Beginner Tours for Light Gear

I moved to Seattle from the midwest and had a cross country ski background. I wanted to keep doing that on the forest roads, but the idea of tele sounded like fun too. I ended up getting a set of Madshus Epoch skis (68mm underfoot), Scarpa T4 2 buckle boots, and Voile 3 pin/hardwire with release (I was afraid of destroying my knees while I was figuring out how to downhill ski). So I've basically got a heavy cross country/light tele rig. I've had some fun trips like Amabilis Mountain around Snoqualmie pass, but I'm interested in branching out from forest roads into some mellow backcountry touring. I know a lot of you folks are into getting way more rad than that, but I'd like to find a few low angle, low risk slopes to practice on, without coughing up $80 to go to a resort.

I'm also wondering if I should think about getting fatter skis, or just harden up and learn how to tele on what I have.

Lastly, anyone in a similar situation please hit me up!

Cheers!

You've probably heard this before, but Hyak (Summit West) at Snoqualmie is a good place to practice when the resort is not open, which is generally Mon-Thur. You can tromp up the hill and down the back side, staying on the groomed or venturing off to the side for some off-piste.

Keep you eye on the yardsale page on this site as there are some really decent deals on used equipment.

Ollalie Meadows, above and between the Snoqualmie trail system. It is nowhere very steep or exciting but it is large. Continuing from there, going west "around the corner" to Silver Peak basin has some great low angle glades for the first km or so and then steepens. There is usually a set of tracks. I have been up there on true skinny skis for entertainment.

Hex Mountain could be good:  I-90 east to exit 80 through Roslyn toward Salmon La Sac:
www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...ex.php?topic=12815.0
Kendall Peak Lakes Snoq Pass Exit 51, Forest Service Visitor Center/Summit West Parking Lot
www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...ex.php?topic=23310.0
Like dkoelle said:
Silver
www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...ex.php?topic=27425.0

Stevens Hwy:
Smithbrook Road Lichtenvasser Lake/Lichtenberg and McCausland mtn
www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...ex.php?topic=28053.0
www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8019390

Blewett Pass Hwy 97 has a nice snowmobile free system of marked routes and trails:
ellensburgskiclub.yolasite.com/tronsen-meadows.php
parks.state.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/78

If you decide you want to climb up to make turns down, that gear will hinder you in the end.  Depends on what you really want to do in the winter wilds.  Many of us have been in your shoes deciding what gear suits us best for what we want to do.

All that has been mentioned is good. Then there is the MT Tahoma trail system in Ashford and mellow tours at MT rainier.
Its a good thing to have partners as well. And a must is a Avalanche awareness course. A lot of us have found ski partners in classes.
Finally some us not only started on the gear you mention, moved on to heavier gear but kept that lighter gear and use it as well.

Great, thanks so much for the ideas!