January 2005

As storms pound the west, avalanches continue within ski area boundaries. Along with that, skiers are having some of the best powder days in years

When is enough snow, enough? Perhaps when avalanche happen within ski resorts, that’s when ski touring precautions need to be used anywhere there is skiing.

Reference for 2005 Whistler, Canada skimo race that Greg Hill won.

I have also met my share of AT skiers, split boarders and alpine trekkers in the backcountry who share these same characteristics. Maybe it’s time to redesign your backcountry paradigm. I’ll offer up a couple of different categories and let’s discuss what you think. Get Louie in on the action….he’s hip with the young alpine crowd. We can refine and reclassify as we go.

Just returned from an excellent uphill/downhill race at Aspen Highlands. Pretty brutal (3,000+ vert up to 11,000 feet elevation) but son and I kept our pace (slow), got a good workout, and enjoyed seeing friends and socializing. It was interesting having a fast transition from skins to glide. Time to fumble — in the cold wind and snow no less! Too bad most of the downhill was a catwalk where the guys on nordic skis could rule — oh well –the few the proud the brave on rando gear…