Feature photo by Andre Charland.

With a tinge of fall creeping into the evening air, there’s no shame in dreaming about winter’s first snowfall. And for those tired of groomers and looking to ditch local lift lines (finally), now is the time to start prepping for your first backcountry adventure.

Ask yourself the following questions:

How do I know when I’m ready for backcountry?

Photo by Andre Charland

Maybe you clocked in over 100 days on the hill last year, mastered every double black diamond, cliff band and off-piste snow stash your local mountain has to offer and you’re ready for something new?

It’s safe to say that if you feel comfortable riding all mountain terrain in any type of conditions (moguls, ice, windblown crust, corn) you’re probably ready to explore what the highcountry has to offer.

Even if you’re not an expert level-skier / boarder, however, you can still work your way into the backcountry, starting off by venturing into terrain known as “sidecountry” or “slackcountry,” often the lower-elevation snowfields or approaches to higher peaks.

Normally, slackcountry requires less commitment than a full backcountry trip, and so is a good way to ease into the sport if you’re unsure of your skill and/or fitness level. Either way, you should still consider full backcountry safety training before heading out.

Are there safety courses I should take?

Practical knowledge and training can make the difference between an epic backcountry session and a catastrophic one.

Enroll in an avalanche safety course (most entry level courses only last a few days) and you’ll learn how to safely traverse backountry terrain, evaluate the snow pack, accurately follow weather patterns, select routes, and correctly use an avalanche beacon.

Some courses will also offer basic medical training and simulated emergency avalanche situations.

What to wear?

Photo by Dana Ranill

Comfort is the last thing you want to compromise when preparing for a backcountry trip. Invest in a jacket, pants and baselayers that keep you cool on the hike up, dry on the way down and offer you maximum mobility.

Long johns like Patagonia’s Capilene 3 baselayers do the job by wicking moisture when you start to sweat. Stay away from anything cottton.

A good pair of lightweight Gore-tex pants with leg-zippers for ventilation and a lightweight, waterproof Gore-tex jacket are essential.

Layering is the best way to keep your internal thermometer at just the right temp (and crankiness at bay). You can peel things off or put them on as you go.

It’s also a good idea to have two pairs of gloves or gloves with an insert that you can wear by itself for the hike up.

What to pack?

Getting ready to ride in the backcountry is almost like taking up a new sport; you need a lot of stuff. Take it easy on your pocket book by hitting up end of summer/Labor Day sales as well as factory outlets, and take the time to get exactly what you’re looking for.

First you’ll need a daypack that comfortably fits your frame, with enough straps for securing all gear. You’ll need a shovel, probe, and avalanche beacon (make sure the later has fully charged batteries).

Not that you’ll be running around the Aguille de Midi in Chamonix, but as you progress, you’ll want to learn how to use and carry crampons, an ice axe, harness, and rope.

It’s a good idea to have a multi-tool and spare snowboard or ski parts in your pack so you can make adjustments on the spot as well as basic medical supplies like band aids, an Ace bandage, Advil, sunscreen and lip balm with a high SPF.

CamelBaks are handy when the weather’s nice, but if it’s too cold, the water will freeze in the tube if it’s not properly insulated.

Other must haves include polarized sunglasses (for the hike), which you can swap out at the top for goggles. Even a second pair of goggles comes in handy when you wipe out and still want to see the rest of the way down.

What to ride?

Photo by Andre Charland

You’ve got a several options when it comes to getting around in the backcountry. There’s the good old snowboard / ski boot pack if you know your hike is within 30 minutes of your car and there’s a well-established trail to follow.

Then you’ve got snowshoes, which are also handy if you find yourself breaking trail or hustling around in deep snow. If you go the snowshoe route, you’ll want to have a pair of collapsible poles. They help keep you balanced and carry stride, especially when you’re hunkered down with the weight of your board on your back.

If you’re thinking about new alpine skis this year, there’s a handy size guide for dialing in whatever types of planks you’re riding.

If you’re a snowboarder and planning on making a long-term commitment to backcountry riding, look into purchasing a splitboard. Splitboards separate lengthwise into two skis so you can ascend / traverse cross-country style.

To complete a splitboard setup, you’ll need skins (that keep your skis from sliding backwards on the uphill) and other splitboard hardware, in addition to collapsible poles. Burton makes great splitboards for men, but they don’t offer smaller sizes for the ladies.

Voile has splitboards dialed, and ranging in size from 154cm to 171cm, but you’re looking at upwards of $850. Venture Snowboards, a small company out of Colorado, has quite a few options to choose from and offers multiple gender friendly lengths, and then there’s EBay, where I saw one board go for around $500, a killer deal.

Where and when should I go?

Photo by gregor_y

Start small. There’s no sense in killing your legs and getting so frustrated with the terrain you’d rather snowshoe your way back down. Most classic backcountry hot spots that have a moderate slope (no 40-50 degree pitches here), minimal avalanche danger and easy hike up.

Here’s a list of North American classics , some of which you can even get turns in right now.

