Latest
The Man Behind the Maps – Legendary Ski Artist James Niehues
The Man Behind the Maps - Legendary Ski Artist James Niehues Breckenridge Resort. Image: James Niehues Ski resorts and trail maps are synonymous. What skier hasn't poured over a resort map taking in the detail in search of the best terrain and the right runs or simply to decide which way to go. You might have guessed that ski resort trail maps are digitally rendered photographs. Interestingly, the bulk of the ski area maps in North America are actually hand painted by one man, ski artist James Niehues. His work and the story of how it all happens is now available in a beautiful coffee-table book, The Man Behind the Maps - Legendary Ski Artist James Niehues. …
Gear
Layering for Backcountry Skiing – Baselayers and Midlayers
Layering for Backcountry Skiing – Baselayers and Midlayers Dressing for a full day of backcountry skiing requires a balance of breathability and weather protection. And the only way to really achieve the balance is through layering. It’s not rocket science, but it is easy to overdress for ski touring. It’s an aerobic activity, and you need to be prepared to… Read More
Outdoor Research San Juan Jacket
Outdoor Research San Juan Jacket When is the last time you skied in the rain? Hopefully, it’s been long enough that you can’t recall. I ask because many skiers are too concerned with full waterproof protection when choosing a jacket for backcountry skiing. The reality is that the number of days we spend ski touring in truly wet conditions is limited…. Read More
Ogso Skis
Ogso Skis There’s a rising new ski brand making its way into North America, Ogso Skis. Based in Chamonix, France, Ogso offers a variety of skis ranging from modestly-waisted mountaineering boards to wider freeride designs. Ogso makes lightweight uphill-friendly models and heavier descent-oriented boards. Ogos founder and ski mountaineer, Tom Seidensticker, describes Ogso skis this way, “The skis are balanced… Read More
Multi-Tools for Skiers
Multi-Tools for Skiers Three Leatherman Multi-Tools with Bit Drivers My backcountry repair kit is on the thin side when compared to many skiers, but I do always carry a multi-tool in my pack. In my experience, the highest use tools for addressing boot, binding and unforeseen backcountry issues are a scewdriver of one sort or another, pliers and a good… Read More
Roller Ski Bags
Roller Ski Bag – The Only Way to Travel A minimalist at heart, I travelled for many years with the most basic of ski bags for air travel; a single zip bag with a shoulder strap. I’ve looked on with envy at those with roller ski bags as they effortlessly negotiate the airport and car rental counters but have have… Read More
Portable Chargers – Backup Batteries for Backcountry Charging
Portable Chargers for the Backcountry Electronics in the backcountry are part of life. Apps like Gaia (GPS), Strava, Avenza and Ride turn our phones into worthy gps and map tracking tools for adventure in any season. However, keeping electronics fully charged and ready to go on a multi-day backcountry trip requires back-up power. There are many portable storage batteries on the… Read More
Features
The Man Behind the Maps – Legendary Ski Artist James Niehues
The Man Behind the Maps – Legendary Ski Artist James Niehues Ski resorts and trail maps are synonymous. What skier hasn’t poured over a resort map taking in the detail in search of the best terrain and the right runs or simply to decide which way to go. You might have guessed that ski resort trail maps are digitally rendered… Read More
Fellow Prismo AeroPress Filter
Fellow Prismo AeroPress Filter Review Portable AeroPress Coffee Maker Made Better For the dedicated coffee drinkers among us, little compares to the ritual brewing of the morning cup. We all have our favorite time-tested methods for brewing coffee in the backcountry or while on the road, and one of the best portable coffee makers around is the AeroPress coffee maker. This… Read More
Training for the Uphill Athlete
Book Review:Training for the Uphill Athlete:A Manual for Mountain Runners and Ski MountaineersSteve House, Scott Johnston, Killian Jornet$35.00 from Patagonia Books Whether you are planning a week-long ski tour, a baccountry hut trip or looking to broaden your trail running horizons, your experience depends on your fitness. And whether you are looking to be competitive or simply enjoy the rewards… Read More
DIY Ski Waxing for the Backcountry
Ski Waxing for the Backcountry Backcountry skiing is a far cry from ski racing, but freshly waxed skis are still important to keep you sliding and slashing through the pow with ease. And the good news is that ski waxing for the backcountry is not rocket science. In fact, it’s down right simple. You just need a few basic tools… Read More
Avalanche Safety
Avalanche Safety – Communication in the Backcountry
Avalanche Safety – Communication in the Backcountry The freezing levels in the Northwest have been on their typical fall rollercoaster ride and, with the ride, the snow has come and gone and come again. Early season skiing has its attraction, but I like to remind myself that there is no rush. That said, plenty of skiers have seized the moment… Read More
Avy 101 – Weak Layers – A low tech approach to identifying common avalanche culprits
Weak Layers A low-tech approach to identifying common avalanche culprits – by Larry Goldie Believe it or not, regardless of what triggers an avalanche, every avalanche has one thing in common: they all fail on a weak layer of snow. Personally, I would much rather be out skiing than standing around in snowpits looking at snow crystals and analyzing weak layers…. Read More
Movies
Abandoned – A Ski Film about Lost Ski Areas
Abandoned – A Film about Lost Ski Areas Abandoned is about a crew of backcountry skiers who set out to explore Colorado’s lost ski areas in hopes to find adventure amongst the ruins. Instead, they discover the truth behind what made these areas close their doors for good and illustrates what skiing used to be like before mega resorts and… Read More
DPS Cinematic – Stone’s Throw Ski Movie Trailer
Stone’s Throw Ski Film – Full Movie DPS skis kicks off winter with Stone’s Throw, a ski film (big surprise) that features skiing in the Wasatch just a stone’s throw from DPS HQ in Salt Lake City. DPS Cinematic // Stone’s Throw from DPS SKIS on Vimeo.
The Vault
The Art of the Uptrack
The Art of the Uptrack Larry Goldie – Owner, Lead Guide at North Cascade Mountain Guides First, there was the epiphany. It was a deep day, sixteen inches of new and still snowing. The hookup began as many do, spontaneously meeting at the trailhead with the same objective in mind. I was with my two most regular ski partners. Our… Read More
Dream Job – Avalanche Forecaster
Dream Job – Avalanche Forecaster An Interview with ChugachNational Forest Avalanche Center Forecaster Wendy Wagner by David Waag We all appreciate the value of our regional avalanche forecast centers and, let’s be honest, who hasn’t dreamed of working as an avalanche professional. It’s all face shots, field observations and free gear right? Well, it turns out there’s a lot more… Read More