When Mali Noyes got on the phone with me on April 17, she was spent. Her exhaustion, miraculously, wasn鈥檛 from the physical effort of her latest project: skiing every line in the famous Utah backcountry听skiing guidebook The Chuting Gallery, by Andrew Mclean, as fast as possible; she was frazzled by the mental toll of exposing herself to hazards and dangerous terrain day in and day out.

“The mental fatigue is so intense that it鈥檚 hard to wrap my head around,” Noyes told听国产吃瓜黑料.

Noyes, 35, works as a pro re nata nurse (an on-call schedule) at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City. After clocking out of a shift on Tuesday, March 11, she began her skiing objective鈥攚hich she calls “Project Rapid Fire”鈥攅arly the next morning.

Noyes skinned up Broad Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon and skied down the east face of Twin Peak, followed by the Stairs Gulch. The standout lines were highlights due to the beautiful exposed skiing, and massive vertical drop down the gulch. She immediately began ticking off technical, steep, and hazardous ski descents up and down the Wasatch mountain range. When we spoke, she had skied 77 lines in 37 days, including just seven rest days.

鈥淭he crux for me hasn鈥檛 been the vert,鈥� Noyes told 国产吃瓜黑料. 鈥淢y brain has been doing so much decision making day after day, skiing objective hazards. I feel a little trapped in the process.鈥�

The Chuting Gallery was published in 1998 while McLean was working as an engineer at Black Diamond. The book has become the quintessential document of the Utah backcountry skiing scene, and anyone who skis every descent in the book cements their name in ski history. Caroline Gleich was catapulted into the spotlight after becoming the first woman to ski every line in the book. The book details 90 of the hardest backcountry ski lines in the Wasatch Mountains that loom over Salt Lake City. Many skiers argue over the final number of chutes, since the book often describes areas that are home to multiple couloirs. Noyes has determined her number to be 93.

“Andrew McLean鈥檚 writing and book captured my imagination,鈥� Gleich told Backcountry magazine. 鈥淚t gave me a roadmap to becoming a ski mountaineer. His quirky book became a shaping force in my career, and I鈥檓 grateful for his leadership and vision in writing The Chuting Gallery.鈥�

Noyes’ idea to ski all 93 lines in succession was born during the 2023 winter, when Utah received over 900 inches of snow. 鈥淚 was having so much fun skiing big objectives, and I started linking up more and more of them at once,鈥� Noyes said. Also a professional big mountain skier, Noyes began her athletic career as a Nordic ski racer. 鈥淚 just love long days, and the logistical and strategic challenge of skiing all 93 couloirs in The Chuting Gallery in record time excited me.鈥�

Prior to launching her project, Noyes shared the idea听with fellow professional backcountry skier听Cody Townsend, who is her mentor and teammate on the Salomon backcountry team. She told Townsend she was waiting for the right year for this project. Noyes wanted all the snow conditions to align perfectly. Some of the听Chuting Gallery ski lines descend rocky and exposed terrain, and require a deep snowpack to be skiable.

But Townsend told her she鈥檇 never find the perfect year, and that she should take on the challenge as soon as possible. 鈥淚t鈥檚 through the suffering and bad snow conditions that you make the experience your own,鈥� he said to Noyes.

The March 12 start date was less than ideal. Noyes started so late in the season because she was waiting for avalanche danger in the Wasatch to subside. The late start didn鈥檛 hamper her early in her mission, but as she kept ticking off chutes and March rolled into April, the remaining ski descents melted quickly.

Many of these ski lines are clustered in the same drainages, but while in years past Noyes has been able to complete multiple descents in a day, this year, the hot April sun shortened the windows during which those couloirs would be safe from wet avalanches. This means that Noyes has only been able to ski one or two of those chutes in a day. She has had to repeatedly bushwack and hike far into gullies that on a different year she鈥檇 only have to visit once.

鈥淎 week ago I slipped in a creek on the way to the Y-Couloir in Little Cottonwood Canyon. I broke down and began to cry,鈥� Noyes said. 鈥淚 wondered if I still loved skiing, and why I was skiing this shitty snow over here instead of great snow elsewhere because of this list.鈥�

But Noyes has a new strategy to deal with the mental crux. 鈥淓very time I scream and tell myself 鈥業 fucking hate this,鈥� I鈥檝e tricked my brain into saying 鈥業鈥檓 really fucking good at this.鈥欌�� And she is. Noah Howell, a legendary Wasatch skier, took 13 years to complete the guidebook. Caroline Gleich skied every line in The Chuting Gallery over the course of four years. Noyes is on track to finish out the book in less than two months.

She鈥檚 had great days, like when she linked three lines on Kesler Peak in Big Cottonwood Canyon in stable powder. 鈥淚t was a 10,000-foot day with a good crew and great snow,鈥� Noyes said. She owns a home nestled听in Little Cottonwood Canyon, and hasn鈥檛 explored the neighboring canyon enough. She told 国产吃瓜黑料 that this project has been an amazing way to branch out of her skiing bubble. Noyes also skied the Great White Icicle鈥攁 popular ice climb that is in the book as a novelty and is often skied on rappel鈥攐n snowblades at night. Noyes jokingly called that a first descent of its kind.

But it hasn鈥檛 been all bluebird powder days. 鈥淚 had a week where I had three close calls in four days,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat felt like it broke my brain a little, like 鈥業 have to keep going back into these mountains that are trying to kill me.鈥欌��

Her least favorite day of the project so far was when she skied Lisa Falls with New Zealand pro skier Sam Smoothy. The ski line is at a relatively low elevation, and the very top of it commonly avalanches and collects windblown snow. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a complicated 5,000-foot approach, and the second the sun hits the face it can shed,鈥� she said. Noyes and Smoothy began at 2 A.M., planning to climb the line, ski it, and climb it again to link up with faces on the other side of the peak. But Smoothy didn鈥檛 feel well that day and they were moving slower than they wanted. Sunlight hit the face when they were climbing and the couloir heated up quickly. 鈥淚t was way more danger than I ever wanted to put myself in,鈥� she said. The skiers were able to descend safely, but they saw many natural avalanches on their way out of the canyon.

Her latest lines have looked the hardest, as a melting snowpack has revealed multiple rappels with sketchy-looking anchors in the middle of the couloirs that are sometimes fully skiable. 鈥淩opes slow things down, and they can create other hazards鈥� Noyes told 国产吃瓜黑料. 鈥淭wo days after Lisa Falls, I went into Hogum Fork to ski a line called Montgomery, which had a rappel at the bottom. But we couldn鈥檛 find an anchor, and it took so long that the snow heated up and started shedding.鈥�

Noyes lamented that if she hadn鈥檛 been chasing this project, she would never have been in that spot. But she said days like that provide good teachable moments. She鈥檚 been getting up even earlier, often at 1 A.M. to beat the heat.

Risk to life and limb is just one aspect of her stress. Noyes told 国产吃瓜黑料 that her cat, Beater, has been a source of concern. After a coyote ate a neighbor鈥檚 cat, Beater hasn鈥檛 been allowed out at night. But at 1 A.M., Noyes isn鈥檛 always alert enough to stop him from slipping out of the door. 鈥淗e鈥檇 snuck out the night we left for Lisa Falls, and I鈥檇 be lying if I said he wasn鈥檛 adding to the pure stress I felt that day,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 saw him dashing into the woods, and all I could do was tell him, 鈥楳ake good choices, bud.鈥欌��

When asked about how she鈥檚 been able to maintain her motivation throughout the challenge, Noyes is quick to credit the large group of friends, most of whom are professional skiers, who have rallied to ski these couloirs with her. 鈥淪kiing is not an individual sport,鈥� Noyes told 国产吃瓜黑料. 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 a Mali project, it鈥檚 a community project.鈥�

Noyes has to work a minimum of two days a month at the Huntsman Institute to fulfill her contract. She鈥檚 hoping to finish Project Rapid Fire with enough time to clock back in for two days in April.

Update: Mali Noyes completed her 93rd and final line on April 27, completing听The Chuting Gallery听in just 47 days.

The post This Nurse Just Skied Utah鈥檚 Hardest Descents in Record Time appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

When snow flurries fall on Seeley Lake, Montana, snowmobilers zip into the backcountry for another day of powdery bliss. The town, located 50 miles northeast of Missoula, boasts 400 miles of groomed trails through dense woods and over enchanting meadows, right to the foot of steep, snow-filled chutes.

“Five minutes from the trailhead and you’re on really technical stuff,” Karl Zurmuehlen, 50, a local backcountry guide, told 国产吃瓜黑料. “That’s what brings a lot of riders to Seeley Lake.”

But this winter, Seeley Lake’s picturesque trails and snow-covered slopes have become ground zero for a crisis gripping America’s small-but-dedicated community of avalanche forecasters.

In December, the made the tough decision to no longer send avalanche experts to Seeley Lake to test the snowpack. The Missoula-based center, which oversees a huge swath of backcountry in the state鈥檚 center, also announced that its avalanche forecasts for Seeley Lake would be published only sporadically this winter. The decision comes just four years after a in the area.

“I guess avalanche safety is going to become a word-of-mouth thing at Seeley Lake now,” said Zurmuehlen, who’s business, Kra-Z’s, also rents snowmobiles to visitors.

The avalanche center鈥檚 decision to pull back from Seeley Lake is a result of the recent budget and staffing predicament within the National Forest Service. In September, the Forest Service publicly announced for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025. The agency, which manages 193 million acres of American grasslands and forests, also operates or helps fund 14 regional avalanche centers, including the West Central Montana center.

Abandoning one popular backcountry area may seem like a local issue. But forecasters who work within the Forest Service鈥檚 avalanche program told 国产吃瓜黑料 that a larger problem may be looming on the horizon. With the Forest Service’s future left to the whims of national politics, they worry that the agency鈥檚 avalanche program may suffer deeper cuts in 2026 and beyond. If that happens, the Forest Service鈥檚 avalanche centers will have to abandon more recreation areas like Seeley Lake.

This plight comes as more Americans than ever are venturing into avalanche terrain for outdoor recreation. Participation in backcountry skiing and snowboarding soared during the pandemic. The , a trade group for the skiing industry, reported approximately 4.9 million skiers and snowboarders recreated in the backcountry during the 2023-24 winter. That’s up from just 2 million during the 2017-18 winter.

A sizable portion of these skiers and snowboarders rely on the published by Forest Service centers to assess danger. Within the tight-knit circle of avalanche forecasters, the Forest Service budget cut has sparked a debate over funding and managing avalanche safety in the United States.

“Right now is an inflection point,” said Patrick Black, the executive director of the West Central Montana Avalanche Center (WCMAC). “With so many uncertainties for this winter and winters to come, now is the time to revisit the current model for funding avalanche safety.”

How a Federal Shortfall Impacts Avalanche Forecasting

The bad news broke just a few weeks before the first snowfall blanketed the Rockies. In June, the U.S. House of Representatives from the $8.9 billion the agency requested for the 2024-25 fiscal year. On September 16, which was then released to the public, explaining how the massive agency, which , would address the shortfall.

