Reddit reviews Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book, Revised and Even Better!: Traveling & Camping Skills For A Winter Environment (Allen & Mike's Series)
We found 9 Reddit comments about Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book, Revised and Even Better!: Traveling & Camping Skills For A Winter Environment (Allen & Mike's Series). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Globe Pequot Press Allen & Mike's Backctry Ski by Allen O'Bannon - 9780762745852
I'm in a similar boat where I'm beefing up my winter gear. This book has some good resources both for skiing and winter camping. Assuming you'll be on snow there are a few things that stick out regardless of temperature range and whether you'll be above or below treeline.
It kind of matters where in the world you are. Some places are much easier to "dip your toes in" than others, i.e. stay safe.
My general recommendations include:
here is another that I haven't read, but has been recommended:
http://www.amazon.com/Book-Backcountry-Skiing-Skills/dp/B007L0D45K
"The Avalanche Handbook" is a good, thick reference though drier then Trempers "Staying Alive."
Tremper has a new book that I haven't read.
"Snow Sense" is a classic but short.
I just recommended this book on another thread and it is really great and covers lots of emergency shelter style stuff. Written by two NOLS instructors one of whom happens to be a brilliant cartoonist. They have other books on avalanches and telemark skiing too.
Some good blogs are http://wildsnow.com, http://bedrockandparadox.com/, http://straightchuter.com/, http://forrestmccarthy.blogspot.com/.
you dig a hole in the snow. you also want to try and shoot for a ceiling and a wall that is greater than 2' thick.
also, if you find a snowbank, you can make your entrance lower than your sleeping spot, allowing the more dense, cold air to not settle around you and your sleeping bag. the way OP has his set up, the cold air will come in through the top and will act like a refrigerator!
:edit: here is a really, really great book: https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Really-Backcountry-Revised-Better/dp/0762745851
This is from Allen and Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book by Allen O'Bannon
I would remove this as a gear question, but it sounds like you really need avalanche and backcountry safety. I have yet to take a course myself, but I have read a couple of great books that I would recommend.
Avalanche Essentials
Allen and Mike's Backcountry
If you have a guide maybe you will get some training, but these books are excellent. As far as backpacks go these are many great one out there. Make sure to get something specific for snowboarding/skiing. It will have a pad or hard plate so if you land hard on it your belongings won't hurt you. If you have the cash you migh also consider an avalanche backpack with floatation. And if you sre going to do a lot of backcountry get the ave level 1 training. That is what I am signing up for this year. And a helmet is even more important in the backcountry. People have been found unburied after a big slide with head trauma.
This! "Punching" down the hill can really help you remember to keep both hands out in front.
More tips:
Also, a necessary heads up for Allen & Mike's telemark book. There are a bunch of suggestions in there for a trailing uphill hand.
https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Really-Backcountry-Revised-Better/dp/0762745851
Allen and Mike's really cool backcountry ski book
or their avalanche book or their telemark book.
These things are seriously great reads.
I don't know how much snow you guys have, but if it's reliably more than 2 meters of snow on the ground you can use dugloos / quinzees. Downsides:
Upsides:
You still need a really good insulated pad whether you're in a tent or in a snow shelter but I stopped bringing my 0F down bag on winter trips and instead just use my +12F summer bag. My winter bag was honestly way too warm even on sub zero (F) nights in a show shelter.
We get a ton of snow where I'm at so I usually go build a dugloo around February and then for that month and into March I've got a shelter. I record the coordinates, it's conveniently at the base of a kick ass ~28 degree bowl, and there I am with my backcountry ski "lodge". Next winter I'm going to haul some firewood out there too so I can really have a kick ass time. Great book if you're interested. Goes over snow shelter construction really well.