Latest
DIY Ski Wax Kit – mountainFLOW eco-wax
DIY Ski Waxing with mountainFLOW eco-wax If you're new to ski waxing at home, having freshly waxed skis is easier than you might think. And if you're a seasoned wax pro, you'll apprciate the sustainable, plant-based approach that mountainFLOW brings to their eco ski wax products. MountainFLOW launched in 2016 with a focus on creating plant-based alternatives to traditional petroleum-based ski wax products. Their first offering was a water-based anti-stick spray for top sheets. Soon, they expanded to offer climbing skin treatment, rub-on base wax and hot wax products — all featuring eco-minded, plant-based recipes. They actually had a successful appearance on Shark Tank in search of invenstment to grow the business. We've reviewed their climbing skin spray and rub-on wax with great results. DIY Ski…
Gear
More Multi-Tools for Skiers – Swiss+Tech Micro-Plier
Minimalist Multi-Tool Most backcountry skiers (and bike packers, hikers, etc) will agree that a multi-tool is an essential part of any backcountry repair kit. The multi-tool category is packed with a range of useful, if a little heavy, options for backcountry use. Read our review of the best multi-tools for skiers. But the true minimalist looking to pack as light… Read More
Patagonia R1 Tech Face Hoody – Lightweight Softshell Jacket
A Lightweight Softshell Jacket for the Uptrack You gotta get up to get down when backcountry skiing. And as much as we all love the down, it’s the up that requires good layering to regulate your body temperature over the course of a full day in the mountains. Every day is a little different, and every skier has their own… Read More
G3 Zed Binding – Light is Right
Light-is-Right or Fully-Featured There are enough tech binding options available these days that choosing a binding requires some real homework. Generally, the first step in narrowing down tech binding options is to decide whether you want a fully-featured model or a light-is-right model. Typically, fully-featured tech bindings have brakes, heel elasticity, a wide release setting range, multiple heel lift options… Read More
Lightweight Backcountry Ski Helmet – Smith Vantage
A Lightweight Ski Helmet for the Backcountry While helmets are the norm for resort skiing, their use in the backcoutry is still mixed. There’s no doubt that a ski helmet has the potential to save your life, and the excuse that a helmet is too heavy for backcountry skiing is no longer a valid argument. Today’s ski helmet designs are… Read More
BCA Dozer 2H Avalanche Shovel – We Dig It
Avalanche Rescue and Snow Pits – The BCA Dozer 2H Shovel Does It All Avalanche shovels are the kind of gear we hope to never really use for their intended purpose of recovering a buried ski partner. But the shovels we all carry have many other uses, primary being to dig snow pits in search of weak layers and to… Read More
Ogso Corbets Ski – Nimble and Surfy
Surf, Slash, Slarve The latest board in the backcountry ski test quiver to get most-favored status is the Ogso Corbets. Named after the famed Corbet’s Couloir that’s accessible from the Jackson Hole Ski Resort, it measures in at 110mm underfoot. It’s a dedicated backcountry powder ski with a nimble, surfy feel and even-tempered personality that makes for effortless powder skiing…. Read More
Adventure Ride Essentials
Showers Pass Cloudburst Rain Jacket
Cloudburst Rain Jacket We’ve all heard the phrase; “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” And of all the ways to endure bad weather, few avtivities highlight bad clothing as quickly as cycling in the rain. Riding a bike with any real effort puts waterproof, breathable claims to a serious test. It’s one thing to throw on… Read More
7Mesh Horizon Cycling Jersey – Low-Key Look, Refined Feel
The boom in gravel riding and adventure cycling has brought with it a fresh take on cycling clothing — jerseys and shorts that offer all the performance of technical cycling kit with a clean, simple take on the look and feel. You no longer have to settle for the race team or over-stylized cycling jersey that has dominated riding apparel… Read More
Showers Pass Apex Bike Shorts – Adventure Gravel Ride Essentials
All the Mobility and Pockets You Need – Showers Pass Apex Bike Shorts There’s no better way to declare your bike nerd factor than to show up for a ride clad from head to toe in tight-fitting Lycra shorts and a jersey. I wear my fair share of Lycra —it’s incredibly good for mobility and comfort on the bike. But… Read More
Tubeless Tire Tips
Go Tubeless or Go Home If you aren’t using tubeless tires on your adventure gravel bike, you should be. Imagine bombing down gravel descents and across rough ground without concern for flats. Going tubeless is the key to reducing tire issues on adventurous rides. Tubeless lets you run lower tire pressure without fear of pinch flats and essentially eliminates routine… Read More
