Long before there were detachable chairlifts, gondolas, groomers and snowmaking machines and all the accoutrements of modern downhill skiing, there were skis.

Since skis predate lifts, it stands to reason that before people ever got to experience the thrill of sliding downhill, they first had to go up that hill.

That tradition continues today throughout the snowy world as many folks deliberately choose to first climb up hills with their skis on and then ski down. Occasionally, especially in years like this where natural snow is a little thin, you’ll see people climbing up the sides of ski trails covered with man-made snow. But for the most part, it happens far away from the glitz and glamour that is the ski resort scene. That’s one of the reasons most aficionados of this uphill-and-down skiing refer to it as backcountry skiing.

There are several really wonderful reasons to take up backcountry skiing.

First, is that there are no lift lines and no lift tickets to buy – you can spend your money (if you have any) on top-of-the-line equipment and travel to beautiful places.

Second, is that backcountry skiing means access to untracked snow. Why race everyone else to be the first up the lift in the morning to get the best of new-fallen snow? Instead, you can have a whole hill of new snow to yourself just by climbing up it first.

Third, is that climbing is great exercise. You no longer have to choose between the adrenaline rush of downhill skiing or the gentler endorphin high of cross-country. You can have both.

And, finally, it’s fun, challenging and gets you outdoors. Nuf’ said about that.

Basically, when you take up backcountry skiing, you have your choice of alpine touring (Randonnee) gear or telemark gear (alpine touring). Both work, and it’s mostly a matter of your abilities and personal preference. Whichever you choose, you stick skins to the bottom of the skis for climbing. These are strips of fabric (they used to be real skins) covered with directional hairs which lie flat when gliding forward and raise up to prevent you from sliding backward. This allows you to climb the hill with a natural stride and not (usually) sidestep or herringbone – both of which are very tiring.

Randonnee gear is kind of a hybrid. Basically, your heel is free to lift up when climbing so you can get a natural stride. At the top of the hill, you lock your heel down and ski with all the control and technique you get from regular alpine skis.

Telemark gear is beefed-up cross country equipment – using stiffer boots and sturdier binding which locks your toe to a wider ski with sharp edges. Going up is not a problem – you just slide along naturally. Coming down, you have to use a telemark turn, which is impossible to describe in a few words, but really elegant to watch. Even if you’re an experienced skier, don’t be surprised if it takes some practice to get good at telemarking.

The best source of information on backcountry skiing that I’ve found on the Web is at the Couloir Magazine Web site: www. coloirmag.com. Yes, it’s mostly oriented towards the west, but at least it gives you a peek at this closed and secretive world.

Life isn’t a spectator sport. Get out and enjoy!

Bretton Woods rally

On Jan. 22, Bretton Woods Resort (603-278-3333; www.brettonwoods.com) in New Hampshire is bringing a major Randonnee competition to New England for the first time.

These events are very popular out west, and this one is sure to bring a lot of eastern backcountry skiers out of their hidey-holes and into public view on the slopes.

Competitors will follow a course that winds its way up, down, and across the mountain. The race starts on foot, with the competitors running to clip into their skis. Racers climb to the first gate, where they remove their skins and ski down to the second gate. At that point, participants put their skins back on and climb back up to the third gate. This continues, traversing the entire resort, ending in a sprint back to the finish line. The course for the Rally includes varying pitches and trail types to test competitors’ skills, endurance, and equipment. Competitors are required to carry avalanche equipment, including an avalanche beacon, backcountry shovel, probe, ski brakes or leashes, and helmet.

Racers will climb and descend a total of 4,000 to 5,000 feet, and the contests will take approximately two hours, with races starting at 7:30 a.m.

If you’re an experienced backcountry skier, consider racing. The registration fee of $69 includes a wine welcome reception and mandatory race orientation from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21, as well as a racers’ breakfast Saturday at 6 a.m. Racers will also receive an all-day lift ticket and Randonnee Rally T-shirt.

If you’ve never tried backcountry, this would be a great opportunity to get outdoors and see the gear in action. Who knows, you might get inspired to leave the lifts behind.

Weather Warning

I sometimes mention upcoming events in this column, giving dates, places and contact information. Usually, these events are a fun way to introduce yourself and your friends or family to some aspect of outdoor recreation.

All outdoor events are, to some extent, weather-dependent, especially in the winter. A big storm can make roads impassable, warm weather can make ice too thin for safety, or, as just happened, an underlayer of ice from recent rain storms made snowshoeing treacherous in central Vermont and canceled the Green Mountain Club’s Snowshoe Fest and other Winter Trails events on last weekend.

If you’re traveling specifically to go to an event, always check the Web site or call ahead to make sure it’s happening as planned. Or, better yet, always have a plan B in mind – something else outdoors that’s fun to do.

Tim Jones is a full-time freelance writer on travel and outdoor sports. His email address is [email protected]