The largest growing segment of the ski market for the last several years is all about going uphill. Alpine Touring (AT)—where skiers climb uphill then ski down, forgoing the need for a chairlift—has seen consistent growth in both participation and gear sales with no signs of slowing down. And it’s easy to see why.
Lift ticket prices have swelled to a staggering $209 per day at Vail and it’s rare to find a resort anywhere in North America that charges less than $150 for a day on the mountain. Meanwhile the rise of the so-called Mega Season Pass (such as Epic and Ikon) has clogged lift lines around the country, inspiring one Outside Magazine op-ed to suggest "The Mega Season Pass Is Killing Skiing.” As lift tickets grow more expensive and ski areas get more crowded, the backcountry beckons.