Check out Off-Piste Magazine’s expert ski gear reviews, including backcountry skis, AT ski boots, tech bindings, avalanche beacons, avalanche shovels, ski jackets, backcountry ski pants, ski packs, headlamps, AT ski boots, crampons, climbing skins and more. We use the gear we write up, and the reviews here represent the best of the gear we’ve tested.
The King Pin, Marker’s new tech-style AT binding is making waves across the internet this week. And for good reason, it sounds pretty cool. The tech toe is similar to the growing crop of tech binding options, but it’s the heel unit that looks to set the King Pin apart. It’s got a full TUV Din certificate for one. Second, it’s… Read More
When avalanche airbag packs first began hitting the North American market, they were expensive, heavy and somewhat awkward in design compared to non-airbag packs. Airbag pack design, however, has evolved quickly the past couple of seasons and, though they are still spendy compared to a traditional ski pack, fit, design and pack options have come a long way. As evidenced… Read More
La Sportiva Spectre AT Ski Boots Finding the right backcountry ski boot has a lot to do with good fit, but it’s also important to find the right combination of uphill functionality and downhill performance. La Sportiva nailed both in the Spectre alpine touring boot. The La Sportiva Spectre AT boot offers great walkability with the flick of a lever… Read More
The Colorado Rockies have a long history of climbing and skiing and there are many lifetimes of descents to be earned within the state’s boundaries. Climbing and Skiing Colorado’s Mountains – 50 Select Ski Descents aims to help you select some of the best. While well known for its fourteeners, Colorado is, of course, full of countless lower elevation peaks…. Read More
There’s no shortage of books on avalanche safety, and Utah Avalanche Center Director, Bruce Tremper, is the author of one of the best, Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain. One thing books like Staying Alive and others lack, however, is a readability and first person approach that appeals to readers with a less technical background or approach. This readable, first person… Read More
Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Routes Washington Given the level of backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering occuring today, few mountains in the lower 48 states have been left unexplored. Nonetheless, the Washington Cascades remain one of the more wild and raw ranges south of the 49th Parallel. Writing a guidebook to skiing Washington’s Cascade Range that represents the current level… Read More
It’s not always easy to let a favorite piece of old gear go in favor of a replacement, but strapping on the Black Diamond Alias ski pack has been an easy transition this season. Redesigned for 2014, the Black Diamond Alias Ski Pack offers a clean, simple interface reflective of BD’s alpine climbing packs but with key added ski features…. Read More
The term backcountry skiing has evolved over the years to represent a broad category of skiing from descent-focused big mountain riding to light-duty rolling hill touring. But, for many, it still conjures images of lightweight, touring-friendly gear that’s adept on the uphill and the down – the quintessential roots of backcountry touring. Interestingly, a few companies are bridging the descent-focused… Read More
Continuing with our side project to visit and highlight local and regional ski related businesses, I recently made a trip to backpack maker, CiloGear, located in Portland, Oregon. The small, independent pack company is named after the Cilo Mountains, a remote range in southeast Turkey where Graham Williams, owner and founder, actually spent time climbing while living and working in… Read More
Continuing with our side project to visit and highlight local ski related businesses, I recently made a trip to new boutique ski builder, Deviation, located in Gresham, Oregon, not far from the flanks of Mount Hood. The crew behind Deviation hails from various locales but chose the Portland area to centralize and launch their brand of made-to-order boutique skis and… Read More
SKI STORAGE RACKS The pile in the corner of the gear room has grown larger over the last few years. My own ski quiver was substantial enough but adding my two teenage children’s collections has tipped the pile toward entropy modeled after storms in the Gulf of Mexico. I’ve dabbled with a couple of cobbled, home-spun ski racks made from… Read More
I first took notice of Jeremy Jones when I saw the TGR film Deeper. Jones takes his passion for riding and applies it to the backcountry with the approach of a professional. His 2012 TGR film, Further, is also an example of quality earn-your-turns footage with a good perspective, not simply the normal go-big TGR attitude. Of course, Jones and… Read More
Scarpa Freedom SL Ski Boot If you are in search of one boot to serve your resort and backcountry ski needs, you’ll be stoked to see the new boots coming from K2, BD and Scarpa. The past couple of seasons have offered a great selection of lightweight three- and four-buckle boots for dedicated touring and this upcoming season looks… Read More
Those lucky enough to live near classic ski touring destinations like Rogers Pass and Nelson, BC are sure to have their favorite backcountry tours and ski haunts, but the rest of us must rely on the knowledge of others. And who better to get your advice from than ski pioneer Chic Scott and mountain guide Mark Klassen in their new… Read More
The office ski fleet is flush with sweet backcountry powder boards this season and with a couple months of skiing under our belt, it’s time to offer some insights. The full run down of skis includes three models that measure in at 112mm underfoot.: The DPS Wailer 112, Voile Charger, G3 District. I have been a fan of the Voile… Read More
