Producer’s Note
"This episode was actually one of the more technically challenging episodes to shoot because the snow just never let up. The mountainside was so loaded with fresh snow that it would often give way beneath you and you'd find yourself trying to pull yourself up a mass of snow chest deep. It was physically exhausting and the constant snow made it impossible to keep the camera lens and viewfinder dry. I remember the second night and following morning were quite cold. It was a challenge to stay warm and I was glad to head out!"

Nikia Furman

Copper Lake Basin

Montana

Backcountry Skiing
It's a lot of work, but it's easy to see why people get addicted to making fresh tracks in the backcountry. The challenges of getting there, assessing safety, picking a line, and dealing with the elements make for a unique and memorable skiing experience.

Logistics
Caleb, Jeremy, and Travis trekked a little over 4 miles to get to the basin, where they set up a base camp for a few days of fun on the surrounding hills. With a heavy, wet spring snow falling, staying warm and dry was a challenge. However, climbing to the ridge for each run will warm you right up! The reward was well worth the effort, though, as this area has plenty of terrain to challenge even the most experienced skier!

DIY
Copper Lake Basin is located near Lookout Pass ski area on I-90, near the Montana/Idaho border. The area is also popular with snowmobilers, so there is a good chance the trails will be beaten down and easy to follow, unless you are lucky enough to have fresh snow!