Annals of Amateur Adventure–Suckerman’s Ravine: It features morons, nudity, keg parties, plenty of weed…and, oh yeah, some of the steepest backcountry skiing on the East Coast. Check out Skiing’s smart and funny take on New Hampshire’s Tuckerman’s Ravine.

“It could be rightfully argued that Tucks is the most significant slice of backcountry skiing terrain in North America…Along the way, Tucks has become something else—a trophy, one of those things that, along with “sky-dive” and “skinny-dip under a full moon,” you keep high on your Things To Do Before I Die list. Which isn’t to marginalize the experience or the sanctity with which many people view Tuckerman Ravine. But it’s nonetheless true—as is the fact that a lot of people who come to Tucks solely for the purpose of checking it off their list can’t ski worth a damn…

It’s easy to poke fun at some of the clowns who frequent Tuckerman Ravine, but to do so misses an essential point: These encounters have become an important part of the Tuckerman Ravine experience. Better skiers have been laughing at lousy skiers here since the 1920s. It’s all part of the fun. For many, Tucks is about the party, and parties are always about the people. If someone has the fortitude to muscle the forward half of a canoe up the Tuckerman Trail and halfway up the headwall, well, who am I—or you, or anyone—to say they shouldn’t then turn around, climb in with three buddies, and let gravity do its thing?”

Tuckerman Style: “Why would I want pants? Hell, half the people skiing here are naked…”