Jeff Campbell’s Instagram feed is seeded with square shots of soldered circuit boards and technical diagrams charting pressure and friction. A PhD candidate researching biomechanical engineering at UW Seattle, he wouldn’t be where he is today without skiing—or a 2006 accident that shattered his left femur and knee.
Why Do You Backcountry Ski Or Ride? Tell Us
Maybe it’s the fresh snow, the gear, the camaraderie or the après-ski beers. But we want to know why you backcountry ski or ride. Keep it simple or spill your heart out—we want to hear your reasons, and we’ll publish the best in our 20th Anniversary Issue, which hits newsstands in November. Tell us why […]
A New Kingpin: Behind Marker’s Tech Binding
Tech bindings have traditionally offered safety release at the toe and/or heel, but the new Marker Kingpin is the first to meet DIN ISO 13992. That means it’s the first tech binding acknowledged by the TUV—the international certification body that validates product safety—to offer a certified DIN safety release. Here’s how Marker built a better tech binding.
Ace of Base(layers): Arc’teryx Phase SV Zip Neck
It’s borderline unsanitary how often I wear this layer. Literally every day that I’ve skinned over the last several seasons, the Phase SV has been my go-to top. It’s surprising that the collar isn’t crusted with sunblock, the cuffs aren’t permanently pasted with snot, and the pits haven’t discolored to a murky green….
Palm Pilot: Black Diamond Pilot Glove
After spending my first several days of backcountry skiing with freezing fingers (and subsequent bouts of Screaming Barfies—that burning, rewarming feeling that makes you want to puke), I invested in some real touring gloves….
Damn Enthusiasm: Greg Hill’s Pakistani Avalanche
In May, Greg Hill, who’s best known for feats like skiing 2 million vertical feet in a single year or 100,000 meters in a month, ticked off one of his life goals, skiing in Pakistan’s Nanga Parbat region. Then, two weeks into his trip, he got caught in an avalanche and broke his left leg. Two months after the accident, he’s sharing his story for the first time.
Softer Touch: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoody
With fewer frills than a fancy pair of ski socks, my favorite jacket, a bare-bones softshell from Outdoor Research, could hardly be considered a shell when placed next to some fully-featured jackets that ring in at five times its price.
Video: Makin’ Bacon
“June is the most ideal time for skiing steep lines in Washington,” photographer Jason Hummel says following a six-day early-June traverse from Mt. Blum (7,680 ft.) to Bacon Peak (7,070 ft.) in North Cascades National Park. Along with Adam Roberts, Tim Black and “Woods,” Hummel skied multiple lines off Bacon and Mt. Hagan (6,960 ft.) and a descent of North Despair (7,240 ft.).
Video: The End of the Earth
Australia doesn’t exactly jump to mind when thinking of skiing during the North American summer. Rather, Chile and Argentina are the spots reserved in our collective conscious for off-season, dream-trip destinations. But Australia’s southern provinces, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Victoria, are home to about a dozen ski areas and peaks that measure taller than 6,000 feet. So think again.
Throwback Thursday: Get Rad!
Remember when inline skating was as rad as backcountry skiing? Yeah, neither do we. But back in January 1999, when Alpine Trekkers were cutting edge, Alpina began making plastic telemark boots and offered a line of roller-skates—perfect for practicing the balance, coordination and one-legged pirouettes necessary in every bc skier’s skill set. Here’s BCM founder David Harrower’s review of the Alpina 450.
