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Doug Stenclik opened his Cripple Creek Backcountry shop in Carbondale in 2012 with a premonition that uphill skiing was about to explode. It did, and how he\u2019s got three shops in Colorado and an online site that ranks among the top sellers of all backcountry and ski touring equipment.\xa0

Doug\u2019s vision began with a distinct belief that skiers should not be making life-and-death decisions while they are learning a new sport. His take is that backcountry skiing done right can be just as safe as skiing a resort. It\u2019s all about making the right decisions early. Liberal uphill policies at a growing number of ski resorts has enabled uphill skiing to thrive.\xa0

And that\u2019s good as we head into the great unknown for the coming season. Doug saw sales at his Cripple Creek shops and website explode after resorts suddenly closed in mid-March. Could that be a clue of what we can expect for the upcoming ski season?

Listen in as Doug riffs on the \u201cout of order\u201d alignment in backcountry skiing and avalanche education, how resorts embracing uphill is fostering the backcountry movement, how resort skiing can help your backcountry turns, the right ski for the right day and what he sees ahead as a ski season unlike any other unfolds.\xa0

4:30 \u2014 Avalanche education, it\u2019s talked about out of order. Risk of life should not be your first concern when you are learning how to kickstep.\xa0

6:10 - Resort uphill policies are enabling the transition from touring to backcountry.\xa0

10:30 \u2014 \u201cFind the worst snow possible.\u201d Tips for honing backcountry skills while skiing off chairlifts.

13:20 \u2014 Is the boom in backcountry ski equipment sales in late March an indication of what\u2019s to come?\xa0

18:00 \u2014 Trail running shoes, home gym equipment and bikes are hot commodities in the pandemic summer. Could uphill skis join that list this winter?\xa0

20:30 \u2014 Don\u2019t necessarily think of touring as a better way to ski. \u201cThink of it as a better way to hike in the winter and get outside and exercise in the winter.\u201d\xa0

22:50 \u2014 Cripple Creek encourages all buyers to sit for a virtual consultation when buying an uphill kit.\xa0

24:10 \u2014 Light is right. \u201cKnow that you will eventually go lighter \u2026 90% of the time you are going uphill.\u201d\xa0

27:00 \u2014 Industry rollercoaster trends push the single-tool quiver but best bet it to have a resort ski and a backcountry ski.\xa0

31:10 \u2014 Best advice: Enjoy the whole day, the uphill and downhill as one journey in the mountains.\xa0