Backcountry
Stowe Mountain Rescue responded to a backcountry call this week that ended with four skiers safely back at the resort, thanks to a series of smart decisions and quick action before conditions deteriorated.
The group of backcountry tourers became disoriented while skiing in the Spruce Peak backcountry and realized they had traversed too far to the left. That recognition was critical. Knowing the steep and dangerous cliffs that drop into the Notch below them, they resisted the temptation to follow existing ski tracks and instead paused to reassess their situation as daylight faded. With time working against them, they made the call to ask for help.
Rescuers advised the skiers to move uphill and retrace their tracks until they reached the Long Trail. At the same time, Stowe Mountain Rescue was transported up Spruce Peak by a Stowe Mountain Resort bus cat. Just as the team arrived at the top, the four skiers emerged from the darkness onto the trail, cold but unharmed. Rescuers loaded them up and brought them safely back down the mountain.
Rescue team members later reflected on how easily the night could have taken a much more serious turn had the group continued downhill. Ignoring those early warning signs could have led to a high angle technical rescue in steep terrain, after dark and in freezing temperatures, with far greater risk to both the skiers and rescuers. Instead, a timely phone call and disciplined decision-making allowed the situation to be resolve without incident.
The experience also delivered some hard-earned lessons. Navigating in the dark reinforced the importance of carrying headlamps, spare batteries, and backup power for phones when traveling in the backcountry. Stowe Mountain Rescue emphasized that if skiers believe they may be in trouble, calling early can make all the difference. The team would much rather help guide someone out during daylight than mount a full rescue once darkness and cold temperatures set in.
In the end, the outcome underscored a simple but often overlooked truth about backcountry travel: good judgment matters as much as gear and experience. By recognizing the danger, stopping before committing to the wrong line and asking for help early, the skiers turned a potentially life-threatening situation into a safe return. Stowe Mountain Rescue hopes the story serves as a reminder that turning around, backtracking, and making the call are not failures, but are the decisions that keep people alive.
