Backcountry

Sea and Ski - Prince William Sound

Last spring ski season was one I’ll never forget. I spent two weeks making a dream a reality for myself personally and for my guiding business. Exploring Prince William Sound (PWS) with skis aboard the Babkin vessel. I’m pleased to move the test phase into the present moment and offer permitted skiing trips in PWS, Alaska.

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Yours truly sampling some turns with an astounding backdrop. Got this one printed and hung up in my house. Photo by Bianca Germain.

 

The first half of March brought a storm series that gave way to a pattern change. Skies went blue, high pressure settled in and the snowpack shifted nicely right into a springtime regime. I got out for 3 days with Captain Alex and one of my good buddies for a quick recon before a group arriving.

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Nice day.

 

At the end of March an awesome group arrived ready to ski for 7 days straight. See this incredible write up and photos by Bianca Germain.

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This photo about sums up how much fun we had.

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Gotta love spring skiing!

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Smooth corn turns down to the boat, just visible on the left. Adventure skiing!

 

Grand finale in April was with a crew of friends for a 7 day personal trip. That trip ended up resulting in an article in Snow Magazine. Grab yourself a copy of Snow Magazine’s 2020 winter high season issue or view the online article here (page 94).

For making it all happen with me - a big thanks to Captain Alex of Babkin Charters, Gabby Markel, Brooke Edwards, Lynsey Dyer, Zach Husted, Kara Williard and photographer Greg von Doersten. It was one hell of a trip for the books.

Also check out this video by Lynsey Dyer. This gives you a little perspective. Thing is photos and videos are a tease to the true Alaskan wilderness adventure experience of skiing in PWS.

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Lynsey Dyer on the double page spread Sea to Ski article in Snow Magazine.

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It’s a lot more than just skiing. We live the ocean life.

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Photos and article written by Greg von Doersten

 

Check out my Ski and Sea page for trip info and more photos. Inquires are already coming in for next winter and I got a keen crew from New England lined up for a week this March. We’re all looking forward to it!

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Some of the transportation tools from a summit back to the boat on a Ski and Sea adventure! Our “hotel in the water” awaits us near shoreline on a low tide day. Lots of the ski runs start within a few feet of the water and sometimes the hardest part of the day is getting up the snowbank at tide line.

Thanks for reading and thanks for the support from my sponsors Voile and Voormi.

Heli-bump Ski Tour

Heli-bump assisted ski touring day through Chugach Powder Guides. A new experimental program when the weather, snowpack conditions and strong guests come together to make it happen. If you are interested in this book me for a regular day of backcountry skiing, then if it all lines up we can see about making a last minute booking to get us on a heli-ride in for a full day of human powered touring. It may be rare but it came together for these two guests visiting from Canada. We did two regular touring days earlier in the week in Turnagain Pass and then tagged this day onto their visit to Girdwood. 

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Our ride into the hills. The A-Star B3 makes quick work of what would take most of an entire day to get to by our own two legs.

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Hiking up for a run. The backside of Alyeska ski resort in the background. The Winner Creek valley heads back to Girdwood. Pretty cool backyard we have here!

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Myself leading the way down the first run. It was good. Photo by: Dan Star

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Marie carving her split-board with some big Alaskan terrain in the background. Photo by: Dan Star

Some good powder skiing!  Enjoying the perks of my job. Photo by: Aubrey Claude-Desroches 

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After 3 runs it was time to make the long hike back to town. It's a beautiful walk through the forested valley.