No Lift Needed

03/06/2024

Don’t miss this years Wild Corn Backcountry Shindig!!!

https://www.skireg.com/wildcorn

02/28/2024

With the weather taking a turn towards unfriendly Spring temps, don't forget that No Lift Needed has information on uphill access at resorts all across the nation. The snow remains at the ski resorts long after it leaves the backcountry. Skinning in shorts and T-shirts is great exercise! Don't forget to check with your local resort's uphill policies before you go!

All ski resort uphill policies can be found here:
https://noliftneeded.com/uphill_policy_new_england.html #

02/24/2024

Very sad news out of Stowe this week. Sidecountry/slackcountry can be just as dangerous as the backcountry. Know what you are getting into before you adventure out in the backcountry.

Noliftneeded.com

02/16/2024

Check out the Granite Backcountry Film Festival on Saturday Feb, 24th in Bethel, ME. Always a great time and a great way to help out GBA and the glading community in NH and Maine!!

02/06/2024

Always make sure to check your resorts policies and know what uphill routes are open before heading out. Whaleback is not the only mountain having issues. Know before you go at noliftneeded.com

https://www.noliftneeded.com/uphill_policy_new_england.html

🏔️ Attention Uphill Community 🏔️

We love our Uphillers here at Whaleback, but safety comes first! Our uphill policy is designed to keep everyone safe while maximizing your adventure. 🚀

Lately, we've noticed a few too-close-for-comfort moments with snowmaking equipment and groomers. 🚧 Remember, mixing it up with high-voltage wires, high-pressure hoses, or the groomers is a no-go – it's seriously risky business!

We wish to remind you that the privilege of uphill access is something we eagerly support, yet it is contingent upon adherence to established guidelines to ensure everyone's safety. Uphill access is not a right but a shared responsibility, and we are determined to uphold it without imposing restrictions.

Before you hit the slopes, please read our full policy right here: https://www.whaleback.com/new-page-1-1

Quick hits:

No uphill or downhill on trails when grooming or snowmaking gear is out.

Bougainvillea and Spout are off-limits downhill from close till 6 AM to prep for race training. 🏁

Uphill travelers using our trails when the mountain is not open are doing so at their own risk. There are no ski patrol or rescue services available at these times.

Thanks for playing it safe and respecting the vibe. Together, we keep the good times rolling and the slopes welcoming! 🏂⛷️

01/07/2024

Ridgeline Outdoor Collective telling it like it is. Most areas don’t have a solid base in the northeast currently. Be careful out there and fun!!

What is that white stuff falling from the sky!? As we know everyone is excited for snow to return, remember this is what BMF lot looks like as of today. Don’t let the excitement of this new fallen fool you, we’re back to base building. Get out and enjoy the snow, just be careful where you go!

01/06/2024

With all this snow coming to the Northeast tonight into tomorrow and little to no base in most areas your best bet for getting first tracks Sunday might be to skin your local mountain/resort. Know before you go. Check out your local resorts uphill policy on our website. We have evaluated well over 300 resorts across the US.

Amazingly, every resort reviewed in Vermont and New Hampshire had an uphill policy whether they offered uphill access or not. The only other state to meet this target is Nevada.

12/28/2023

Get your GBA membership and registration in for the 2024 Mt Washington Auto Road skin on Jan 27th!! This is always a great event!! Don’t miss out.

Who’s down to get up the Mt. Washington Auto Road on Jan. 27?? OTTO early registration for GBA members opens TOMORROW, 12/29 at 5 PM! We'll send members an email at that time with details. There’s still a chance to snag a GBA membership on renew yours before early reg opens. Non-members can sign up starting at 12:01 AM on New Year’s Day.

PLEASE NOTE: We won’t be processing memberships over the weekend, so if you want the early OTTO access, you need to renew or sign up as a member before 5 PM tomorrow. Thank you!! // // 📸 Joe Viger Photography

https://granitebackcountryalliance.org/otto

12/27/2023

We have updated No Lift Needed's website Uphill Skinning Policies for over 350+ resorts throughout North America. You can find info on if a resort allows uphill skinning at all, hours allowed, potential price and a link to each resorts uphill policy to determine uphill routes open and much more. With all this awful weather throughout many regions of the US there is no better time than now to keep your legs fresh through uphill access at your local resort. Visit noliftneeded.com for more details: https://noliftneeded.com/

Please leave us a comment or shoot us an email ([email protected]) to let us know your thoughts. We are always trying to improve our site and provide as much information as possible.

