Do you like skiing? Do you like corn? There’s only one thing better than a fresh powder day in the backcountry--yep--that's a great corn day in the spring with the sun shining and the temperatures well above freezing. Who said the ski season was over? Join this two-day, introductory ski trip in some of the most iconic skiing terrain of the East Coast.

MITOC now has brand new backcountry skis and one splitboard! Come try them out. (Snowboarders, to claim MITOC's one splitboard an email to James Turitto--jturitto@gmail.com--when you sign up for your trip. First come, first serve. Otherwise, snowshoes with the board on your back is a viable option for your first trip to backcountry snowboarding.)

TRIP OBJECTIVES

Our plan is to ski Saturday and Sunday. We will stay at Intervale Saturday night (and Friday night if you choose). Locations will depend on conditions, but our objectives include skiing runs such as Black Mountain, Doublehead, Sherburne, Cog, Gulf of Slides/Tucks halfway routes.

BACKCOUNTRY SKI PARTY SATURDAY NIGHT

In addition to two fun days of skiing, the Granite Backcountry Alliance is hosting a backcountry skiing shindig Saturday night at Cranmore Mountain where they will be announcing their long-awaited plans for the development of glade skiing in the White Mountains. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about backcountry skiing in the Whites and meet some of the people who are leading the movement. They will have a host of guest speakers, gear outfitters, games, and giveaways. More info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1580033055639973/

There is a $10 dollar ($15 at the door) entrance free for the shindig. They are looking for volunteers and provide free entry for people who decide to volunteer during the party. If you are interested in volunteering please let James know by March 29.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Things to know about backcountry skiing:

• You may not get to “warm up on a green” and may have to start off on black-level (steeper) terrain.

• Conditions are unknown and objective hazards (exposed rocks, bushes, etc.) may make runs narrower or more difficult than slope indicates

• You should feel comfortable skiing black diamonds, off-piste, sidecountry, and glades at resorts.

• Skinning up is equal in difficulty to a moderate-strenuous hike (i.e. a continuously steep uphill climb) with the extra weight of skis on your feet, so good fitness is important.