New England Alpine Touring ???

[Anklebiter]

last year was an exceptional year in PA (southern PA at least). I had alot of luck skiing in the backcountry with the record snowfalls we were seeing. alot of higher "peaks" in the northeast/midatlantic have cell or radio towers on them, and the access/maintenance road give easy skinnable acces to the top. just be sure that its not private property.

I agree with rivercoils clarification on avy awareness. not necessary as a prerequisite to ski many northeast objectives. Bruce Trempers book is a very accessible primer on avy awareness.

Yeah, last year was epic in the Mid Atlantic region. It would have been a great time to start AT. Heck, I could start asking farmers up and around Jim Thorpe, PA if I could ski their hills for practice.

 

[amf]

Ankle - keep an eye on conditions in WVa. While they can be variable, you can get some of the best conditions in the east. Last year was skied in waist deep powder much of the season. Canaan Valley is probably a little closer than the better locations in VT or NY. While it won't have the vertical of the northeast, there is still some outstanding terrain.

amf

 

[Breeze]

Don't know how Peak is going to treat the lift-served WMNF access via Wildcat HSQ to the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation trail system, in the past that was a treat for AT/ backcountry skiing. Will be a shame if that gets lost in a marketing translation

Pinkham Notch AMC maintains a trail system that connects to Great Glen Trails off the Old Jackson Road, low level elevation but could serve to shake out interest and equipment.

 

[Anklebiter]

Ankle - keep an eye on conditions in WVa. While they can be variable, you can get some of the best conditions in the east. Last year was skied in waist deep powder much of the season. Canaan Valley is probably a little closer than the better locations in VT or NY. While it won't have the vertical of the northeast, there is still some outstanding terrain.

amf

I'll look into WV and probably western Maryland, which isn't to far.

 

[Anklebiter]

Pinkham Notch AMC maintains a trail system that connects to Great Glen Trails off the Old Jackson Road, low level elevation but could serve to shake out interest and equipment.

I'll keep that in mind when we're up their in February. I could just snowshoe the first time, to get a feel for hiking and skiing. I'm sure it's different than just riding a lift.