Top 5 Sidecountry Ski Areas of North America

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  • Опубліковано 9 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 133

  • @philipeldred
    @philipeldred 2 роки тому +4

    The legendary back country surrounding the area makes it easy to forget that Mt Baker's side country is epic as well.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      Thanks for the great comment and recommendation. I really need to get back to Baker soon.

  • @ryansutton5904
    @ryansutton5904 2 роки тому +6

    Oh boy Kicking Horse side country mecca with T1 or T2 this The World Free Ride tour is held ...other notable areas. Fuse bowl and Ozone the list goes on

  • @elguapo6750
    @elguapo6750 2 роки тому +5

    Great call for including Alpental, which is a fabulous local hill. Have to say though that you missed Telluride, which really does need to be included on this list.

  • @nadimsiddiqui1875
    @nadimsiddiqui1875 2 роки тому

    Inspirational and realistic!. Whi hasn't skied into rocks or tree routes in side/back country!!!Local knowledge is vital, your videos help, inspire and inform! Thanks

  • @jleonas
    @jleonas 2 роки тому +3

    Haven’t skied there a ton (only lived in Washington a couple years), but Crystal Mtn in Washington state deserves a mention. I once had a photo map that showed many of the bowls and routes available. Tons of traverse out of bounds, ski a good bowl, traverse back in bounds type of runs.

  • @DaddysLittleFelons
    @DaddysLittleFelons 2 роки тому +6

    Man, I'm getting too old to do a lot of hiking. Now, I like gravity doing the work.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому +2

      Not a problem. Hiking does mean a lot of work but sometimes that is where the best snow is.

  • @TheMarkMatthews
    @TheMarkMatthews 2 роки тому +1

    Hello from Issaquah. Great to see your videos, I can't believe you include Alpental, the secret of the PNW. Say hi to Tracy for me.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      Mark, good to hear from you. I understand Alpental isn't so secret any more but if you hate me for spreading the word, I completely understand. My regulars at Snowbird and Alta give me grief.

    • @TheMarkMatthews
      @TheMarkMatthews 2 роки тому

      @@matthewbennettutah Alpental isn't secret anymore, it's just funny to see my ski area included with all these resorts. It's just a small little ski area.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      @@TheMarkMatthews It may be small but it has some great skiing. I've gotten a lot of comments from people asking for more of these hidden gems.

  • @balldoc54
    @balldoc54 2 роки тому +2

    Hey, great videos. I've been to almost as many resorts as you but some different spots. You need to try Bachelor in Bend. It sits in a spot that allows them to have the driest snow of the coastal states. When the top is open, you can get access to so much sidecountry because it is a conal volcano so you can ski 360 degrees. I think you'd want to put it in your sidecountry and spring riding lists. It's not the steepest but the volcanic flow produced terrain is just different and fun.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому +1

      That's a great comment. Thanks.

    • @TaylorPhase
      @TaylorPhase 2 роки тому

      is it really side country if its still in the resort?

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      @@TaylorPhase That's a great question. If you go through all of the comments you will see that there really is no common definition of what sidecountry really is. All of the "Avalanche Experts" would have you believe that any unpatrolled sidecountry is really backcountry. My definition is that if you have to hike to it, it is sidecountry.

    • @MrIsomer
      @MrIsomer Рік тому

      Bachelor gets hammered sooooo quickly on powder days it's a joke. There's really no sidecountry there - it's technically all "in resort".

  • @markbois1713
    @markbois1713 Рік тому

    Whiteface MT New York, the only lift served slide skiing in the East. Slides only open when conditions are permitting, the highest vertical drop in the east, and the host of two winter Olympics.
    Stowe VT has many sidecountry trails, and Jay Peak VT has Big Jay for sidecountry, and they get the most snow.

  • @bryanclark3693
    @bryanclark3693 2 роки тому

    I'm almost totally a backcountry skier now. I don't get as many laps in as I would at a resort. However, the couple runs I do get are well earned and the snow is always better.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому +1

      I have a good ski buddy that is exclusively backcountry and he loves it. As I ski almost every day, there are some days between storms that I enjoy some groomers and the chance to work on technique.

  • @jimtamagni2829
    @jimtamagni2829 2 роки тому

    Another great video Matt. It also nice to showcase some 70+ year old skiers also!