Features
Backcountry Ski Gloves – Give’r Classic Leather Gloves
Give’r Leather Ski Gloves A typical day of backcountry skiing requires a lot of our gloved hands: open your pack, close your pack, put your skins on, take your skins off, buckle your boots, switch your bindings, take a photo, assemble your shovel. The list goes on. Good backcountry ski gloves need to be weatherproof, dexterous, durable and reasonably warm —… Read More
2021-22 Ski Season Forecast – La Niña is Here
Winter 2021-22 Ski Season Forecast It’s still mighty early to be shouting about favorable ski season forecasts and predicting what the weather gods may or may not bring for winter 2021-22. That said, the current ENSO research hints at La Niña conditions taking shape. Based on sea surface temperatures being near-to-below average in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific, forecasters… Read More
Pray for POW Beer – 10 Barrel Brewing Thinks Snow
Pray for POW Beer It doesn’t take much arm twisting to get most skiers to crack open a beer apres ski tour. Nonetheless, 10 Barrel Brewing, based in Bend, Oregon, is giving skiers one more reason to reach for a frosty malted beverage after a day of skiing. They’ve launched their aptly named Pray for POW seasonal beer and are… Read More
Summer Gear Storage
How to Store Your Skins, Skis and Avalanche Beacon Over the Summer When it comes to summer gear storage, a few easy steps will make sure your backcountry equipment – skis, climbing skins and avalanche beacon – are ready to roll when the snow flies in the fall. Summer Climbing Skin Storage Tips Proper summer gear storage for your climbing… Read More
Movies
Tales from Cascadia – Ski Film Trailer
Six Tales That Define The Cascadia State of Mind Cascadia is a bioregion defined by its unique natural characteristics, its people and its diversity. From the shores of the Pacific coast, to the lush rainforests, to the volcanic mountain peaks, there are tales that define this harmony. Blank Collective films embeds themselves in Cascadia in pursuit of these winter tales.
TGR Ski Movie Trailer – Stoke The Fire
Ski movie trailers are dropping like snowflakes. Get your winter stoke fix with the the latest ski movie trailer from TGR: Stoke The Fire Stoke The Fire – Behind The Scenes
The Alpinist – Movie Trailer
The Alpinist – Feature Film Movie Trailer As the sport of climbing turns from a niche pursuit to mainstream media event, Marc-André Leclerc climbs alone, far from the limelight. On remote alpine faces, the free-spirited 23-year-old makes some of the boldest solo ascents in history. Yet, he draws scant attention. With no cameras, no rope, and no margin for error,… Read More
Crash Reel – Huck Yeah!
Winter is solidly in the rearview mirror at this point, but here’s a little crash reel from Matchstick Productions to help you reflect on your ski season. The adage – if you ain’t flyin’, you ain’t tryin’ – comes to mind. Huck Yeah . . .
Avalanche Safety
BCA Dozer 2H Avalanche Shovel – We Dig It
Avalanche Rescue and Snow Pits – The BCA Dozer 2H Shovel Does It All Avalanche shovels are the kind of gear we hope to never really use for their intended purpose of recovering a buried ski partner. But the shovels we all carry have many other uses, primary being to dig snow pits in search of weak layers and to… Read More
Backcountry Radio Channels – Group-to-Group Communication
Designated Radio Channels for Popular Backcountry Zones It’s commonly understood that avalanche safety often hinges on human driven factors. Ideas like familiarity with terrain, the expert halo and group communication (or lack thereof) rise to the top of the list as contributors to avalanche accidents. Broadly speaking, group communication is at the root of many mistakes. Communication alone will not… Read More
The Vault
Backcountry Skier Personalities – The Newbie
Backcountry Skier Personalities – The Newbie We’ve all been there. New gear or new to the sport, the Newbie is both endearing and embarassing. The Newbie You needn’t search far afield for the Newbie. This species is ubiquitous around North America and commonly sighted at sidecountry locations and roadside attractions made popular by their easy access and moderate terrain. A Newbie… Read More
Backcountry Skier Personalities – Rando Racer
Backcountry Skier Personalities One could argue that a Rando Racer is not really a backcountry skier, and that the easiest way to take the fun out of backcountry skiing is to time it. But there’s been some bleed over between the rando race scene and the lightweight touring world, so here is the Rando Racer backcountry skier profile. Stay tuned… Read More
