Squeeze Every Last Snowflake – Backcountry Snowfields

In an effort to get in as many turns as possible as we slide further into spring, it’s time to look on the other side of the ski slope. Look in the woods, where the trees are really your friends this time of year spreading their leafless arms to keep the sun off the snow. In the trees, the warm breezes don’t open zipper lines of grass and mud as happens this time of year on the exposed slopes.

If you ask a ski area manager, he will tell you he can handle warm daytime temps, but the warm wind is really the scissors that cuts open the snow cover. Snowmaking is out of the question this time of year. Besides dealing with fickle temperatures the expense can’t be gambled against a payback when lowlanders are polishing golf clubs.

But, if you want to find snow there’s snow to be found. If you live near a mountain range or even hilly areas, as most of us do, there is definitely snowpack back in there. It may be hidden, but if you cry and emote hard enough someone at the local mountaineering or ski shop will maybe take pity, and point you to some reachable snowfields. It may not be powder, but if you can slide and turn on it you’ll appreciate the hike in.

This year, most of us got a very late start to what actually ended up to be a good season. In the coming weeks, I will be focusing on some backcountry skiing and hiking to push the season as far as possible. Keep in mind, April storms across the country have puffed up a lot of ski resorts with some great snow – even powder. Before you head out check SnoCountry Mountain Reports for accurate resort info and for last minute deals, Liftopia.com is continuing to grow its resort partner base.

Easter powder in the East – tell me that’s not one for the books. The photos on this page were taken from the access road to Killington on Good Friday. This photo gallery is some logging road touring I got in with a friend – somewhere “east of the Bugaboos and west of Nova Scotia” on my friend’s compass.

Hey, stay tuned, because using my new alpine touring (AT or randonee) setup I'm going to get every last turn I can and maybe I can convince you to get out and find some wild snow. I know it won't take a lot of arm twisting if you already tried it.

_{Images © Mike Doyle}