  • @redalaska
    @redalaska 2 роки тому

    Alpental and Baker have amazing sidecountry.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому +1

      I love Alpental as that is where I started skiing. People will talk about Alpental sidecountry while standing in the tram line at Snowbird.

    • @redalaska
      @redalaska 2 роки тому

      @@matthewbennettutah That's where my kids learned to ski!

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      @@redalaska Small world.

  • @anguslomas8220
    @anguslomas8220 Рік тому

    Revelstoke side country is pretty incredible. However, it is extremely avalanche prone. It can go wrong pretty quickly in montana Bowl, and there have been many unfortunate deaths.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  Рік тому

      That is a good recommendation. I am hoping to get to Revelstoke this next season. I was planning to get there this year but a trip to Japan killed my Canadian trip.

  • @andrewk9267
    @andrewk9267 2 роки тому +3

    Alta continually making every one of these lists makes me realize just how spoiled I am by my home mountain

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому +1

      Shhhh! Everyone will want to come.

    • @andrewk9267
      @andrewk9267 2 роки тому

      @@matthewbennettutah 🤫

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому +1

      @@andrewk9267 My kids grew up skiing Snowbird and Alta not realizing how good the skiing is here until they started traveling to other ski areas.

  • @scottgaribaldi5540
    @scottgaribaldi5540 2 роки тому

    Great job Matt !!!!

  • @alexioshjkl6170
    @alexioshjkl6170 Рік тому

    if your ever in new hampshire cannon has some very good side country for a new england resort

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  Рік тому

      Thanks for the recommendation. I have started to plan a New England trip for the coming winter but it will depend upon my work schedule. I've heard good things about Cannon and will have to see if I can get there.

  • @boydgoldsbury586
    @boydgoldsbury586 2 роки тому

    I ski in New Zealand and where I ski there is lots of sidecuontry that can be skied without much hiking

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      That is the best. At Alta you can go up Sunnyside and then Supreme which cuts about 5 miles off the hike of getting up Wolverine Peak.

  • @jamesdawson5304
    @jamesdawson5304 2 роки тому

    Hard to beat Kicking Horse in Golden, BC for side country.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому +1

      I've gotten a lot of similar comments. I'll be there next winter.

    • @jamesdawson5304
      @jamesdawson5304 2 роки тому

      @@matthewbennettutah You won’t be disappointed. Thanks for the great video.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      @@jamesdawson5304 Thanks

  • @calvinpeterson9581
    @calvinpeterson9581 2 роки тому +2

    Bridger bowl is another great side country resort. One lift requires a beacon to enter the terrain.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      I'll have to remember it the next time I get up near Big Sky as they are only about an hour or so apart.

  • @kosycat1
    @kosycat1 2 роки тому

    is the gad 2 touring area up to temptation chutes considerd side country or in bounds or back country?i ripped a sick line on untouch pow down temptaion this sping. it was a pretty scary hike at times not gonna lie.Aloto of cornisis. baldy was a little less scary to hike

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому +1

      That is a great question. Snowbird ski patrol won't let you hike it if it isn't safe. If you hike up from the backside (White Pine trailhead) and drop into it when Snowbird says it is closed, you can be arrested. They also do avalanche control on it as it is above the Red Lens Line traverse. It is definitely side country, in my opinion. I've done it before and you are right that there is some great skiing there. Just be sure to check in with ski patrol, bring the right safety gear, and a buddy or two.

  • @ski4life9
    @ski4life9 2 роки тому

    Do a top 5 CO resorts

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      Thanks for the recommendation. I still need to get to A-Basin, Breckenridge, and Telluride. I think I've hit the rest of the biggies but let me know if there is another I should add to my list. If you are trying to plan a trip for this year, I think Aspen is my favorite. Steamboat is a close second.

  • @TheJeffDing
    @TheJeffDing Рік тому

    June Mountain belongs on this list

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  Рік тому

      That is an interesting recommendation. I will have to give June a shot. I have driven past it a number of times but always end up going to Mammoth.

  • @Frank020
    @Frank020 Рік тому

    Hi can you do these alone on a safer avalanches day? Is Avi training required?

