Alaska Backcountry Skiing

First AT 8, originally uploaded by theartofwandering.

So I finally got my backcountry set up. For backcountry you ski on equipment called AT, which is alpine touring. The set up is very similar to telemarking, but on the way down the mountain you are clipped in like alpine skiing. To start the day you throw some climbing skins on the bottom of your skis. The skins stick to the snow, so you travel similar to cross country skiing. The heels on your bindings release allowing you to step when climbing the mountains. When you hit the top of the mountain your bindings click down and are transformed into downhill bindings, meaning you have a clipped in heel. And then comes.....the powder!