– The Backcountry Ski Site
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Site

  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

Backcountry Skiing News Roundup

by Lou Dawson May 7, 2009
written by Lou Dawson May 7, 2009

Backcountry Skiing News

The famed Jay Peak Cutters got the word from the judge a few weeks ago; suspended sentences and a work program. These are the backcountry skiers who in 2007 cut down hundreds of trees on the slopes of Big Jay peak in Vermont, presumably to create more ski terrain. Conservationists are working to “restore the damage.” Interesting. I’m thinking perhaps those forests are already damaged from years of fire suppression and subsequent overgrowth, and the cutters were actually helping, rather than damaging? Perhaps they went too far and cut too much… Lesson for all you other cutters out there, especially in the northeast where grass-roots cutting of ski runs is your heritage: Thin it with stealth!

Note that all cutting is illegal, due the apparent myth that somehow all cutting damages the forest. If any cutting damages the forest, we’re curious how they can keep a ski resort open in this area without any brush cutting.

The fun is over when someone gets hurt. That adage came home to photographer Dan Pattituci and his friends during a ski tour in Europe on the first day of May. They chose to backcountry ski in the Dolomites on a day with significant avalanche danger, made good decisions, and were completing their decent in good style when other nearby alpinists were not so blessed. A large avalanche fell and killed several. Dan’s blog post made me think more about how we’re not only responsible for our own group’s safety when we’re out there, but due to the social contract and basic morality we may be called to help others. That’s something most of us probably take for granted, but is worth thinking about since things such as gear choice and first aid training could come into play in ways different than in your own tight backcountry skiing group.

Back here in Colorado: For the second year running, this coming Saturday at 7:00 AM a group of speedy ski montaineers are doing the “Sopris Sprint.” It’s sort of a race, or perhaps better called a rally. Meet at the summer trailhead for Mount Sopris, Thomas Lakes. Keep it informal so the Forest Service doesn’t get involved. Also near here, if you’re in the area don’t forget 5-Point film festival for some springtime diversion. The fest starts this evening with an open party where you can rub shoulders with the giltterati. Recommended.


In other Colorado news, most of you probably saw my blog a few days ago about Jordan White skiing all the 14ers in Colorado. He got a bit of newspaper coverage today. Again, congratulations Jordan!

That’s it for today’s bloggin’. It’s a beautiful spring day here in Carbondale. Mount Sopris glows white above town, but the dreaded dirt layer from the winter’s dust storms is creeping up her flanks like some kind of tropical skin disease otherwise known as “snirt,” (snow/dirt) Thus, unlike last year we’re headed for a rather short season of quality spring backcountry skiing. We’ll see how it progresses. By for now.

Lou Dawson

WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.

www.loudawson.com
0
Email
previous post
Widebody Ski Crampons — Jonathan Gives His All
next post
Jordan’s Victory Party — Celebrating 14er Skiing

Trip Reports

  • A Small Hut for Big Skiing in the San Juans: Aladdin’s Lamp

    April 23, 2024
  • Revisiting a 2011 Trip Report: Adventure in the Pickets — Thread of Ice Ski Descent

    December 9, 2022

Avalanche Department

  • Ask a Forecaster: Q&A with CAIC’s Andrew McWilliams

    March 10, 2024

Tips & Tricks

  • Transition Efficiencies 101 with Tech Binding Heel Units

    January 6, 2023
  • Visualizing the Backcountry as a Splitboarder: Minimizing the Challenges of Movement by Anticipating Terrain

    December 5, 2022
  • TURBOCHARGE YOUR TRAILHEAD BEACON CHECK

    November 15, 2022

Recent Comments

  • Daniel on Backcountry Ski Boots Buyer’s Guide: The Touring Boots Worth the Money
  • Jim Milstein on Best Touring Packs for Guides and Daytrippers
  • Bergen Tjossem on Much more than a steep ski: Fischer Transalp 92 CTI Long-Term Review
  • Maciej on Much more than a steep ski: Fischer Transalp 92 CTI Long-Term Review


  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Terms of Service
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2025 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

ARVA Recalls Neo BT Pro Transceiver

January 31, 2025

Ask a Forecaster: Q&A with CAIC’s...

March 10, 2024

Ask a Forecaster: CAIC’s Dylan Craaybeek

February 13, 2024