For Winter in Aspen & Snowmass Independence Pass Foundation executive director Karin Teague skins up the road towards the summit on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times) Aspen’s backcountry skiing possibilities are endless and easily accessible, which is terrific and terrible all at the same time. With the pandemic possibly limiting access to traditional ski mountains, the backcountry is expected to see a lot more traffic this winter. “It seems to be an overwhelming sentiment that everyone is concerned about the lifts and what that may look like this year, so they wanted to have the freedom of an Alpine touring setup,” said Dirk Bockelman, the general manager at Aspen Expeditions. “A large portion of people buying gear are hoping and wanting to skin on the front sides of the mountains, and they do have an awareness and the wherewithal of the danger in the backcountry in midwinter, and they just want exercise.”