SoCool is right it's always a good idea to check with the ski resort first to see what there policies are. Sorry if I wasn't clear on this. I lived in Glenwood Springs for 10 years and when I was starting to learn couloir climbing, I used to practice at Ski Sunlight quite a bit either going early in the morning, at night, or during the week to avoid the crowds. Sunlight had you sign a waiver and gave you a short list of guidelines to follow, but other than that didn't have a problem with it. I assume that most other areas have similar policies.SoCool wrote:I'm going to have to disagree somewhat with this piece of advice, it probably varies greatly depending on which ski resort you are at. Some do not allow uphill traffic, and Ski Patrol will certainly turn someone around if they think their actions are unsafe. The type of ski runs you are referring to can be very steep, so it could be difficult for a skier to slow down or avoid a person climbing up.kaiman wrote:crampon up the Black Diamond and Double Diamond runs in February, March and April. As long as you don't ride the lift and stay out of the way of skiers, most ski areas won't give you any grief for being there.
Also by staying off to the side of the ski run (verses in the center of it), sticking to the runs with moguls (which slow most skiers down), and out of the fall line (which is how most runs are usually skied) you will be able to practice with relative safety and be able to duck inside and get a hot drink in between.
Kai
