CO:How to get started in BC skiing

[72Twenty]

The most important piece of gear you need to have with you and turned on at all times is right between your ears.



I started backcountry skiing in the summer months when I could really get out and experience the terrain with a much lower avie risk factor; although the risk was still there. I started accessing skiable snow off of passes and roads where I was not getting into too hairy of situations, like being miles and miles away from the car and help, etc. After a few summers of getting to know the area, I am much more comfortable going up in winter months after the road is closed. I primarily go to this area:

http://www.actbwebcam.uwyo.edu/axis-...ge.cgi?camera=

This is the range right outside of my town and, although doesn't look like much on the web cam (30 miles away) it offers endless possibilities. I still consider myself to be a newbie at BC skiing, and I've been dabbling in it for over 6 years now. I always try to go with:

1. Friends that I have been skiing with a long time and trust

and/or

2. Hard cores that know their shit.

Always try and learn something new everytime you are out.

[72Twenty]

Heh, when I posted the pic from the webcam above, I thought it would be that frame all the time, but I guess if refreshes everytime you view it. Looks like dakine clouds are formin' up there!!!

[Skidancer]

As I posted earlier, I'm really excited about getting away from the lifts and out into the powder. I sorta figured that I needed to take an Avi I course, buy a pack for my skis, poles and shovel, and a beacon to even think I could hang out with you backcountry hounds. I'd love to hook up with a group of like-minded maggots!