Why Early Season Backcountry Skiing Conditions Are Better Than You Think... Especially with an ACMG Ski Guide

Photo: Matthew Haines

Early season heartbreak is a story as old as skiing itself. We’ve all been there — standing at the top of a line that looked fine from below, only to discover it’s actually a minefield of barely-covered rocks. The memories of gouged bases and sidewall surgery still haunt us. So if you’re feeling skeptical about early season backcountry skiing conditions this year, I get it.

But here’s the thing: this isn’t last year’s backcountry season.

Seasons Change, So Do Snowpacks

The last couple of years gave us slow starts — thin snowpacks, mild temps, and lots of standing around saying, “It’ll come eventually.” Those winters stick in your mind. It’s human nature to base our expectations of the future on what’s come before.

But nature doesn’t follow last year’s script.

This year, early season backcountry skiing conditions are off to a surprisingly strong start. We’ve got dense, consolidated, confidence-inspiring snow, especially at higher elevations. I’ve already skied lines I’d usually save for mid-winter.

Even below treeline, travel has been manageable. The base is strong, which makes a huge difference. It’s the kind of setup that puts a grin on your face — because it feels like the beginning of something great.

Photo: Matthew Haines

The Guide’s Advantage: We’ve Been Out There

As skiers we tend to be dreamers — always hoping for powder days and bluebird skies. But guides? We’re pragmatists. We’re out there, day after day, taking mental notes on conditions and figuring out where the best skiing is hiding. We’re not relying on secondhand reports or wishful thinking. We’re seeing it for ourselves.

Here’s a truth that’s hard to argue with: if you’re only skiing on the weekends or waiting for that “perfect” report to drop, you’re behind. Guides have already been out there. We’ve felt the snow underfoot, tested it, and skied the terrain. We’ve scouted the good, the bad, and the ugly. The result? We have a good idea of where to go, and we know where not to go.

If you’re skeptical of early season skiing — fair enough. But when the surf’s up, it’s time to saddle up. We aren’t making things up to fill the bookings. We’re out there because we want to be out there. Skiing is just so dang fun!

Photo: Linus Persson

Even a Bad Day of Skiing Beats a Good Day at Work

Look, not every day is going to be the stuff of highlight reels. We all know that. But even on the "less than epic" days, you’re still out there skiing. You’re breathing the cold air, moving through the mountains, and getting those moments of weightless glide. It’s the kind of thing that’s pretty hard to beat — especially if you’re comparing it to spreadsheets and Zoom calls.

Skepticism is healthy in skiing, it’s part of what keeps us safe. But if you’re skeptical because of "what happened last year," you’ll miss out. This year’s not last year. This season’s story is still being written, and from where I’m standing, it’s already looking pretty good.

So, maybe it’s time to trust the snowpack that’s actually underfoot this season, not the one from your memory. And if you’re still unsure, there’s only one way to find out for sure. (Hint: It’s not scrolling conditions reports.)

Photo: Linus Persson