No…not me – I’ll leave that up to experts like Tony 😉 Today I did spot some experts off the side of Happo – see if you can spot them! I managed to get the photo just as one started down one of these incredible chutes.

So if you’re like me and have been wondering what the difference is between all this back/slack country talk… here’s a quick summary:

• Side country – where you can drop in off the side of the mountain but still end up back at a chair lift.
• Slack country – a short hike (or sometimes ski) down to a drop off point with an easy hike back to the resort.
• Back country – the serious stuff… hike up, hike out.

Of course we don’t necessarily condone out-of-bounds behaviour, but if you’re serious enough to try it, I doubt you’re much of a rule-follower.

Obviously there’s avanlanche risk out there (as there is on any big mountain) so the right knowledge & equipment is essential. Have a chat with the guys at White Horse Hotel for tips on how to enter the wonderful world of backcountry.