By Benjamin Spillman, Reno Gazette-Journal

Skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing the Sierra Nevada back country can be a magical experience.

Getting away from highways and crowded ski areas is a great way to find untracked lines and spectacular, unspoiled scenery.

It also carries plenty of risks.

They include avalanches, sudden changes in weather, extreme cold, deep snow and early sunsets.

That’s why anyone who wants to head into the backcountry should plan for those risks by packing accordingly.

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