For 2024 and 2025, the Forest Service would no longer hire part-time seasonal workers, except for wildland firefighting crews, he said. Losing these employees, called 鈥�1039鈥� staff in Forest Service parlance, would require the agency to halt a wide range of seasonal duties, from trail maintenance to campsite cleanup.

鈥淲e are not going to do everything that is expected of us with fewer people,鈥� Moore said during the conference.

The news sounded alarm bells within the Forest Service鈥檚 14 avalanche centers, which are based in California, Utah, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and New Hampshire. Seasonal employees perform critical work during the winter at some of these centers. They venture into backcountry areas early each morning to observe snowfall and dig pits into the snowpack, looking for signs of avalanche danger. They work alongside year-round forecasters to process this information and combine it with weather data. And some of them also write the daily avalanche reports that appear online.

鈥淭here was panic,” said Scott Schell, executive director of the Northwest Avalanche Center鈥檚 non-profit organization. The NWAC, which is one of the 14 Forest Service centers, forecasts for Washington State and northern Oregon. 鈥淲ithout our seasonal workers we aren鈥檛 much of an avalanche center,鈥� Schell added.

Collectively, the NFS avalanche program employs approximately 70 workers; 55 are permanent positions or a designation called “seasonal permanent.鈥� The remaining 15 are seasonal positions. Of the 11 employees at the Northwest Avalanche Center, eight are seasonal workers, Schell said. All eight positions were jeopardized by the hiring freeze.

鈥淎valanche forecasts aren鈥檛 produced by machines,鈥� Schell said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e done by people with high levels of expertise.鈥�

The Forest Service also funds and operates the National Avalanche Center, a collection of snow science experts and avalanche forecasters who train staff and coordinate resources between the 14 regional centers. Simon Trautman, the director of the National Avalanche Center, told 国产吃瓜黑料 that his office began working on solutions to the staffing crisis shortly after the call. “People do these jobs because they love what they do,” he said. “And because they believe the work ultimately saves lives.”

But in the days after the announcement, a solution seemed nearly impossible to attain. The Forest Service initially told avalanche centers they could not sidestep the staff cut by simply paying the seasonal salaries from their own coffers. The 14 NFS avalanche centers are funded in part by the agency; each center also raises a portion of its operational budget through non-profit donations, sponsorship sales, or from state agencies.

The ratio of private funding to NFS dollars differs for each center. Trautman said funding from sponsorship sales and non-profit organizations, called “friends groups,” account for slightly more than half of the total budget for the 14 centers. The Forest Service, he said, contributes $2.5 million annually to fund the centers.

鈥淲e鈥檙e essentially a rounding error,鈥� Schell said. “When you consider the impact we have.”

But the Forest Service still manages the centers, which means they are subjected to all agency-wide mandates, including staff cuts. That decision did not sit well within the avalanche program.

鈥淚njuries and fatalities will likely be the result of this cost-saving measure,鈥� Dwayne Meadows, the executive director of the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center, .

Meadows, Schell, and other avalanche center managers pushed back on the cut. Throughout September and into October, they contacted regional forest managers and asked, then begged, to be exempted from the hiring freeze.

鈥淲e are a crucial part of the economy,鈥� Meadows told 国产吃瓜黑料. 鈥淥utdoor recreation is part of what keeps our community going in the winter.鈥�

Pressure mounted from outside the agency as well. In Wyoming, Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, both Republicans, asked for the Bridger-Teton center to receive an exemption for its seasonal staff. On October 4, a letter signed by 42 different companies and nonprofits鈥攆rom the American Mountain Guides Association, to Montana鈥檚 Bridger Bowl Ski Area, to Colorado Mountain Club鈥攂egged Moore to allow the avalanche centers to remain fully-staffed.

鈥淔orest Service Avalanche Centers provide crucial tools for public safety and it is critical that these centers operate at full capacity this, and every, winter,鈥� the letter said.

The pressure worked. As the first snowfalls hit the high country, regional managers granted exemptions for the avalanche centers, or allowed them to fund seasonal staff through non-profit funds. The Intermountain Region, which oversees Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming, granted exemptions to Bridger-Teton for its two seasonal positions; the Pacific Northwest region, which manages Oregon and Washington State, approved Schell’s request for all eight.

At Montana鈥檚 Flathead Avalanche Center, which oversees the area surrounding Glacier National Park, the Northern Region manager approved one 1039 employee and allowed two seasonal-permanent employees to have their contracts extended. Other centers received exemptions, and by November, all 15 seasonal employees were saved.

The success “significantly helped morale,” Trautman said. “Because of leadership support, we are still in the avalanche forecasting business,” he added.

Patrick Black, the executive director of the West Central Montana Avalanche Center, watched as other centers received exemptions throughout September and October. But as the snow began to fall on the mountains outside Missoula, Black learned that his center, which does not employ 1039 workers, would receive a debilitating cut.

鈥淭here was a brief moment when it seemed like all of us were going to be safeguarded,鈥� Black told 国产吃瓜黑料. “We weren’t included. It was painful to hear.”

How Budget Cuts Hurt Avalanche Centers and the Backcountry Users that Rely on Them

If any avalanche group was destined to fall through the cracks, it was the West Central Montana Avalanche Center. Of the 14 centers affiliated with the Forest Service, it is the only one that operates as a true non-profit.

None of the avalanche center鈥檚 three full-time staff work for the Forest Service鈥攊nstead, they report to a board of directors and are paid by a non-profit called The West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation. The center raises $80,000 of its $120,000 annual budget through grants, donations, and sponsorships; the remaining $40,000 comes in via an annual Forest Service payment.

鈥淚鈥檓 often envious of the other avalanche centers,鈥� Black said. 鈥淭heir friends groups and non-profits are on the hook for a much smaller percentage of their operating revenue.鈥�

But the Forest Service support is still crucial: Each winter the agency gives the WCMAC three trucks to drive to and from forecasting areas, plus snowmobile use, and gas cards to cover fuel costs.

In late October, Black received the bad news from the regional forest supervisor. The Forest Service would not renew its $40,000 annual contract with the center, or provide vehicles or gas.

鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 sound like a ton of money, but to a small non-profit, losing that was devastating,鈥� Black said. 鈥淭o think we could squeeze any more out of our equation was unrealistic.鈥�

He called a meeting with the center鈥檚 board members to come up with an operations plan amid the cuts. The center would need to rent vehicles for the six-month season, and cover the cost of fuel for hundreds of miles of weekly driving. Those added costs, plus the loss in $40,000, would require a reduction in head count, from three full-time forecasters to one full-time and one part-time.

The reduction in staff would also impact the center鈥檚 area of forecasting. Avalanche forecasters could no longer travel deep into the backcountry to dig pits or test the snowpack. Instead, they鈥檇 need to focus on the most popular trailheads near ski areas and towns.

鈥淲e鈥檙e prioritizing areas that are popular with the non-motorized community, like backcountry skiers and snowshoers,鈥� Black said. 鈥淭he areas where the motorized community goes are too far out.鈥�

And finally, Black made the difficult decision to dramatically reduce the number of published avalanche forecasts in all areas. Prior to 2024, the West Central Avalanche Center published daily forecasts on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For the 2024-25 season, employees will write reports for Saturdays and Sundays only.

鈥淔olks will not know until Saturday morning what we鈥檝e been seeing in the field,鈥� Black said. 鈥淗onestly, I hate to even say this out loud.鈥�

Is it Time to Abandon the Forest Service Model?

In May, Forest Service chief Randy Moore on natural resources and energy to discuss his $8.9 billion budget request for the 2024-25 fiscal year. One by one, Republican and Democratic senators admonished Moore for the agency鈥檚 shortcomings in everything from wildfire prevention to timber sales.

鈥淭here鈥檚 broad agreement on this committee that the Forest Service is not meeting the challenge it confronts,鈥� Barrasso of said. 鈥淭he Forest Service must change course.鈥�

Statements like this continue to cause consternation amongst Forest Service avalanche employees. Amid the change in presidential administration and a shift in power in Congress, there鈥檚 considerable doubt that the agency will receive the future funding it requires to function at its current size and scope. Meanwhile, the Forest Service鈥檚 annual spend on wildfire prevention and mitigation, , is likely to continue to rise.

Avalanche professionals worry that the agency鈥檚 solution to the 2024 staff cuts are temporary, and that additional cuts are likely to occur in the coming years.

鈥淚f I鈥檓 being honest, I鈥檓 not confident that the Forest Service is going to figure this one out,鈥� Black said. 鈥淚f we鈥檙e going to chart a course for seasons to come, it makes sense to invite new groups to the table to fund these programs.鈥�

Even Trautman, who worked long hours in September and October to save the seasonal employees, worries that the current solution may not last forever. “There are significant unknowns around how we accomplish mission-critical summer work, or if we can hire seasonal and turnover positions for next fall,” he said.

Different funding models do exist within America鈥檚 avalanche centers. In addition to the 14 Forest Service avalanche centers, eight regional centers are operated by separate non-profits. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center, the country鈥檚 largest avalanche program, receives most of its funding from the state’s Department of Natural Resources, with additional funds coming from private donations, local governments, and the federal government.

The other avalanche center managers who spoke to 国产吃瓜黑料 for this story said that the current crisis has made them consider鈥攁nd even study鈥攆unding models that do not involve the Forest Service.

鈥淭here鈥檚 so much more the avalanche program could do if our current structure pointed us toward stability,鈥� Schell said. 鈥淭he amount of hours we spend worrying about funding alone could be put toward creating better forecasts.鈥�

As Black and his board directors sought solutions to the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s budget crisis, he crunched the numbers to see how it could exist without Forest Service funding or involvement. Like other avalanche centers WCMAC sells memberships to backcountry users that grant them access to events and teachings.

If half of the center鈥檚 2,500 newsletter subscribers became paying members, the revenue would offset the lost Forest Service funds, Black said. Ramping up the center’s sponsorship sales could also boost its budget.

Black said that, if given more time for fundraising, the WCMAC could survive on its own.

鈥淚t feels like we鈥檙e a year ahead of the other centers in having these discussions,鈥� Black said.

Consequences of Forging a New Path

Everyone interviewed for the story admitted that divorcing the 14 avalanche centers from the Forest Service would have consequences. The agency provides liability insurance and legal support to the centers, which help protect them from lawsuits.

鈥淚f someone tries to sue the Forest Service they鈥檙e not going to get very far,鈥� Meadows said. 鈥淚f they sued our foundation with our non-profit insurance, they鈥檇 kill us.鈥�

Jayne Nolan, the executive director of the non-profit American Avalanche Association, an industry group for avalanche professionals, said that the Forest Service model provides greater stability for staff, like health insurance and paid vacation time. Nolan believes that the Forest Service has an obligation to continue managing the centers.

