Welcome to the home of the backcountry skiing blog from Off-Piste Magazine. Here we post backcountry ski gear reviews, feature stories and avalanche safety advice, plus ski news, events and more.
Ski Mountaineering Harnesses As a skier first and a mountaineer second, it’s not often that I use a harness while ski touring. But when the going gets technical or crevassed, you don’t want to be left wishing you had a harness with you. Here are two great ski mountaineering harnesses that offer no excuse to leave them at home. They… Read More
It’s never too early to inspire your spring and summer volcano ski objectives. The DPS film crew travelled to Chile in search of mountain culture and skiing to brings us WALLMAPU. The Pehuenche people of present-day Chile speak Mapudungun: ‘the language of the land.’ This land, their universe, is known as Wallmapu. Two skiers enter into a breathtaking creation of… Read More
G3 Alpinist+ Climbing Skins – Glide Model I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; climbing skins are one of the most underrated pieces of gear we use. Yet without skins, we can’t do what we do, climb up to ski down. Having used nearly every type of skin available over the years, I have a strong preference for skins… Read More
Eco-Wax Ski Wax Last year we reviewed a product called SnowShed, a silicone-based spray for ski top sheets that helps reduce snow build-up while touring. The spray is environmentally friendly, sourced in the USA and it works to help keep your top sheets free of snow. This season, the company, now called mountainFLOW eco-wax, has expanded their line to include two… Read More
DPS Shadow Campaign – Ski Photographer DPS Skis presents the latest in their ski film series – Ski Photographer Drawn to the mountains in search of the ski bum lifestyle, Oskar Enander had no intention of ever becoming a ski photographer. Today, Oskar’s iconic and unique perspective is highly sought after in the ski world. And yet, he shoots very… Read More
Ski making may have evolved since the days of hand-hewn boards, but we are all motivated by the same sensation of sliding on snow. Here’s a quirky ski video that runs through the traditional wooden ski making process. Just remember that, “One wrong chop and it’s nothing but firewood . . .”
Ski Dreams – DPS Cinematic Volume V – The Abbey Getting closer to winter . . . DPS skis offers fresh fuel to stoke the ski dreams. Shadow Campaign Volume V – Episode I – The Abbey A lone skier arrives in town, only to find abysmally wet and soggy conditions. Seeking respite from the rain, he finds solace and redemption… Read More
Adventure Map – Rogers Pass Given GPS enabled phones and Google Earth, one might ask who needs a traditional folding map? Modern technology can be awesome, but paper maps are multi-purpose planning, navigation and entertainment tools. A good map of the area should be considered required equipment when visiting a new place. The Rogers Pass Adventure Map (winter version) offers a… Read More
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ice Pack Summer is in full swing here in Hood River, and that means packing as many adventures into the week (or day) as possible. I have been testing the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Ice Pack for the past couple of months and have attempted to put it through the full gamut of mountain adventures from day… Read More
Fabio Wibmer rides Saalbach Well, bad acting aside, this is pretty crazy. Full-tilt ripping on the mountain bike on snow with a full array of acrobatics. I’m guessing a few of these scenes required multiple takes.
The Loners – Northeast Appeal – Backcountry Skiing in Chic Chocs For those of us in the western states, it’s easy to think the backcountry ski universe revolves around us. Lest we get too self absorbed, here’s a look at some dedicated backcountry riders exploring the Chic Chocs on the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec. Looks like fun . . …. Read More
The Wapta Traverse – A Canadian Rockies Classic High Pressure and bluebird conditions prevail and the views stretch as far as my eyes can see in all directions. Dozens of stunning, rocky peaks dressed in white vie for my attention. I wander the ridge toward the summit of a small peak near the Scott Duncan Hut and contemplate the surroundings…. Read More
Candide Thovex ski film Here’s a new take on skiing or at least sliding on skis . . . I kept waiting for the snow. I guess Thovex is just ahead of his time – he’s ready for the future of climate change and a time when there is no more snow . . . Regardless, it’s impressive.
La Liste – Jérémie Heitz redefines steep skiing. Steep skiing evolves yet again – gone are the days of jump turns and mountaineering style descents. Young Swiss skiing phenom, Jérémie Heitz, sets a new bar for fluid freeriding of 45-55-degree ski lines. La Liste follows Heitz in his pursuit to ski 15 of the Alps’ steepest 4,000-meter peaks in just two ski… Read More
The DPS Ski Film Series – Shadow Campaign Volume IV – Episode 4 The DPS ski film crew travels to Kyrgyzstan for the latest ski film in their Shadow Campaign series, Song for the Nomad. The film highlights the Celestial Mountains of Kyrgyzstan as well as the traditional mountain culture all set to an original musical score. Here’s what DPS has… Read More
