It’s almost winter and that means that folks are going to be straping their skis on their backs and heading into the backcountry. But folks out there who love to go off piste need to know that there are some serious dangers to be aware of. Backcountry is fun, but its got serious hazards. But the backcountry opps here in the states are plentiful to say the least. From Taos to Whistler Blackcomb, these areas have been expanding their off-piste terrain, providing skiers with the right gear with the opportunity to escape lift lines. With a bit of work, that is climbing with skis on, you can head into the backcountry. The right gear mostly means randonnee skis, the centerpiece of which involves a strong, lightweight binding that is hinged at the toe…sort of a high-impact, sturdier cross country ski, where the heel can be secured to the ski for downhilling.
The problem, as I’ve mentioned before, is going back country can escalate the danger of dying. After a fresh snow, the back country can be a serious avalanche danger, and several people have died lately doiing this.
That said, as someone who has done some (but not much) backcountry skiiing, I can say that the experience is unique and thrilling. Perhaps it’s something you’re interested in? Well, then consider a course, perhaps as an outfit like Exum in Grand Teton natioonal Park. That way, you get some of the basics down before you head and and kill yourself on you rown.