Latest
Winter Weather Outlook – La Niña and Ski Season Weather
Greetings, weather nerds! Are you obsessing about ski season weather? Well, as forecast by the NOAA Climate Prediction Center in August, a slowly developing La Niña is beginning to influence ski season conditions. NOAA just released the latest winter weather outlook for December 2024 through February 2025, with relevant ski season weather trends, including temperature and precipitation. This winter, NOAA predicts wetter-than-average conditions for the entire northern tier of the continental U.S., particularly in the Pacific Northwest and the Great Lakes region, along with northern and western Alaska. Meanwhile, drier-than-average conditions are expected from the Four Corners region of the Southwest to the Southeast, Gulf Coast and lower mid-Atlantic states. Winter temperature outlook map. image courtesy of NOAA CPC Ski Season…
Gear
Can Freeze Dried Meals Actually Taste Good – Backpacker’s Pantry Steps it Up
I’ve long avoided freeze-dried meals in favor of creating simple camping meals like pasta with pesto. But bikepacking offers limited storage space. There are many tricks to packing light, and one of the most effective is using freeze-dried camping meals. But how do they taste? Dehydrated Versus Freeze-Dried A question that came up while researching lightweight camping meals was, what’s… Read More
Arcteryx Proton Hybrid Hoody – Lightweight, Versatile Ski Touring Jacket
Breaking trail, traversing a ridge, transitioning for a descent — backcountry skiing is all about being on the move. Energy output, temperature and weather conditions constantly change, and you need to stay comfortable through it all. That’s why we praise versatile, breathable jackets — like the Arc’teryx Proton Hybrid Hoody The Proton Hybrid Hoody balances light insulation with weather resistance,… Read More
The World’s Lightest Down Jacket
Crazy Light Down jackets are inherently lightweight. But the latest jacket on test redefines what a lightweight down jacket can be. The Crazy Levity Jacket offers a 950-fill insulation rating and weighs in at a scant 7oz / 200g (men’s medium). That’s like the weight of a minimalist windbreaker. It feels downright crazy when you first hold it or put… Read More
Mountain Bike Waist Pack Reviews
For those old enough to remember the 90s, it’s hard to believe that fanny packs have returned. Sure, they’re called hip or waist packs now, and they’ve evolved on the features front. Nonetheless, I’ve been slow to embrace the waist pack trend until recently. Turns out they’re pretty functional for mountain biking and adventure rides. Hydration Waist Packs for Mountain Biking… Read More
Features
Gravel Bike Tires – How Wide Should You Go?
As the adventure cycling category grows, gravel bikes continue to evolve. One of the best evolutions in gravel bikes is improved tire clearance. Tire clearance is important for a variety of reasons. Clearance translates to versatility, making a gravel bike a quiver-of-one bike. Run 30mm tires for all-purpose road rides. Run 40mm for all-purpose gravel riding. And run 50mm for… Read More
Can Freeze Dried Meals Actually Taste Good – Backpacker’s Pantry Steps it Up
I’ve long avoided freeze-dried meals in favor of creating simple camping meals like pasta with pesto. But bikepacking offers limited storage space. There are many tricks to packing light, and one of the most effective is using freeze-dried camping meals. But how do they taste? Dehydrated Versus Freeze-Dried A question that came up while researching lightweight camping meals was, what’s… Read More
Defunkify Detergent Review – Get the Funk Out of Your Baselayers
Defunkify Enzyme-Based Laundry Detergent Review You know the drill. Pull a shirt out of your bag, drawer or off the pile on the floor, and see if it passes the sniff test to wear another day. It seems like the older the layer, the lower the chance it will pass the test. Nothing develops its own special funk quite like… Read More
What is a DWR and How to Renew the DWR on your Jacket?