鈥淣early 95 percent of all avalanche fatalities occur on Forest Service land,鈥� Nolan said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the job of the Forest Service to reduce these numbers, even as backcountry skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling skyrockets.鈥�

Bruce Tremper, who oversaw the Utah Avalanche Center from 1986 until his retirement in 2015 and wrote the seminal avalanche safety textbook, Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain, says alignment with the Forest Service also gives avalanche centers clout with the general public. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e part of the Forest Service then you have authority and legitimacy that people take seriously,鈥� Tremper said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just another non-profit springing up.鈥� That authority makes backcountry users more inclined to pay attention to its warnings, he said.

Tremper said he endured multiple budget cuts, government shutdowns, and staffing shortages during his 29 years with the Utah Avalanche Center. Learning to exist amid the agency鈥檚 dysfunction is simply part of the job, he said.

鈥淚t took me a long time to figure out the rules and regulations of how to work in a government agency,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like a big aircraft carrier and it鈥檚 hard to change direction when you鈥檙e in it.鈥�

But Schell worries that this mindset has stifled innovation, and prevented avalanche centers from discovering better models for funding and management. The Northwest Avalanche Center will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025. And despite the center鈥檚 growth in fundraising and its advancements in snow science and avalanche prediction, the program is still vulnerable to shifts in the Forest Service鈥檚 budget and management structure.

鈥淲e鈥檝e bootstrapped these centers for 40 or 50 years,鈥� Schell said. 鈥淎t what point can we have a durable and sustainable program?”

Schell told 国产吃瓜黑料 that the NWAC would continue to 鈥渓ean into鈥� the Forest Service relationship for 2025 and beyond. Rather than pursue non-profit status or state-run structure, he said the center would instead ask the agency to consider a different operational model for the centers. At the moment, all 14 avalanche centers exist within the Forest Service鈥檚 arcane management structure of regional forests and ranger districts. A center鈥檚 budget and staff size are decided by regional, and not national, managers.

鈥淲e need to find the right people inside the Forest Service to make the whole avalanche program stand on its own,鈥� he said.

Black echoed Schell鈥檚 sentiment. In mid-December, the WCMAC began talks with the Forest Service for a smaller contract, one that included access to vehicles. But the uncertainty, Black said, still gave him considerable anxiety about the future.

鈥淭he whole thing frightens me,鈥� he said.

Whether or not the lack of avalanche reports affects Seeley Lake鈥檚 snowmobilers this winter is yet to be seen. After a few early season storms in November, the lake saw sunshine in December, and the trails at lower elevations were mostly bare in the weeks before Christmas. But Zermeuhlen was confident that business would soon be booming.

鈥淲e鈥檒l be inundated,鈥� he said. 鈥淗undreds of people heading out every weekend.鈥�

The post Inside the Crisis Threatening America鈥檚 Avalanche Experts appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

When it comes to ski resorts and wintery adventures, the mountain towns in Colorado have an embarrassment of riches. Growing up in New Jersey, my family would drive nearly five hours to ski the resorts of Vermont. Sometimes my dad would pile us in his van and do a 10-hour round trip in a single day. I have so many fond memories of chilly outdoor time with my family as a kid. Then, I headed west later in life.

Why I Love These Mountain Towns in Colorado

When I moved to Boulder, Colorado I was blown away to learn that I had nearly a dozen resorts within a two-hour drive and another dozen more just a bit further. The initial allure was, of course, the downhill. But then I began to discover the other adventures on offer, from fat tire biking along stunning singletrack and Nordic skiing past old gold mines, to snowmobiling and dog sledding in the backcountry.

Every ski town has its own personality, plus quirky annual events that I try to time my visits around. The properties from 鈥攁 hip hotel membership club that started in Breckenridge and now has outposts in Vail, Winter Park, and Steamboat Springs鈥攊s my typical go-to stay for the hyperlocal vibe, convenient co-working spaces, athlete-worthy gyms, and restaurants with high-quality cocktails and food (from $169 to $299 minimum per night).

If you prefer a vacation rental, has properties in Vail, Beaver, Creek, Aspen, and Snowmass and recently introduced Peak Pursuits, an adventure-focused concierge service that can arrange activities such as heli-skiing and sleigh ride dinners. Here鈥檚 my cheat sheet on how to navigate the on and off-piste winter thrills of the most beautiful mountain towns in Colorado.

Best Things to Do in Aspen-Snowmass

I have a soft spot for Aspen. If you look past the glitz and glamor you can still find a soulful mountain town with epic adventures on offer. A free public transportation system transfers you between the resort鈥檚 four mountains, each with its own personality and appeal (Buttermilk for families; Aspen-Highlands for its mythic bowl). And Hero鈥檚, the new terrain expansion on Aspen Mountain, will push your edge with chutes and gladed areas. You can be part of the downtown apr猫s scene, but I prefer to get my culture fix after skiing and visit the or .

Where to Play

In my opinion, Aspen-Snowmass has Colorado鈥檚 best . A season uphill pass costs $69 ($10 of the fee goes to Mountain Rescue Aspen) and gives you access to dedicated routes on Buttermilk and Snowmass mountains all day, and you can uphill Ajax Mountain and Aspen Highlands when the lift isn鈥檛 spinning. The Roaring Fork Valley is also a , boasting 60 miles of free cross-country and snowshoe trails between Aspen, Snowmass, and Basalt.

I like to work up an appetite, skate skiing the so I can splurge on the burger at Woody Creek Tavern or I鈥檒l pay for a $25 pass at Ashcroft Nordic Center, set across from an old ghost town, so I can cross-country ski out to for their pre-fixe lunch menu. They also have an option to reach the restaurant by horse-drawn sleigh.

For unreal views without a lot of effort, book a with T Lazy Ranch (from $275).

Where to Stay

Aspen has no shortage of ritzy hotels with see-and-be-seen crowds but I prefer the low-key properties in both Aspen (from $629 a night) and Snowmass (from $569 a night). Rooms are outfitted with Smeg fridges and microwaves, banquette seating for dining or remote working, plus plenty of hooks and cubbies for ski gear. In the morning, you鈥檙e treated to a complimentary breakfast buffet. After skiing, you can soak in the hot tub or heated outdoor pool then hit the bar for live music and wood-fired pizza.

Where to Eat

The former log cabin recently underwent a renovation and expansion and this season will be accessible by foot off of Snowmass鈥檚 new Coney Express Lift. You can ski in for lunch or extended apr猫s hours, which feature shotskis and charcuterie boards, or book an evening snowcat dinner.

I buy an uphill pass just so I can attend the monthly at the Cliffhouse at Buttermilk.

, a new dive bar in Aspen, was recently opened by two locals and affordably-priced food was a term of the restaurant鈥檚 deed-restricted lease. A beer and beef slider will cost you less than $10; a steal in Aspen.

And if you鈥檙e flying in or out of the airport, a detour to , tucked away in the Aspen Airport Center, is a must. Her flavorful dishes, like vegetable maffe, a West African peanut curry, and seafood gumbo, pay homage to her French and Ivory Coast roots.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

Buttermilk Mountain will host the Winter X Games January 23-25, 2025 and the and the Visa Big Air January 30-February 6. But I鈥檓 most excited for the inaugural halfpipe event of Olympic snowboarder Shaun White鈥檚 new Snow League, happening March 7-8.

Best Things to Do in Breckenridge

Just 80 miles west of Denver, Breckenridge is one of the state鈥檚 most popular Front Range ski resorts. Some lament the crowds, but I find once you鈥檙e on the mountain, it鈥檚 easy to spread out. Five peaks boast more than 180 trails webbed across nearly 3,000 skiable acres of terrain, ranging from high-alpine bowls to beginner-friendly tree runs.

I like to rise early and warm up with a yoga class at and always build in a down day to explore the boutiques, restaurants, and public art and studios of the in Breck鈥檚 charming Victorian downtown.

Where to Play

Rent a fat bike (they also have e-fat bikes) from and explore the nearly 20 miles of groomed trails at the Gold Run Nordic Center (half-day rentals from $65). The outfitter鈥檚 guided rides to and are great because they provide transportation back to town so you can imbibe worry-free (from $85).听

Where to Stay

The feels more like a restaurant with rooms. The Euro-style inn has just four, Scandi-minimalist suites stocked with useful amenities like Topo Designs backpacks and yoga mats. Two of the town’s best eateries are just below the rooms. The seafood-centric, ground-floor restaurant features a raw bar and items like fish and chips and lobster roll sliders; the basement-level speakeasy-inspired tavern serves comfort foods like cheesesteaks and fried chicken sammys. (From $399 per night.)

Where to Eat

Matt Vawter, chef and owner of , was recently named the James Beard Awards鈥� best chef in the mountain region. The mega accolade, often called the Oscars of the food world, has made reservations to experience his exceptional tasting menu a must.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

, a wacky celebration of the Norse god of snow, takes place December 12-14, 2024 with a colorful parade of costumed revelers. This year, Breck will try to lure 1,370 participants to help reclaim the unofficial world鈥檚 longest shotski record from Park City. I hope to be there.

Best Things to Do in Crested Butte

I live in one of the greatest mountain towns in Colorado, but I still get mountain-town envy every time I visit Crested Butte. The soulful vibe and lack of big brand hotels and chains have earned it the reputation as Colorado鈥檚 last great ski town. If you鈥檙e seeking rowdy terrain, Crested Butte Mountain Resort delivers. Known as the North American birthplace of inbounds extreme skiing and riding, it boasts more than 560 acres of expert terrain. Want bragging rights? Tackle Rambo, a 55-degree-pitch run considered the steepest lift-served, tree-cut trail in the U.S. Beyond the resort, the surrounding Gunnison Valley offers a treasure trove of backcountry adventures to satiate all types of outdoor lovers.

Where to Play

Cat skiing with local outfitter on 1,000 acres of powder-blessed terrain just ten miles out of town ranks as one of my all-time snowboard days (private cat for up to 10 people costs $8,500 or buy a single seat for $850).

If there鈥檚 a dry spell, is a perfect alternative to downhill skiing and grooms a number of areas around town that are free to access. The maintains nearly 35 miles of trails that can be accessed with a $25 day pass. The six miles of trails at the Town Ranch and on the Rec Path can be accessed for free.

Where to Stay

Ski-in/ski-out has an on-site ski rental shop, a sprawling spa, spacious rooms, and a lounge in partnership with local film company Matchstick Productions that hosts screenings and athlete activations (from $230 a night).

Where to Eat

Carb up at the , a dive-y pizza spot. I love that the menu at the has healthy options like the completely satisfying quinoa-spiked power salad, as well as the not-so-healthy stuff you crave after a day slaying pow, like a burger topped with pork belly and fried onions.

On Sundays, in-the-know locals Nordic ski or snowshoe to , located one-mile from the Peanut Lake Trailhead Loop.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

, an outrageous costumed American Birkebeiner qualifying Nordic event, takes place February 1, 2025 and the course winds through the heart of downtown making it a favorite spectator event.

Best Things to Do in Steamboat Springs

Ski Town USA is known for both its ultra-dry, trademark 鈥渃hampagne powder鈥� and Old Western cowboy character. In the last few years, the resort has been re-imagined with a new base area, complete with a skating rink and food hall, and a dedicated beginner area, Greenhorn Ranch. Advanced skiers once bemoaned the lack of expert runs. No more. Last year the resort debuted Mahogany Ridge & Fish Creek Canyon, some 650 acres of test-your-mettle terrain.

