From Uphill Groomers to Backcountry

Transitioning from Groomed Alpine Resort Runs to the Backcountry

This article offers a quick list of important considerations for stepping beyond the boundaries of ski resorts. While it outlines some key aspects of backcountry preparedness, it is far from a complete guide. Training, practice, and ongoing education are recommended for a thorough understanding. Above photo by Andrew Drummond, White Mountain Ski Co.

By Jeff Fongemie, Director USFS Mount Washington Avalanche Center

For most skiers, the journey begins on the groomed runs of a ski resort, where the thrill of linking turns on corduroy, pushing limits on varied terrain, and carving through runs designed for maximum enjoyment is both exciting and reassuring. At managed ski resorts, many risks are reduced, with trained ski patrol on hand to assist in case of injury. Groomed trails guarantee fun skiing, while clear signage keeps everyone on track. It’s an ideal setting for learning the sport and enjoying it within well-defined boundaries.

However, the call for adventure beyond the ski resort eventually draws many skiers to the backcountry, where untracked powder, the allure of self-reliance, and quiet natural landscapes provide an entirely different experience. But in the backcountry, skiers must be prepared for an unmanaged world. Here, safety depends on knowledge, preparation, and the ability to make sound decisions in response to changing conditions.

Easing into Non-Technical Backcountry Terrain

The backcountry lacks the safety net of a ski resort: no groomed trails, limited signage, and no ski patrol. Skiers must navigate, manage risks, and handle any emergencies independently. Building this self-reliance is key to having a safe and rewarding experience.

Non-technical terrain is an appealing option for those seeking the backcountry experience without heightened risks. This type of terrain generally avoids steep slopes that could produce avalanches, lacks significant fall hazards, and does not require technical climbing skills or specialized mountaineering equipment.

Non-technical terrain typically includes moderately sloped areas where avalanche risk is minimal, allowing skiers to navigate safely without advanced skills for managing steep or exposed areas. It offers the solitude, natural snow, and scenic beauty of the backcountry, while maintaining a manageable level of challenge.

Many skiers choose to stay within this zone, prioritizing safety without sacrificing the thrill of exploration. For those who find that adding risk doesn’t necessarily increase enjoyment, non-technical terrain provides a balanced, adventure-filled experience, combining the freedom of backcountry skiing with limited exposure to dangerous conditions. Classic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) ski trails from the 1930s, along with more recent glade projects by the Granite Backcountry Alliance, offer enjoyable, generally non-technical backcountry terrain. Trails such as the John Sherburne Ski Trail on Mount Washington or the Doublehead Ski Trail in Jackson, NH, are excellent starting points.

Topping out Yale Gully in Huntington Ravine before skiing down Damnation Gully on a beautiful spring day. Jordan Cargill photo.

Choosing Appropriate Snow Conditions
In the backcountry, every run requires an evaluation. Not every slope is easily skiable or even fun, and conditions change rapidly. Skiers must learn to read snow conditions, recognize their own limitations, and choose routes that match their skills.

Mountain Weather
Be prepared for variable weather. The higher summits can experience weather conditions dramatically different from those in the valleys. Accessing detailed forecasts, such as the Mount Washington Observatory’s Higher Summits Forecast, can help guide decisions. Always plan for sudden weather changes.

Navigation Skills
Backcountry skiing demands navigation skills not needed on marked trails. Maps, compasses, and GPS tools are invaluable, and knowing how to use them effectively can be the difference between a successful outing and getting lost.

Self-Reliance and Emergency Preparedness
Self-reliance is important in the backcountry, where immediate assistance is unavailable. Be prepared to manage equipment issues or injuries on your own.

If you lose a ski or sustain an injury, it’s up to you or your group to handle the situation. Carry emergency communication tools, such as a cell phone or satellite device, but keep in mind that outside help can take significant time to arrive—potentially hours in many cases.

Managing Time
Winter days are short. Leave a detailed plan with someone who can initiate a response if you don’t return on time—and choose routes that allow ample time to return safely before nightfall. Setting and sticking to turnaround times, no matter how ideal conditions may seem, is a wise safety measure. Staying aware of the time and monitoring your pace can help you avoid being caught out after sunset. Always pack a reliable headlamp; being out after dark without one can turn an unexpected delay into a serious situation.

