LOCALadk Magazine

34 Winter 2020 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk through a tree-lined gully demands split-second decisions— and trust in the fancy wooden planks strapped to your boots to keep you on your feet. With each turn, the snow makes a whoosh underneath your skis and powder flies into your face. Your smile is so wide you can't help but swallow some snow. As you get to the bottom, a cheer from your partners above carries through the valley and you burst with excite- ment. One by one, each person descends, hooting and holler- ing the whole way down, leaving a plume of powder in their path. You've safely made it to the bottom and take a vote whether you want to climb back up for round two. The vote is unanimous. Ever yone is itching for another run before mak- ing the long trek back to the trailhead. I can't write this article without making a disclaimer: The backcountry is inherently dangerous. Between the end of the last ski season and now, ski shops have been strug- gling to keep up with the demand for touring equipment as reser vations about resort riding this year grows. There is plenty of powder out there for ever yone, but be sure that you have the essential gear, knowledge, and experi- ence before venturing into avalanche terrain. Minimally you will need an avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe, and more importantly, you must know how to use them. In the event of an avalanche, traumatic injuries are likely, so if you are to find your buried partner, chances are they may be badly hurt. Both an avalanche and wilderness first aid class will provide you with the knowledge and experience you'll need to confi- dently handle situations like these. Help can be hours out, so it's up to you and your party to make wise choices out there. For a long time, snowboarders who were also seeking some backcountr y turns had to snowshoe to their destina- tion. These days, splitboards allow riders to separate their board into a pair of touring skis, which allows them to tour in to their desired zones, then merge the skis back together into a snowboard when they begin their descent. It sounds complicated but is easy to get the hang of and not too differ- ent from most ski touring setups. This evens the playing field and gets more people out into the backcountr y who other- wise might not be interested. Unfortunately, the cost of a touring setup and associated safety equipment is a huge barrier of entr y to the sport. Be- fore you go all out on purchasing a new touring setup, you can start by renting equipment from your local ski shop and hire a guide to show you the ropes. If you're looking to get in- volved and see what it's all about, keep an eye out for the Ad- irondack Backcountr y Ski Festival. This annual event, hosted by The Mountaineer, features a series of clinics for various abilities where you can learn from certified guides, demo some gear, or even head out on a women's exclusive tour. The conditions aren't always the best, and sometimes you have to turn around, but that's what keeps these skiers look- ing for ward to their next mission. At the end of the day it's all about getting out in the mountains and earning your turns while having a great time with good company. Matt Adams rips a turn below a small cliff Pat Bly

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