BBQ on Independence Pass, Colorado, where backcountry skiers gather for the spring corn snow festival

This weekend my friend Skyler and I took a trip up to Winchester Fire Lookout, an historic fire lookout north of Mt. Baker highway on top of Winchester mountain up here in Washington State (see map below). I hadn’t gotten to go skiing in a few weeks and I was itching to get out, even if the conditions looked a little iffy due to warm weather and tons of new, unconsolidated snow (and I don’t mean powder).

Uneva Peak Vail Pass Colorado backcountry skiing

Ski crampon reviews for backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering

As long time backcountry skiers my wife and I have always been excited to share the exploration and fun of back country skiing with our children. We got just that chance recently with a late season blast of snow and a hut trip we’d planned with our friends. Check out one of our best yet ski adventures.

Outdoor Research Revel pants and Orage Abdi jacket for backcountry skiing and bike commuting