A free bus runs every 20 minutes between the village and town, making it easy to explore galleries and shops like stalwart western wear.

Where to Play

Channel your inner cowboy (or girl) on a snowy trail ride at , led by fifth-generation wrangler (and enthralling storyteller) Ray Heid ($150). Then warm up with a steamy soak. I like the ease of ($29) but clothing-optional-after-dark is an experience ($20, cash only). If you don鈥檛 have 4WD and snow tires, book a to reach the secluded springs ($50 round-trip, entry fee included).

Where to Stay

The historic recently renovated its 35 rooms and has a hard-to-beat downtown location walking distance to shops and restaurants. (From $199 a night.)

Where to Eat

Options abound. On the hill, you can choose from ramen, pizza, tacos, and subs at the . In town, the offers Jamaican jerk chicken, poke bowls, classic cocktails, and more. Brunch at is worth a late start on the slopes, particularly for the banana foster French toast and smoked tomato and pesto Benedict.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

Like a rodeo on the slopes, the annual , January 20, 2025, always leaves me in stitches as I watch cowgirls and cowboys in their chaps and Stetsons speed down a dual slalom course, hit jumps, then lasso a person, saddle a horse, and ski across the finish line.

Families shouldn鈥檛 miss the oldest west of the Mississippi. Celebrating 112 years on February 7-9, 2025 the festivities include ski racing, skijoring, and a fireworks-studded night show featuring the famed Lighted Man, who shoots fireworks from his pyrotechnic suit while skiing down the hill.

Best Things to Do in Telluride

Telluride looks like it was meant for a snow globe. Nestled in a picturesque box canyon within the jagged San Juan Mountains, it isn鈥檛 the easiest resort to reach in winter, which means you rarely find crowds. If you make the effort, you鈥檙e rewarded with quad-burning slopes and a darling downtown lined with Victorian homes, art galleries, indie boutiques, and some seriously great dining.

A free, pedestrian gondola makes it effortless to bounce between the mountain and the historic downtown while soaking in awesome views.

Where to Play

can access more than 200 square miles of high-alpine skiing and its single-day heli-trip promises six runs with up to 14,000 feet of leg-quivering vert (from $1,875 per person).

I always like to build in a mellow activity to temper all of the adrenaline and one of my favorite experiences over the years has been dog sledding the snowy trails of the Uncompahgre National Forest with family-run company, . (Prices vary, for current rates.)

Where to Stay

I like the convenience of the ski-in/ski-out (from $399 a night), and appreciate their massive fitness center. Intimate, five-bedroom (from $550 a night) is steps from the town gondola and feels like a fancy B&B, complete with complimentary wine, beer, and snacks, and hearty breakfast spread.

Where to Eat

Sometimes I opt to stay downtown just so I can be walking distance to the , an institution beloved for its monster-sized, made-from-scratch baked goods (the homemade pop tarts are addictive).

On piste, , North America鈥檚 second highest elevation fine-dining restaurant, channels Italy鈥檚 Dolomites with its charcuterie and cheese spreads, deep wine list, and killer mountain views. I still haven鈥檛 experienced the omakase menu at , a stellar sushi spot in town, but their happy hour is one of the best deals around with half price sushi rolls.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

Many Colorado resorts now host a , but Telluride鈥檚 (February 22-March 1, 2025) stands out for its raucous pool parties and kick-off event, the Telluride Aids Benefit fashion show gala.

Best Things to Do in Vail

People like to hate on Vail because its parent company is a mega ski conglomerate. That shouldn鈥檛 take away from its seriously great terrain. I鈥檝e lived in Colorado for a decade and am still discovering all that the resort鈥檚 seven back bowls have to offer in its 2,785 acres of terrain. And in the last few years, the Bavarian-inspired village has been reinvigorated with new bars, restaurants, and the wild entertainment venue, .

Where to Play

Skiing the Minturn Mile, an out-of-bounds run that spans three miles and drops 3,000 vertical feet, is a right of passage for hard-charging locals.听 I usually think of Nordic skiing as a killer workout, but turns it into an adventure by leading half- and full-day tours into the White River National Forest where you鈥檙e likely to ski past abandoned mines and wildlife (from $160).

Where to Stay

I love how the celebrates the resort鈥檚 1960s heyday. Design details, like framed 10th Mountain Division pins in the rooms, nod to the region鈥檚 alpine heritage. After a day on the hill I head straight to the downstairs recovery lounge, equipped with massage guns, leg compression sleeves, and a Himalayan salt room. (From $469 per night.)

Where to Eat

Matsuhisa has some competition now that upscale sushi spot has opened in the Grand Hyatt Vail. This winter, Denver鈥檚 award-winning Italian restaurant, , opens in the Four Seasons. On the mountain, I can never resist the smell of barbecue wafting from , accessible off chairlifts 3, 17, and 7.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

I鈥檝e marked my calendar to see the action at the at neighboring Beaver Creek December 6-15, 2024. Music fans won鈥檛 want to miss , a weekend concert series April 4-5, 2025 featuring DJs like Interplanetary Criminal and Don Fuego (tickets from $99).

Best Things to Do in Winter Park

I鈥檒l admit, the initial appeal of snowboarding at Winter Park was that I could bypass traffic by hopping on the , a stress-free, direct train service that runs Friday through Sunday throughout the winter from Denver鈥檚 Union Station to the base of the resort (tickets from $19 to $39).

Widely considered Colorado鈥檚 original ski resort, it strikes a rare balance of being both a destination yet feeling like locals still rule the hill. I鈥檝e been a devotee since my first trip. You鈥檒l find newbie and kid-friendly groomers and some super fun glades at Winter Park and neighboring peak Mary Jane is known for its thigh-burning moguls and hike-accessed Cirque terrain.

Where to Play

Head to to snow tube ($35 an hour), fat bike ($20 per hour), and snowshoe (rentals $25 per day).

On select Saturday evenings this January through March, you can uphill by headlamp for an alpine dinner at , a vintage lodge near the Explorer Express and Prospector lifts, then descend under the stars.

Where to Stay

I satisfy my cabin fantasies by staying at the . This collection of 31 Instagram-worthy, mid-century-inspired cabins feature Malm fireplaces and deep soaking tubs and the restaurant has an Argentinean gaucho grill that cooks tomahawk ribeyes and wagyu for the decadent burger to perfection. (From $299 a night.)

Where to Eat

The main drag of the town of Winter Park is about three miles from the resort and even on snowy nights I brave the drive just to have the fiery curries at . And the French fries (yes, the fries) at are so good I sometimes just have a whopping serving and an old fashioned and call it dinner.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

The annual Spring Bash and Splash is a rowdy series of bluegrass concerts, costume contests, beach parties, and pond skims held every weekend from the end of March through April.

Any time Jen Murphy gets frustrated sitting in Colorado鈥檚 I-70 ski traffic she has flashbacks to traffic jams enroute to the icy slopes of Vermont and the 30-second descents of the Poconos, the stomping grounds of her youth. Jen is a regular 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor and our travel-advice columnist who has recently written a beginner鈥檚 guide to Costa Rica, a story on how she used AI to plan a trip to Maui, and shared tips on how to get refunded for vacations听bunked by bad weather.听

The post Your Ultimate Guide to Winter 国产吃瓜黑料 in Colorado鈥檚 Top Mountain Towns appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

There isn鈥檛 much to Davis, West Virginia (population 581). Its downtown is only a few blocks long. There鈥檚 no movie theater, no Starbucks. The entire county has one stoplight. You could feasibly drive through Davis and miss it entirely if you were engrossed in a good podcast.

Davis sits on the northern rim of Canaan Valley, a broad, high-elevation basin roughly 2.5 hours west of Washington, D.C. It鈥檚 surrounded by 4,000-foot peaks, most managed as public land, and hubs for hiking, biking, and skiing. But Davis鈥檚 best attribute? It鈥檚 full of people stoked to be here.

Why I Love Visiting Davis, West Virginia, Year-Round

Some might be deterred by Davis鈥檚 lack of sushi or nightlife or community theater or even a Target. But I鈥檝e been going there for 20 years, and every time I visit I鈥檓 mesmerized by the town鈥檚 bounty. The few restaurants are great for such a small town, there鈥檚 a proud beer scene, and access to outdoor adventure is off the charts.

Just ask Ian Beckner, a Davis native who moved away for college, then bounced around to other mountain towns before settling back in Davis to open a ski shop.

鈥淭here鈥檚 just so much here鈥攕o many trails, such good skiing,鈥� he says. 鈥淧eople usually have to work two jobs to make ends meet鈥濃�攖here are no large employers or industries in the area鈥斺�渂ut they don鈥檛 care too much about money. They just want to be here. Once you鈥檙e here, you don鈥檛 leave. I can鈥檛 tell you the last time I drove more than an hour away.鈥�

The adventure portfolio is exceptionally diverse, considering Davis鈥檚 location in the southern Appalachians, a region not renowned for robust winter-sports opportunities. But this particular nook of West Virginia has four distinct seasons. Mountain biking rules the warm months and skiing takes center stage in the winter, thanks to a hefty average snowfall and a trio of ski resorts. And West Virginia gets powder: Lake Effect snow from the Great Lakes on one side, and storms from the Northeast coast on the other. On average, it enjoys more than 150 inches of snow annually. Compare that to the 30 to 40 inches of snow that typically fall on ski resorts in neighboring Virginia.

I can鈥檛 decide if I like Davis more when it鈥檚 warm or has powder on the ground. I鈥檝e logged countless miles on the valley鈥檚 notoriously rocky and rooty singletrack and celebrated epic rides with friends by passing around jars of moonshine. I鈥檝e also floated through knee-deep powder in both lift-served and backcountry glades. Ditto with sharing the moonshine then, too.

The Great Mountain-Biking-Versus-Skiing Debate

So which is better? The mountain biking or the skiing? This is something debated by locals.

On the one hand, hundreds of miles of singletrack wind through adjacent state-park, national-forest, and national-wildlife-refuge land. Remember the hardcore 24-hour mountain-bike races that were so popular in the 鈥�90s and early 2000s? They began here, with the 24 Hours of Canaan.

On the other hand, you can be at either of the downhill ski resorts, the 95-acre Canaan Valley and 100-acre Timberline, in about 10 minutes. Each offers more than 1,000 vertical feet of skiing, as well as a touring center that pulls in hundreds of cross-country junkies daily when there鈥檚 fresh snow.

