Skiing Resources for a noob

So I've been climbing for a while and its about time to get into skiing too. I've been to the resorts a few times and I really love it. I'll be going on my first ski tour sometime in March. I would love to eventually combine skiing with mountain objectives in the future... But heres the thing, I really don't know how to start.

Every time I hear people talking about skiing there is always so much terminology flying around.. I would love to learn more, but I'm having trouble finding good online resources that break things down for people who aren't planning to spend the entire time skiing at a resort.

I'm looking for good resources that talk about types of skis, bindings, boots, skins and all that good fun stuff.

Thanks in advance for anything you guys got!

Everything you need right here:

Wildsnow

Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering by Martin Volken is the best book I've run across that outlines all aspects of ski touring and ski mountaineering.

If your ski skills are still at a beginner level, it would also be a good idea to brush up on your ski technique at the resort: take a few lessons to get a good idea about proper technique, and spend a lot of time riding the lifts practicing. In order to be a solid backcountry skier you need to be a solid skier. Riding the lifts is the best way to accumulate the time on snow to reach a competent level.

Max, you have a lot to learn to get into skiing the backcountry. It's super fun! Side country is good times when the resort gets tracked out the first hour after the snow stops falling.

First you need to become an expert skier then you need to be an expert skiing powder. After you start shredding the gnar pow pow you need to learn about Avalanches. Before you attend an avy class you're going to need spend $$$ on a beacon, shovel and probe.

I guess I got all my knowledge at ski shops and magazines. I skied a bunch, took my CAA level 1 skied some more, met some friends then CAA level 2 and skied some more.

Oh and a good ski shop like Gear exchange or the Mountaineer will get you setup. A buddy just got a full AT package and was very pleased with the Mountaineer's service.

amazon.com/Backcountry-Skii…

This book is a great resource.

wildsnow.com is a good blog to follow and read gear reviews, etc.

Start reading up on avalanche safety and take an AIARE 1 course. Enjoy the VT pow!

I've got great friends who ski backcountry all the time, and I'm well aware of the time it takes at a resort to get proficient enough. Like I said I'm just getting into it, fully planning to spend the next few years skiing at resorts. As with climbing, I'm well aware that these things take time. That being said, I'm looking for great resources that I can use as I start into a new sport.

These resources are awesome, lots of great articles.. thanks for this stuff!

Jesse, your point is pretty great. Answer is pretty plain and simple, same reason why I've been climbing so many years. I love the mountains I love to enjoy them in a very pure way.

Max, if you live in Burlington you have access to some of the best backcountry skiing around New England.
There's a few cut trails and some great backcountry tours/downhill on Camels Hump, Mt Ethan Allen, Smuggs Notch, Teardrop Trail off of Mansfield, Bolton backcountry (off the Bolton Valley nordic center) has like 60 miles of trails and terrain

Max Forbes wrote:I've got great friends who ski backcountry all the time, and I'm well aware of the time it takes at a resort to get proficient enough. Like I said I'm just getting into it, fully planning to spend the next few years skiing at resorts. As with climbing, I'm well aware that these things take time. That being said, I'm looking for great resources that I can use as I start into a new sport. These resources are awesome, lots of great articles.. thanks for this stuff! Jesse, your point is pretty great. Answer is pretty plain and simple, same reason why I've been climbing so many years. I love the mountains I love to enjoy them in a very pure way.

I think most of us are jumping the gun because of how many unprepared and uneducated people we meet in the backcountry. I can't count on two hands how many skiers and snowboarders I've met who have asked me dumb shit going in or out of a gate.

Understandable. I certainly get that all the time through climbing. I'm basically looking at skiing as I looked at leading ice. It really takes a season or two before your there, but in the meantime, understanding what's going on around you is pretty important. Right now I can hardly hold a conversation with someone who ski's.

Max, ever think of switching to snowboarding? It would take less time to become an expert and is way more fun than skiing! Haha.. I got a tele setup and a splitboard. I find snowboardings fun when it's deep.

Definitely get down to the Bolton Backcountry trails - super fun, lots of variation, and free I think (never had my pass checked when sticking to the ungroomed trails). I've been spending a good deal of this season exploring the area, so feel free to shoot me a message if you want any trail/gear advice.

I have snowboarded and I did enjoy it when I went. Sort of. I think I'll probably stick to skiing because it's a little simpler than split boarding. Plus most of my friends ski...

That's for the advice Dan. I'm mostly looking towards the future and for now am just borrowing from friends and following them around. I am certainly excited about exploring some of the awesome options VT has to offer in the future!