Comments on: What is Backcountry Skiing?

By: Lou

Lou — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:21:42 +0000

I’ve got the glossary project started.
http://www.wildsnow.com/articles/glossary-backcountry-skiing.html

The definition of backcountry skiing refers back to this blogpost and comment string.

By: John Gloor

John Gloor — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 05:41:38 +0000

I feel backcountry skiing is skiing anywhere except the ski resort. Terms such as sidecountry and slackcountry are created by human powered skiers to elevate themselves by denigrating others. One can skin for hours and thousands of rolling vertical from the top of the Highlands, so why is that any less notable than skiing a classic like Hayden from the bottom up? Is It slackcountry skiing if I sled to the base of a peak in March, but backcountry if I repeat the ski driving to the same point in June? The phrase “backcountry skiing” really defines itself. There probably is no debate over what is meant if one goes hunting/climbing/snowmobiling/camping in the backcountry. Why are skiers so eager to differentiate what they are doing when the phrase really describes where they going? I have come to the conclusion that the term “backcountry tourer” probably describes what most of us do but it sounds too tame to really catch on (those egos again).

By: MtnMentsh

MtnMentsh — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:50:10 +0000

I like to ski in closed resorts before they open in the fall; no patrol work or people about, and usually early in the am so I am solo, does that blur the definition? Also I like to access sidecountry by skinning to it. Is it still sidecountry because others can get to if via lifts?

By: Lou

Lou — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:31:57 +0000

Wow Luke, nice. Usually when people say it’s a “state of mind” my eyes glaze over, but the way you present it I can totally relate. Indeed, I’m thinking that somehow this concept should be in the WildSnow definition.

It’s like 10th Mountain Huts promoting “self reliance” in their mission statement. Especially these days of the nanny state concept, a bit of emphasis on self reliance can certainly help our culture. Self meaning other people involved as well as the royal “we.”

By: Luke

Luke — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:11:17 +0000

I like where Kevin is going with his point. To me, frontcountry vs. backcountry is the real comparison; the slackcountry vs. backcountry debate is one that, as many of you have already written, can too easily be obscured with technicalities. The direction this debate seems to be going is something like, “If you use a motor to get within 2 miles of a peak, it’s slackcountry, anymore and it’s backcountry.” Concrete definitions like these will always be debated, and we’ll never really come up with a true definition of “backcountry skiing”. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but to me backcountry skiing is the state of mind you have when you leave the trailhead.

In the Northeast, where I live, we have a nice mixture of slackcountry and backcountry skiing. The old CCC trails in NH and VT are a perfect example of the slackcountry experience. They were built before there was serious lift-access skiing, and they were designed for the “everyman” skier. In those days, you weren’t a “backcountry” skier, you were simply a skier. They were designed to make glisse accessible to anyone, and for the most part they did. Now, with all the ski areas that are in New England these old trails have taken on a different definition, people consider skinning up an old woods trail and skiing down “backcountry”. To me, that’s easy; it’s slackcountry, but it’s also really fun.

Like I said, backcountry skiing is a state of mind. It’s about going out there and being independent. It’s knowing that if your friend nails a tree at 25 mph, you’re going to have clean it up. It’s knowing that help isn’t around the corner, and that you’ll be left to your own devices in the worst circumstances. For me, backcountry means no ski patrol, no avalanche control, no outside help. It’s about making due with what you’ve got and being creative. Basically, it’s the freedom to go where you want, when you want, and ski in any way that you want without having to answer to anyone. Backcountry is badass.

People will continue to debate the definition of “backcountry skiing” for as long as there’s snow on this planet. That’s a great thing. People are thinking about it. I happen to think about it quite a bit. This is simply my definition and you can take it or leave it. That’s the beauty of it. Nobody’s right and nobody’s wrong, but what really matters in the end is the powder!