鈥淭he skiing is what attracted me first,鈥� says Todd Romero, who moved to Davis in 2011, switching jobs from the tech industry to the public-school system and taking a huge pay cut in the process. 鈥淲hen there鈥檚 a solid base of snow, and you can ski the trees. It鈥檚 amazing. But the mountain biking is like nowhere else. I鈥檝e been to other bike towns, but you have to drive to the trailhead. Here in town you鈥檙e at the trailhead.鈥�

The More Some Things Change…

As a Davis outsider, I鈥檇 say the town hasn鈥檛 changed much in two decades. The mountains surrounding town keep it relatively isolated, as do the serpentine roads between it and larger burgs. Locals say housing prices have skyrocketed and those in the service industry say they have a hard time making rent. It鈥檚 tough to find rental data on a town of this size, but in general have climbed almost 4 percent each year since the pandemic. And it鈥檚 only getting pricier; according to , home prices in Davis jumped 10 percent in the last year alone, with the average home value sitting at just under $330K. Davis is suffering from the second-home crunch that has impacted just about every mountain town I know of in the past decade. The same thing is happening in my hometown of Asheville, North Carolina.

Beckner says there are now more restaurants to accommodate increasing numbers of visitors (the amount of money the county collects via hotel tax has almost doubled in the last decade, according to the ), and the downhill resorts are more crowded on weekends. But the Davis of today still feels like the Davis from his childhood, he says.

鈥淲e鈥檙e still a small town. It鈥檚 not commercialized,鈥� Beckner says. 鈥淲e have all these miles of trail, but still only one bike shop. We might have more of an influx of people trying to enjoy the vibe that we all live with, that鈥檚 true, but the core value is still what it was when I was a kid. People are here to get outdoors.鈥�

Beckner tells me that his favorite weekly event is the weekly mountain-bike group ride, the epicenter of Davis鈥檚 social scene.

鈥淚f it鈥檚 Thursday night, you know where everyone will be. It feels like the whole town rides together, and then we all go get burritos together, and then we all go to the brewery together,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e mingling with your doctor and your accountant and your kid鈥檚 teacher. It鈥檚 loud, and it鈥檚 always a party. It doesn鈥檛 matter what you wear, what bike you鈥檙e on, everyone is out enjoying what we have.鈥�

Without further ado, here鈥檚 the best of Davis and the surrounding Canaan Valley.

What鈥檚 Cool About the Winter in Davis, West Virginia

Skiing and Snowboarding

Two downhill resorts are minutes apart from each other. , part of Canaan Valley State Park, has loads of blue and green terrain, perfect for families and beginners. More advanced skiers can head for the fun, mellow glades off the black-diamond Dark Side of the Moon, from the top.

has steeper terrain and better tree skiing. It also has a high-speed six chair that gets you to the summit in under five minutes, so you can knock out laps until your quads quake. Pearly Glades, closer to the base area, offers steep pitches with comfortable space between trees, but mainly you鈥檒l find tight tree runs all over this mountain, so you鈥檒l need to focus. , downtown, has all the gear you need.

As great as the downhill skiing is, to me, the is what makes winter in Davis truly special. It offers more than 25 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails and more than 60 kilometers of ungroomed trails that climb and descend some 1,200 vertical feet. This isn鈥檛 flat-road skiing but backcountry fun). A dozen warming huts are scattered throughout the system, most stocked with pieces of chocolate. The Whitegrass 肠补蹿茅 and gear shop welcomes skiers with a warm apr猫s scene that includes multiple firepits, and Chip Chase, the center鈥檚 owner and a local legend, often mills around, sharing stories and his personal stash of whiskey.

Biking

Cyclists don鈥檛 have to give up riding just because it鈥檚 winter. A local trail builder, , has started grooming more than eight miles of fat-bike trails at Canaan Valley State Park. The place is even a stop on an annual that hits the valley and a few other spots in West Virginia and Maryland.

Ultimate Sledding

If you have kids, hit up the sled run at , which has a magic carpet and a hot-chocolate hut.

How to Maximize the Warm Months in Davis听

Hike, Fish, and (Much) More

Dolly Sods Wilderness, a small but spectacular 17,000-acre roadless area known for its high-elevation bogs and rocky outcroppings, is the destination for hiking and backpacking. Hit for fly-fishing, creek stomping (wading and exploring), and hiking on paths that range from easy three-mile out-and-backs to multiday 20-mile loops.

I have never yet played the golf course at Canaan Valley State Park, but I would love to.

Biking

But if you鈥檙e coming to Davis, you鈥檙e bringing mountain bikes. The singletrack is notoriously difficult and, at least in my opinion, all uphill. That鈥檚 part of the charm.

If you agree that rocks are fun, start with , which forms the backbone of the singletrack within Canaan Valley. Many offshoots and well-worn social trails branch off this eight-mile point-to-point route, and I guarantee you鈥檒l get off your bike at least once during particularly spicy sections, so give it twice as much time as you think you鈥檒l need.

Don鈥檛 fret if that sounds like more torture than fun; some new, machine-groomed flow trails have been built for us mere mortals. Hit , a six-mile swoopy loop in Canaan Valley State Park. has beta, rentals, and gear.

Where to Eat and Drink in Davis, West Virginia

Davis and the Canaan Valley only have a few restaurants, but those have everything I crave when I鈥檓 there.

and , serving pizza, are staples. But my favorite place to eat is at Whitegrass, whose caters to a more elevated palate; its great vegetarian chili hits just right on a cold afternoon. Sometimes there鈥檚 live music, and the specials change daily, but there鈥檚 always a crowd of rosy-nosed cross-country skiers, fresh off the trails and hungry, clustered in a handful of tables in the middle of the gear and rental shop. The place is cozy, loud on a busy afternoon, and really fun. When it鈥檚 time for a beer, head to , the locals鈥� favorite drinking hole.

Where to Stay in Davis

You鈥檒l find Airbnbs throughout the valley, including a option attached to the bike shop. The lovely has lodge rooms and cabins fresh off a renovation (from $178.50), as well as campsites with electricity. I鈥檝e camped in my 4Runner here in the winter, running a space heater from the outlet. Searching for something a bit more sophisticated? Book a night at the ten-room , and enjoy its mid-century vibe (from $100).

Graham Averill of Asheville, North Carolina, is 国产吃瓜黑料 Online鈥檚 national-parks columnist. He鈥檚 hoping to bring his wife and kids to Davis this winter to ski at White Grass and sled on the hill in Blackwater Falls State Park. He recently wrote about the听most beautiful towns in the Southeast听and the听best ways to get outside in West Virginia, as well as an on-the-ground account of听what it was like to survive Hurricane Helene in Asheville, and why he rues not visiting Capitol Reef National Park听sooner.

The post Outdoor Access in This Town Is Off the Charts appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

If, like most people, you live your life outside the small community of elite ski mountaineers, you may have never heard the name Greg Hill. Born far from big mountains in Quebec, Canada, Hill moved west to Revelstoke, British Columbia, with dreams of becoming a heli-skiing guide. After years of watching the Selkirk Mountains change with a warming climate, he gave up mechanized travel in the mountains seeking a greener approach.

In 2010, when Hill was 35, he climbed and skied more than two million vertical feet. His 2019 film, ElectricGreg, documented his quest to climb and ski 100 peaks without burning any fossil fuels. Hill鈥檚 most recent achievements, like setting the FKT of the Rogers Pass to Bugaboos Ski Traverse, are near his Revelstoke home.

In October, Hill published a memoir, titled I Could Die At Any Moment. The book, written with Hill鈥檚 rare blend of humility and audacity, was ten years in the making. It explores his compulsive drive to reach maximum potential, even in the face of life-threatening听risk.

国产吃瓜黑料 caught up with Hill to discuss risk, reward, and an unexpected insight that came from writing his story.

OUTSIDE: The book鈥檚 title is pretty dark, but then the cover shows you and a climbing partner looking overjoyed atop a mountain. Is this contrast intentional?

Absolutely. It鈥檚 a juxtaposition. The photo is me and my buddy Chris Rubens on top of Bugaboo Spire in British Columbia. The Bugaboos are like the Patagonia of Canada鈥攖hese incredible granite spires. It was a dream of mine to climb that peak. It was just a moment of pure exhilaration at having finally accomplished that climb. The idea with the cover is that, yes, we all know we can die, so let’s live this life to the fullest.

There鈥檚 inherent risk anytime you enter the alpine. I don鈥檛 let myself get weighed down by the darkness, but at the same time it鈥檚 important not to forget that you鈥檙e going to die鈥攖hat we鈥檙e all going to die. There’s this cheesy saying that every day is a gift, that it鈥檚 a present. By really embracing the fact that we die, it allows us to fully embrace the fact that we’re alive and to go for it.

You’ve led a life full of accomplishments in the mountains. Why did you decide to record it in a memoir?

I鈥檝e always wanted to write a book. I have journal entries about it from the time I was 18. I鈥檓 48 now and I guess I finally felt like I had enough maturity鈥攊t takes a certain maturity to be ready to speak about things that are hard to speak about鈥攁nd I wanted the book to be as open and vulnerable as possible.

After the kids were born, I started leaving a letter on my computer desktop for Tracey [my wife] to find if I were to die in the mountains, because if you’re a risk taker there’s consequences if things mess up, and I’ve always understood that. I wanted my kids to have something to help them understand why I would risk it all, even though I knew the consequences. And the same goes for my wife and my friends.

Thankfully, I’ve lasted this long. My kids are now 17 and 19, and they know me really well, which is awesome. The book was basically an extension of the idea to leave something behind that tried to explain what I do and why. There are lots of people that lose friends and family to adventure. I feel like if there鈥檚 a way to somehow explain why we do it, then I should try.

How does the mental load of writing a book compare to that of pushing your limits in ski mountaineering?听

Anytime you鈥檙e doing something that has value and is challenging to you, there’s going to be doubts, there’s going to be fears. Overcoming them and moving forward is kind of the biggest challenge. For months, I was so scared that I’d finally written this thing, that I was putting it out there. And now it鈥檚 like, okay I did it, here we go! Having big goals and dreams鈥攂e it a physical or mental challenge鈥攁nd finally accomplishing them is so rewarding.

Could you tell us a little about the added features loaded in the ebook that hardcover readers will miss?

I have all this footage of me doing all these different things in the mountains. I felt like if I could use it properly, it would add another dimension to reading by creating this emotional layer that brings you deeper into the story. I鈥檝e embedded more than a dozen videos into the ebook. They are raw, unedited moments that bring you straight into my mountain experience.

Like after the avalanche in Pakistan when I broke my leg, you can see me talking into the camera about my thoughts on risk and reward and whether it’s worth it. It’s almost like breaking down the fourth wall and really getting to know the protagonist by seeing me sitting there crying and dealing with the consequences of risk.

What accomplishments are you most proud of, and is there anything in your career that you regret?

I鈥檓 most proud of my kids. I mean, I love all these things I鈥檝e accomplished, the personal challenges and stuff, but it became very clear that they are the most important things that I’ve created in this life.

I’m realizing more and more my biggest goal is to impact others and ideally empower them to live their dreams. Looking back on chapters of your life, there’s these things that made so much sense and were so important, but then as you grow and change, they鈥檙e not anymore.

There’s lots of unfinished things out there in the mountains for me, and I think I have to accept that and move onto what has more value now and is more important now. My latest goal is inspiring others to live life to the fullest.

