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December 9, 2013

Review: Off Piste Ski Atlas

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The Off-Piste Ski Atlas is a guide to a variety of zones in the Crested Butte, Colorado backcountry. There was a lot of speculation and opinions circulating around its release, so we were excited to get our hands on it. 

The guide gives an enormous amount of helpful info.  It consists of aerial photos and information on ten popular locations.   It neatly lays out the elevations, descent lengths, aspects, trailhead directions, winter maintenance and parking info, snowmobile access, skin tracks, and exit info.  That combined with helpful photos, give backcountry travellers a very good idea of what is going on.  Locals who are worried that the atlas will give away their secret spots need not worry.  The ten zones covered are well known and well traveled areas such as Snodgrass, Emmons, and the Anthracites.

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The Atlas is small and easily portable, but is not very durable.

However, we have some criticisms.  While the info is informative and relevant, the Off-Piste Ski Atlas does not address slope angle.  Slope angle is one of the most important factors in choosing terrain, most significantly for avalanche concerns.  To give people all that info, but not address angle seems to be a substantial oversight. Other criticisms include the multitude of advertisements as well as the physical durability of the atlas that will take a beating in your pack or jacket.

Overall, the Off-Piste Ski Atlas is a helpful tool that will greatly aid savy backcountry enthusiasts in figuring out what to ski and ride. It is available online at OffPisteSkiAtlas.com or locally at the Alpineer, Rumors and the Bookworm.

If you have thoughts, please feel free to comment below.



About the Author

1. Ed Dujardin
After moving out west for college, Ed took summer school so he could spend winters in Crested Butte. These days, he coaches the Western State Colorado University Freeride Team, and spends as much time as he can fishing the incredible rivers of the area.




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