Some folks chase endless winter, other’s chase mythological beings. Giano Cromley’s American Mythology offers a deep dive into the importance of wild spaces through a fantastical lens. And a chance to put off powder dreams for a couple more sweaty summer days.
Wisdom: David Owen

According to PowderQuest owner David Owen, skiing isn’t the only reason to take an international ski trip.
Yūichirō Miura: First, Fastest, Highest

In 1970, Yūichirō Miura became the first man to descend Everest on skis. His achievement still impresses today.
Mountain Skills: Prepare for the Worst, Hope for the Best

Internationally certified mountain guide and board-certified physician Alan Oram shares how to be prepared for medical emergencies in the backcountry.
Addictive Personality

“Betsy, did you pack the coffee?” Katie asks me as she digs through the yurt’s food bin. A rainbow of Gore-Tex, PrimaLoft and Intuition liners hangs above a pellet stove. Nick, Katie’s boyfriend, flips through an old issue of Backcountry Magazine at the table while my boyfriend, Mike, and I are lounging on the bottom […]
2025 Editors’ Choice Splitboard Reviews

Our selection of 2025 Editors’ Choice splitboards surf, charge and ollie while still delivering on the up.
Required Reading: Louis Dawson’s Avalanche Dreams

Esteemed mountaineer Louis “Lou” Dawson’s memoir, Avalanche Dreams, is required reading for any backcountry enthusiast.
Girl Winter: A New Film Tour Celebrates Women in Skiing

A new film tour, Girl Winter, is now showing across the country. The tour features six short films created by and starring women.
Next Steps: Why Everyone Needs to Take a Wilderness Medicine Course

I’ve spent enough time in the backcountry to start becoming complacent. This isn’t a badge of honor; it’s more of a humble learning process. Every so often, I start cutting corners, seeing how many steps I can skip before I find the limit, and I’ve found that limit a handful of times. Rock fall, knee-twisting […]
Pachinko Slots: Gambling in the Japanese Alps

While skiers and riders flock to Hokkaido, Japan’s northern island, Betsy Manero takes a chance in the Japanese Alps.