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This winter, I set out to build my own version of that challenge. Something closer to the traditional format: a sled-pulled, overnight, point-to-point route inspired by both the historical Coureur des Bois and local ski race history. The plan was to follow a western Colorado Coureur des Bois race route from the early 1990s. Unfortunately a low snow year made that unrealistic as coverage simply wasn\u2019t there to support it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adapting to Changing Conditions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Instead, I adjusted to a shorter overnight tour along the Lake of the Woods trail<\/a> on the Grand Mesa. Part of the reason I chose that route was its connection to the north – not geographically, but in feel. The broad, open meadows ringed by old growth forests, and the sense of traveling across rather than up or down mountains echo the kind of terrain where the Coureurs des Bois once birthed. It offered a landscape that felt aligned with the tradition, even if the scale was different.\u00a0 And while it wasn\u2019t the full objective, it still required the same core elements: carrying gear, managing terrain, and making decisions based on real conditions. In that sense, it stayed true to the ethos that originally inspired the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This type of skiing, closer to travel than recreation, demands a different approach to gear. I used a BCX setup built around the Voil\u00e9 Endeavor BC skis<\/a> with three-pin bindings<\/a>. The focus wasn\u2019t speed; it was reliability, control, and efficiency over variable terrain with a sled in tow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pulling a sled changes how you interact with the landscape. Every small rise, sidehill, and transition matters more. The skis need to track predictably and hold an edge when the sled is pulling you off balance or pushing from behind on descents. The Endeavor BC handled those demands well, providing a stable platform that allowed me to stay in control without overworking to compensate for conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The three-pin bindings were part of that same system mindset. They offer a direct connection to the ski, which becomes more important when you\u2019re managing weight and terrain simultaneously. They\u2019re also simple and field-repairable – key considerations when traveling solo. In a Coureur des Bois context, where self-reliance is central, that simplicity matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As was typical this winter, on the Grand Mesa, conditions were mixed with ice, windblown and thin snow. The BCX setup performed consistently across those transitions. It wasn\u2019t about maximizing glide; it was about maintaining steady progress without losing control or burning unnecessary energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Camp setup followed the same principles. I used a hot tent, accepting the added sled weight in exchange for the ability to dry gear and recover effectively. That tradeoff reflects the broader mindset: carry what you need to stay functional, but nothing extraneous. Food, fuel, and essential repair gear take priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The overnight component reinforces the connection to the Coureur des Bois tradition. It introduces a second layer of responsibility – managing not just the travel, but the stop. You\u2019re accountable for your own shelter, warmth, and readiness for the next day. That\u2019s where the historical inspiration becomes tangible for me. While not fully recreating their experience, you are operating within the same constraints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While I didn\u2019t complete the longer route I had envisioned, this trip still captured the core of what I was after. It demonstrated that the Coureur des Bois isn\u2019t defined by distance alone. It\u2019s defined by its approach, one of self-supported travel, responsiveness to conditions, and the ability to move through winter terrain with intention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More than anything, the goal is to return to this kind of effort each winter, choosing a route that requires commitment, adapting it to the conditions at hand, and accepting that the outcome isn\u2019t guaranteed. Some years may allow for a longer traverse; others, like this one, call for a scaled version. The constant is always exploration rooted in history, resilience, and the realities of winter travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00c0 l\u2019hiver prochain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ann Driggers<\/p><\/div> Location:<\/strong> Carbondale, CO<\/p><\/div> Top Gear Picks:<\/strong> V8 176cm<\/a><\/p><\/div>Finding the Right Gear for XCD Adventures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Endeavor-BC-1024x683.jpg\")
Customizing Camp<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Ethos of XCD Skiing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAbout The Author<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n
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