Off the beaten paths
You see the path cutting into the trees and think: I want to be there now.
Tree skiing is a unique ski experience. It’s quieter but busier; sometimes softer but often demanding you stay on your toes. It expands your ski experience wherever you go, opening up ways down the mountain you may have never considered before.
Side and back country skiing take that to a whole new level. “Skinning” is the sport of hiking up the mountain in special skis and boots with heel release, clicking into those bindings and then heading down, almost always to fresh tracks and in a place that feels as far from a conventional ski area as you can imagine – even when you may be right next to it.
It’s intoxicating. It’s also important – perhaps even more important than in any other kind of skiing and riding – to learn properly. From using the gear to finding the lines down to safety tips, put your hands in a true pro to bring this into your ski and riding life.
A great spot to do that is Bolton Valley (www. boltonvalley.com), Vermont, where back country ski lessons of all levels start right from the ski area base.
Located just north of Stowe, Vermont, Bolton has long been a mecca for tree and side country lovers.
Bolton now offers private lessons in multiple levels and on weekends, group lessons and guided tours.
As much as you may know skiing or riding, start out from the beginning. Bolton begins with an indoor lesson (don’t worry, you’ll be out there soon enough) in which they go over equipment, packing your pack (it’s important to have all the things you might need out there), the basics of backcountry touring, from safety to finding routes to how to layer properly.
Once you’ve completed that and been fit with rental gear, they take you out there. Half- and full-day private and semi-private lessons/tours are offered. You’ll ride a lift up and then dive deep into the woods with your guide, putting what you’re learning into practice.
On weekends, Bolton offers a more compact intro in a group lesson. From 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., you’ll learn the basics, get out and practice skinning up and and coming back down a short descent, gearing you up to take on the back country after.
Once you’ve mastered back country with a pro’s guidance – and get yourself some gear – you can find all kinds of fun ways to expand your experience. Check your favorite resort’s “uphill policy,” to find out if and when you can skin up and ski down there – it’s a great way to grab first tracks before the lifts spin or take on a lateday run when the crowds are heading home.
You can also work your way up to some rugged adventures by joining groups like Northeast Mountaineering (https://www.nemountaineering.com/ ski-2/backcountry-ski-touring/) for super off piste days where you’ll go way back country but be in the good hands of expert guides.