Touring in the Gunks, NY: Dec 2020

gefiltephish · Dec 20, 2020

It's my 3rd winter living in New Paltz, and in the Northeast. This weeks' storm was the first where I took the time to explore close to home on the AT gear. Good turns were had, awesome to ski some zones I've been eyeing on hikes and bike rides for years! I wouldn't recommend going to great lengths to ski these zones, especially slogging on heavy AT gear, but happy to have them so close. I'm now sold on learning to XC ski, that'd open up many miles of rail trails and carriage roads...

What cool adventures have other folks gotten into?

Harvey · Dec 20, 2020

gefiltephish said:

Love this pic.

If you are getting into nordic BC, consider some low plastic boots and something with fishscale. IMO.

Wide Waxless Backcountry Skis

Backcountry skis for powder and rolling terrain.

nyskiblog.com

rebel1916 · Dec 20, 2020

I skinned up Smiley Carriage Rd. Was too nervous about the lack of base to mess around in the trees. Smiley was nice to the waterfall though. The rocky wet section after was impassible on skis though, so I headed back down. Not a bad day.

Robert · Dec 21, 2020

Niceee. In Utica we have the abandoned Val Bialas ski center in the middle of town. It's around 500 vertical, so more than enough for my lift riding ass. When its deep, I'll hike up with the snow shoes and ride down on the Snow Surfer aka noboard. aka snurfer. Have made some real fun turns the last few years and have legit been thinking about a split board....