It’s been snowing up high over the last week; at 13,000 feet we found enough for much anticipated and needed turns. Yeah winter!
The clouds parted just as we put our skis on. Life is good.
Tyler rips up some early season backcountry skiing powder
First backcountry skiing turns of the season -- with a great view.
This is typical of Colorado. We get early snow, it is solid. Then, if it doesn’t KEEP snowing the thin layer of first snowfall sits there and metamorphosizes into the dreadful surface hoar crystals (sugar snow) any Colorado backcountry skier is all too familiar with. Of course the sugar is not at any “depth” at first, but once it starts snowing again we can end up with the depth hoar as a foundation layer that causes a long winter of tricky avalanche danger. Thus, now more than any time of the year we beg, pray and plead for it to keep snowing. Looking good so far.
Nick Thompson brings an incredible amount of skiing and mountaineering experience to WildSnow.com. Nick grew up climbing and skiing in the mecca of Telluride. He has a super attitude and incredible drive, making Nick one of those people who is terrific to be in the mountains with.