Snowboarding

More People Heading to the (Potentially Dangerous) Backcountry

I admit it: despite having a blog dedicated to snowboarding, there are two things seriously lacking my riding repertoire. The first is terrain park abilities; I’m pretty damn good at freeriding, but I suck on boxes and rails. The second is backcountry experience. I hiked Whistler’s Flute Bowl once, but even that is totally inbounds. I’ve never been backcountry riding, and I think even if I was to do it, I’d have to try it with some organized group; I’m a little leery of heading to the backcountry due to my lack of experience out there.

Based on the number of avalanche fatalities this ski season, though, people in general are becoming less afraid of the backcountry. The number of people heading to the backcountry on their own (or in small groups) is up. Why? The availability of information and equipment is giving folks more confidence to give it a shot. As a result, more people are joining the ‘quest for perfect powder’, as the above-referenced article puts it.

I’m not sure what I’m getting at with all of this; I suppose I’m just alarmed that every other article I read this year on the subject of skiing or snowboarding is about another avalanche fatality. If you are heading to the backcountry, take a course, get the equipment, go with friends and be careful.

Informative link: National Snow and Ice Data Center avalanche awareness information.

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