As for insights, I talk about my weed addiction a little bit in the book. I feel like I want to be more available, to be a better person, especially for my wife. I haven鈥檛 smoked in three months, and I won’t until my 50th birthday, which is a year and a bit from now, just to really try to be as emotionally available as possible.

The post Extreme Skier Greg Hill Goes Deep on Risk and Adrenaline in His New Book appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Ski trips shouldn鈥檛 be relegated to the rich and even richer. We all deserve to go powder chasing midwinter without dissolving our bank accounts. But these days, finding a budget way to ski requires serious homework. You can always venture away from the headliner areas to smaller, less crowded local ski hills that want to entice visitors through budget deals, but you may have to sacrifice quality of terrain and convenient lodging. Or you could go early or late season, but that means gambling on snow conditions.

So, what if you want to go big鈥攍ike, say, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in mid-winter鈥攂ut not spend big? It鈥檚 tricky but not impossible. Here鈥檚 how to visit a popular, world-class destination like Jackson Hole on a ski-bum鈥檚 budget. It鈥檚 also a great destination year-round, for hiking, biking, climbing, boating, fly fishing, and camping.

Getting to Jackson Hole, Wyoming

To reach Jackson, Wyoming, located at the base of the Teton Range, you can drive, fly, or take a bus. If you鈥檙e coming by car, it鈥檚 four and a half hours from Salt Lake City, Utah, or eight hours from Denver, pending road and weather conditions. offers bus routes into Jackson from Salt Lake City, Boise, or Las Vegas starting at $75. The Jackson Hole Airport has nonstop direct flights from 12 major U.S. cities, including Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, and Newark, but flights aren鈥檛 exactly cheap. United Airlines does offer an and $400 flight savings if you bundle lodging and airfare (deadline is by November 30, so save the idea for another year).

From the airport, hop a public bus or taxi into town. Don鈥檛 bother renting a car. Parking at the ski resort starts at $18 a day, so your best bet is to take the local ($3) from town or the Village Road Transit Center, and you鈥檒l be dropped at the base of in Teton Village.

Lift-Ticket Deals in Jackson

If you can make it here early season, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has a weekend听from December 6-8: show up wearing denim, and you can ski Saturday for $25 or get a three-day lift ticket for $199, plus half-priced gear rentals at and . Another great deal is that early or late season (November 29 through December 19 or March 17 through April 13), season passholders from any other ski area in the world can receive a 50-percent-off at Jackson Hole. Have an ? You can come midwinter and have up to seven days with the full Ikon Pass; five days with the Base Pass Plus (which has select blackout dates), . Otherwise your best option is to buy tickets online well in advance for the lowest rate (they start at $218 a day).

The best deal for skiing here isn鈥檛 at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort; it鈥檚 at , the town ski hill, which has big steeps and steep discounts. This is a much smaller ski area鈥�500 acres compared to Jackson鈥檚 2,500 inbounds acres鈥攂ut its convenient location in town and minimal crowds make it a worthy destination, especially on a powder day. Single-day lift tickets start at $95, or with a $30 uphill ticket you can skin up under your own power and ski back down. The other hidden gem? , a 2,602-acre powder mecca just over Teton Pass, 45 miles or about an hour and 10 minutes from Jackson, where you can score a half-day ticket for $132. run from Jackson to Targhee and start at $199, which includes your lift ticket.

Hire a Backcountry Guide or Take a Lesson: Info But Sorry, No Discounts

There鈥檚 no discount way to book a ski lesson or hire a backcountry guide. You鈥檒l pay a premium for these services. At Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, full day for experienced skiers start at around $379 (excluding lift ticket) per person. Resort for those just getting started skiing or wanting to progress to the next level start at $250 a day. If you鈥檇 rather not originate at the ski area, you can hire an AMGA-certified guide from for a tour of the terrain off Teton Pass or in Grand Teton National Park starting at $265 a person.

Find Cheap Lodging in Jackson

If you want to stay at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for the closest access to the lifts, your best budget option is (from $49), located right in Teton Village, which has both shared bunks and private rooms, plus a ski-tuning space, game room, and basic kitchen supplies.

Otherwise, stay in town鈥�12 miles away鈥攁nd you鈥檒l have your choice of a few wallet-friendly accommodations. has newly renovated rooms starting from around $177, and . The (from $55) has pod-style bunks, free coffee, and storage lockers for stashing your gear. And the recently redone (from $160) has hot tubs and firepits, an on-site burger joint, and a walk-through or drive-through liquor store that also sells breakfast burritos in the morning.

Affordable Food and Drink Here

If you鈥檙e on the mountain or staying in Teton Village, prices for food and drink aren鈥檛 cheap, so you鈥檒l want to know where to look, and you can always pack a PBJ in your pocket. Start with a cup of high-quality espresso from the take-out window at , next to the Mango Moose. The , at the gas station across the parking lot from the team in Teton Village, has a food truck out front and grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches and burritos. Mid-day or after skiing, hit up inside the Snake River Lodge for a $9 hot dog or tacos, or the , one of the most classic apr猫s ski bars ever, which has $6 pizza by the slice. For fuel on the mountain, ride the tram to the top of Rendezvous Peak, take in the view of the Tetons from the observation deck, then pop into for an $8.25 house-made waffle with brown-sugar butter or Nutella. (Trust us, it鈥檚 worth every penny.)

In town there are lots of options for dining out, but many of them are pricy. Buying groceries at Albertson鈥檚 will save you. For other options, has tasty burritos from $11 or $6 tacos. Up a flight of stairs from Town Square, you鈥檒l find , which slings thin-crust large pies starting at around $17, or pick up a $5 slice from .

With locations in downtown Jackson and, seven miles away, the town of Wilson, is a locals鈥� favorite for no-fuss coffee and bagel sandwiches (a naked bagel costs $1.50). And the best breakfast burrito in town is served until 2 p.m. out of a take-out window on Glenwood Street called , where for $12 you can get a massive burrito that鈥檒l feed you for two meals.

Other Cool Outdoor 国产吃瓜黑料s Here

It鈥檚 $5 to skate in the or on the (through the famous elk-antler arches) if you have your own skates (or $18, including the entry fee, to rent skates).

You鈥檒l need to cross-country ski, snowmobile, or dog sled to reach , located south of town on Granite Creek Road, which is closed in the winter. It鈥檚 a 19-mile round trip ski to get there, but that鈥檚 the least expensive option ( rents Nordic skis from $40 a day; entry into the hot springs is $12) for this memorable day. Otherwise, you鈥檒l need to throw down for a guided snowmobile trip ( leads them starting at $231) or a dogsled outing ( has full-day trips to the hot springs from $460).

It costs nothing to cross-country ski or fat bike along , a locals鈥� favorite trail that鈥檚 groomed in the winter and is a great biking and hiking trailhead in the summertime.

Another excellent year-round option is the short multi-use in the nearby town of Wilson.

Pro Tip

Here鈥檚 a fun way to be a conscientious visitor to the area, while scoring a discount: Support Jackson Hole鈥檚 community radio station, KHOL 89.1, with a of $60 or more, and you鈥檒l get a member-benefit card for discounts to heaps of local businesses, including $2 off a burrito, 10 percent off Philly cheesesteaks at , 15 percent off at , 10 percent off at classes at , and free cross-country ski rental for two people at (that alone is worth $80).

Megan Michelson is an 国产吃瓜黑料 contributing editor who loves skiing but not how expensive it is. She prefers the strawberry waffle from Corbet鈥檚 Cabin, and her favorite line at Jackson Hole is the very steep and very fun Tower Three Chute off Thunder Chair. Other recent articles by Michelson include 鈥�Why My Family Replaced Thanksgiving with Campsgiving,鈥� about a great decision; a description of a tiny, remote backcountry hut, 鈥�This Is Hands-Down the Coolest Airbnb in Colorado鈥�; and, more help with costs, 鈥�Shred This Colorado Mountain for $11 a Day鈥擯lus Other Incredible Ski-Resort Deals.鈥�

The post How to Visit Jackson Hole on a Budget鈥擪now These Tips appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

When skier Noah Dines answered my phone call in late November, he was skinning up a 400-vertical foot stretch of artificial snow at Waterville Valley Resort in central New Hampshire. Anyone who skis uphill at a resort knows the activity is pretty uninspiring, akin to running on a treadmill, but Dines didn’t care鈥攈e was chasing a record. If you caught up with the 30-year-old athlete at any particular moment during daylight hours in 2024, the odds were pretty good . Setting听a new record for the most human-powered vertical feet of skiing done in a single year, which Dines had achieved with the 3 million vertical feet (and counting) he鈥檚 logged since January 1, takes a lot of time.

The record had actually been Dines鈥� for weeks now鈥攈e surpassed Aaron Rice鈥檚 2016 record of 2.5 million vertical feet late this summer, and hit his own goal of 3 million on October 24, in Farellones, Chile. Every cold, wet lap that November day in New Hampshire was just extra credit.

鈥淚 wanted to see what it feels like to try really hard, to be totally invested in one thing,鈥� said Dines, adding, 鈥淚鈥檒l probably do a little bit more today, and then walk down the mountain. They offered to upload and download me [on the chairlift], but I said no thanks.鈥�

Technically, Dines didn鈥檛 have to hoof it the extra 600 feet from snowline to the resort鈥檚 base鈥攁voiding surface lifts wasn鈥檛 one of the initial self-imposed strictures听for his 2024 ski season goal, but it became a point of pride.

鈥淚 just love skiing,鈥� said Dines. 鈥淭o do this sort of thing you鈥檝e got to love skiing on a day-to-day basis, and on a grand scale. And I love that day in, day out grind. I love it more now than when I started.鈥�

Prior to the season, Dines calculated that he鈥檇 need to ski approximately 9,000 feet per day for 330 days, or around 125,000 feet per month, to hit his goal. He blew past that pace in January, skiing 378,000 feet, and continued to log monster months. He took the year off from working as a tutor in Stowe, Vermont, to ski full-time.

Skiing 3 million vertical feet in one year requires more than free time and an extreme love of the sport. I caught up with Dines to talk about logistics and gear, and to ask about his favorite place to ski.

Location, Location, Location

Dines spent the year globetrotting in search of adequate snow coverage. He skied across the United States, and also in Europe and South America. He started the project at his home mountains in Vermont in January before jetting off to France and Austria in February and March to ski听in the Alps.

鈥淚 liked the ski culture there a lot, but the skiing itself wasn鈥檛 the best,鈥� he said. Dines drank plenty of espressos in mid-mountain chalets while escaping rain and fog.

In May, Dines returned stateside to ski in Colorado and Utah, earning his turns at Winter Park Resort and Alta after they closed for the season. He eked out the last of the spring鈥檚 vert on Mount Hood鈥檚 Palmer Glacier in Oregon, before flying to Santiago, Chile and the southern hemisphere winter.

鈥淚鈥檒l probably drive back to Stowe tonight,鈥� said Dines when we spoke in November. He鈥檒l spend the rest of 2024 where he began it, lapping the New England mountains around his home. 鈥淚t鈥檒l be great to see friends again, but it was so cool getting to go to so many places for the first time this year, too.鈥�

What Kind of Gear Does it Take to Ski 3 Million Vertical Feet?

