Vail Colorado Backcountry Skiing

Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado are surrounded by some of the most beautiful and pristine mountains in the world. The terrain in the winter offers steeps to deep powder bowls, and everything in between. One can access the backcountry by snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing, but the sport of telemark skiing is the most pure form. Nothing can compare with setting off under your own power from one of the many trailheads toward a snow-covered crag with visions of first tracks. With the proper equipment, a bit of hiking will deliver you to an alpine peak or couloir filled with untouched powder.

However, this is not a decision to take lightly, as the terrain can be dangerous if you are unprepared. Backcountry skiing is no walk in the park. The wilderness areas located around the Vail and Beaver Creek areas are known for snow pack instability. One should always expect the unexpected, from potential avalanche danger to hard elevation gains to suddenly broken trails.

Similar to cross-country skiing, telemark skiing requires more of an alpine ski and boot. This type of skiing offers the gentle gliding over flat terrain of cross-country skiing, as well as the ability to navigate steep snowy hillsides. Telemark skiing originated from Norway, from the Telemark region, where skiing was a natural mode of travel due to the long winters. Sondre Norheim, of Morgedal, Telemark first demonstrated the telemark turn in 1868, later called the Christiana turn.

Telemark skis are shorted, stiffer and a little wider than cross-country skis and offer more control especially when traversing down a steep hill. While ski resorts see lots of telemark skiers intermingle with alpine skiers on the hill, most telemark skiers search out the solitude of the quiet winter backcountry for miles of untracked powder.

The terrain surrounding the Vail and Beaver Creek resorts in Colorado can also be explored with a guide. For first timers and for people not familiar with the Colorado wilderness areas, a guide will offer knowledge on backcountry routes and instruction on backcountry skiing techniques. Snowcat operations and professional guide services also provide great access to Ptarmigan Pass, Resolution Bowl and some of the famous 10th Mountain Division training grounds for skiers and snowboarders.