Beginner Backcountry Recommendations

Hey MP, Just getting into Backcountry Skiing. Looking for a place to get out and get comfortable on the gear. Looking to get some mileage on the skins rather then really get down a ripper line. Any recommendations on an area that's low risk, low crowd, and not on 70 to go get the skii's running? We all have limited Avy experience and the lack of snow pushed my Avy 1 class back until end of February. So it needs to be somewhere really safe....If you also all say wait until we all take the class, I will wait, but taming the "stoke" is a real challenge. 

Asking for a friend of course....  

Michael Burnell wrote:

Hey MP, Just getting into Backcountry Skiing. Looking for a place to get out and get comfortable on the gear. Looking to get some mileage on the skins rather then really get down a ripper line. Any recommendations on an area that's low risk, low crowd, and not on 70 to go get the skii's running? We all have limited Avy experience and the lack of snow pushed my Avy 1 class back until end of February. So it needs to be somewhere really safe....If you also all say wait until we all take the class, I will wait, but taming the "stoke" is a real challenge. 

Asking for a friend of course....  

Hidden Valley in RMNP, if snow conditions are ok. Fairly low angle (and low avi risk), ranger station/warming hut at base (by sledding hill) and easy route finding.

Eldora allows uphill skiing (for a small fee, of course) on weekdays and this is a reasonable way to test out gear without major risk (can't guarantee low crowds but weekdays usually not too bad)

I would recommend skinning up Arapahoe Basin (free uphill pass required), Loveland, or Winter Park to get comfortable on your gear until you get your avy 1 class done. There will be no avalanche danger. Crowds are low before and after operating hours, but it is on I-70.

Find a public dirt road (FS, BLM, County) that doesn't get plowed in the winter and has no overhead hazards.  Or some cross country trails, if downhill is not much of a priority.

Thanks everyone! All great recommendations. I'll check out Hidden Valley this weekend and always checking the CAIC. 

Berthoud pass, either east or west side, be aware of the terrain, you can get some short easy laps, or go for a longer tour.

Butler gulch/Jones pass, easy skin in, then lots of options for skiing, ranging from easy to extreme, be aware of the terrain.  

Jenny Lind gulch, easy approach, generally mellow open terrain

need a thrid? let me know

Go anywhere.  Just stay on 30degrees or less.  

Cor wrote:

Go anywhere.  Just stay on 30degrees or less.  

And no slopes above the terrain you’re skiing that have slide potential, ie don’t play in the runout zone. Remote trigger is a real thing to consider.

Word on the slopes is we haven’t had a snowpack structure like this since the 13-14 season..  A good year to pay attention!

This is a really crappy year for skiing in general, but probably worse for backcountry due to this:

https://youtu.be/FbCJjuIouYU

As some suggested above, skiing the ungroomed but avy controlled areas of A-Basin and the like might be your best bet.

Went up Butler Gulch a couple weeks ago but didn't go above trees due to avi risk. Mostly just a cross country ski trip without skiing the bowls at top but didn't like snow conditions