Backcountry Skiing
The spring alpine ski touring or A.T. skiing, in the Elk Mountains around Aspen and Marble, Colorado is unsurpassed. The avalanche danger usually stabilizes in mid-April just about the time the lifts close. The freeze / thaw cycle begins and the snowpack in the surrounding mountains are a paradise where almost everything becomes skiable if you are willing to hike for it.
There are 6 fourteeners and countless 12 and 13 thousand foot peaks to skin up and ski down. Classic nearby ski tours include: Mt. Hayden, Mt. Sopris and Castle Peak. Around Memorial Day, Independence Pass opens and the skiing on the top is awesome. Blue Mountain, Mountain Boy and Fourth of July Bowl are incredible shots with short hikes and long decents to lower switchbacks on the road. Also, check out the classic couloir on 13,989’ Grizzly Peak. For me, the spring of 2008 descent list included North Maroon, Mt. Daly, Cathedral Peak, Mt. Hunter, Willow Peak, Mt. Raoul, Mt. Justice and many others.
If you like to skin, come stay with us. Skiing usually last through mid June in the high mountains.
-Pierre Wille
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 J. Wille |
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Group photo in front of North Maroon Peak. J.D.
Skier desends Willow Peak, Snowmass Maroon Bells Wilderness. J.D. |
