Backcountry

Backcountry Conditions Report:
We want to hear from you!! Do you have something to add or would you like to write a backcountry report? Please send an email to the Nordic Center. Tell us about your day on the trails– please include your Name and the Date.

By Philip Pezeshki, Burlington | Saturday December 20

“Powder, powder everywhere, but not too much to sink!”

Where was everyone today? My wife and I got first tracks at 11:00am! Despite the crisp temps, the brilliant sunshine had us peeling layers on the long climb up the Catamount and Beaver Pond trails. There were several inches of fluffy and sparkling powder everywhere on top of what felt like a thin, but secure base. After meandering around “on” Moose-ski, we reconnected with Beaver Pond and then grunted our way up to the Buchanan Trail shelter. (Actually, I put on my skins and heel-lifts fairly early on, but my wife was a trooper, herringboning and side-stepping the whole time!) Most of the streams were mostly covered with snow, but the water was still flowing so our heel and pole tips did ice up. With randonnee gear and unreliable turns, we took the shallower North Ridge Trail back down…the powder was heavenly and the streams less frequent/more deeply covered. Some clouds had moved in, but the very air was sparkling in the muted, mid-afternoon Solstice sunshine. Zooming down the Beaver Pond and Grandview trails, I hit a little bump and went for a soft tumble and roll just before reaching the parking lot. A fun ending to a beautiful day with near-perfect conditions…if only there’d been other skiiers to share it with!

By Liz, March 23 In the backcountry there is a lot of snow! Some trails are windblown and a slaby in places, so be aware of mixed snow conditions. South facing slopes have glazed a bit in the sun the past two days . . . so look for pockets of powder on north facing slopes. You will be rewarded with some great powder turns. All in all good skiing. There are also lots of low branches- b/c of a deep snow pack and some lingering ice from the past couple weeks. One skier reported yesterday that you “just have to ski like a ninja”– using your hands and arms to block branches from your face.

By Liz, March 21 18″ of powder in the last 36 hours…. enough said. It’s a powder weekend and the forecast is for sun. Also Bryant was tracked today– so there is a nice skied in track into the backcountry. But there is still lots of ice on the trees at the higher elevations.

By Art, March 14 There is 3-4″ on top of a crust, below the bryant cabin the crust is unbreakable, above that point it is hard to describe. Still 4″ on top of breakable dense sleet layer. So the skiing can be tricky lower down, but as is often the case higher up its closer to heavenly. All said that the half inch of ice on the trees was quite beautiful. Not for lack of snow, but he area will close April 6. Go ski, it’s still 4-5 feet deep up there!

By Liz, February 20 With the rain event on Sunday night and into Monday early morning and the warm temps Monday– the trails lost a lot of snow. Conditions are very crusty– it’s probably only good for snowshoeing. The temps are more seasonable now and predicted to remain between 10/20 through the weekend. With more snow bc should be back in action.

By Liz, February 15 Backcountry reports from Thursday are good. Most of the up trails have been tracked, so getting into the higher trails is easier. We have heard from some skiers that there is a crust layer in some places. But don’t be deterred by this — the skiing is AMAZING. We have had 12-18″ of new snow this week!!

By Liz, February 11 It’s cold today, but the sun is out and there is a ton of fresh powder from last week. We have had 33″ in the last 7 days!!! It’s great February skiing out there- take a snow day.

By Liz, February 7 What a different a couple of days make. We went from Rain on Tuesday to lots of new snow by Thursday!! We received about 18″ of new snow Wed/Thurs this week and it’s brought winter back. Backcountry skier reports from today were good. Although the new snow has made things slow out there. But the glades and other steep runs are back in action with lots of powder. I think that there is probably over 2′ of new snow on the higher terrain — Up Heavenly Highway way.

And things look good for another 2″-6″ of snow over the weekend.

By Jack and Jill And Art, February 2 With the wind and new snow yesterday we were hopeful that backcountry conditions would improve. But today it’s a breakable crust. Once you start turning your ski breaks through. This makes for very tricky skiing and very challenging turning.

The Bryant Trail to Bryant Cabin is nice because it was groomed last week and now there is a nice layer of powder on top. But skiing up higher from Bryant Cabin is the challenge.

By Liz, January 14 There is still snow in the backcountry! But with lots of warm day last week the Backcountry definitely lost lots of snow. And over the weekend we had more seasonable temperatures, so things are pretty crusty. The snow in the forecast should make for some great skiing this weekend.

By Traven, BV Ski Patrol, December 30 The goods are up high. Don’t be discouraged by the hardpack and crust in the lower trails. Go High! Above Bryant Cabin you’re skiing powder. Birch Loop is Great. The Glades excelent, but largely unskied.

Maybe 5 inches of powder on a firm base. So skin up to the glades or take Lift #1 and cruise down onto Heavenly Highway for a surprise powder day.

December 31 Update- Now there is another 2-5 inches of power on top of the hardpack and upper powder.

Backcountry Trail Information – Our backcountry ski trails are the gateway to some of the best backcountry skiing in the east. Our high elevation backcountry trails tucked in the Green Mountains overlooking the Champlain Valley receive epic snow each winter . Find your line and enjoy.

Cabin Rentals – We are now accepting reservations for our rustic backcountry cabins — Bryant Cabin and Bolton Lodge. The cabins are quite rustic, but with some good friends and a warm stove they provide a great place to escape and spend the night in the wilderness. Call for more information and reservations.

Photos of Bryant Cabin

Backcountry Tour Information- The Catamount Trail Organization is leading tours this winter.

For more information check out the CTA Website Events Page.