Backcountry Skiing in the Adirondacks (Mt. Marcy)

Backcountry skiing, particularly in the Adirondack mountains, has always appealed to me. In this video, I realize a life long dream of Ski touring Mt. Marcy (New York's tallest mountain). The Tour was completed on March 22nd, 2022.

The downhill skiing, portion was more challenging than I initially expected while the uphill component was much more reasonable. Overall I rate the Mt. Marcy, ski tour very highly.

Like many, mismanagement of resorts, the effects of climate change, and a desire to connect with nature in its rawest form, are what drew me into backcountry skiing.

**MUST READ: Best Backcountry Skiing in the Northeast**
Buy this book if you are (or are looking to become) a backcountry skier in NY and New England

Sections:
0:00 - 1:00 - Intro
1:00 - 2:00 - Snowpack + Weather
2:00 - 10:00 - Uphill
10:00 - 15:00 - Downhill

Camera gear used to produce this video:
-Sony a7iii
-Tamron 28-75 F2.8
-Rode Video Mic go
-Manfrotto Travel Tripod

[damisyancopoulos]

Great video - you are a beast hiking miles in ski boots.
When skiing in late spring conditions, a great way to move fast and have happier feet is bring a pair of light sneakers you don’t mind getting muddy (and extra socks!). When the first few miles are dry, have your boots on skis on pack and when you hit snow line, leave the sneakers tucked behind a tree for your return!

[jacodester]

Sir, skiing the Daks is no easy feat especially on spring snow, and the summit of Marcy is a rad place to get some turns! Keep scouting those dream lines! ⛷

[alexreed]

Loved the commentary throughout and overall production quality, looking forward to next video!

[katietyler]

I’m the caretaker at colden for the winter but had hip surgery so I couldn’t be out there this winter. I was the parking lot person. Thanks for the cool coverage of Marcy and skiing it — I miss that ski !!!! Fun to pick out sections like romper room from that perspective. 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️ I’m be back out there next winter. 👋

[D-Ski-Bike-Kayak-Etc-cvtm]

Nick this is one of the best videos I've ever seen on skiing Mt. Marcy. Like you, I got Goodman's book and am now devouring content. Thank you for posting this, it is really helpful as I get started on my backwoods skiing journey!

[nocokneedroppers]

I skied it about a week before you. There was lots of snow on trail and the bowl was deep and creamy. Timing is everything, I got lucky. Great video and a great accomplishment!

[hansbuehler]

What an effort, huge respect for pushing through the no snow section! That was a great video. I did this like 20 years ago and hoping to get back to do it again. Narrow trail skiing!

[mbtravel]

I just ordered the book myself, that video just came up in my feed, i wasn't looking for it. I was always curious about trying back country

[UncleTravelingMatt]

That’s awesome I’ve hiked Mount Marcy once 15 years ago. An incredible summit. The Adirondacks are amazing. I’ve been doing lots of adventuring in the Whites the last several years, I need to get back to the Adirondacks again. From some angles they’re as beautiful if not more beautiful than the Whites are.

[RuhlAV]

Good job man! Great video, good call to bail!

[jonnytest]

I hiked this mountain years ago and now getting into backcountry skiing. This is awesome.

[mstudios]

We had such a bad winter, normally in a good winter those are straight snowfields around the summit. Surprising to see how many trees were poking out.

[fredyd]

I've climbed Marcy a couple times and that was awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[michaelpfarley]

Nick: Great video. I'm from Cleveland and, like you, dreamed a lot of about alpine touring, got the gear, and I'm going into my 3rd season. I've studied Goodman's book also and I've done a bunch of solo tours in Vermont. Haven't done Marcy yet, but it's on my list. Great accomplishment...I think you've inspired me to make it happen this coming season! Your downhill footage is some the highest quality and most comprehensive I've found so thank you for that! Those conditions looked pretty challenging...I'm impressed that you stuck with it.

[daviddepodwin]

Nice effort man, the mountain will always be there. Solo is always a good head piece to test your mettle and gear. Ski on!

[khilys]

Really well shot video, I was looking to try a tour in the ADKs this winter and came across this. Downhill looked like a blast

[everwildvisualresearch]

Skinned up the backside of Whiteface, stairs to the summit where covered in ice and I didn't have my spikes or crampons.Wasn't gonna break my neck trying to get up and I was out of snacks. Was probably about 500 feet from the top and I turned back to ski down.

[erdsza]

Nicely done, I’m getting geared up to do my first next weekend.

[jamiedamaral]

I appreciate the video. The video looked like you had a few close calls with some trees. Had me on the edge of my seat. Looked like a great trip. Your camera work was great too.

[bradyryan]

Awesome video! I’m a snowboarder from upstate NY, Adirondacks are definitely beautiful. Keep up the good content 👍