To any new members: Welcome!

hey guys! new to the site and looking forward to getting into the back country this year! Praying for snow and cant wait to get out this season. Looking forward to use this site to learn and get into split boarding and touring off the beaten path.

Cheers!
 

PowderPanda

Staff member
hey guys! new to the site and looking forward to getting into the back country this year! Praying for snow and cant wait to get out this season. Looking forward to use this site to learn and get into split boarding and touring off the beaten path.

Cheers!
Hey Cole... Glad we got ya out of the Spam window!! Welcome to the site!!!
 
Hi All, live in Seattle. Have friends that moved to Cour d Alene and will be visiting them this winter and looking forward to getting out for a tour in the area.
 
Welcome to Panhandle Backcountry! (You can introduce yourself in this thread!)


PanhandleBackcountry is a community of backcountry skiers and splitboarders in North Idaho, Eastern Washington and Northwestern Montana. Thanks for joining us and please participate in our forums where you can organize tours and events, check trip reports and route information, share snowpack observations and conditions, and talk about or trade your gear locally.

First things first..
Safe travel in the backcountry is of utmost importance:

Before you go make sure your group has the skills, knowledge and training to travel in avalanche terrain. Read the local avalanche advisory and always carry a shovel, probe and transceiver (plus cell phone and airbag). Be sure to check out our “Be Avalanche Aware” section with a full list of local avalanche education courses available and other avalanche safety tips and resources: http://www.panhandlebackcountry.com/safety/

Fill out your profile:

You can do this by clicking on your own username at page header or browsing to: http://www.panhandlebackcountry.com/account/

Upload an avatar and please fill out your profile as completely as possible, especially the "Training and Experience" section! This gives others an understanding of what level of backcountry experience you have. That way one can properly route find for each individual that may be in a group. Don't forget other sections like what gear you're rocking! Many people have questions about gear and if they see what you use, they may have questions as to what your thoughts on the gear is. Profiles can only be viewed by other logged-in members.

Get the weather forecast quickly:

We’ve compiled a list of weather forecasts and resources relevant to backcountry skiing and splitboarding in our area. Browse to http://www.panhandlebackcountry.com/weather/ to view time-lapse webcams, live weather data, SNOTEL reports, forecasts, radars and more. Local and regional avalanche advisories are also included on this page (as well as right on the homepage!)

Share a trip report:

Have you been out lately? Consider sharing your photos, conditions, pit data, beta or story with the rest of the community in the 'Trip Reports' forum. Reports can be as simple as a couple notes on conditions to full epic stories with several photos and video — the more information the better, but anything is helpful! Trip Reports are only viewable to logged in members. Collaborative knowledge can increase all members’ experience in the backcountry!

Connect with tour partners:

The backcountry is better with friends! If you’re looking to get out with others post in the 'Tour Partners' forum and link up with others. The more information you include on the tour or partners you’re seeking the better. It’s also a good idea to include your level of training and experience (and an acknowledgement you have the necessary gear) here if you’re new to the community.

Suggestions:

This community was built by a backcountry skier and splitboarder for our peers: skiers and splitboarders. We value suggestions and input from members and use them to shape the future of Panhandle Backcountry accordingly!

Stickers:

Want a free Panhandle Backcountry sticker to rock on your boards, nalgene or roof box? We have a couple different styles of die cut stickers to share! Send a private message to PowderPanda or me (idsnowghost) with your mailing address, or if local we can make arrangements to meet up. You can also buy stickers directly from our printer here! (we don't set the prices nor get a cut)

Thanks again for joining us! Please feel free introduce yourself to the community in this thread or ask any questions! Welcome!
 
Ahhhhh.....both the worst and the best time of the year!! Waiting game for snow means we're close!
Man, big problem up here this year will be the warm temps. Keeping fingers crossed, as they are already
backing off from El Nada for us and trends are following Farmers Almanac! Always thought that was
the best anyway! Lets hope for some action soon.
 
Hey guys, I'm new here and new to the area! I have been an avid snowboarder (and skier) for over 25 years but have never been split boarding or in the back country for that matter. I have a season pass to silver mt this year but I plan on working on getting geared up for the backcountry and taking one of the upcoming avy classes this winter (found through this amazing site!) I have a lot to learn from you guys and gals!

I am also a photographer, filmmaker, drone nerd, not afraid to get his equipment cold and dirty, hoping to meet some of you guys and gals soon!

Ryan
 
So I'm looking for telemarks skiers hopefully but not that important, in the over 55 range who know where to go and where the non-motorized zones are located. I'm in OK shape, but probably really happy with 3000' oners or laps. Kootenay Pass, looks sweet based on the guide book. I can bring a lot to the table in regards to stability assessment, etc, I also don't mind scooting along with those who lack BC/AVY skills but have good ski skills. As a guide, I've done dozens of tours concentrating on basic skills. I am really psyched to ski soon and am enchanted with all the possibilities. PM me if this sounds good and lets get together and discuss. If you lurk, that's even better.....

MattLurking2.jpg
 
Anybody from the Lewiston area?? Gonna be riding elk river and waha mostly. And wherever else life takes me haha. Cda for sure. Just waiting for the snow to fly. Got a 98 thundercat 1000.
 
Gonna be tough finding 3000' runs Kootenay Pass is fun, haven't been there in decades though. Back then my brother lived in Bonners Ferry. Besides Silver sidecountry I do BC mostly in the Silver Valley. So if you are interested in this area Im 55 tele and have been BC skiing for over 3 decades also Avy 1. Tempted to hike Lookout but I want a deeper base. There are a few stumps on the backside I wouldn't want to hit, and I've got plenty of early season hikes there where that was the day due to snowpack, just a hike with skis on and no or few turns.
 
not sure the skinning rulz at Lookout, Silver , 49 North. Mt Spokane appears to have a nice uptrack restricted to early morning skinning and calorie burn. Lifts seem like a good place to skin til the BC opens up? This is all new to me, so if I'm uneducated on local stuff, I am.
 

idsnowghost

Staff member
not sure the skinning rulz at Lookout, Silver , 49 North. Mt Spokane appears to have a nice uptrack restricted to early morning skinning and calorie burn. Lifts seem like a good place to skin til the BC opens up? This is all new to me, so if I'm uneducated on local stuff, I am.
It's all been discussed on here at some point, may be able to dig up some discussions via search.

Here's the quick: (all without official policy are go at own risk obviously, make sure you're visible and obey employees, etc)

Mt Spokane: http://www.mtspokane.com/uphill-travel-policy/ (All other days/times, just ascend from the snowmobile lot and stay outside bamboo line)
49 Degrees North: http://www.ski49n.com/faq.php (Okay before season starts, okay outside operating hours with rules. Snowmobiles allowed postseason beware.)
Silver: Not exactly accessible, gate is usually locked on access road also. Private property.
Schweitzer: https://www.schweitzer.com/policies/ (Officially no uphill travel allowed. Map posted on forums here for uphill route that stays out of area boundary.)
Lookout: No posted policy but they will ask you to leave every time if they are working.
 
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