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Lost Resorts, Gear Notes and Hamish Gowans

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The Denver Post has published an excellent article about Colorado’s “lost resorts,” many of which have become backcountry ski destinations. Much of the backcountry skiing in the north eastern U.S. is also done at former ski resorts (where the trails remain, but the commercial operation shut down long ago).

I’m always amused by this, as most such “lost” resorts were created by cutting down a bunch of trees, and some skiers even maintain the lost resorts by cutting brush and the occasional sapling that threatens to block their favorite line. Yep, logging can have excellent results, such as ski runs, houses, and paper. Vintage Ski World sells a popular poster that depicts Colorado’s lost resorts. As for logging, remember, if God had not driven mankind from the Garden of Eden, the Sierra Club would have. Yet contrary to pop opinon and enviro fanatics, sometimes cutting down some trees has its uses.

Gear notes: We continue to get a ton of traffic on our Laser Boot Tongue Mod article, after how many years? Word is we’ve even created somewhat of a mini market in Flexon tongues. I get numerous emails about this mod. Recently, our web visitors have noticed we’re messing around with the excellent Garmont Mega Ride. People are asking if the Flexon tongue will work with the Garmont, and if so, will it improve the “ride?” It will, (with a bit of cutting and grinding to fit the tongue). But do you really need it?

In my opinion, as skis improve it’s less and less important to have a boot that’s super stiff in forward flex (the primary purpose of adding a stiffer tongue). Use shorter, modern skis with lost of sidecut, and it’s amazing how quick and powerful you can turn without heavily pressuring the front of your boots. Nonetheless, larger aggressive skiers may find most AT boots are too gushy, and adding things such as stiffer tongues, extra power straps, etc., can vastly improve a boot without adding much weight.

Hamish Gowans update: Hamish is attempting a fourteener grand slam this winter by climbing all the Colorado 14,000-foot peaks in one winter season (he’s using skis and backcountry skiing, but not trying to do ski descents unless they fit in with the climb). He got started Dec. 22, and sent this message on the 23rd via email: “Successful on Longs yesterday, but frostnipped, tender toes. Figure I’ll stay off the peaks until this cold snap eases, should be Thu/Fri. Conditions on Longs similar to Pikes and Bierstadt. Almost blown clear. Only snow remaining is there because the wind has compacted it into Colorado Concrete. Best, Hamish”

Posted by Lou on December 26, 2004 | Filed Under Backcountry Skiing, Enviro Rants, Fourteeners, Gear Mods, Misc Gear Reviews 

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Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information and opinion website. Lou's passion for the past forty years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about backcountry skiing and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the Fourteeners! Books and free back country information here, and tons of Randonnee rando telemark info.

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Backcountry skiing is a dangerous sport. You may be killed or severely injured if you do any form of randone, randonnee and randonnée skiing. The information on this website is intended only as general information. While the authors and editors of the information on this website make every effort to present useful information, due to human error the information, text and images contained within this website may be inaccurate, false, or out-of-date. By using, reading or viewing the information provided on this website, you agree to absolve the owners of Wild Snow as well as content contributors of any liability for injuries or losses incurred while using such information. Furthermore, you agree to use any of this website's information, maps, photos, or binding mounting instructions or templates at your own risk, and waive Wild Snow its owners and contributors of any liability for use of said items for backcountry skiing or any other use.