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What if Independence Day was about interdependence?

📸 After a long year of remote, independent work, Greta Close, Betsy Manero and Chaney Szeto share laughs on the lift during Gear Test Week. Greta Close

For our mostly American audience, Independence Day (aka July 4th) is a big holiday. Independence, largely, is a core value we hold. We teach our kids to be independent. We strive for financial independence. We proudly promote Backcountry as independent journalism. As backcountry skiers and recreationalists, I’d argue we seek freedom and independence in the hills.

As someone who works remotely, I cherish the independence to work from various locations. It’s allowing me to work this week from Lake Tahoe and visit family next week in Oregon. The flexibility often feels like a luxury.

And yet, it’s the kind of independence that can, at times, be isolating. I’m writing this from a friend’s couch. We’ve each claimed our corner, doors mostly closed. It’s silent. But not isolating. Despite working disparate jobs, there’s still an occasional question. A shared lunch break. Some planning for this evening’s adventure.

There’s something grounding in the presence of others, even when few words are spoken. Like a partner a few paces ahead on the skintrack. Independence doesn’t always mean going it alone.

—Liam

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Get THE Outliers ISSUE

There’s a reason we keep coming back to the skintrack. Why we eagerly load skis into the car before the sun rises; why we diligently study avalanche danger and snow conditions; why we walk uphill for hours or fly across the world. It turns out there’s a lot we’re willing to do for a few (hopefully) good turns. Some are willing to do far more.

Meet The Outliers, the folks Issue 162 is dedicated to. Christina Lustenberger, Jim Morrison and Chantel Astorga: The athletes putting a first descent on one of the world’s most famous climbing walls. There’s Seth Beck, a splitboarder traversing the remnants of an ancient continent’s mountain range. And don’t forget Stratton Matteson: The man who spent five years forsaking gas-guzzling vehicles to make a statement about fighting climate change and kept logging epic lines in the Cascades anyways.

Of course, we’re still suckers for good ‘ole fresh pow and a touch of history. Editor in Chief Betsy Manero dives into the origins of skiing, snow science and mountaineering in Japan’s northernmost prefecture and global powder capital, Hokkaido, and investigates the ramen and onsen-nurtured backcountry ski scene.

The rest? Well, you’ll just have to grab a copy to find out. And take your time, this issue will last through the corn, the mud and the sun.

The Backcountry Team

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Eric Blehm: Meet Your Heroes

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The Outliers Issue

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Mountain Skills

Uphill Travel Guide

Resort Skinning Policies

We’ve compiled a database of U.S. resorts with a little about each individual policy—where and when skinning is allowed, whether or not it’s free during operating hours and the link directly to the resort’s guidelines.

View our resort skinning policies guide »

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