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The Birth of Light Tours @ Colorado

August 5, 2025

Light Tours: Play It Safe And Still Have Fun

By Andy Sovick and Lou Dawson

“The mountains are beautiful but they are not worth dying for.”
— Greg Child, The Other Side of Luck

New Snow - Where To Go?

In January of 2017, it began snowing in the Elk Mountains. A month later, it felt like it had never stopped. A long sequence of storm cycles had deposited over 10 feet of snow at Irwin, just outside of Crested Butte. For backcountry skiers, a massive amount of snow in a short amount of time awakens a mixed bag of emotions. On the one hand, a skier cannot help but get excited about deep, deep pow. Images start appearing in our heads (and on our social media) of skiers porpoising their way down into the white room, gloves and poles barely exposed above the surface as if they are the only way to catch a breath of air on behalf of the submerged powderhound. On the other hand, a lot of snow in a short amount of time means that avalanche danger is likely to rise, thus keeping us from venturing out into the steep-and-deep to realize our dreams of flying through the subnivean zone.

Necessity is the Mother of (Safe) Shredding

During this storm, I chatted with backcountry ski legend Lou Dawson to talk about a new book that Beacon had just released for backcountry skiing Snoqualmie Pass in Washington. Lou Dawson is well known as the first to ski all of Colorado’s 14ers. We talked about the storm that was surrounding our beloved mountains and our typical playbook for cycles like this during the ski season. Many people will read the avalanche forecast during storms like this, see that the danger is very elevated, and they will simply go to the ski area or just stay home. But backcountry skiers like Lou see things a little different. They begin to look for slopes in their area that are too low-angle to slide, but still steep enough to get some slow, yet oh-so enjoyable, turns on the way down. Lou and I began talking about these tours and how wonderful they are, not only for high-danger days, but also for days with novice friends, or quick before-work tours, or days when you’re nursing a pulled muscle. In our conversation, we soon came to realize that we don’t even need an excuse to go hit the “light tours” of our area…we just plain like them. Our conclusion was that it’s really good to have a list of your local light tours in the back of your mind when the context presents itself.

The Beginning of the Light Tours Concept

So the idea of creating the Light Tours guidebook concept was born. Due to various climatic factors, the Colorado’s mountains can be prone to dangerous avalanches for much of every winter; yet, options exist. The key to backcountry travel during higher avalanche danger is picking routes with lower angle pitches and other avalanche-mitigating factors. While these “light tours” are surprisingly difficult to find, they do exist. We used the ATES scale to find the runs that are the best options during considerable or high avalanche danger. In the Colorado book, we detail a selection of the best Light Tours, including some runs featuring the growing trend of “uphilling” at ski resorts. Colorado lends itself to this movement, with most of the state’s more than twenty ski resorts allowing uphill skiing. Thus, we offer a special mix here, combining a variety of “easy” backcountry routes with recommended resort options.

So, What Exactly is a Light Tour?

The term “light tour” often suggests a more relaxed, lower-risk outing, that is perfect for newer skiers, those testing gear, or anyone looking to enjoy the snow without navigating high-consequence terrain. But what actually qualifies a route as a light tour? At Beacon Guidebooks, we apply a specific set of criteria rooted in the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) to determine whether a route deserves the “light” label. Understanding these criteria can help skiers make safer decisions when choosing where to tour, especially when avalanche danger is elevated or group dynamics call for a more conservative approach.

According to the ATES system, terrain classified as ATES 1: Simple is ideal for light tours. These areas are characterized by low-angle or forested terrain, numerous opportunities to reduce or eliminate avalanche exposure, and easy escape options if conditions change. Occasionally, a route that includes brief sections of ATES 2: Challenging terrain may still be considered a light tour if exposure is extremely limited and avoidable. In every Beacon Guidebook, we highlight and clearly describe any terrain where skiers might encounter even small amounts of avalanche risk. This level of detail ensures that users can plan their tours with both confidence and clarity.

While light tours may be perceived as safer, they still require full backcountry preparation. Avalanche training, proper equipment, route planning, and good communication are just as important here as they are on more committing routes. The difference is that light tours offer a meaningful alternative when conditions don’t support steeper objectives. For example, if you’re heading out with a new ski partner, testing out new alpine touring gear, or simply want to enjoy fresh powder without the stress of navigating complex terrain, light tours offer the perfect opportunity. They provide all the joy of backcountry travel with a fraction of the risk, making them ideal for building experience and enjoying the mountains with greater peace of mind.

In our Light Tours of Colorado atlas, as well as the Light Tours of Tahoe, California + Nevada, we’ve carefully selected routes that meet these criteria. Each is designed to give skiers a reliable way to explore the backcountry with reduced exposure, without sacrificing the reward of a good descent. In an era where avalanche risk continues to discourage many from venturing into unmanaged terrain, light tours present a powerful reminder: you don’t need to chase extreme lines to have a meaningful and memorable day in the backcountry.