By Nate Weitzer
Getting into backcountry skiing in New England can be tough.
Buying new gear and learning how to use it on resort is one thing. But, in the backcountry, finding reasonable terrain to ski or ride without fear of getting thrown by a hidden log, scratching your planks on an unseen shark (rock below the snow), and parking without drawing the ire of local landowners? That can be a different story.
Since its inception in 2017, Granite Backcountry Alliance has worked to create backcountry zones in northern New Hampshire and western Maine free from those concerns.
The nonprofit organization has gone through some changes over the past few years, but the mission remains the same: Open and improve as much gladed terrain as possible to give the skiing public options when Mother Nature provides enough snow to make turns in the woods.
“I’m a risk adverse skier, so I was a bit daunted by glades, and wanted info on how to be safe,” said Mackenzie Frackleton, a Somerville, Massachusetts resident who has volunteered with GBA since 2020 as a pack leader and chainsaw-certified sawyer. “This was really the best place for me to learn what people do to get in shape and get comfortable in that terrain.”
Maintaining 11 glade networks and four historic trails cut by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 20th century requires a small army of volunteers, like Frackleton, who come together for fall weekend trimming sessions per National Forest regulations.
The idea is to flag designated backcountry runs that are cleared of obstacles and can theoretically be skied safely with under a foot of snow. Volunteers also sit at the parking lot of some of the smaller glades to promote “Ski Kind” principles and maintain good relationships with locals.
“Our philosophy is to reduce pressure on the whole infrastructure with public zones,” said GBA president Drew Zimber. “We’ve created something that makes hundreds, if not thousands, of people happy on an annual basis. That’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my life.”
Originally founded by Zimber and his good friend, Tyler Ray, in the mold of Vermont’s Ridgeline Outdoor Collective zones, GBA had a couple of employees running marketing and daily operations with Ray serving as executive director until 2024. After one year with Coz Teplitz serving as executive director, the organization has shifted to become completely volunteer-run, with new board members Christian Eaton and Anya Federowski joining a stable of accomplished outdoor enthusiasts with divided responsibilities in various subcommittees.
In addition to glade maintenance, GBA runs an annual end-of-season festival at King Pine Ski Area in Madison, New Hampshire called Wild Corn, and a fundraising race on the Mount Washington Auto Road (Otto Rhode Memorial Skin & Ski) that provides a rare opportunity to backcountry ski on private land held by Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center. The Otto Rhode race was postponed from January 24 to February 7 due to extreme cold, and will be held this Saturday in still brutally cold temperatures with a planned turnaround point at 3,800 feet.
While there have been instances of unhappy locals griping with the ski and vehicular traffic brought on by GBA, there are plenty of business owners and local pow enthusiasts who appreciate the influx of commerce and camaraderie when folks come up for fall Glade Days or to ski in the winter.
There are still private stashes of powder that are kept as close secrets, but the days of “gate-keeping” skiable zones to exclude those less knowledgeable are waning in northern New England.
“Personally I don’t agree with the philosophy of skiing being an excludable good,” said Eaton, who grew up ski racing at Ragged Mountain and skied for Colorado State before moving back home in 2018.
“Nobody doesn’t like an untracked powder line, but if you want that fresh pow maybe get up earlier? We believe in a hub-and-spoke method where each person touches another person and everyone you bring into the fold could help inspire someone else to try backcountry skiing. We don’t believe in the gatekeeping mentality, because we think everyone should have access.”
In removing the veil of secrecy, GBA has recently created a conditions report page on the website where anyone can submit a report of their experience, and anyone can check on the conditions of their glades. Requests are always coming in to purchase new land, clear out existing but unmaintained glades, and expand the network, but GBA is primarily focused on improving its zones rather than adding new ones.
That doesn’t mean they aren’t looking for more members and volunteers. Federowski, who has been with the organization since its first year but became the newest board member this past fall, is the head of membership engagement, and an advocate for bringing new skiers into the fold.
“We’re a very approachable group and it’s a great way to meet people with similar interests,” said Federowski. “All the information is out there, because we want people to use it, and same with glade days, no matter your experience, everyone belongs.”
“It’s critical to be part of how public land is managed and used and being part of that. To come back in winter and share it with other people is pretty awesome. I love being part of leaving a kind of ski legacy in New Hampshire and Maine.”
Nate Weitzer is an avid trail runner, backcountry skier, and mountain climber living in North Woodstock, New Hampshire, where he writes for multiple publications. Over the past 20 years he’s thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, climbed Mt. Rainier, Adams, Baker, Hood, and skied off multiple volcanoes. Weitzer has summitted the NH 48 in all four seasons, finished the ADK 46er list while working trail maintenance in the Keene Valley area, and completed the Colorado 14ers over the course of four summers. He’s written about the inaugural White Mountains 100 and ultrarunner Lexi Jackson for Northeast Explorer.
Check out the video below of a skier who set out to ski 10 of the Granite Backcountry Alliance’s glade zones over two days:
