Back Country Skiing

[upcruiser]

Anyone here like to venture out into the white stuff?? If so is it by Telemark, Alpine Touring, X Country, or what?

[pskhaat]

I used to alpine race for Loveland between 1985->1993 or so, before that, in Casper, WY from 1982->1985. After racing I got into more back-country stuff, but unfortunately nothing more extreme than the CO/WY backcountry via hiking.

I got into freeheeling when I met my wife as it gave us the opportunity to hit the same hills, now living in PHX I obviously don't have much of an opportunity but really want to get back into some freeheel stuff as the kids get older.

[Ursidae69]

I ski mostly greens and blues. I have not gone yet this year because the winter is so horrible here in northern NM. I'm not up to driving to northern CO for decent powder. I tried boarding last year and it was memorable. I didn't know my back could pop from top to bottom in one huge ZIP! It was a hard day, I think I'll stick to skiing.

[upcruiser]

I used to alpine race for Loveland between 1985->1993 or so, before that, in Casper, WY from 1982->1985. After racing I got into more back-country stuff, but unfortunately nothing more extreme than the CO/WY backcountry via hiking.

I got into freeheeling when I met my wife as it gave us the opportunity to hit the same hills, now living in PHX I obviously don't have much of an opportunity but really want to get back into some freeheel stuff as the kids get older.

Cool Scott. I'm a former racer and current coach myself. I raced out of Ski Club Vail in '93 so I'm sure we've probably crossed paths. The ski racing world is a small one. I alpine ski a ton still obviously, and one of the perks of my job is that I get to ski all over the place which is fun. I do however also really enjoy tele skiing and getting off the beaten path. I wish I had more time to do it really, but I squeeze it in whenever possible. I snowboard too, but not very often and only really enjoy going out in the powder backcountry.

I'm really wanting to get more of a cross between tele and XC skiing for exploring and winter camping. I'm thinking of picking up some fat xc skis with edges and waxless bases in the spring for next season. Seems like you could do a bit of everything with those.

[upcruiser]

I ski mostly greens and blues. I have not gone yet this year because the winter is so horrible here in northern NM. I'm not up to driving to northern CO for decent powder. I tried boarding last year and it was memorable. I didn't know my back could pop from top to bottom in one huge ZIP! It was a hard day, I think I'll stick to skiing.

Yeah, NM and Southern CO are having a pretty awfull year, meanwhile Northern CO is having a record year. I was in Vail for the a month earlier in the season and by Dec 10th we'd already gotten 9 feet of snow. Pretty wild really.

[Hltoppr]

No snow in Flagstaff...

Telemark gear for me!

I guess I'll just have to mountain bike this season.....

-H-

[upcruiser]

We've had a horrible winter here this year. Very warm with little snow. We typically see 250+ inches of snow and very cold temperatures. Normally in January my porch thermometer reads -15F, this year though, all January has hovered around freezing. We even had a day last week get into the 50's! Crazy! Problem is, its lousy for skiing and biking. At least you can bike H! haha

[bigreen505]

Interesting thread. Alpine for me. I also came from the Loveland program, though a hand full of us are still there, either racing, coaching or both. Upcruiser, send me a PM and let me know who you are. I think I know who Scott is, there were only two Scotts that I can think of and I can rule out one.

As for backcountry, I've been too busy with new baby and lack of sleep, and sail boat racing has cut into summer/spring fun (Torreys, Grays, Evans, etc.).

Pshkaat, send me a PM and let me know if you keep in touck with Rachel A.

[pskhaat]

PMs sent. Such a small world isn't it? Apline racing in the 1980's yields contininued contact 20 years later on an expedition off-road site! Amazing.

[upcruiser]

PM sent as well.