Earn Your Turns

           Growing up in Vermont I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend my weekends on the mountains visiting the ski resorts scattered across the state.  As kids, my brother and I would fly as fast as possible down the mountain and ride the chairlift up, competing against ourselves to fit as many runs in before the sun went down.  The exhilarating speed of skiing being our main draw is an obvious reason why we never had any interest in cross-country skiing as an alternative hobby. 

            As we became older we developed an appreciation for skiing off the beaten path.  Instead of straight lining the groomed trails, we find ourselves hopping off the chairlift at the top of the mountain and hiking to the back bowls for our shot at making some turns in untouched snow.  For me, the act of hiking through deep snow in ski boots is less than desirable but after a short rest on the chair lift and the prospect of good skiing I find it worth the extra work.  

            While I’d rather expend my energy heading down the hill, others appreciate the full experience of skipping the chairlift and hiking to the summit in order to head back down on their skis.  The Adirondacks, with 46 peaks over 4,000 feet located in the wilderness, provide an ample playground for those interested in self service skiing.  Many skiers choose to follow the marked state trails in order to reach their descent.  For the more bold and experienced hiker/ skier a compass and topographic map act as a guidance for them to find the least accessed glades, chutes, and back bowls in the Adirondack park.  The act of hiking provides a more subtle experience that allows one to take in their surroundings on their ascent.  It also allows skiers to challenge themselves by accessing areas with steeper pitch and ungroomed trails.  For some, the idea of “earning your turns” provides satisfaction and leaves skiers with a sense of accomplishment.

            For those interested in earning their turns in the Adirondack Park, the Appalachian Mountain Club’s, Best Backcountry Skiing in The Northeast, provides guidance for 50 trips through New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire.  David Goodman, a freelance writer, earned his dream job when the AMC hired him to write the guidebook for backcountry skiing.  The book includes chapters on Mount Marcy, Avalanche Pass, and the Jackrabbit trail.  In the guide, Goodman praises the quality of skiing New York’s highest peak, “If you are looking for the best trail skiing in North America, look no further than Mount Marcy” (Adirondack Explorer).  The lack of need for ski lifts makes self-service skiing a form of recreation that fits well with the conservation efforts of the Adirondack Park.

           

Cited

http://www.adirondackexplorer.org/book_reviews/best-backcountry-skiing-in-the-northeast