Snowshoes and Skinning

Great thread. As at least one other poster noted given the easy blue nature of your wife's skiing, you have your work cut out for you bro. Skiing backcountry has nothing at all to do with skiing easy groomed runs, powder is a different beast altogether never mind breakable crust, isothermic, ice, etc, etc. I've taught girlfriends to snowboard for the only reason that it was easier in the backcountry than skiing (thinking learning curve here).

Good point about the powder skill. I'll work with her a bit on her alpine powder skiing. Pick a good day and head up to Stevens where you can go in and out easily. If I approach it slowly I think she'll get into it. She's physically capable just have to work on the mind part.

I end by saying good on you mate.

Where are you from? We lived 7 years in New Zealand and skied Turoa, Whakapapa, Coronet Peak, and Heli'd the Remarkables.

Remarkably from Terrace, BC (1000km N of Vancouver). I just say things like "Top of the morning to you", "G'day Mate", "Prost!", and "How's it going eh?" so people think I'm well traveled. Furthest south I've been was Hawaii (and the skiing sucked)
Yeah you got it right with the strategy, but do push her to get in the pow. It's going to be tough at first and many strong intermediates have the strength and skills to do it but as you know you also need the mind to be there too. There is only one way to get decent in powder. Make sure she's on good fat sticks too, 100mm under foot or close to it. The fitness level is very important, but your right in getting her mind around it too. She doesn't have any snowboarding experience does she? I only say this because I think it's easier and faster getting into the BC on a board, though fat skis are making it easier, hmmmm. You know may be it is just as easy to be a beginner BC skier, as opposed to a boarder..... I think I'll start a thread on that point...
Cheers!