GET YOUR SIGNED COPY! After 2 seasons of research, and one year of a lot of writing and editing, Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Routes: Colorado, was released in October, 2017! Published by Mountaineers Books, a foreward by Chris Davenport, and featuring 102 routes, we think you're sure to enjoy it. Buy your copy here and we'll personally sign it for you!
This past summer, while looking for photos of Radiobeacon Mountain, I came across this series of shots from then my good friend Dave Bourassa and I hit up Vail Pass on one of those perfect powder days in March of 2006. Back when I hucked like a mad woman, before I had 2 of my 3 ACL surgeries, before I had even met Frank, when I rocked the Volkl Mantra, and when some friends called me “Pink Pants”, for obvious reasons. I hope you enjoy the Throwback!
Read More
Based out of Breckenridge, CO, Colorado Adventure Guides is a re-vamped guiding company that focuses on various winter activities like ski and splitboard tours, nordic skiing, snowshoe tours, peak ascents as well as summer adventures like hiking, mountain biking, 14er ascents, and rock climbing. CAG also offers a variety of outdoor education courses. For winter, they offer Avalanche Awareness & Avalanche Safety, AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Certification, as well as Introduction to Backcountry Skiing and Splitboarding. During the summer, they offer skills courses in backpacking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Justin Ibarra is a Lead Guide and Instructor for Colorado Adventure Guides and Program Director of the sister company Colorado Snowboard Guides. Here, he tells us a little more about their story…
Read More
The San Juans are one of my favorite ranges for backcountry skiing anywhere. Lots of vertical, plentiful snowfall most seasons, and terrific access thanks to the miners of the late 1800’s. Silverton lies in the heart of the range, and if you haven’t been, you should go.
Read More
If you are looking for an in-depth guidebook, this isn’t it. While there are directions to the trailhead, and a general discussion of skintrack locations, that’s it. No hand-holding here. The atlas contains only the most relevant information, such as aspect and location, along with aerial photos of the zone.
Read More
Rocky Mountain National Park harbors some fantastic backcountry skiing. Unfortunately, with the seasonal closure of Trail Ridge Road until around Memorial Day, much of the skiing is difficult to access. However, the Bear Lake zone is accessible all winter long and holds some of the best backcountry skiing in the Front Range that is not on the I-70 corridor with plenty of route options for both winter and spring. Although I had skied a few times in this area when I resided on the Front Range 10 years ago, I had long forgotten the specific lines in the Bear Lake “Terrain Park”. So, after a good sized spring storm late last April, I revisited the area with my friends Zach and Scott.
Read More
Tickets for Crested Butte are $111 in 2017. But, you don’t have to pay that much! Here’s a list of ways you can save money on lift tickets when skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort during the 2016-17 season!
Read More
An ACL/meniscus revision/repair requires a long road to recovery. Brittany talks about what she’s grateful for during her 7th week post-op from her 2nd of two surgeries.
Read More
It’s that time of year- Festivus! And part of Festivus is the airing of grievances. No, these aren’t 5 things backcountry skiers should stop doing that have anything to do with something important, like avalanche safety. They aren’t things that are going to get you killed. These are just things that annoy me- so take it with the grain of salt and humor that is intended here. Chances are, most readers will even do some of these things, especially the last one. So here you go, my Festivus airing of grievances in 2017:
Read More
We awoke this morning to a beautiful white Christmas here in Crested Butte! Winter got off to a late start, but once it got going, it’s been nearly non-stop! Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays and best wishes for a healthy and happy 2017!
Read More