Storm Report: Deep in the Crested Butte Backcountry

The most recent El Niño storm dumped more than three feet of fresh on Colorado. Avalanche danger skyrocketed, but if you stayed on lower-angle terrain, the skiing was all-time.

We happened to be in Crested Butte testing Dynafit’s 2016/17 skis, boots, and apparel right after the storm moved through and had one of the deepest days ever with Donny Roth, who works with Irwin Guides. He took us into the local backcountry for a long day where we skied nearly 4,000 feet of cold, blower, pow.

Photo: Donny Roth, who’s also a Dynafit ambassador, sucks in snow on the Red Coon Glades outside of Crested Butte, Colorado.

The avalanche danger was rated “high” after the storm, so we made sure to climb and ski low-angle terrain.

Jamie Starr with Dynafit gets waist-deep in the Red Coon Glades.

Faceplant.

Climbing the skin track in Red Coon Glades, with Crested Butte in the background.

Louise Lintilhac of Backcountry magazine reaps the rewards after a long morning of climbing.

The sun pokes out of the clouds after several days of storms in Crested Butte.

The last run of the day was just as good as the first.