Ever feel like your waterproof jacket looks like it’s getting wet? Well, that’s because it is likely getting wet — on the outside anyway. Here’s why: Your jacket’s DWR (durable water-repellent) finish is worn out. All waterproof, breathable jackets (and pants) include a DWR coating, even when they feature a waterproof, breathable membrane like GORE-TEX.First, it’s essential to understand that… Read More
Adventure Ride Essentials
Tubeless Tire Tips
Go Tubeless or Go Home If you aren’t using tubeless tires on your adventure gravel bike (or mountain 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… Read More
Merino Rules – Showers Pass Basecamp Merino Wool Hoodie
Merino Wool — Breathable. Lightweight. Warm Wool has been part of the adventurer’s layering kit for a very long time. So long, in fact, it’s sometimes associated with an old-school vibe. It turns out that wool’s natural temperature regulation, sweat-wicking and odor-fighting qualities are difficult to match with modern synthetics. Add the naturally soft and resilient nature of merino, and… 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 Cloudburst Rain Jacket Review
Showers Pass Cloudburst Rain Jacket Review We’ve all heard the phrase, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” Well, few activities 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 a lightweight rain shell to… Read More
Showers Pass Apex Mountain Bike Shorts – Adventure Gravel Ride Essentials
Showers Pass Apex Mountain Bike Shorts All the Mobility and Pockets You Need 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…. Read More
Castelli Entrata Cycling Vest
Castelli Entrata Cycling Vest – Windproof Front, Breathable Back Cycling vests are essential gear for shoulder season rides – or any cool weather riding, really. A good vest balances breathability and wind resistance. It lets you control your temp on climbs and blocks cold wind on descents. With GORE Windstopper® across the front and stretch breathable material across the back, the Castelli… Read More
Avalanche Safety
Avy 101 – A Low-Tech Approach To Identifying Common Weak Layers
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
Avalanche Safety – Keep it Simple
Avalanche Safety – Keep it Simple NSAW, the Northwest Snow and Avalanche Workshop, was held in late October. As usual, the event was excellent and is a great way to jump start your avalanche safety brain for the season. NWAC recorded all of the presentations this year and recently posted them on their YouTube channel. All of the presentations are high… Read More
Avalanche Beacon Reviews
Avalanche Beacon 101 If you’re in the market for an avalanche beacon (avalanche transceivers), today’s units are incredibly proficient search tools. Digital signal processing and directional guidance are all standard fare. We handed a collection of latest avalanche beacons to rank novices with no tips or directions beyond how to switch to search mode. Search results for a single buried… Read More
Spring Avalanche Hazard
As winter transitions to spring, changes in the snowpack can take place at an alarming rate, catching even the most experienced skiers off guard. Spring avalanche hazard is every bit as important as winter. By the time March rolls around, the sun is significantly higher in the sky than it has been all winter. This increased sun angle can add… Read More
Movies
Backcountry Film Festival – Stream It at Home!
Stream the 2020-21 Backcountry Film Fest Well, heading to your fave local theatre or pub to see this year’s Backcountry Film Festival may not be an option. But you can still support the groups that rely on the film fest for raising revenue and awareness. Just choose the organization you want to support from the list of Backcountry Film Fest… Read More
Follow the Forecast
Wow, Folllow the Forecast has some great deep snow footage. These guys really get the goods. Big Lines. Pillow lines. Deep Lines. Sit back and enjoy. Follow the Forecast
Salomon Freeski Collective Ski Movie Trailer
Salomon TV Freeski Collective 2020 Movie Trailer Each day is one day closer to getting on snow and skiing . . . Get ready to make the most of it when it gets here. Salomon TV has some motivation for you with their fall/winter 2020 Freeski Collective Movie Trailer
Huck Yeah – Ski Movie Trailer
Huck Yeah Ski Movie Trailer The 2020 Matchstick Production Ski Movie Trailer Huck Yeah.The shot on location list reads like a skier’s bucket list: Jackson Hole, WY, Whitewater, BC, Whistler, BC, Alaska, Rusutsu, Japan, Idaho, Mt Baker, WA, Verbier, Donner Pass, CA, Mt Cain, BC, Troll Mountain
The Vault
ENSO – La Niña, El Niño and Your Ski Season
You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows, but it sure helps when it comes to ENSO and remembering the difference between La Niña and El Niño and their respective influences on the weather in your local ski stash. Below is an article from the Off-Piste Mag archives that lays out the details about ENSO and… Read More
Darkside Calling – Telemark vs AT
Darkside Calling – Telemark vs. Alpine Touring by Paul Butler Right before the end of the year, I went out skiing. After a week of torrential and monumentally depressing rain turned Christmas into Slushmas, cold from the east brought December back to the way it should be in these parts. Two friends and I began making our way up “the… Read More
