Avalanche Safety – Have a Clear Plan and Conditions Dialogue The number one response I hear from students when asked why they are taking an avalanche class is “to be safer in the backcountry.” Avalanche instructors work hard to send folks away with many of the tools they need to be safer skiers. Some of these avalanche safety tools are… Read More
Featherweight Tech Binding DPS adds to their touring binding lineup this season with the DPS R10 tech binding. It’s a lightweight yet descent-minded AT binding that weighs in at a featherweight 260 grams (9 ounces) each. It’s a binding for all-day tours and quick skin track laps alike. The R10’s weight and appearance might lead you to assume it’s another… Read More
Backcountry Ski Packing List What’s in your ski pack? It’s a good question, and it’s one that I occasionally ask myself as I heft the weight of my pack to my shoulder in the morning. There’s no sense in carrying more up the hill than you need to, but there are essential items that you should always carry on a… Read More
Outdoor Research Trailbreaker Ski Pants Review As the song goes, “You gotta get up to get down,” and skinning uphill tests more than just your legs. It tests your outerwear, too. Unlike a jacket that you can change as needed for the up and down, you’re gonna wear the same pants all day. As a result, backcountry ski pants need… Read More
Made in Utah – The New DPS Pagoda Tour DPS Skis set a high bar for dedicated backcountry ski performance when they launched their Tour 1 ski construction in 2015. The Tour 1 skis married their proven profiles to a lightweight paulownia-wood-and-carbon-laminated core. The result is some of the lightest skis in their width class. They performed well across conditions,… Read More
The Art of Layering – How To Layer For Backcountry Skiing 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’s easy to overdress for ski touring. Touring is an aerobic activity, and you need to… Read More
Using Terrain to Your Advantage – Seven Terrain Tricks Safe backcountry skiing starts with a big picture perspective (plus reading and understanding the local avalanche conditions report). Experienced skiers often reference terrain as trumping hazard. In fact, “The snowpack is the problem, and the terrain is the solution” is an old ski guide’s adage that informs much of backcountry decision-making…. Read More
Artilect Darkhorse Zoned Merino Baselayers Not all baselayers are created equal. And like any system, your choice of layers is only as good as its foundation. In other words, it pays to wear good baselayers. Breathable, sweat-wicking and quick-drying baselayers are key to staying warm, dry and comfortable when backcountry skiing. I’ve been wearing a new merino baselayer from a… Read More
Hitting the Great White Highway – Questionable Ski Trip Advice from the Grumpy Old Shop Guy, aka Don Pattison It’s the inevitable and ponderous start to another ski season, and I’ve got a worried mind. Driving my old Jeep over the local pass last weekend, a couple of thoughts popped out – I need new wiper blades and the good… Read More
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 appreciate 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… Read More
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
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 embed themselves in Cascadia in pursuit of these winter tales. Off-Piste Mag is created by… Read More
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 donating… Read More
The boom in gravel riding and adventure cycling has brought a fresh take on cycling clothing — jerseys and shorts that offer all the performance of technical cycling kit, with a clean, simple look and feel. You no longer have to settle for the race team or over-stylized cycling jersey that has dominated riding apparel for decades. Finally, you can… Read More
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
