Backcountry skiing with the family

BY CHRIS LENNON PHOTOS BY GILLIAN MORGAN

Skiing is a great family sport because it so easily allows multiple generations to have fun together. And after starting a family of my own, I realized just how early we could venture into the hills together.

I had expected our kids could play in the snow at a ski resort, but would have to wait until they turned three years old before their indoctrination into all things skiing. But my wife and I managed to get each of our children into the backcountry for daylong ski touring long before their first birthdays. As you might imagine, they didn’t actually stand up on skis until close to their second birthdays but they liked those early outings, which also offered a much-needed change of pace and scenery for the parents.

I’m not suggesting anyone take infants or toddlers into avalanche territory. But you should consider getting them into moderately rolling hills and even venturing into fresh untracked snow on low-angle terrain. My daughter had her first full face-shot at approximately 18 months of age and the smile on her face was as genuine as any I’ve ever seen.

The kind of ski touring I have in mind may not be a hard-charging day in the hills (at least on the downhill portion). As someone who for years followed winter from one hemisphere to the other and spent upwards of 200 days a year on skis, my level of downhill aggression is significantly lower on these family excursions than before.

Family days towing kids around in the backcountry bring a different kind of enjoyment – one predicated on simply being in the hills and, if my experience is anything to go by, anticipating that a good night’s sleep may follow for all.

It may seem counter-intuitive, but the backcountry offers an ideal place to introduce children to skiing and to eventually allow them to start making turns of their own. Despite the media’s tendency to portray it as a place for daredevils, it’s typically quiet and serene, somewhere to move at your own pace, avoid distraction and be free from the hassle of crowded ski resort learning areas.

They say that becoming a parent can radically alter one’s perspective on life. Perhaps. But life perspective can also alter parenting. Gain some perspective; take your kids into the backcountry and allow them to enjoy the ski experience at an early age.

WHAT YOU NEED STANDARD GEAR AND KNOWLEDGE

Backcountry travel requires selfrescue equipment and fundamental avalanche knowledge – if only to keep you from blundering into avalanche-prone terrain.

SKI TOURING SET-UP

Skins and touring bindings like the Marker Duke for example.

CHARIOT STROLLER WITH SKI ATTACHMENT

There may be equivalent products out there but I haven’t found one, so check out www.chariotcarriers.com.

EYE PROTECTION

Kids need quality goggles or sunglasses which they’re comfortable wearing (or unable to remove) for extended periods of time. I’ve found success with iPlay Flexi-Specs (www.mountainbaby.com) and youth goggles from Giro (www.giro.com).

STRONG, BROAD-SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN

Think Baby is free of toxic chemicals, water-resistant and my go-to brand.

WARM CLOTHING

A small child will feel the cold much faster than a parent pulling a laden Chariot. Dressing children in layers helps, as does a waterproof bunting suit and hat with earflaps. Canadian-made Stonz booties and mittens are warm, waterproof and stay put on wriggly hands and feet thanks to drawcord closures (www.stonzwear.com).