It’s Getting Hot in Here: What wildfires and record temperatures mean for skiers and riders
Megan Michelson left her home in Tahoe City, California, last summer as the Dixie fire made air quality worse than that of Beijing on a bad day. While she was gone, the Caldor fire swept in from the south, displacing tens of thousands of people. After one of the worst fire seasons on record in the western U.S.—and one that hit particularly close to home—Michelson explored what it means for our climate, our winters, our snowpack and our skiing.
Outclassing the Old Guys: The College Student Notching First Descents in Alaska
When Zack Little, Aaron Diamond and Ty Guarino were dropped by plane at the base of Alaska’s Avalanche Spire in April 2021, the trio hoped to make a first descent of the 10,105-foot peak in Denali … [Read More...]
Mountain Skills: Essential Education
The list of skills and knowledge needed to get into the mountains is never ending. In fact, it’s subject matter that numerous careers are built on, but safe and efficient backcountry travel … [Read More...]
Make it Count: How to get the most out of travel
There’s a difference between a vacation and a trip. Vacations are stress-free, feet-up affairs spent sipping cocktails in luxury’s lap. Trips are relaxing in a high-paced, flow-state way, filled with … [Read More...]
Up and Down Colorado’s Elk Range with Michael Wirth
Sleep deprived, sunburned and stoked, Michael Wirth pauses to enjoy the moment after completing his goal of skiing all 59 peaks over 13,000 feet in Colorado’s Elk Range. [Photo] Luke … [Read More...]
Happy Place: Grace Staberg finds her flow on the Skimo World Cup
Grace Staberg finds her rythym at Italy’s Val Martello on the ISMF World Cup. [Photo] Nils Lang When Grace Staberg starting skimo racing during her freshman year of high school in Summit County, … [Read More...]
Gearbox: Airbag Packs
Editors' Choice: Mammut Light Short Removable Airbag 3.0 $580 | 2140g (w/out canister) | mammut.com This little number found its way to one of our most airbag-averse testers, who cites … [Read More...]
Gearbox: There and Back Again
Five skins for going the distance—and a reglue service to test time, not patience Black Diamond Equipment Ascension The Ascension name dates back to the first North American-made skins … [Read More...]
Gearbox: Packing for Anything
Editors' Choice: Scott Patrol E1 30L The Tech: Available this year in a 30L short length for smaller individuals, Scott’s Patrol E1 relies on the Alpride E1 airbag technology: an electronic … [Read More...]
Mountain Skills: Essential Education
The list of skills and knowledge needed to get into the mountains is never ending. In fact, it’s subject matter that numerous careers are built on, but safe and efficient backcountry travel … [Read More...]
Mountain Skills: Cody Townsend Ditches Deviance
What do space shuttles and backcountry skiing have in common? According to freeride skier Cody Townsend, it’s a relationship that stems from an explosion and a theory. Better yet, he’s adapted a … [Read More...]
Talking Risk: How to Better Understand and Communicate About Uncertainty
Alta Ski Area Snow Safety Director Dave Richards once said, “The only certainty in avalanches is uncertainty. The only time you know anything is when you are wrong.” Traveling in the backcountry means … [Read More...]
Mountain Skills: Knowing When To Turn Around
“It’s getting late. I think we should get off this slope and head back.” This is a statement that has good intentions, but the process behind it isn’t perfect. As spring approaches, the days get … [Read More...]
Mountain Skills: Hydrate or Die
I know a lot of guides who manage to ski all day and only drink a half-liter of tea. They also tend to have their first kidney stones around the age of 40. Fun! Conversely, when I toured with Greg … [Read More...]
Mountain Skills: Anticipating Point Release Avalanches
This article was originally publish in April, 2015. As the spring approaches, many of us turn our attention to steeper, more technical lines higher in the mountains. The layers of snow that formed … [Read More...]
Checklists, Beacon Checks and Route Planning: Building Systems as a Backcountry Traveler
Fresh snow? Check. Awesome touring group? Check. Sarah Carpenter checks in with her backcountry posse on Wyoming's Teton Pass. [Photo] Iain Kuo It’s extremely important for backcountry travelers … [Read More...]
Mountain Skills: Professional vs. Recreational Avalanche Training…what’s in it for me?
This winter, avalanche education in the U.S. is evolving. The old system of Level 1, 2, 3 is currently being replaced with two options: a recreational track and one geared toward professionals. The … [Read More...]
Mountain Skills: The “Hell yes, or no way” approach to terrain management
Moderator Margaret Wheeler leads a panel with Montana State University professor Jerry Johnson, Matt Hansen of the Teton County Search and Rescue Foundation, and Sawtooth Avalanche Center forecaster … [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...]