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  Рік тому +1

      It depends upon which resort you are at. Jackson Hole doesn't do any Avy control while Snowbird will require you to check in with ski patrol, have a buddy, and bring a beacon, shovel, and probe. My recommendation is to always bring a buddy, have the necessary safety equipment, and know how to use it.

    • @Frank020
      @Frank020 Рік тому

      Got it. How does Mammoth JM compare to Kirkwood or Squaw. Live in N. Socal. For new Backcountry riders, so non-extreme. Snowboarding 🏂🏔️

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  8 місяців тому +1

      @@Frank020 Sorry I didn't see this until carefully going through all the comments as I am about to put out a new sidecountry video. Mammoth is huge as is Squaw not that it merged with Alpine. Kirkwood is a bit smaller but still has some great skiing. If I was to list my top 5 California ski areas, all 3 would make the list. I haven't thought about what the other 2 would be those 3 all rank pretty high.

    • @Frank020
      @Frank020 8 місяців тому

      @@matthewbennettutah Awesome and informative videos. Thanks for the info. I live about 3 hours South of MM,so that is the most likely, but I hear it can get crowded. I go So Cal local too. Slush/ Ice cycles. Lol...Peace

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  8 місяців тому +1

      @@Frank020 My ski buddy Jim loves Mammoth but also spends time at June Mountain. It can be a place to go to get away from the crowds.

  • @MrDfieth
    @MrDfieth 2 роки тому +2

    Crystal Mountain Wa. - what is better than the Southback!

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      Thanks, I am definitely going to have to check it out.

    • @davidloudon7193
      @davidloudon7193 2 роки тому

      I was going to add crystal mountain. Best feature of that place.

  • @robizsak61
    @robizsak61 2 роки тому +1

    How do you miss Whistler Blackcomb on this list, the amount of side country terrain is really second to none.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому +1

      Honest answer: I've never done the sidecountry at Whistler. I need to correct that.

    • @IsraelistheJewsland
      @IsraelistheJewsland 2 роки тому

      @@matthewbennettutah yes, yes you do

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      @@IsraelistheJewsland Thanks. I'll work on it. I also understand there are some amazing backcountry places in BC near Whistler as well.

  • @chase2801
    @chase2801 2 роки тому

    Big sky should be on this list.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      You are probably right but I haven't done any sidecountry at Big Sky and have no idea what it is like.

  • @xtc996
    @xtc996 2 роки тому +2

    I like how you used KirkWood's old Logo, Before vail ruined it.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому +1

      Call me old-school but I couldn't bring myself to use the new logo.

  • @nadakidd
    @nadakidd 2 роки тому

    I'm trying to move to the SLC area so that I can ski regularly. I'd like to live somewhere I can be on the slopes in less than an hour on a pow day during the week. Looking at under $600K for a home. What areas/neighborhoods do you recommend? Thanks Matthew.

    • @justinisabell4832
      @justinisabell4832 2 роки тому +1

      Getting to a resort in less than an hour on a pow day doesn’t exist, I live 18 minutes from base of Alta, and it can take 2-3 hours on a pow day.

    • @nadakidd
      @nadakidd 2 роки тому

      @@justinisabell4832 Holy 💩! What about a "normal" weekday? Recommendations based on that?

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      They used to close the road to Alta and Snowbird at 5am when shooting for avalanches and you could sneak up before then. Now they close it at midnight and even during the week it can take several hours.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому +1

      @nadakidd, One of my best powder days this year was on a Monday and it was relatively empty. It surprised a lot of us locals as we skied onto the lift each run. However that is now abnormal as locals all call in sick with the Powder Flu. My recommendation is to see about living near Ogden and skiing Powder Mountain as it rarely has a crowd and the road to get there is less dangerous than Little Cottonwood Canyon.

    • @wnee1
      @wnee1 2 роки тому +1

      I currently live in Draper (the Suncrest community to be exact) and on a weekday where there is no new snow, you can be at Alta/Snowbird in roughly 35 minutes and Brighton/Solitude in 50. Personally, I’d recommend Draper or Sandy, which are both nice areas. The price point might be a bit difficult (although not impossible), but you could certainly find a nice townhome at least. Keep in mind, as another commenter said, that there will be traffic on a pow day or the weekends. With all this said, I’m actually moving up to Logan!

