The Secret Backcountry Corners Only Locals Know
Most visitors stick to the main trails and that’s totally fine. But if you’re craving a little adventure, there are corners of the backcountry that feel like stepping into another world. Over my years guiding at Trailblaze Slopes, I’ve developed a sort of mental map of these hidden gems: ridges that catch the sunrise just right, glades where snow accumulates untouched for days, and natural half-pipes that only the locals know exist. One afternoon, I led a small group into a secluded valley that’s usually only accessible during the early hours. By the time we arrived, there wasn’t a single other snowmobile track in sight. Elk prints lined the edges of the trail, and the silence was broken only by the hum of our engines. One of our guests, normally a little cautious, stopped mid-ride, looked around, and said, “This… this is why I came.” Moments like that remind me why I love this job.