THE TRUMAN SNOW
Discovering ways out of the resort and into the untracked backcountry beyond the pistes is like Truman Burbank finding the exit to Seahaven Island
We were ski touring up in picture-perfect untouched powder, the snow crystals glinting in the morning sun. There was not another soul in sight. But we could hear voices.
Over the ridge in front of us and around 200m down the other side, skiers were on the pistes of Serre Chevalier, unable to reach the untracked snow because they did not have ski touring and safety equipment. However, we could take the lifts and, then with skins and touring bindings, climb up the peak above them and descend in sweeping powder turns back to the piste.
This is slackcountry, as in backcountry accessed by lifts and ski touring equipment.
Next time around we took the drag, climbed up and skied down the other side of the col, way out of sight of the pistes. Fifty or so more powder turns and then skins back on for the ascent up and over the col to the resort.
Discovering ways out of the resort and into the untracked backcountry beyond the pistes is like Truman Burbank finding the exit to Seahaven Island, the gigantic studio where the TV show is set, that he perceived to be the real world. Like Truman, resort skiers and snowboarders zoom around the pistes in the ski area defined by the resort, unaware that there’s a whole beautiful world of snow beyond.
And as, these days, all the off piste stashes accessible from the resort get skied out as fast as you can say ‘fresh pow’, all I can say is, thank the Lord, most resort skiers and snowboarders don’t carry skins – and aren’t prepared to earn some spectacular turns by climbing away from the crowds.
Of course, once you make tracks that are visible from the piste, there are always going to be followers. After our perfectly peaceful climb, the other day, we were on our second ascent when we noticed that we were being followed. Two snowboarders were boot-packing in our tracks. It was hard going for them, but they were young and determined. They, also, were not carrying any safety gear.
The first rule for doing slack or backcountry is to always take safety gear – transceiver, shovel, probes. And, by the way, never to blindingly follow tracks (there’s no guarantee the track-maker knew the terrain).
Between us, we also have a rule to share our slackcountry exits with as few close friends as possible, who have to take the ski tourer’s oath not to disclose routes to others. However, it’s only a matter of time before the ever-increasing number of ski tourers break out of resort and through the secret portals.
But until then I really hope that I don’t see ya. So good afternoon, good evening, and good night,
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