Why I don't bother with chair lifts and resorts

[alaski]

Because 50,000 acres of untouched powder beats a ride to the top any day! Now can you Divas understand why having so many people at the resort freaks me out? Not used to having to ski near other people - or even seeing other people when I ski!

We had such a blast. The snow was perfect for the lower angles and safer aspects, and we did 3 laps on the mountain (and I did one extra lap to take my dog to the car) so that's about 12,000 feet of vertical in the space of 7 hours. It was my fourth backcountry day in a row so I'm a wee bit tired and sore today, but it was worth it!

Up high the snow was creamy and powdery, and down low we got that light, fun hoarfrost that makes a hissing sound on your boots. Good times for sure, and really cool to see how snow conditions change with elevation and sun effect.

 

[Severine]

Gorgeous!!!! I've never experienced anything like it ... but I would like to, someday!

 

[alaski]

It's just a matter of one foot in front of the other!

 

[Severine]

It's just a matter of one foot in front of the other!

And changing my location. :D

 

[mollmeister]

That looks AMAZING, and is exactly why I wish I had the time and (educated) partner and chutzpah to get out there. I absolutely love hiking in the summer, as far from civilization as I can get, and this looks perfect.


Thanks for sharing!

 

[volklgirl]

Wow. Just wow!

 

[SkiNurse]

Speechless!

 

[SkiGAP]

That's beautiful. Something to try, definitely.

 

[lisaski]

That is soooo awesome! You know, in all my ski trips, with my limited amount of vacation, I always try to fit in the most runs and the most vertical into that short window of my visit. Sometimes, when I'm riding the lift, I see the people who go through the gates and hike. I always say to myself that I am going to do a lot more hiking to ski when I retire and have the time. I really want to get into that someday... buy an avy beacon, shovel, probe, skins, rondonee (sp) bindings... find a group of backcountry friends and kiss the crowds good-bye.

Lisa

 

[Native Vail Gal]

The scenery is absolutely beautiful!

I prefer the lifts so I can look around, and I prefer the ski areas where more "things" are in my control. Just a personal preference.

Ski lifts and resorts are WELL worth the bother to me! :D

 

[alaski]

Oh, there is plenty of time to look around, when you have to stop to catch your breath while skinning up! That is, if the black spots in your vision go away long enough to check out the view, lol!

lisaski, it really is just as much about the tour as it is about the skiing down. It's such a great feeling to work for amazing powder, and know that no one else is going to get there ahead of you! There is just something about a 3000' line of powder that is completely worth 2 hours of skinning....

 

[Bravosarah]

W O W