  • @TaylorPhase
    @TaylorPhase 2 роки тому

    timberline has some of the best side country ive ever ridden. but only locals know. glad you didnt go lol

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      I'm surprised you shared that but I'm sure others will find it helpful. Thanks for watching.

  • @fredeschen3783
    @fredeschen3783 2 роки тому

    Crested Butte has strict boundaries/no side country allowed.🙁

  • @robzbuzz
    @robzbuzz Рік тому

    Catherine's area was the bomb

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  Рік тому +1

      It is a great sidecountry area.

    • @robzbuzz
      @robzbuzz Рік тому

      Such a short climb to many pow runs in a row. Later I hiked Glory on Teton pass, made the Alta hike seem like nothing

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  Рік тому

      @@robzbuzz There is actually a cheater route out to Catherine's that doesn't require any hiking at all. Next time you are at Alta, see if you can find it.

  • @freeskierdude_
    @freeskierdude_ Рік тому

    Go to mt bachelor in oregon

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  Рік тому

      Thanks for the recommendation. I will add it to my list of side-country areas to visit. I have been wanting to go there since I was a teenager but have yet to make the journey.

    • @freeskierdude_
      @freeskierdude_ Рік тому

      @@matthewbennettutah not really a side country area as it's a 360 skiable mountain but it is a great one

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  Рік тому

      @@freeskierdude_ I'll be sure to give it a shot.

  • @morije2morije276
    @morije2morije276 2 роки тому

    You're ranking North America's ski areas but you've only visited Whistler in Canada !?!

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      I've been trying to fix that by skiing more places in Canada and will address that this winter. Until then it allows for a lot of comments from others. What do you recommend?

  • @alyssaskier2656
    @alyssaskier2656 2 роки тому

    I'm going to disagree pretty strongly with this video, not for the choices of resorts, but for the very ambiguous terminology. This is discussed in some other comments, but it's not just the use of "marketing terminlogy" or the use of "sidecoutry" in particular that's the problem.
    In this video, you conflate avalanche-controlled, lift-serviced, patrolled, in-bounds terrain (e.g., virtually everything at Crested Butte), hike-to in-bounds terrain (the Palisades), and actual backcountry terrain (what I assume you are talking about when you refer to Jackson Hole). Surely you don't just mean the Headwall, Crags, and Casper Bowl when you are talking about Jackson; there's a world of difference in terms of risk between Casper Bowl and Rock Springs. And you referred to "Bluebird Backcountry" as, well, backcountry, even though it's all patrolled and controlled for avalanche safety; despite the name, it's all in-bounds hike-to terrain.
    This choice tends to conflate the risks present when skiing in-bounds terrain with actual backcountry terrain that's easily accessible. There are lots of accidents - including in the Wasatch - resulting from that misconception.
    If "sidecountry" should mean anything, it's "backcountry terrain - unpatrolled and uncontrolled - that can be accessed from a ski resort". (Or perhaps include terrain that can be accessed with minimal hiking from roads, like at some passes - Teton, Berthoud, etc.) By that standard, Crested Butte has no sidecountry. (Well, there's a small amount, but it's all illegal to access from the resort and scarcely worth it if it was legally accessible.)
    Alternatively, just use it *only* to refer to in-bounds hike-to terrain (which Crested Butte has almost none of either, unless you count the few steps to get to Spellbound Bowl). Either way, explain what you mean and be consistent about it.
    Sure, some backcountry is extremely remote, and some not at all, but people die in easily accessible backcountry terrain (including sidecountry) all the time, and inbounds (at least due to avalanches) almost never, despite much higher use; most inbounds deaths are from collisions or non-avalanche-related immersion (tree wells). Obviously, this is all very different in Europe, where often the only truly controlled terrain is "on-piste" - i.e., groomed trails.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      Ah, you hit on a sub-theme of the video: sidecountry means different things depending upon the ski area. I probably should have called that out in the video but I have to keep the videos short. For every minute of video, there are 5 or more hours of time to create it. If I was to list out every little detail about the dangers of backcountry/sidecountry I'd have an video with lots of warnings and very little content. I've offered to have people help me do a safety video but nobody has taken me up on the idea.

