Into the Backwoods

Again, for the second year in a row, we have a dodgy snowpack to deal with here in Colorado. I have not ventured out into the backcountry as much as usual but this past weekend we hit up one of my favorite zones on the west slope. Here, in the backwoods, the snowpack is deeper and perhaps a little less tender than most other areas of the state. Still we kept to north west aspects and lower angled terrain, playing it safe in the trees. The aspens and evergreens were still loaded with snow even though it was four days after the most recent storm. The shaded aspects kept the snow cold and smooth and we reveled in the joy of skiing laps through untracked glades under a brilliant blue sky. Giggles and grins abound.