Keystone, Colorado — Opening high-alpine terrain is a challenge due to the risk of avalanches. Guests who ski this steep terrain may not notice it, but getting it open is an intricate process.
In order to open up steep high-alpine terrain to guests, ski patrollers at Keystone bootpack. This technique allows individuals to compact the snow, getting rid of potential weak layers that could lead to a avalanche slide. The new snow eventually fits into the holes created by the bootpacking, allowing for stability and preserving the snowpack. Ski cutting and using explosives are other popular methods of avalanche mitigation for getting these slopes open. It’s a truly fascinating process that I imagine is an arduous physical activity. If you know a ski patroller, buy them a beer. They deserve it.
Boot packing is a commonly used practice for high-alpine terrain. Another example of this occurs at Taos Ski Valley, which offers a free season pass for those who help the ski resort out by bootpacking in areas like Kachina Peak.
Keystone projects that it will be a few more weeks until this high-alpine terrain opens up. I imagine it will be worth the wait.
Image/Video Credits: Keystone Resort, Taos Ski Valley
