Sidecountry Skiing = Backcountry Skiing
Sidecountry is defined as out-of-bounds, backcountry terrain that is accessed from a ski area. The close proximity to a ski area makes accessing these areas easier, but does not provide any safety as there is no avalanche hazard reduction or ski patrol services.

The Basics
The basics always apply even if you are just making one run in the sidecountry. Experienced backcountry skiers always follow these rules and make no exceptions.
1) Travel with a partner.
2) Carry a beacon, probe and shovel and know how to use them.
3) Travel one at a time in avalanche terrain.
If you get hurt
It doesn’t matter if you are 10 feet from the ski resort boundary, YOU are responsible if you get hurt. The Bridger Bowl Ski Patrol is NOT obligated to help you. They must remain prepared to help injured skiers inside the resort and not spend their resources outside the boundary.  Skiing out of bounds requires personal responsibility for your actions, so choose your partner wisely. Rescues are run by highly trained volunteers in Gallatin County Search and Rescue. These volunteers are commonly found at home or their day jobs and will not reach you for several hours even in the best circumstances. It may take many more hours before you get to a hospital. Helicopters and snowmobiles can shorten this time, but their use is severely restricted by difficult mountain weather, heavy timber and rugged terrain. Do not count on being rescued by a helicopter.

Avalanche Types
Avalanches are typically grouped into two distinct types:
slab avalanches and point releases (sluffs). Slab Avalanches are typically the most deadly and there are 5 types usually seen by the Bridger Bowl Ski Patrol:
1) New snow   2) Ridgetop wind loading – cornice and pillow    3) Other wind loading – downslope winds and cross loading winds    4) Persistent Weak layer – deep slab avalanches., ski cuts are not appropriate for this type    5) Wet Slides – these can be both slab type or point release type.

Terrain – East Side of Bridger RangeNumerous hazards exist on the east side of the Bridger Range, the same aspect Bridger Bowl is located. These hazards include avalanches, unmarked obstacles, cliffs, confined avalanche paths. One notable hazard is a 200 foot cliff band on Saddle Peak just south of Bridger. Many people ski just outside the ski resort boundary unaware of these cliffs because they are not visible from above. Any avalanche, large or small, can easily sweep you over these cliffs and fatally traumatize you.

Terrain – West Side of Bridger Range
If you ski off the backside (west facing slopes) of Bridger Bowl into the backcountry you’ll be entering extremely complex terrain. It looks simple but its not. Skins are required to climb back to the ridge and re-enter the ski resort. In this area the snowpack is historically shallower and weaker than on the east side. Avalanche paths run through dense trees and rocks that can cause serious injury. Many avalanche paths converge into confined gullies where potential avalanche victims will be buried deeply.

Rescue is equally complex on the west side. Without use of a helicopter which is not guaranteed, any rescue would be long and arduous. The only way off the west side is through narrow drainages inaccessible by ATV’s or snowmobiles, and you would have to be carried out by a large team of rescuers. Even minor injuries become life threatening in this environment.

Cornices
Throughout winter large cornices slowly grow along ridgelines where predominantly westerly winds blow snow from the west side to the east side. As this happens large, overhanging drifts of snow form at the ridge top. These drifts are called cornices and resemble a wave of snow about to break. Cornices can break unpredictably and have killed many people playing in the mountains. The cornice itself can kill you and it may trigger an avalanche which can kill you. Stay far away from the edge of a ridgeline to avoid these monsters.

This avalanche was triggered by a falling cornice. The victim walked onto the cornices and one broke. He fell with the cornice and was buried in this small avalanche.

Ski Tracks
Just because someone skis a slope does not mean it is safe. Avalanches do not work this way. It could take 1 set of tracks or 100 before a slope avalanches. There are many other ways to determine whether or not a slope is safe, but tracks on a slope is not one of them. Experienced skiers examine the weather and snowpack very carefully and do not pay attention to what others are doing.
Some days its really tempting to follow everyone else and feel safe surrounded by so many people.  Unfortunately this only increases the odds that someone else will trigger an avalanche that will come down from above.

For Parents
At the very least, parents should watch the Stay Alive video. It outlines the complexities involved with sidecountry skiing. Traveling in the backcountry requires advanced skills and clear decision making. Teenagers are not known for these two things, so think carefully before allowing your kid to venture out-of-bounds.  Access into the backcountry is always open. There is no supervision.  If you do not want your kid assuming the risks associated with the backcountry, you should make that clear to them. These access areas are just high altitude trailheads to the surrounding forest.  There is no control, rules or laws that prevent anyone, adult or child, from crossing into the backcountry.

If your kid has a beacon and shovel do not assume that they will stay within the ski areas.  Outline your expectations clearly.  Traveling in the backcountry carries great risk and personal responsibility. Every year adults die in avalanches. We do not want to see children die.

Used with Permission From: Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center Website
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