meeting not only had I paid club dues, but I was signing up for every hut trip I could squeeze into my schedule.� What hooked me wasn't the dull PowerPoint presentation or the flashy beeping equipment they displayed, but the attitudes of the club members.�

The purpose of these kids existence was to live life to the fullest.� They were motivated by something greater than themselves; maybe it was their love for the backcountry or it could simply be something about their character that drew them to backcountry skiing in the first place.� Sure the pictures of their outings were amazing, but the exciting atmosphere of the club undoubtedly hooked me.

With backcountry skiing as a recently acquired passion, I'm now engulfed in an onslaught of jargon and equipment.� This new world I've joined is overwhelming.� And I'm ready to tackle this electrifying, dangerous world of backcountry skiing.� However, since I wouldn't like my first trek to be my last, I've enrolled in an avalanche level 1 certification class before losing my backcountry virginity.� There are some specific skills I would like to learn from this avy class that would boost my confidence out on the hill.�

The first and most important ability I'd like to gain is to develop a sixth sense for detecting which slopes are susceptible to sliding.� Why learn how to deal with the danger of an avalanche when I could learn to avoid one altogether?� Another thing I'd like to learn is what equipment is necessary to carry when skiing in the backcountry.� The last thing I want to do is have 40 pounds strapped to my back when I'm skinning up a gnarly pass.� I know the basics-shovel, probe, beacon etc-but as a college student, I'd like to know on which items I can go cheap and which ones I must go big.� Lastly, I want to avoid panicking at all costs.� What are the appropriate measures I must take both to ensure my party is as safe as possible and when an avalanche strikes. �

I would like to have those questions answered when I walk away from this avalanche class.� However, I am a novice backcountry skier so the most important thing I must remember is to keep an open mind and learn from the experts.� Stay tuned for more journal entries!