Near Russia, With Love: Norway’s Finnmark Alps
You’ve heard of Lyngen and Lofoten. You’ve seen pictures of sailboats bobbing in the Arctic beneath staggering lines that rush to the sea like the Grinch dropping in on Whoville. But go even farther north and there’s a forgotten range that even many Norwegians don’t visit. And for the natives of this place, that’s just fine. No guidebooks, no waypoints. Just local knowledge, a skipper and unlimited access to the prettiest range you’ve never heard of.
Early Season Snow: what it means for a mid-season snowpack
Sometimes, early season snow can cause mid-season instabilities. [Photo] Sarah Carpenter At this time of the winter, many forecast centers around the west are making note of a persistent problem … [Read More...]
How one Crested Butte-based skier pays it forward
For Crested Butte, Colorado-based Alex Riedman, being a member of Crested Butte Mountain Rescue is all about giving back to her community. She moved from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to Colo.’s Western … [Read More...]
Teton County SAR coordinator, from dispatch to mental health
In 2006, Jess King, 40, began volunteering with Teton County Search and Rescue as a way to give back to the Jackson Hole, Wyo. community. She remained on the volunteer team until 2013, when a search … [Read More...]
Why IFMGA-certified guide Margaret Wheeler believes that variety makes a difference in the mountains
When I call up guide Margaret Wheeler, 45, at her home in Ketchum, Idaho on an early November day, she answers with a sniffle. Wheeler apologizes and explains that her nasal tone is induced by a head … [Read More...]
In the Sierra Nevada Mountains, an incoming storm turns a good day into an escalating accident
On January 12 of last season, Jason Layh, 44, and his partner embarked on a tour on Jobs Peak (10,638 ft.), located in the southeast corner of the Tahoe Basin on the Nevada side of the Sierra Nevada … [Read More...]
Mountain Skills: Take the time to be prepared for early season turns
It’s late fall and many mountains throughout the U.S. have seen some decent early season snow. As a result, stoke is high and people are itching to ski. Not many ski areas are open yet, however, and … [Read More...]
Higher Learning: The nuances of how, when, where and why to take a course
Two Marches back, as I stood on the edge of the frozen Bell Lake in Montana’s Tobacco Root Mountains, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be. Together with a half dozen no-longer-strangers, I … [Read More...]
Hagan Boost 99 Skis
“For the weight, the Hagan Boost surprised me with its stable, predictable ride,” one tester said, praising the well-rounded prowess of Hagan’s new midfat. “These skis hold an edge well, have a shovel … [Read More...]
Black Diamond Equipment Helio 95 Skis
Black Diamond overhauled their Helio line of touring-specific skis last season and the widest model, the Helio 116, earned an Editors’ Choice Award for its best-in-class weight-to-width ratio. This … [Read More...]
Völkl Mantra V.Werks Skis
With their Mantra V.Werks, Völkl didn’t just create a ski for the masses; they’ve provided the masses with a chance to ski better. “The platform underfoot is stiff and snappy, giving unrelenting … [Read More...]
Black Crows Camox Freebird Skis
“Best for someone who wants a monogamous relationship with their skis,” one tester quipped of the Black Crows Camox Freebird’s loyalty-inspiring performance that’s now secured this 96 mm-underfoot ski … [Read More...]
Voilé Hyper v6 Skis
Last season, Voilé injected their skis with a special sauce that elevated the line to another level. The new recipe goes by the name Hyper, a fitting moniker given the energy dividends these lightened … [Read More...]
Igneous Women’s Carbon Swallowtail Splitboard
Like a masterfully forged katana, Igneous’s Women’s Carbon Swallowtail was gorgeous, deadly “A ninja in the trees,” A boutique shop out of Jackson Hole, Wyo., Igneous handcrafts custom skis and … [Read More...]
Salomon Shift MNC 13 & Atomic Shift MNC 13 Bindings
“These are the most shreddable touring bindings of all time,” As with Marker’s Kingpin, the Shift’s backend is comprised of an alpine-like heel, inspired by Salomon and Atomic’s STH platform but … [Read More...]
2020 Testers’ Choice: Nick Rustigian’s Picks
The 17 inches of powder that fell on Powder Mountain, Utah this past March didn’t distract testers at the 2020 Gear Test Week from logging hours on this coming season’s newest skis, splitboards and … [Read More...]
2020 Testers’ Choice: Meg Schultz’s Picks
The 17 inches of powder that fell on Powder Mountain, Utah this past March didn’t distract testers at the 2020 Gear Test Week from logging hours on this coming season’s newest skis, splitboards and … [Read More...]
2020 Testers’ Choice: Betsy Manero’s Picks
The 17 inches of powder that fell on Powder Mountain, Utah this past March didn’t distract testers at the 2020 Gear Test Week from logging hours on this coming season’s newest skis, splitboards and … [Read More...]
2020 Testers’ Choice: Hans von Briesen’s Picks
The 17 inches of powder that fell on Powder Mountain, Utah this past March didn’t distract testers at the 2020 Gear Test Week from logging hours on this coming season’s newest skis, splitboards and … [Read More...]
2020 Gear Guide: Splitboard Accessories
In 1994, Voilé release the first ever splitboard kit for those who wanted to transition their solid board into a backcountry friendly device—all you needed was a table saw and a bunch of free time. … [Read More...]
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: STANDOUT OUTLIER SKIS
There is a time and a place for niche taste and from uphill-oriented speedsters to lightweight powder slaying, women’s specific and brawny freeride chargers, these unique standouts will help you with … [Read More...]
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: SPLITBOARDS
It was a brave new world for splitboard brands at this year’s Backcountry Magazine 2020 Gear Test at Powder Mountain, Utah. Five new companies submitted boards to be tested and reviewed, and three of … [Read More...]
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: APPAREL
In its third year, the Backcountry Magazine Apparel Test is based on the in-depth reviews from our dedicated team tasked with skinning, sweating and shredding with the upcoming season’s … [Read More...]
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: SKIS 105-108 MM
This year at Powder Mountain Utah, testers gathered for the 2020 Gear Test Week to review 157 pairs of skis. Of those, there was a noticeable abundance of standout mid-fat chargers that boasted waist … [Read More...]
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: BOOTS
The story behind many of the boots in this year’s 2020 Gear Guide is one of lightweight chargeability. With two Editors’ Choice-winning boots ringing in at less than 5 lbs. and two more under 6 lbs., … [Read More...]
