Extreme skier 'listens to mountains'
Dean Cummings stopped by A-Basin last week to test his new line of skis and talk about backcountry safety.
Story and photo by Janice Kurbjun, Summit Daily News
ARAPAHOE BASIN — One can learn more about terrain and snowpack in Colorado than anywhere in the world, Alaska heli guide and world freeskier Dean Cummings says.
Here, the snowpack is never perfect.
“If you listen to the mountains, they will tell you what you can do and can't do,” Cummings said during a visit to A-Basin to tout his new line of skis, show his ski film "The Steep Life" and talk about backcountry safety.
He was being literal. Cracks, creaks and ‘whomps' of settling snow will signal instability, he said.
“It's all about the route,” Cummings said.
He'd been scoping some ski lines seen in the film for more than 15 years, he said, and between proper route-choosing and awaiting the right conditions, he was able to carve the first ski lines onto the mountain's arms.
Read more about Cummings' visit and what he had to say about backcountry skiing.
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