I know it sounds strange, but it’s great exercise, not at all crowded and you get to enjoy the ride down through fresh powder or just-groomed runs! This is called “skinning”, “ski touring” or “hiking for turns”. Typically, you strap a pair of skins to your skins and glide/hike uphill.
“Skins are held on the bottom of the skis with a sticky substance, they were originally made of animal skin but are now of an artificial material that have fibers to hold the skis from sliding back down as the skier glides forward up the hill. Once the skier reaches the desired altitude the skins are removed and the bare skis are used to descend.”
Courtesy of: http://skiing.about.com/od/skiingglossary/g/Randonee.htm
All the resorts in Summit County now have uphill access available to the public before and after regular hours. You will need to check the rules & regulations regarding this for each individual resort as some require a separate pass (free) and may offer closer parking than you’re used to during normal operating hours.
It may take you several hours, so make sure to plan for enough time to make it to the top. In most cases, you MUST be at the top before the lifts open (and if you’re not, be prepared to turn around in the middle of your hike up). If you’re parked in a pay lot, you’ll also be required to move your vehicle before the lot opens to for the day. Sometimes, you can even bring your furry friend with you, a great way for your four-legged pal to get some exercise too!
See the links for info on how to access the runs and what the rules are:
Loveland Ski Area
Arapahoe Basin
Keystone Resort
Breckenridge Resort
Copper Mountain Resort
Written by: Century 21 Gold- The Smits Team
