backcountry skiing
backcountry skiing
Avalanche danger remains high in the West, 32 deaths confirmed this season
The accidents have involved different recreational activities — snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiling, hiking. And experts warn backcountry conditions are not improving.
Northern Colorado has its own backcountry ski patrollers. And they’re busier than ever.
Diamond Peaks Ski Patrol celebrates 30 years negotiating complicated terrain, boundaries and avalanche risk near Cameron Pass
Snowboarder, snowmobiler killed in two separate Colorado avalanches on Sunday
Ten backcountry travelers have died in avalanches in Colorado this season, making this winter the deadliest since 2012-13. The hazard continues to climb as new snow and high winds stress a weak snowpack.
MAP: Colorado avalanches have killed at least 11 people during the 2020-21 winter season
Avalanche forecasters and search and rescue crews were worried that this year would be especially deadly because of the coronavirus pandemic and a weak snowpack
Man killed in East Vail avalanche was standing in a spot “he felt safe” when he was buried, report says
Johnny Kuo died during a dangerous avalanche cycle that continues with new snow coming over President's Day weekend
Communication challenges in “terrain trap” contributed to deaths of three skiers in Colorado avalanche, report says
A final Colorado Avalanche Information Center report on the slide released Sunday provides details on the deadliest Colorado avalanche since 2013 capping a week where 15 backcountry travelers have died in slides across the U.S.
Skier killed in East Vail avalanche identified as longtime local John Kuo
John Kuo, known as "Johnny Tsunami," regularly skied the easy-to-access East Vail zone beyond the boundary of the Vail ski area.
Three Eagle County men feared dead in massive avalanche near Silverton
The beloved community members buried on southern Colorado’s South Lookout Peak could push the grim 2020-21 season’s avalanche fatality count to seven.
Missing Carbondale man found dead in backcountry near Snowmass
David Cross, 32, died in “very hazardous terrain” in the West Willow area
As Colorado backcountry use soars, Vail Pass’ fee model could be a way to manage the crush
Dangerous avalanche conditions, combined with high backcountry use, create a busy season for managers of public lands.
Berthoud Pass backcountry skier becomes Colorado’s fourth avalanche death this season
Grand County Search and Rescue said the man’s body was discovered after he was reported overdue by family members
Colorado plans to ramp up messaging after avalanches kill three experienced skiers in two days
How to reach experienced backcountry travelers is an age-old debate. Veterans can grow complacent, especially in areas where they ski often.
Skier dies in backcountry avalanche near Crested Butte
Officials are worried about a surge in backcountry skiers this year because of the coronavirus crisis
Backcountry gear is scarce in Colorado as skiers hedge against another disrupted downhill season
Record-level purchases of alpine touring skis, splitboards and avalanche safety equipment leave gear makers wondering why they slashed their budgets last spring when the pandemic shutdown happened.
Colorado’s winter tourism ad dollars will serve a new purpose this year: backcountry avalanche education
As a busy backcountry season looms, a first-of-its-kind collaboration corrals tourism marketing, avalanche education, land managers and outdoor recreation businesses to push responsible recreation this winter
Peace in powder as snowcat operator drops lawsuit targeting former guide’s book about Buffalo Pass
Beacon Guidebooks’ upcoming guide to Buffalo Pass will not include names of runs and locations created by Steamboat Powdercats, which argued the titles were “trade secrets.”
Coronavirus-wary Colorado skiers are willing to sit out this season, poll shows
A Magellan Strategies survey of Colorado skiers reveals apprehension over pandemic protocols, reservations and visitors. “I can go a year without skiing downhill,” one woman said.
New Colorado avalanche study reveals troubling trend heading into busy backcountry season
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center found an increase in accidents involving experienced skiers during periods of elevated danger after the pandemic shutdown in March
Cimarron Mountain Club, a private ski area near Montrose, sells its seven final memberships
The 2,000-acre ski area near Montrose has seen demand spike during the pandemic. The one-of-a-kind resort model offers snowcat-accessed skiing to only 13 members who pay $3 million to join.
Are Colorado’s backcountry skiing stashes “trade secrets”? A snowcat outfitter suing a former guide claims they are.
Steamboat Powdercats has sued a former employee, Stephen Bass, to stop his book from hitting shelves. They say it has to do with safety. The publisher says it has to do with access to “fresh pow.”