Staying Warm and Dry
Weather conditions can vary widely throughout the day. Proper layering helps manage body temperature during uphill climbs and downhill descents. The layering system typically includes a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating middle layer, and a waterproof, windproof outer shell.

Uphill travel can be strenuous, and it’s easy to overheat if overdressed. Shedding layers before climbing can help prevent sweating, which, if unmanaged, can lead to chills during breaks or descents. Additionally, pack extra gloves, hats, and a puffy jacket for emergencies—these will help you stay comfortable and safe.

Equally important is staying fueled. Your body needs food and water to regulate temperature effectively. Eating regularly and staying hydrated are key for maintaining energy levels and keeping warm in cold conditions.

Backcountry skiing rewards skiers with the solitude of untouched powder and the satisfaction of navigating natural terrain, but it also demands preparation, respect, and a commitment to continuous learning. WiseguyCreative.com photo

Technical Backcountry Terrain

For those ready to move beyond non-technical areas, technical terrain offers new challenges, often with steeper slopes, and route complexity. It also introduces dangerous hazards, where smaller margins for error can quickly turn mistakes into serious situations. The combination of steep slopes, complex routes, variable snow conditions, and avalanche risk creates an environment that demands both skill and discipline.

In these conditions, every decision matters, and even minor errors can have severe consequences. The ravines on Mount Washington, along with the higher peaks in the White Mountain National Forest, are examples of ski terrain that typically requires technical skills.

Ski within Ability
Understanding and respecting personal limits is one of the most valuable skills in the backcountry. In this zone, where steep slopes and variable, and often unforgiving, snow conditions demand advanced skills, overestimating your abilities can quickly turn a challenging adventure into a dangerous situation. In fact, falls in steep terrain are the #1 cause of fatalities and serious injuries on Mount Washington in the winter. Match the terrain to your ability and be conservative when in doubt. In this environment, building skills progressively, practicing caution, and knowing when to turn back are signs of strength—not weakness.

Skiing within your ability in technical terrain isn’t just about staying safe; it’s about gaining experience, confidence, and judgment to make each backcountry outing both rewarding and sustainable.

The goal of the Mount Washington Avalanche Center is to provide clear, actionable information to help users understand the risks and make informed decisions.

Resources like the Mount Washington Avalanche Center provide avalanche hazard information and travel advice, helping you choose terrain that aligns with the current avalanche danger level.

Avalanche Education
Before venturing into technical terrain, taking an avalanche education course, such as Avalanche Rec 1, is a great start. However, simply taking a course is not enough to head directly into avalanche terrain. It’s necessary to gradually learn how to apply this knowledge with a careful approach.

Developing the ability to read snow conditions, manage avalanche risk, and put this knowledge into practice is foundational for safely stepping into simple avalanche terrain.

Further education, such as the Avalanche Rec 2 course, expands understanding and refines decision making. Avalanche education is a continual process: practice evaluating the snowpack, conduct regular beacon drills, and share insights with others to build collective knowledge. Mentorship is valuable for honing these skills and maintaining proficiency. Since skills can fade quickly, ongoing practice and refresher courses help ensure readiness.

Reading and Applying Avalanche Forecasts
Resources like the Mount Washington Avalanche Center provide avalanche hazard information and travel advice, helping you choose terrain that aligns with the current avalanche danger level. However, using a forecast effectively means not only understanding the hazards but also anticipating how conditions may change throughout the day. Build flexibility into your plan with multiple objectives, so you have options if avalanche hazards are greater than expected.

Be prepared to step back from your primary goal and shift to a safer alternative if conditions require it. Stay alert for red flags and changes that indicate increased avalanche risk; be ready to adapt and pivot.

Carrying and Using Avalanche Rescue Tools
The ultimate goal in avalanche terrain is to never get caught in an avalanche. Like seatbelts in a car, rescue tools—avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe—are safety measures that can save lives in the worst-case scenario. However, carrying these tools isn’t enough; they are only effective if you’re proficient in using them.

The importance of speed and skill with your avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel cannot be overstated. Numerous studies on avalanche burial fatalities show that the majority (over 75%) are due to asphyxiation. Trauma accounts for 5-25% of avalanche fatalities.

