With a brutally lean winter leaving the Colorado snowpack perilously unstable, skiers in search of backcountry powder have few options. With natural and triggered avalanches a constant threat, steep lines and big terrain are out of the question. This year, low-angle, mellow slopes are the destination of choice.
With that in mind, we made the counter-intuitive journey down valley to lower elevaton in hopes of finding snow days after the last remants of the most recent storm had been skied away from the resorts.
The goal was Williams Peak, a 10,000 foot summit in Glenwood Springs, 40 miles southwest of Aspen. The weather pattern has been tracking south of Aspen for much of the winter, leaving lower elevations like Glenwood with more snow than the major resorts further north.
Joining me on the climb and ski were Damien and Christine, as well as the obligatory dogs: Maci and Christine's pup Mika.
Here's Christine, with Mika checking the snow quality.
Maci letting us know that the skiing will, in fact, be quite good.
My favorite pic of the day: Mika checking to make sure her owner is on her way.
At the summit, Maci as enthusiastic as ever for the fun to follow.
Damien enjoying some power turns: an all-too-rare moment during this forgotten winter.
Christine getting her tele on. Can you spot Maci in the background?
Mika getting after it.
Maci seeking some rest in our tracks. As you can see, there was powder to be had.
While getting a face shot is the goal of every backcountry enthusiast, it's a bit easier when you're two feet tall.
Maci checking on Damien.
Christine and Mika finishing the descent.
All in all, a great day in a season without many of them.
