Going directly to backcountry skiing after ACL reconstruction

I'd recommend a day or 2 on groomers to get your confidence up and ski legs back under you, but otherwise I think you're good. Keep it mellow to start and you should be fine. Best wishes on your recovery!

Keep at your pt to gain strength and take it easy on the hill for a day to remember motion and see how it feels. Otherwise you totally can!

Not a doctor or at all qualified to answer medical questions, but I have had 3 ACL reconstructions and I still ski (sort of) so I figure I’ll give this a shot.

My two cents is that you should probably get your legs back on very predictable snow (i.e. groomers) before trying backcountry again. The danger right now isn’t going to come from exerting force on your knee with turns etc. - it’s going to come from the tiny unpredictable impacts that you’re not set for. Just getting bucked by a patch of hard snow or having your ski redirected by a root when you think you’re cruising along could really fuck you up right now imo. I think rebuilding those little ski specific muscles around the joint through easy runs could be super helpful to you in the long term. Obviously listen to the doc or pt if they disagree though.

* just re-read the question. If you’re able I’d also really recommend finding a pt who knows about this stuff. A lot of pt practices are focused on helping old people get to the bathroom without breaking a hip, and if you go in mostly able bodied and able to ski at all they might just tell you you’re good to go before you’re ready.

**This post was edited on Aug 22nd 2023 at 5:17:04pm

BeefSupremeNot a doctor or at all qualified to answer medical questions, but I have had 3 ACL reconstructions and I still ski (sort of) so I figure I’ll give this a shot.

My two cents is that you should probably get your legs back on very predictable snow (i.e. groomers) before trying backcountry again. The danger right now isn’t going to come from exerting force on your knee with turns etc. - it’s going to come from the tiny unpredictable impacts that you’re not set for. Just getting bucked by a patch of hard snow or having your ski redirected by a root when you think you’re cruising along could really fuck you up right now imo. I think rebuilding those little ski specific muscles around the joint through easy runs could be super helpful to you in the long term. Obviously listen to the doc or pt if they disagree though.

* just re-read the question. If you’re able I’d also really recommend finding a pt who knows about this stuff. A lot of pt practices are focused on helping old people get to the bathroom without breaking a hip, and if you go in mostly able bodied and able to ski at all they might just tell you you’re good to go before you’re ready.

**This post was edited on Aug 22nd 2023 at 5:17:04pm

Thanks! All good advice that I definitely plan to follow. The key question is whether a few days on groomers will be sufficient, or if I will be relegated to groomers for most of my season ("my season" being March, April, May), and therefore should just buy a season pass (now, while prices are low). Will definitely be looking into more ski specific pt as things progress but need to decide on the pass in the next few weeks.

@SkierPT

I didn’t have a problem. I did a lot to rehab. Other than feeling weak I was good to rip for the most part.

That season I could feel it if I was in deeper sloppy stuff, which made me focus on my technique when the conditions were wack. But ultimately it wasn’t an issue. Might want to be a little more picky and avoid the really heavy days till you get back on your feet. I’m sure some groomer days would help, but you can always dawn patrol the resort if your resorts allow it.

Could be fine if the snow is good. Rotten spring snow would make me nervous at least. If possible, I'd do a strength and plyometrics test before getting back to skiing either way.
How is your recovery this far? I got my ACL reconstructed a year ago and was not ready for any type of skiing at 9 months. A lot of it because of a slow start after surgery (bleeding, swelling, stiffness etc), so you will probably be better off than me!
Also, maybe a brace could help? Some people swear by them and others say it's a hoax, idk.

Not a PT, but another thing to keep in mind is the consequence- if something gets screwed up in bounds, you get a sled ride down and have ski patrol to bail you out. In the backcountry, you have a partner that has to haul you out on a DIY toboggan.


i think the idea of not buying a pass is a good idea- i do like the idea of getting your sea legs back on a groomer. I know some resorts have beginner only tickets, where you get the bunny hill and another run for like $15-20. May be an option.

ah damn, so sorry to hear that Alex, hope your healing goes well. I'd definitely always err on the side of caution, and I'd probably do groomers before anything backcountry for sure. I see so many people try to go back to skiing as hard as they did too quickly when you really need a good chunk of time to heal and rebuild musculature that's only there from skiing.

Communicate with your backcountry partner(s), as they need to understand the risk they are taking. Remember that if something goes wrong, you are their safety net. Hauling someone out on a tarp toboggan, in variable snow, with a recovering ACL is a pretty big liability on your partners.

I've been on the other side and had to haul a friend who was 9 months out of ACL surgery 6 miles on a tarp toboggan after he re-tore his ACL. In hindsight, I should never have taken the risk of being that deep in the backcountry with him.

My advice: groomers until its 90%, then keep your tours close to the car and low risk until its 100% and communicate with your backcountry partners.

Cheers and good luck on the recovery!

If you have to ask if its safe, I would just stick to the gym this season. That's what I am doing. Have you been on trampoline yet?

PT here.
Feel free to shoot me a message.
Would love to chat.

I came back from ACL this past season. My first few days back on snow I was skiing greens at my resort before it was open-- so very much backcountry conditions. Honestly, It was terrifying at first. I felt like I had never skied before on my first run. Imagine your first run every year, you always feel a little off. Multiply that feeling by 100. That's what I experienced. I stand by everyone else in this thread. Start on the groomers. My advice is ski only groomers for a month, even if you ski every day. You've got to get your legs back before putting burden on yourself and your backcountry partners.