  • @justinisabell4832
    @justinisabell4832 2 роки тому +3

    Great choices, but I would strongly encourage you to not refer to this terrain as side country, it is back country. Side country is a marketing term, once you leave a gate you are in the back country.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      I know "sidecountry" can be used as a marketing term but it also helps differentiates between relatively quick help vs. totally screwed if something goes wrong. I have a couple of yurt trip videos that are true backcountry where you are totally on your own as help is hours away should you get hurt.

    • @angusmcdugal1
      @angusmcdugal1 2 роки тому +3

      @@matthewbennettutah You continue to downplay the side country. I teach Avalanche Courses for a living, and every year we correct people from calling this terrain "side country". It MUST be considered Backcountry and all the same precautions should be taken.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      @@angusmcdugal1 As far as safety preparation goes, I agree that there is no difference between backcountry and sidecountry. You need to have the same safety equipment and never go alone, which I explain in the video. One thing that should be added is to review the avalanche forecast as well.

    • @justinisabell4832
      @justinisabell4832 2 роки тому +1

      Obviously, you can call it whatever you want. I just strongly feel that calling it side-country minimizes the risk in some heads, leading to novice activity in the back country when they have no business being there. I know of several fatal situations in the side-country at Park City, and Fernie, where people left “side country” gates and were either killed quickly or patrol couldn’t get to them within a few hours because of conditions and they passed. If side country exists, it is terrain that is inbounds only accessed by a hike, fully patrolled and managed… just my two cents from experience.

    • @justinisabell4832
      @justinisabell4832 2 роки тому +1

      @@matthewbennettutah if you are caught in an avalanche in the “side-country”, you ARE totally screwed… survivability plummets after 15 minutes for a full burial. No in bounds patroller is getting to you that quickly. Your only hope is a loose burial away from terrain traps or a great partner who is on point with rescue technique.

  • @jacksontate4207
    @jacksontate4207 2 роки тому

    Telluride

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      One of my goals for doing Telluride is to do a bit of the Sidecountry. Thanks for the recommendation.

  • @djc7039
    @djc7039 2 роки тому

    Huckleberry Canyon

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      Are you referring to Sierra-at-Tahoe's Huckleberry Canyon or somewhere else?

    • @djc7039
      @djc7039 2 роки тому

      @@matthewbennettutah yes easy access to tons of powder

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому +1

      Too bad they only opened for a weekend this year due to last summer's fire. It is a great area.

  • @djjosseppe
    @djjosseppe 2 роки тому

    I think it may be wise to stop using the geographical description "North America" and stick to the USA. It is hard to not recognize your lack of knowledge when it comes to Canadian resorts. Just a thought.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      Good point and I have a plan to overcome my lack of Canadian resorts.

    • @djjosseppe
      @djjosseppe 2 роки тому

      @@matthewbennettutah message me when you do, I can side country tour you on the coast.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому +2

      @@djjosseppe I am looking at doing Sunshine, Lake Louise, Kicking Horse, and Revelstoke next season and am working out details. I know they are all inland but those are the big ones beside Whistler. I wanted to work in Red Mountain but I think that might be a stretch.

    • @djjosseppe
      @djjosseppe 2 роки тому +1

      @@matthewbennettutah red and whitewater are pretty ticked away in their own little corner. But with a flight to Spokane and an easy drive north, you could cover those two in a long weekend.
      As for the coast, obviously whistler, which can be absolutely epic. But for a true authentic skiing experience, you should consider heading to the island and getting up to Mt Cain, absolute magic. If by chance you do get to the coast, reach out. Or, if you are near Portland, Hood Meadows is a souriant little gem, I ski there often as well, could tour you around.

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      @@djjosseppe I saw a documentary on Mt Cain and it looks pretty amazing. I also need to get up to Hood Meadows. Thanks for the offer.

  • @ClayTJohnson
    @ClayTJohnson 2 роки тому

    Vail is the best. Stick to Vail

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      I don't detect any sarcasm whatsoever.

    • @sc100ott
      @sc100ott 2 роки тому

      Yes! Mid-Vail is awesome! Especially around lunchtime. I recommend everyone should go there!

    • @matthewbennettutah
      @matthewbennettutah  2 роки тому

      @@sc100ott Not sure if I should be taking notes or getting a shovel.

    • @johnmartinsen963
      @johnmartinsen963 Рік тому

      😂the Minturn mile.