Check out feature stories, how-to articles, product comparisons and more about backcountry ski gear, skiing and culture.
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A Perfect Storm – Reflecting on an Avalanche Accident Never have I fought so hard to suppress the overwhelming urge to panic. Before I realized what I was doing, I heard my own muffled screaming. I told myself to calm down. Again, I realized I was screaming. A few deep breaths later, I gained a small measure of composure. I… Read More
Artilect Boulder – Next Generation Merino Baselayers Your layering system is only as effective as its foundation. So, it pays to wear a good base layer. Breathable, sweat-wicking and quick-drying baselayers are the key to staying warm, dry and comfortable when backcountry skiing. I’ve tried countless baselayer materials over the years — synthetics, merino, blends. Synthetics breathe and wick well,… Read More
Lightweight and Powerful with an Excellent Walk Mode Alpine touring ski boots must balance weight, power and durability with walkability, flex and comfort. Generally speaking, the more downhill-focused the boot, the less walk-friendly and heavier the design. The new La Sportiva Vanguard ski boots break that trend by being lighter and more powerful than similar boots while setting a new… Read More
Leather Ski Gloves Can Do It All Put your skins on. Take your skins off. Buckle your boots. Loosen your boots. Adjust your bindings. Open your pack. Eat a snack. Take a photo. A typical day in the backcountry asks a lot of our gloved hands – far more than a day at the resort. Backcountry ski gloves must be… Read More
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
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
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
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
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 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
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 spontaneous partner was a local… Read More
DPS PHANTOM Glide I’ve always enjoyed the ritual of waxing skis. In the fall, the ski season approaches. During the season, it harkens to the call of a powder day or the anticipation of an extended trip deserving of fresh glide. Ski waxing can be a social event or a good reason to disappear into your workshop. So when I… Read More
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 overcome… Read More
Adventure Bike Gravel Tires Reviewed So many choices. So little time. Choosing the best gravel tire is a bit like picking the right shoes for the day. It’s all about the terrain and surfaces that are on the agenda. When talking tires for adventure riding, maximum volume and width are key considerations. Tread is important, too. But volume is directly related to… Read More
