Today marks the official start of spring, but don’t tell Colorado that. A monstrous winter storm parked itself over the Front Range today, just in time for FREESKIER’s 2018 Backcountry Ski Test. Ten to 20 inches plastered the backcountry terrain of Clear Creek County, where we tested the best backcountry planks of 2018-19 along with assistance from the incredible guides of Powder Addiction, based in Empire.
Amidst the storm, our crew of 15 testers toured and shredded deep powder in the trees all day long, reaping the benefits of a classic Colorado spring gale. The fruits of our labor will appear in this year’s Buyer’s Guide—the best backcountry skis of 2018-19—dropping in September 2018. Enjoy photos from the day, below, evidence of the darn near perfect conditions for backcountry testing.
Up, up and away… Photo: Sam Taggart
Tester Madeline Dunn, first run of the day. Photo: Donny O’Neill
Guide Hans, enjoying another day at the office. Photo: Donny O’Neill
Tasty, just ask tester Jacob Dalbey. Photo: Sam Taggart
Big thanks to G3 for providing the new Alpinist+ series of climbing skins. Photo: Donny O’Neill
Tester Bridget McDonald, enjoying her early afternoon. Photo: Donny O’Neill
Michael Sproul, shooting the gap. Photo: Sam Taggart
Madeline Dunn, all smiles. Photo: Donny O’Neill
Tester Phil Krening, blasting through the storm. Photo: Donny O’Neill
