Brittany Walker Konsella

I kept saying the line made me uncomfortable, that we’d find more mature snow further down the ridge. You could see that the snow in that particular gully had been less affected by solar radiation, and could therefore be less stable. What I didn’t explain was that the wind-loaded gully was the classic thing we should be avoiding right now given the history of remote triggers in similar terrain throughout the season. We were already venturing out on more risky terrain, why not ski the safest line possible given we had choices? But, somehow that never made it out of my mouth. Why? Because I was upset that my friends wanted to ski something we had previously all agreed on was unsafe. Instead, I just found myself feeling bad for being the one who was trying to change everyone’s mind.

Interviews

March 4, 2018 Brittany Walker Konsella

Interview with Charlie Suthard of All Day Syndicate

While the tele-comp disappeared as most free-the-heel skiers realized that AT was the way of the future, Charlie’s vibrance did not. Charlie continues to be one of the most positive and animated people to roam this earth. His humor is infectious. And I can’t think of anyone better to be introducing a line of products that reads “Après All Day”. Let’s face it, some of us take life too seriously. And every now and then, we need a reminder to chill out.

Backcountry Skiing Crested Butte

February 19, 2018 Brittany Walker Konsella

Powder in Colorado?

It’s no secret. Snow has not exactly been prolific in Colorado this winter, and it has been especially rough in the central and southern parts of the state. Here in Crested Butte, it has largely been the “unwinter” – at least until recently. I had basically given up on winter. But, after back to back bursts of snow in recent weeks, it’s game on once again!

Reviews - Gear & Other

February 4, 2018 Brittany Walker Konsella

My 3 Favorite Women’s Skis at SIA/OR 2018

Anyone who knows me as a skier knows I’ve had very few good things to say about women’s skis in the past. Typically, I have found that women’s dedicated ski models are too soft, not torsionally rigid enough, and inhibit rather than help my skiing. But, I’m not the only one who has felt that way and the ski manufacturers are listening. Finally, I can honestly say I have found some women’s skis that I don’t want to just throw in the trash. In fact, I actually love them. These three skis will allow women to charge hard.

Backcountry snowboarding on a powder day.

Backcountry Skiing Miscellaneous

January 31, 2018 Brittany Walker Konsella

It’s been a long time

Sure, winter has been slow to arrive. Snow is sparse in a lot of places, especially in Central and Southern Colorado. But the northern half of the state is holding relatively strong. And there’s pretty darn good skiing up there. We even had a chance to enjoy it!

Reviews - Gear & Other

December 18, 2017 Brittany Walker Konsella

Gear Review: Corbeaux Baselayers

Frank and I agree on a lot of things. But, baselayers is one of the areas where we differ. That’s why we haven’t sought a sponsorship with a baselayer company in years past. Due to Frank’s eczema, he prefers synthetic baselayers. I, on the otherhand, have not been able to find a synthetic baselayer that performs as well as wool for me in the backcountry – too often synthetic layers don’t dry fast enough, leaving me chilled to the bone on a winter day. But then we tried Corbeaux Clothing, and my views of synthetic baselayers have been forever changed.

Backcountry Skiing Fourteeners

November 16, 2017 Brittany Walker Konsella

TBT: Sean Crossen’s 14er Skiing Video

Most people don’t know about Sean Crossen, but they should. He was one of Colorado’s 14er-skiing pioneers in the early to mid-2000’s. Long before legendary Chris Davenport decided he would try to ski all of Colorado’s fourteeners, Sean Crossen was out there, on cumbersome old gear, exploring new routes on these high peaks.

Backcountry Skiing Movies & Books

November 5, 2017 Brittany Walker Konsella

Book Review – Skiing in the Balkans: Fifty Backcountry Descents in Bulgaria

Dimitrov begins Skiing the Balkins with some critical background information – most of which is present in just about any backcountry skiing guidebook. But, a couple of things stood out as I read through his introduction. First he says, “One very important point to understand for avalanche forecasting in our mountains is that there is practically no official bulletin available” (p. 19). That’s right, there’s no Bulgaria Avalanche Information Center or something like that. He recommends checking the bulletins at nearby ski areas, the Mountain Rescue Service, or the Bulgarian Extreme & Free Skiing Association.

Backcountry Skiing Crested Butte

November 2, 2017 Brittany Walker Konsella

TBT: Ullr’s November Surprise

At 6:30 am I awoke with a start. It was Sunday, and I had all the best intentions of milking some sleep into the late morning hours to help rid the virus that had been infesting my body over the course of the week. But, upon gazing out the window, the world was covered in white. An unpredicted snow storm had engulfed our region, leaving 4 inches of fresh out our front door, and hopefully more in the backcountry. Ullr had finally delivered us a surprise, and it was time to head out to reap the rewards.