Your single best resource for learning where and when to go will be local experts. If you haven’t already, befriend your local ski patrol or even better, start training to become one of them.

Backcountry forums such as turns-all-year.com also provide great resources and even connection / partners for planning out trips.

Believe me, the first time you make turns in untouched pow, it won’t matter that the run is shorter than the bunny slopes. Guaranteed, your first time in the backcountry will be some of the best riding of your life.

Community Connection

We have a bunch of backcountry skiers and riders in our community. For a classic tale about freeskiing pioneers and general big-mountain shredding, check out Feeling Gravity’s Pull, an in-depth look at Matador member Tal Fletcher and the his original crew back in Squaw Valley.

Interested in meeting and connecting with other backcountry riders? Join us.

No sooner than framing my college diploma on the wall, I found I was on my own, broke and nestled in the corner of a cubicle just to pay my bills. Yes, living in the city was swell, sort of. As for a desk job? I quickly figured out that wasn’t my thing.

The future looked bleak from behind my cubicle walls. Hadn’t I grown up in a place where powder mornings off weren’t just a luxury? I needed to escape my cubicle and fast!

I began to entertain the idea of telecommuting, or working remotely from home, so I could use those extra hours (usually reserved for traffic or playing Solitaire on my computer) to get outside and make the most out of my day.

It turned out to be a lengthy process of trial and error to convince my boss I wanted to telecommute. Ok, it took me a few jobs and bosses to get it right. So in an effort to save you some time, I’ve summed up the five steps I took to convince my boss I should telecommute.

1. Assess the situation.

Ask yourself some simple questions. Do you cherish an office environment? Or do co-workers and other office distractions easily annoy you? Is there a reason why you take 1.25 hours at lunch instead of just one?

I found myself pondering these things on a regular basis. It wasn’t a matter of not being productive. I always did my work, but found there were several times throughout the day when being in the office irritated me. I tried to make excuses or blame other people for my predicament, but that didn’t make me feel better. Think about what works best for you and where you’ll be the happiest earning your paycheck.

2. Accept and embrace your job for what it is.

When I realized that a cubicle wasn’t right for me, I became claustrophobic in my workspace and instantly abhorred my cell mates. But it wasn’t their fault. It was time to come to terms with my situation and accept it. So I work in a cubicle from 9am to 5pm or 7pm or 8pm and I suffer anxiety picking out a pair of pressed pants and a sweater vest in the morning before work. So what?

Just because you don’t like your office environment doesn’t mean you’re not gaining valuable work experience. Accept that–for the time being–you work in a cubicle and the initial decision to do so wasn’t a mistake. Embracing reality will put you in the position to figure out what you really want and move forward.

3. Create a game plan.

If you’ve decided that telecommuting is perfect for you, don’t go public with your decision until you’ve set up and are already following a game plan. Convince your boss that you’re indispensable to the company, whether you have a physical presence in the office or not. Get your boss to invest in YOU. Here are some suggestions:

* Be eager to take the red-eye and attend the company seminar in Ohio.

* Out-perform your co-workers.

* Prove that you execute all aspects of your position to the point where it will be difficult for your boss to replace you / train someone new.

* Take a few sick days (cough, cough) but continue to work from home and WOW your superiors with your unparalleled skills even under duress.

* Subtly hint that the commute is killing you and you waste precious hours sitting on the freeway everyday.

* Maybe throw it out there that you’ve re-vamped your home office.

Note: Whatever tactic you use, be sure to elaborate on how much you love your job, how skilled you are after having attended the seminars (that your company paid for) and that you wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.

4. Commit to the plan with your boss.

Once your boss is all buttered up, you’re ready to drop the T-bomb. Schedule a time to meet with him or her for a review. Prepare a list of all your positive attributes (you attended the seminar, you worked from home when you were sick), acknowledge any legitimate concerns your boss may have and then explain to him/her with absolute conviction that telecommuting is the best and only option for you.

Failing an initial, “Go for it!” from your boss, offer to set up a trial period so that both of you can follow your progress working from home. Make sure during this time to document every single aspect of your productivity.

5. Go all out.

The key to this whole exercise is performance, and the only way you’ll get your boss to bend over is if you commit to your promise and actually work. Be a monument of productivity. Follow through with every minutiae of your job (always stay signed into iChat, CC your boss on every email) and show your boss you are more than capable of working efficiently from home and that you both made the right decision.

Say goodbye to those dreary office walls! Telecommuting is a win-win situation for everyone. Not only will your boss be tickled that he/she’s hired such an outstanding employee, but you’ll be racking up extra hours throughout your day that you can use however you like.

The bottom line is this: no one but you has the power to decide what’s in your best interest and if working from home will help you make the most out of your day, then make it happen. Technology has enabled everything to be only a click away. With internet, email, Skype, iChat, Central Desktop, etc. we can be almost anywhere in the world and still manage to get our work done.

Even now I’m writing this article from back home in Idaho, waiting for the bus so I can catch a couple late afternoon runs on the mountain before the day is through…