Backcountry adventures with kids: What to know before you go.

S E A S O N A L

SNIPPETS

WHAT TO know BEFORE YOU go . . .

LIFE CHANGES AFTER KIDS. “I gave birth to my cojones,” says a dear friend, who shall remain nameless here because her MP-reading mother may well swoon over the literal translation of this phrase. This is a truth many of us share, on both accounts. However, and this is a central tenet of MOUNTAINPARENT: with good planning and the right gear, your days of adventure are far from behind you. In fact, sharing your love of the mountains with your children can be the greatest adventure of all.

Backcountry Skiing is another set of words likely to make our mothers fret, with due cause, considering what we know about the outlying risks. The truth is, you can safely get out there into the quiet deep of the wilderness on kid-friendly hut trips, and you can do this without fear, by seeking the guidance of experts. The 10th Mountain Division Hut Association is an Aspen-based nonprofit founded to provide exactly this kind of support, while also managing a system of 34 backcountry huts.

We asked for advice:

PHOTOS: A properly fitting backpack can make all the difference when you’re carrying a heavy load and learning how to ski with a pack.

7. WE ASKED FOR ADVICE:

1. Take baby steps. A successful summer backpacking trip is a good prerequisite. This way, your child has experienced the grunt of carrying clothing, gear and food across miles of solid ground before attempting to do so while skiing or snowshoeing. (Time now to start planning and training for this summer and next winter...) You could even plan a summer hut trip to learn the ins and outs of the hut experience without the stress of winter conditions. Some huts are approachable by four-wheel drive high clearance vehicles.

2. Start small. Plan backpacking day trips on skis, where your child can carry their water, lunch, snacks and an extra layer. This helps acclimate them to the feeling of skiing while carrying a load, and it gives you a chance to gauge their threshold for distance and their comfort level with various inclines. Try Ashcroft Ski Touring area.

3. Gear Up. A classic ski pulk or Chariot® with ski accessories is essential for bringing small children along on cross-country ski trips. After your children outgrow the royal treatment (i.e. riding in a parent-horse-drawn carriage), you can save this gear for future hut trips, making it easier to haul food and other heavy essentials, like wine and guitars.

4. Consult experts. Jenifer Blomquist or Pat Essig, the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association’s reservationists (who both have kids and love to help families plan for success) can recommend huts based on distance and route, so that your destination fits your group’s skills and experience. First visit www.huts.org to read their trip planning advice, especially their “Family and Kids Trips” page. Call (970) 925-5775 when you are ready for specific guidance.

5. Manage Expectations. Make sure your kids understand that you will cancel the trip if snow conditions warrant it. You can follow storms and get up-to-the-hour information about avalanche danger at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center’s website: www.avalanche.state.co.us {KC}

Here are a few things to consider: Make sure the pack is sized to the length of your child’s torso. Some packs feature adjustable suspension, which allows the pack to grow as your child grows. Make sure that hip and sternum straps fit comfortably snug, so that the pack will move with your child, rather than shifting around. Then parents should supervise packing and sherpa heavier essentials so kids can handle their load. credit: {KC}