Skis

Dines drew from a two-ski quiver, with snow conditions dictating which pair he’d use. His lightest option, the 690-gram , are designed for competitive ski mountaineering racing, and feature a narrow shape meant for skiing quickly on firm, groomed snow. When Dines needed more floatation on ungroomed snow, he used the wider听, which tip the scales at 1240 grams. Dines said the two pairs of fairly narrow skis would have been perfect for all the terrain he encountered the entire year, save for a two-week stretch in Chile when he encountered deep powder.

Bindings

, 鈥渨hich I just love,鈥� said Dines. The model is a burly ski mountaineering racing binding that’s frill-free, lightweight, and highly reliable.

Boots

The , a lightweight touring boot, was Dines鈥� footwear of choice. 鈥淚鈥檓 in my third pair of shells this year, which is pretty incredible for the amount of skiing that I do,鈥� he said.

Skins

鈥淚鈥檝e probably worn through around a dozen pairs of skins this year,鈥� said Dines, who just used 鈥渨hatever was on hand鈥� wherever he was traveling. He always brought a spare set in his pack in case his primary pair broke or became too soaked to work effectively.

In the Pack

Preferring to travel light, Dines minimized his time in avalanche terrain, since he usually skied alone. But he still packed a shovel, beacon, and probe when conditions called for it. 鈥淚f I鈥檓 doing laps somewhere in-bounds or not in avy听terrain, I leave my pack at the bottom,鈥� said Dines. 鈥淚鈥檓 not carrying water with me, and only rarely an extra layer. I鈥檒l bring a second pair of skins, and a spare pair of gloves, because wet gloves can be such a day-ruiner. And then you鈥檝e always got to have carbs on hand.鈥�

What About Nutrition?

Dines didn鈥檛 obsess over calorie counting. When I asked him about his daily caloric intake, he said, 鈥淢y watch usually spits out 5,000 to 7,000 so I鈥檇 imagine somewhere in that range.鈥� But he believes his nutritional approach helped him surpass the previous record, held by Aaron Rice, who struggled to recover from each effort as the year wore on.

鈥淲e know a lot more about sports nutrition than we did a few years ago,鈥� said Dines, who looked to professional cyclists鈥� fueling regimens to shape his own carb-heavy diet. 鈥淲hen I鈥檓 on the hill, it鈥檚 just carbs, and afterwards it鈥檚 mostly carbs, too.鈥�

鈥淐arbs, carbs, carbs. So many carbs.鈥� he added. 鈥淭here were times when I didn鈥檛 want to keep eating but knew I needed to eat more鈥擨 would just be so sick of chewing.鈥�

Dines didn鈥檛 have a go-to meal or snack, instead eating the local fare鈥攚hich included lots of bread, butter, and pastries in Europe, meat in Chile, and plenty of candy wherever he went.

How Do You Train for World-Record Fitness?

Preparation

Dines is a lifelong runner and cyclist, and he believes his cross-training helped prepare his body for the massive yearlong effort on skis. 鈥淢y background is as an endurance athlete, so I didn鈥檛 do anything special to prepare physically for this year,鈥� said Dines. He climbed a combined million vertical feet across skiing, cycling, and running in both 2022 and 2023.

Recovery

Dines said his approach to rest is simple鈥攈e gets off his feet. 鈥淚 don’t have any cold baths, no massage gun, nothing crazy. But just plain old resting is really important to me,鈥� said Dines. 鈥淎nd not fake rest, like hanging out with friends and going out to eat. That’s not rest, that’s almost rest. But just sitting with my legs up. Like, I want my watch to think I was asleep鈥攚hen my watch tells me I took a nap even though I didn鈥檛, that鈥檚 high praise.鈥�

How Did Dines Stave Off Boredom During the Challenge?

鈥淚 sort of have a hierarchy,鈥� said Dines when I asked how he occupied himself during the hours on the slope. 鈥淔riend vert is free vert鈥攕kiing听with somebody is best, because then it鈥檚 just hanging out.鈥� By his estimate, friends accompanied him for approximately 5 percent of his skiing this year. 鈥淎fter that, the next best thing is talking on the phone. My grandparents have gotten a lot of Noah time this year, because they鈥檙e pretty available. Friends back home, friends I haven鈥檛 talked to in five years.鈥�

Dines also listened to podcasts and music on shuffle. He dictated text messages and scrolled social media. And oftentimes, Dines simply soaked in the scenery and the sounds of the mountains.

How the Hell Does Anyone Afford to Do this?

Dines covered his expenses for the year with a mix of sponsorships, GoFundMe donations, and personal savings.

Advice for Future Record-Seekers

Anyone wanting to take on the yearlong vert challenge can start by picking up the phone. 鈥淢y main advice to someone trying to break my record is to call me,鈥� said Dines. 鈥淕reg Hill, who skied 2 million feet听in 2010, and Aaron Rice have both offered me so much help and support. I plan to do the same for whoever wants to try next.鈥�

The post What Does It Take to Ski 3 Million Vertical Feet? We Asked Noah Dines. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

I first heard of Ouray鈥檚 legendary Ice Park in 1998, as a student with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), traveling through Wyoming鈥檚 Wind River Mountains.

鈥淭hey make ice routes that are like a hundred feet tall, all winter,鈥� said my companion. 鈥淵ou just bring your gear, walk in, and climb.鈥�

He had to be exaggerating. Giant pipes built with the sole intention of making frozen waterfalls? It sounded awesome but far-fetched. Maybe some leaky pipes making a few lumpy piles of ice. A hundred feet? Impossible!

A year later, when I moved to Colorado, Ouray was one of the first places I had to see. I found the town surrounded on three sides by steep mountain walls, an oasis of flat ground in a broad canyon of cliffs and crags. The streets are arranged in a neat, compact grid similar to that in many of Colorado鈥檚 late 19th-century boomtowns.

Buildings reflect the practical architecture of mining-town designs. Restaurants and lodges are often narrow, woody, weathered places that retain their utilitarian DNA. Local traffic is dominated by battle-scarred pickup trucks and scrappy second-hand sedans, with the occasional jacked-up Jeep in the mix. The contrast between stunning natural beauty and gritty development gives balance to the place, a kind of alpine Yin-Yang.

I arrived in December 1999, driving my 1980 Toyota Celica, a bald-tired, rear-wheel-drive tank of a car. My clunker didn鈥檛 seem out of place in Ouray, which was a sign I just might like the place.

I recall noticing the moody afternoon sunlight, alpenglow diluted by shadows, diffusing mountainous greens and gold into subtle pinks, yellows, and baby blues. Ouray is a small place (population 898 as of the 2020 Census), lacking the daredevil architecture of hyper-modern homes moored on rocky cliffs that is a hallmark of other haughtier mountain towns. The entire place was a five-minute drive-through. On the far south end was the mythical .

That first day, I got a sneak peek into the frozen canyon and my first look at the operation. And it was glorious, surpassing the vision I had conjured up. The ice walls really were 100 feet tall. The following day was my first time climbing in the park.

Belayers protect their climbing partners while standing on the floor of Box Ca帽on, where a defiant creek occasionally cracks through the frozen ground underfoot. Here was a place of translucent blue ice, shimmering silver snow, and deep winter shadows, all created by adventurous people for adventurous people. I was hooked for life.

Dozens of visits later, I still look forward to my annual January migration to kick my crampons in at the ice park. But it wasn鈥檛 just the access to ice that won me over.

Ouray has a charm that is different than other Colorado mountain towns. It鈥檚 a place that knows its audience, from offroaders to freedom-of-the-hills mountaineers. Locals are friendly but not cloyingly so. The town attracts an adventurous set of visitors鈥攁nd many world-class athletes鈥攂ut doesn鈥檛 brim with bravado. Jeepers, backcountry skiers, hikers, and climbers all claim Ouray as a special place for their respective passions, and they are all correct. Ouray welcomes 鈥檈m all.

Ouray, Spectacular in Any Season

How can you not love a town with a massive hot spring anchored smack dab in the middle?

Unlike many other mountain towns that thrive on tourism, Ouray hasn鈥檛 handed the reins to luxury developers. The town鈥檚 scrappy mining roots remain evident and authentic. Many of the homes and businesses in Ouray are well over a hundred years old. Most are modernized within reason, though still sporting old-growth wooden walls and early 19th-century flourishes along rooflines. The narrow layout of the roads hints at horses and wagons rather than SUV use.

Ouray is 7,800 feet above sea level at the base of the San Juan Mountains in south-central Colorado. Gold and silver mining put the place on the map in 1876. A railroad kept the pulse of Ouray beating into the 1930s. The town has evolved since then into one of the best basecamps for outdoor adventure in the Rocky Mountains.

Ouray was my base of operations for southwest Colorado in the summer of 2005 when I was writing my first mountain-hiking guidebook. I would scramble up many of the neighboring San Juan peaks, then return to campgrounds in the area. Mount Sneffels, a 14,154-foot summit in the wildflower-rich Yankee Boy Basin, was among the peaks I hiked鈥攁nd it remains one of my ten favorite mountain hikes in Colorado.

The San Juan Mountains are greener than many of Colorado鈥檚 other ranges. Wildflowers creep higher above treeline, grass decorates areas that would otherwise be rocky and barren, and creeks aplenty flow through it all. Mount Sneffels not only gives an incredible bird鈥檚-eye view of these valleys, but it鈥檚 a super fun scramble.

I鈥檝e since gone on to hike more difficult summits in the area, including Potosi Peak (13,792 feet) and Teakettle Mountain (13,797 feet). The roads into Yankee Boy Basin (County Road 361 splitting to County Road 26, then Yankee Boy Basin Road) were massively improved in 2019 from dicey 4×4 trails to normal-clearance dirt roads to the lower Mount Sneffels Trailhead. This change means you can enter the lower basin with a normal passenger vehicle. Four-wheel drive vehicles with good clearance can climb a little higher into the basin. The higher you get, the more backcountry camping you find.

In the valley, is absolute bliss on sore post-hike muscles, worth the 30-minute drive down from camp. It鈥檚 open year-round and has five different pools, including a lap pool, with temperatures ranging from 80 to 106 degrees. And it doesn鈥檛 reek of sulfur, so you won鈥檛 come out smelling like rotten eggs.

I like to camp in the backcountry in the autumn but have a soft spot for the affordable, pet-friendly cabins at the on the north side of town. These cabins are also perfect for quaint winter lodging when visiting the ice park. The is another favorite; it is more centrally located and also pet-friendly and within walking distance of the ice park.