Survival in cases of asphyxiation is highly time-dependent: the longer someone is buried, the lower their chance of survival. According to the American Avalanche Association, survival rates are around 92% if a person is rescued within 15 minutes. This drops to 37% after 35 minutes of burial, with the likelihood of death increasing by approximately 3% for each minute after 15 minutes. Speed is critical: practice, practice, practice!

Mountaineering Skills and Equipment
Technical terrain often involves steep, icy conditions that require mountaineering skills, including the use of crampons and ice axes. Self-arrest techniques, using crampons for secure footing on steep slopes, and careful travel on exposed terrain are needed to prevent a dangerous fall. In New England, unpredictable weather often transforms snow conditions rapidly. A soft snowpack in the morning can harden into an unforgiving icy surface by afternoon, so skiers need to adjust their plans, gear, and expectations to match the evolving conditions.

Group Dynamics and Decision Making
Unlike at a ski area, backcountry skiing is often a group endeavor, where everyone’s safety depends on open communication. Each member should feel comfortable voicing concerns, and no one should feel pressured to ski something they find unsafe. Drawing on the group’s collective knowledge supports sound decision making and safer backcountry travel.

Choosing the right partners can make all the difference. Group members should share similar skills, risk tolerance, and respect for the mountains. Complementary skills, such as navigation, avalanche training, and first aid, create a stronger, safer team. Skiing with experienced partners is one of the best ways to continue learning and build backcountry skills.

Managing group dynamics can be one of the biggest challenges in backcountry travel. It’s valuable to foster an environment where everyone feels empowered to speak up. Developing a mindset where turning back is respected—not seen as a failure—promotes long-term safety and success in the backcountry.

Backcountry Ethics
The backcountry is a shared space that calls for a respectful and mindful approach. Practicing good ethics preserves the natural beauty of these areas while ensuring that everyone can enjoy them safely.

Begin with responsible trash management: pack out everything you bring, from wrappers to food scraps and even small bits of gear. Keeping the landscape free from litter helps maintain its pristine quality. Noise control is also essential: refrain from playing music through speakers, as it can disturb the tranquility that many seek in these remote areas, and may also disrupt wildlife.

Respect for wildlife is critical to responsible backcountry use. Give animals plenty of space, especially in winter when conserving energy is essential for their survival. For human waste, use designated facilities when available or follow Leave No Trace principles by packing out waste.

Beyond these practices, it’s also important to share the backcountry safely and respectfully with others. Avoid traveling or skiing directly above other groups to prevent placing them in unnecessary danger from snow slides or falling debris. Uphill travelers have the right of way, so be mindful of others on narrow trails and give them the space they need. In avalanche terrain, communicate with nearby groups about your planned routes to avoid unexpected hazards or conflicts.

Each of these actions contributes to a culture of safety and respect, helping to ensure that everyone can experience the backcountry’s beauty and challenges without harm. By being considerate and careful, we help protect these spaces for the enjoyment of all who come after us. Visit www.skikind.org to learn more.

Respect for the Mountains
Respecting the mountains goes beyond carrying the right equipment or accumulating experience; it involves recognizing the inherent power, unpredictability, and sometimes unforgiving nature of these environments. True respect means understanding that even the most advanced gear, extensive training, and in-depth knowledge can’t fully shield you from the risks in mountain terrain. It calls for a mindset rooted in humility, caution, and a readiness to adapt to changing conditions.

Be prepared to turn back if conditions aren’t right. No objective is worth unnecessary risk. Cultivating respect for the mountain environment not only enriches each outing but also builds experience and prepares you to safely return another day.

Making it a Rewarding—and Safe—Transition

Transitioning from resort skiing to backcountry skiing is a journey in self-reliance, skill-building, and understanding mountain safety. Backcountry skiing rewards skiers with the solitude of untouched powder and the satisfaction of navigating natural terrain, but it also demands preparation, respect, and a commitment to continuous learning. Whether exploring fun gentle terrain or tackling steeper technical routes, take the time to build your skills—physically, mentally, and emotionally. With each new skill you gain, backcountry skiing becomes a more fulfilling and rewarding experience, allowing you to appreciate the mountains in their truest form.