Martin Volken remembers the day that REI moved to North Bend, Washington, near his shop, Pro Ski and Mountain Service. The retail giant invited Volken, along with other nervous neighborhood storeowners, to talk with Sally Jewell, REI’s then CEO.
The Uphill Agenda: Aspen’s mayor ushers in a new wave of ski-focused economy
Mountain-town culture is a notoriously fickle subject. High-rise hotel and conference centers can threaten authenticity, but too little investment can lead to a ghost town. Luckily, Steve Skadron, Aspen, Colo.’s mayor, understands this fragility and is working with an uphill economy in mind.
Helmet Head: Do helmets really help prevent injuries?
These days, helmets are an essential part of a skiing or riding kit. But despite the prevalence of helmets on the slopes, concerned moms still wonder: Does wearing a helmet increase the amount of risk that individuals undertake?
Snake-oil or Godsend? A look at different techniques for clearing goggle fog
Fog is undoubtedly better suited for the steam room than the ski hill, yet the pesky principles of thermodynamics mean that fog won’t wait until après. Fortunately, over the years, a number of technologies have evolved to thwart the haze.
Far Out: Skiing Ice Spikes in the Bolivian Andes
Salt Lake, Utah-based photographer Jim Harris has built a portfolio of high-altitude badassery. And with trips to Antarctica, Mongolia and Patagonia checked off the bucket list, Harris is no stranger to traveling to the unknown to get the shot. For this edition, Harris talks about a trip to Bolivia, which came to fruition after he was contracted in 2010 for the Sweetgrass Productions film “Solitaire,” his first video shoot.
Far Out: Macedonia’s turns and tunes
The Photo Annual is on the newsstands, and across the U.S., winter is gearing up. To keep that stoke rolling, we present “Far Out,” a new web series where some of our contributing photographers share their wildest and most remote adventures.
Ski Free or Die: New Hampshire welcomes the Granite Backcountry Alliance
In recent years, backcountry alliances have gained momentum as a popular vehicle for advocacy in the backcountry skiing world. These organizations are seen as effective and central lobbying voices for recreational interests, and also serve as a go-between for government agencies and private landholders.
Build Skis, Not Bombs: Romp Skis Lands Contract with US Army Special Forces
Romp Skis designs and produces custom boards with a direct-to-consumer model. This method has attracted a growing following over the past few seasons in large part due to Romp’s adaptability to a client’s particular needs. So, when Uncle Sam came a calling, Romp jumped on the opportunity to take on a military contract for the 10th Special Forces Group of the US Army.
Last Tracks: UVM alums tell a story of skiing and climate change
Warm winters and below-average snow totals have brought the issue of Climate Change to the forefront of many backcountry skiers’ minds, but understanding its impacts and how to pursue solutions can be overwhelming. To make this issue more tangible, University of Vermont alums Isabelle La Motte and Micah Berman, have turned to video to tell the climate story and inspire people to action.
2016 International Snow Science Workshop highlights and recap
Over the past several decades, The International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW) has attracted a growing audience of professionals in the snow safety field. ISSW’s mission is to, “merge theory and practice,” and this is accomplished by aligning preeminent snow science researchers from universities and government agencies with daily practitioners in the field.
