ski resort vs backcountry

My backcountry is mostly spring/summer but has been very limited since kids entered the picture 6/7 years ago. Now I will hike a bit beyond the lift served, but except for an ocassional hike to Kendall Pk I usually hang around the ski areas until Chinook Pass opens, then that becomes my playground.

1-4 days a year at the area. One, I can't afford the area and secondly, I hate sitting on the chairs. The best day at the area rarely matches the backcountry. Mostly I head inbounds when it is too dangerous in the backcountry or I am skiing with my kids.<br><br>I have twenty five days in this year starting in November. Baker, Roger's Pass, Diamond Head and Fairy Meadows. Only two days at the area. 95% of the BC days were in untracked powder.<br><br>"Man, I linked six complete turns in powder on that run."<br><br>--Snowboarder exclaiming the run he head off piste at Baker last week.<br><br>Need I say more!

Estimado Gordito,<br>No tengo dinero.<br>Solamente backcountry para kilo.<br>Salud!<br>Cielo

I start off the season at the resorts when BC coverage is light, then starting in Jan, its all BC. There's always safe terrain if you know what the look for and unless there's a crust or its warm the snow is always better. <br>Then again, it all depends on what the wife wants to do.........of course!!

Over the course of the year, it's probably 60/40 bc vs lifts.  At this time of year, particularly with the heavy snows and higher avy hazards, it's more lifts.  Generally I try to access the bc from the lifts when possible, mostly at Crystal and Whistler.  So those days are somewhat a mix of the two.  I also enjoy doing clinics and teaching at the lift areas, so that tends to skew more days toward lift skiing at this time of year.  I find working on the technical skills of skiing enjoyable and that improving those skills is accelerated by lots of vertical in the lift area. I get more of my bc days from hut trips in the winter and from spring/summer skiing beginning in April when the days are longer and road access improves.<br>

It seems as if this year I've been riding the lifts a bunch because of all the snow. After the past two winters its nice to be pampered riding lifts and getting fresh lines. I think I went to baker 5 or 6 times last year and spent a majority of the season in the BC. I feel guilty this year not getting out more by my own means but it hasn't been the safest enviroment lately. If all this keeps up.....this spring/summer should be fun!!