With snow beginning to fall, stoke is in the air and the skis are getting dusted off. While a few hardcore skiers will put their dedication (and ski bases) to the test, most of us are waiting for a little more snow to make it worth it. If you’re a freshman at MSU, like I once was, or just new to the area, you might be considering trying out ski touring before the lifts at Bridger Bowl start spinning.
You’ll find the best early-season powder turns on a nice, wide open grassy run like this.
If you’re not skiing within the boundaries of an operating resort, you’re by definition backcountry skiing. It’s daunting to break into this magical world, but once you do, there are boundless possibilities and endless terrain. However, with great powder comes great responsibility.
Here are a few things that I’ve learned or observed through early-season ski touring over the last few years that I wish I would have known sooner:
Choosing the Perfect Slopes
Knowing the ground surface below a shallow snowpack is probably the single most important piece of information you can have in the early season. Not only for safety, but for the quality of skiing. Grassy, planar slopes are awesome for early in the season; think Bear Canyon, runs below midway on Bridger chair, Beehive and Middle Basin northeast-facing old-growth tree skiing, or Bitterroot off of Pierre’s Knob. Areas with little-to-no vegetation and rocks will make your skis and knees happy.
Hunting for early-season powder near West Yellowstone.
Early-Season Ski Mindset
Think about the consequences of a fall, and ski accordingly. It’s always good to dial it back until we have a fatter snowpack. I’ve had friends break bones at Bridger Bowl mid-October because they wanted to start hucking cliffs as soon as there was a skiff of snow on the ground—don’t be that person. The last thing you want to do is jeopardize the rest of your ski season just because you decided to go big on your first day back on skis.
Avalanche Safety
It’s a common misconception that early-season avalanches aren’t as dangerous, because there’s less snow. It’s actually quite the opposite. The consequences of an early season avalanche can be severe, with terrain traps and rocks galore. The easiest way to be safe from avalanches is to simply stay out of avalanche terrain, which is generally what I’ll do early in the season—it’s just not worth the risk for me. Learning to be patient is one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned when it comes to navigating avalanche terrain early in the season.
Densely-wooded areas like this will need a lot more snow than open meadows to become skiable.
Ski Technique
Early in the season, when I’m suspicious of what might be under the snow (rocks and stumps), I try to ride a little more backseat than I normally would. There’s no need to charge hard and catch your ski tip under a log, trust me. Early season skiing is all about powder and having fun! The chargey, aggressive skiing can wait for another month.
Moral of the Story
Ultimately, skiing is as fun as you make it—and in the early season, just about any skiing is fun skiing. Patience and good decision-making are key. Be smart, get out there, refresh on your avalanche rescue skills, and most of all: have fun!