sidecountry

Terrain accessible from a ski resort's lifts or boundaries but outside the patrolled, controlled area. Neither fully backcountry nor resort skiing — a liminal zone where the infrastructure ends but the mountains continue.

Etymology

American ski culture, late 20th century. A compound distinguishing this terrain from "backcountry" (which requires a full approach) and resort terrain (which is managed). The term is controversial — ski patrols argue it gives a false sense of security.