12/18/2023

All this bad weather throughout the country has us dreaming of days on the skin track and in the backcountry. Hopefully we get a reset and quick. Let’s see some early season stoke pictures from this year so far. Think snow!!

12/14/2023

Here is the first hand video of the slide from this past weekend in Airplane Gully. Scary stuff but we think this is important for all to see how quickly things can go wrong in avalanche areas. Thank you Dominic for sharing this. We are all thinking of you and a speedy recovery!!!

12/12/2023

https://youtu.be/fF7U50DJ8yo?si=WTpWKEjpkJDCsMWD

Is this the future of skiing?

12/12/2023

Here is the Mount Washington Avalanche Centers initial report as well as a video of the incident in Airplane Gully from this past Saturday. Warning the video may not be for all, definitely a scary incident. MWAC general advisor was right on for Saturday and this incident could have been avoided. Our thoughts go out to the injured for a quick and speedy recovery. Be safe out there all!!

MWAC post avalanche report:

https://www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org/airplane-gully-great-gulf-wilderness-avalanche-accident-12-09-2023/?fbclid=IwAR20lpM41f1lGZchnL9oIqjpoUDZhsEJC2GCfMcmW-9d7ggqMquF6dLH9iU_aem_AYGrLGIadJJrQrTHygWXyZf65Zs0ni4tY5ZvBxMCF3EgufcVKnrj-O5qBrl93f4Q7as

Video from the incident:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0ujv9iuauO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Airplane Gully, Great Gulf Wilderness Avalanche Accident, 12-09-2023 December 9, 2023 At roughly 11:30am on Saturday, December 9, 2023, a backcountry skier in Airplane Gully in the Great Gulf Wilderness triggered an avalanche which caught and carried them. During the fall, they sustained injuries, r...

12/11/2023

It may still be early season on the east coast but there is still a serious danger of avalanches when adventuring into avalanche terrain. Our thoughts go out to the injured. Be safe out there, be prepared and don’t be afraid to turn around if conditions and signs of avalanche danger are present.

A friend of the injured man and another skier provided aid to him while a National Guard helicopter made its way to the scene.

12/09/2023

Be careful skinning at your local mountain. Always double check with the resort on the appropriate uphill policies and trails that can be used. Luckily this incident at Stowe had a happy ending but things could have turned out much different.

We have an urgent request to all uphill skiers at the Stowe Mountain Resort. Please observe all signage and stay away from the winch cat groomers. This morning grooming operations had to be put on hold because some skiers actually skied over the active winch cat cable on their glory run down. Yes, you read that right.

Please understand that we’re not just asking this out of respect for the resort’s right to get the mountain ready for their paying guests (though that alone is a valid reason). No, this is a pressing safety issue. Winch cats are extremely dangerous because their cable is under incredibly high tension. If that thing were to break in your vicinity, it would kill you in a second. It’s also a horrible clothesline injury waiting to happen. Think about it: the resort saw uphill skiers in their winch cat grooming area and their response was to shut down the whole operation – THAT’S how dangerous it is.

PLEASE be respectful and stay on the designated trails and away from grooming operations. And please pass this message along to anyone even thinking about skinning the mountain.

11/26/2023

Granite Backcountry crushing the pre season prep!! Can’t wait to get out there!

02/28/2022

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist statewide. You can trigger large, wide, and potentially deadly avalanches. A Special Avalanche Advisory is in effect. Get the full forecast at colorado.gov/avalanche

Avalanches that you can trigger are largest near and above treeline, but it is even easier to trigger avalanches in sheltered areas where the slab is not as thick. Don't underestimate steep gullies and other steep terrain features below treelines. Small avalanches in the trees can have big consequences.

The photo below is from the northerly-facing slope of the Battleship east of Ophir Pass. This avalanche likely ran on February 23. It is not every day you can trigger an avalanche like this, but today is one of those days. (Photo Credit - Bryan Jarrett)

02/24/2022

Be careful if you are heading into the backcountry after this storm. There will be lots of hidden objects under the snow.