I have many fond memories of having my dogs鈥攑ast and present鈥攊n Ouray. Fellin Park is a nice, open plot for pups and conveniently located right next to Ouray Hot Springs Pool. You can get in a good local walk on the Perimeter Trail, a well-maintained hiking loop that circles 5.4 miles around Ouray. The trail has a few steep climbs and rolls through forests with excellent town views. I鈥檝e had many a good snowshoe in the winter with my dogs in the Amphitheater Campground area, mainly on the closed access roads.

is one of the coolest outdoor shops in Colorado. They have local expertise in hiking, climbing, skiing, the , and rental equipment for the ice park. And if you鈥檙e up for going big in the mountains with a guide鈥攐r just want an expert to show you the ropes for ice climbing鈥� are excellent. offers a different kind of outing with their offroading vehicles, from Jeeps to e-bikes. The old mining roads make excellent 4×4 tours, from Imogene Pass to the notorious .

Back to the Ouray Ice Park

I鈥檝e spent many fine days with friends in the ice park, including during the , usually held in mid-January. The ice park opened in 1994. The legendary alpinist Jeff Lowe ran the first Ice Fest here in 1996, drawing a modest crowd of a few hundred people. Nearly 30 years later, the festival brings in thousands each year, and the park is still free and open from mid-December until the end of March, give or take a week, thanks to Mother Nature鈥檚 whims.

Even if you鈥檙e going for a one-time visit, it鈥檚 worth chipping in and becoming an for the season (costs start at $75). Membership gets you early access to the park and helps fund the volunteer-driven costs of maintaining the place.

There may be no finer winter itinerary than spending a long weekend (or better yet, some mid-week days) with friends and dogs in Ouray. Wake up, walk the pups, then get in a few hours at the ice park. Sneak out for lunch, then grab a second climbing session or a snowshoe until the early winter sunset. Grab a bite at one of the local restaurants, then go for a deep soak in the hot springs. Repeat for a few days, then head home.

While you鈥檙e around, it鈥檚 worth a quick detour to , a waterfall tucked into a tight, narrow gorge that is worth the modest $7 ($5 for kids) per person entry fee to check out. It鈥檚 open year-round and is especially scenic on a cold winter day. Use great caution on the icy 500-foot walkway to get there.

国产吃瓜黑料s In and Beyond Ouray

If you like mining history, the region is littered with it. The are worth a visit to learn more about the mining roots and general history of the area.

Rolling south out of Ouray on Highway 550 is an adventure in itself. The Million Dollar Highway is a paved stretch of road with some gutsy exposure high above the valley, though don鈥檛 let modified fish-eye lens pictures intimidate you. You will absolutely want snow tires and AWD/4WD in the winter on this road. It eventually connects to another, even more remote Colorado mountain town, Silverton.

About 35 minutes out of Ouray, the roadway accesses South Mineral Campground and one of Colorado鈥檚 most famous alpine lakes, the fluorescent-blue Ice Lake. Ice Lake Basin is the gateway to two of my favorite mountain scrambles, the 13,786-foot Golden Horn and 13,907-foot Vermillion Peak.

Farther up 550 is Engineer Pass, with the two Engineer Mountains, Engineer Mountain A (13,225 feet) and Engineer Mountain B (12,980 feet). Despite the taller elevation, Engineer Mountain A is the easier hike, with a moderate trail and Class 1 to 2 scrambles to the summit. The smaller Engineer Mountain B has burly Class 4 climbing and cuts a much more impressive profile from Highway 550.

With all the mountain goodness, it鈥檚 easy to forget that听Ridgway Reservoir is only about 20 minutes north of Ouray. It鈥檚 a great summer destination for boaters, paddleboarders, and mountain folk starved for a recreational lake.

The Switzerland of America

Ouray has been nicknamed听 鈥渢he Switzerland of America,鈥� though I鈥檝e never actually been to Switzerland to verify that claim. I imagine Switzerland has far fewer jacked-up Jeeps and dudes playing banjos near the public bathrooms, but feel free to prove me wrong.

What Ouray does have is gorgeous mountain scenery, an abundance of backcountry adventure, and at least a few St. Bernard dogs. I鈥檒l always find my way back there.

About James Dziezynski

James Dziezynski is the SEO director at 国产吃瓜黑料 and the author of six Colorado mountain-hiking guidebooks, including 2023鈥檚 . A resident of Boulder, he has been visiting Ouray since the 1990s. He has a PR of 3 minutes and 18 seconds in the 106-degree Overlook pool at the Ouray Hot Springs.

The post This Colorado Town Is Off the Beaten Path and Full of 国产吃瓜黑料 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Tuckerman Ravine on the southeastern flank of Mount Washington holds an almost mythic reputation among expert backcountry skiers and snowboarders in New England. The glacial cirque sits mostly above timberline on the 6,288-foot peak, and the wide bowl boasts chutes and steep snowfields鈥攅xtreme skiing terrain that is tough to find in the Northeast.

But Tuckerman is also dangerous, and reaching the summit requires a treacherous bootpack over ice or hardpack. A ring of boulders sits below the drop-in point, and the bowl is prone to avalanches, rockfall, and extreme weather that can alter snow conditions in a few hours. And this past weekend, the bowl was the site of a tragedy.

On Saturday, March 9, a 20-year-old backcountry skier named Madison Saltsburg fell 600 feet down Tuckerman Ravine and died of traumatic injuries, from the U.S. Forest Service. The fatal fall came on a day when two other skiers sustained serious injuries after falling in the same area. Those two skiers were saved by rescuers from the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, and the mission to save them stretched into Sunday morning.

The Forest Service statement reminded skiers to bring mountaineering tools like crampons and ice axes with them when recreating in Tuckerman Ravine. Officials attributed the falls to firm conditions in the bowl caused by a lack of recent snow and plummeting temperatures. “On March 9th, Saltsburg and her skiing companies were faced with hard, icy snow surfaces, open crevasse holes, and unforgiving conditions for a slip and fall,” the release said.

Broadcast outlet NBC10 Boston that Saltsburg was in her junior year at the University of Vermont at the time of her death.

It’s been a challenging winter for rescuers on Mount Washington. In December 听of a skier triggering an avalanche in steep couloir called Airplane Gully鈥攖he skier sustained a broken leg in the fall and required a rescue via helicopter. In February, search and rescue personnel spent 11 hours saving 22-year-old Cole Matthew from the peak. Matthes had been attempting to reach the summit on a day when winds neared 100 miles per hour; he later fell into a ravine and began suffering from hypothermia. On March 4, of a snowboarder tomahawking down Tuckerman Ravine. The man who shot the video, Evan Schwieger, wrote on the post that the snowboarder endured the dramatic fall without suffering major injuries. “I hope watching this video reminds people just how scary the bowl can be after one simple slip up,” Schwieger wrote.

Then, on March 7 a Kentucky man after he fell while descending a nearby wash called Ammonusuc Ravine. The man, 23-year-old Joabe Barbosa, suffered injuries to his head and face and also lost his shoe in the fall. He was suffering from hypothermia when rescuers reached him at 10:30 P.M. They gave him a headlamp, winter gear, and a warm drink before escorting him to safety.

In February,听国产吃瓜黑料 spoke to Lieutenant James Kneeland of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, which oversees the state’s search and rescue operations, about the danger posed by Mount Washington in the winter. Kneeland mentioned the foul weather, gusting winds, and unpredictable snow conditions on the mountain. The most peak’s most deadly element, he said, is its close proximity to Boston and New York City. “Millions of people live within a short drive,” he said. “People want to test their ability and see what they’re made of, and it’s just right here.”

The post A 20-Year-Old Backcountry Skier Died After Falling Down Tuckerman Ravine appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Perhaps you saw headlines about a major backcountry rescue that occurred near Vermont’s Killington ski resort this past Saturday, January 20. from Vermont backcountry in freezing temperatures. saves 23 skiers and snowboarders lost in frigid Vermont backcountry.听

Perhaps you wondered, like I did, how nearly two-dozen skiers and snowboarders somehow got trapped and needed to be extracted amid bone-chilling conditions. Was this a birthday party gone wrong? Did the local ski club throw its annual kegger a little too deep in the woods? What the hell happened?

I phoned up Drew Clymer, the SAR coordinator for the Vermont State Police, who helped organize the operation, to try and understand how so many people got lost at the same time. Apparently, four different groups of skiers and boarders who were enjoying a day of skiing and riding at Killington Resort made the unfortunate decision to duck the ropes atop the Snowdon Six Express lift and head into the backcountry.

“These were all front-side resort skiers,” Clymer said. “We were rescuing skiers in the backcountry, but that doesn’t mean they were backcountry skiers.”

They descended into a steep gully called Brewers Brook that is known to accumulate powder. But when the skiers and boarders reached the bottom, they realized what lay ahead: a 2.5-mile boot-pack out over steep and icy terrain. They were cold and tired and lost. According to Clymer, nobody had touring equipment like climbing skins or splitboards. In total, 21 skiers and snowboarders were down there together鈥攕ix were children. Multiple people in the party eventually called 911.

Rutland Herald,听one skier in the group was even a Killington Resort employee. A resort spokesperson told the paper that the employee was fired after the incident.

The sheer size of the group鈥攊t swelled to 23 after two more skiers descended into Brewers Brook鈥攎eant that local cops couldn鈥檛 handle the group alone. Local dispatchers phoned state agencies, and eventually the local Killington Search and Rescue team, which sent 12 rescuers on skis and snowshoes into the backcountry. They led the group to safety. The entire operation took about six hours to complete. And afterward, SAR teams were left to contemplate why so many people made the same bad decision at the same time.

“This isn’t a scenario where people drifted off the side of the trails,” Clymer said. “These skiers make an intentional decision to duck the ropes and ignore the signs and put themselves in danger.”

Apparently, this scenario is not new. Clymer said the local SAR team had to rescue five from the ravine this past Thursday, and a whopping 15 on Friday. The reason for so many rescues, Clymer said, is the enticing powder that currently sits just beyond the resort boundary. After a crummy early season, Northeast resorts finally got fresh snowfall this past week. Killington received 15 inches of snowfall on Wednesday, January 17.

“It’s powder fever,” Clymer said.

It’s the latest story in the long history of people getting into danger while skiing just outside a resort鈥攖errain often referred to as “sidecountry.” In 2022, a Colorado skier named Nick Feinstein while skiing just outside the boundary of Breckenridge Resort. In 2021, an avalanche swept down an out-of-bounds slope , Washington鈥攖he slide buried six skiers, killing one. Park City, Utah to an out-of-bounds area called 9990 in 2021 following several fatalities. In 2011 a who had exited Snowmass Resort in Colorado. One of the party members did not survive.

Some resorts erect gates or ski area boundaries allowing access to popular backcountry areas while warning skiers and riders they are leaving controlled terrain. That鈥檚 not the case at Killington, Clymer said, where the resort boundary is clearly marked with ropes and warning signs. Like that of other resorts, Killing鈥檚 rules require visitors to stay off closed trails and out of closed areas. Placards atop Snowdon Mountain explicitly state that danger awaits skiers who head into Brewers Brook, he said.

But the ropes do little if nobody respects them.

“You look over the ropes and see waist-deep powder, and there are ski tracks everywhere,” Clymer said. “Sometimes it’s just too hard to say no.”

The post Why the Hell Did 23 Skiers Require Rescue near Killington Resort? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.