Do You Have a Backyard Ski "area" or Private Hill?
September 2, 2007
Do you have a "real" backyard or private ski hill? If you do, please contact me. I am looking to start a collection of private or backyard ski hill's that are actually skied on a regular basis during the winter season.
Contact me here on DCski or stop by the site
www.skiingathome.com
I have a few 'potential' ski hills so far, but will know much more after the first few snows
The ones I found on a hike this weekend look near perfect. sweet open glades. and no, I will not cut any trees or brush .. maybe move a few trees that have fell if need be, but thats about it.
Watch out for rocks! I blew out a set of old ski's last year on my hill. I was skiing "out of bounds" on my hill. I cleared the big rocks off of my trail and after a big snow, I thought all was clear...not so much
It's a good thing they were really old ski's
You guys have to see the "Backyard Ski area of the week" this week. I am sure lots of you know about Polar Peak? If not, check out the review I wrote on them at my site:
I've just gotta say Travis, that you're putting a lot of great work into your site... keep up the good work!
Thanks Roger, it is alot of fun!
Well, I have skiied in my yard, all of 10' vert and 30' run. I can do this about 1 in 3 three years. If he snow is really good (once every 10 years), I can continue down the street another 30' vert and 600' long. A fried and I have also freeheeled on the skinny sticks around the local streets. You have to be fast so it doesn't melt before you get back. Does that count?
that brings up a good question! What do you guys think should count as a "True" backyard ski area?
Specific vertical? Snow? Skiiable days? Or just having tons of drive!
All I gotta say is next week's featured hill is AWESOME! They guy has a snowmaking system that has aftercoolers and he even has hydrants on the hill...insane! I'll be writing the review over the weekend when I have time between building my new house and working
re: what it takes
i think you need some kind of infrastructure for the purpose, like at least a fence built to rest your skis or XC trails cleared, which i don't have. Travis at least has a snowfence and a rope tow, that's nearly commercial grade ;-)
I have a potential ski hill hill at my property near 7 Springs. It has roughly 90' of vertical spread over maybe 350' of horizontal, with northern exposure. Right now it's heavily wooded with some mature maple trees - since I vowed not to cut any trees when we bought the place, I guess I'll have to clear the underbrush and call it a glade. There is a large cornfield that borders it immediately to the northwest (upwind side), and the trees act like an awesome snow fence - last March we had drifts close to 5' deep.
My wife thinks I'm crazy, of course.
jb714,
If I am you, I would be all over that hill this fall, clearing out an area to ski! With 5ft drifts, you couldn't keep me away. Maybe you could thin the hill out and leave the big trees. The main thing is that you get a rope tow, not a necessity but it will allow you to make LOTS of turns without walking. A snowfence may help if you could line it right at the edge of the cornfield, at least your coverage would be more consistant.
OK! As promised! This week's backyard hill is posted! This guy purchased parts of a lift from a ski area and fitted it to his tractor!
www.skiingathome.com I am still needing more backyard areas to keep the flow going every week....wonder how long this will last as a weekly thing?
