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Skiers seek refuge from crowded ski resorts in the relative quiet of backcountry skiing. Here, skiers climb above the treeline on the east ridge of Galena Mountain near Leadville, Colorado.
Skiers climb untouched powder not far from Turquoise Lake, near the Continental Divide in central Colorado. Paul Frysh/CNN
Skiers make their way on a snowy morning in the backcountry, looking for fresh powder.
The view from a cabin in the backcountry near Leadville, Colorado is breathtaking. The cabin is on public lands, has no running water and uses a simple wood stove for heat.
A pristine mountainside of fresh powder begs to be skied in the Colorado backcountry. Paul Frysh/CNN
Backcountry ski guide Will Elliott, left, rests at around 12,500 feet on the east ridge of Galena Mountain.
In the backcountry, skiers strap on avalanche beacons like this one. The beacons are used to locate buried skiers in case of an avalanche.
Alpine touring boots loosen in "walk" mode to make climbing on skis more comfortable. They can be quickly tightened for the descent.
"Skins" attach to the bottom of the skis to make climbing on the snow easier.
Rita the avalanche-rescue dog takes a break to play in the snow.
A pine marten mugs for the camera in the Colorado backcountry. Pine martens are one of the few animals clever enough to hunt porcupines. Paul Frysh/CNN
