While staying afloat in winter’s deep snow requires a wide and sometimes heavy ride, spring—and summer—turns bring about a different list of requirements. For longer tours and steeper objectives that are more attainable in warmer weather, consider a ski that will work with—not against—you to go the distance. That means trading out powder-specific attributes for […]
Drink It In
Reaching your day’s objective often requires calculated nutrition through the uphill grind. But after hours of slogging, few things can beat returning to a fully stocked tailgate session. From skintrack-worthy pilsners to après IPAs to fireside stouts, these five beers will satiate after a long day of powder mining.
Sam Coffey, well-known Aspen skier and industry representative, dies at age 29
Sam Coffey, a well-known skier from Aspen, Colo. and an industry representative who’d worked with brands like Salomon and Strafe, died unexpectedly on Monday. Coffey, the son of longtime Snowmass housing director Joe Coffey, was 29.
All-Day Warmth: New and advanced synthetics offer lighter weights and breathability
Skinning is typically a sweaty affair where a lightweight baselayer and a thin shell will most often suffice. But some days—when the tempo is slow, the wind is blowing or the temperature hovers around zero—require a little extra warmth. Insulation-makers have honed in on this need, introducing new synthetics meant to offer warmth and exceptional breathability. These layers, intended for all-day wear, are soft to the hand and stretchy with a sweatshirt-like feel. But they’re also among the most technical pieces of insulation out there.
Deep Threads: Eight essentials for powder-day touring
Ultrawide skis and swallowtail boards draw all the hype surrounding deep-snow gear. But a day breaking trail through waist-deep fluff requires more than just floaty tools underfoot. Fresh and falling snow can make an ill-prepared skier a soggy mess, and turning back early due to wetness and cold is even more lame than doing it because of foggy goggles.
In Memoriam: Richard “Woody” Wood, Powder Mountain’s Legendary Driver
Backcountry’s extended Gear Test Week family lost its greatest legend earlier this week. Richard “Woody” Wood, Powder Mountain, Utah’s smiling, steady-handed, always-punctual bus driver, passed away on Monday. He was 81.
Get The Gear: Four Navigation and Safety Must-Haves
When traveling through the backcountry becomes old hat, don’t revert to complacency. Instead, with bigger objectives comes more responsibility to safety and navigation—here are five gear essentials to help push into the unknown.
Get The Gear: Five Tools to Level Up
An Avalanche Level 1 course can open up terrain options, but there’s still plenty more to learn about terrain and avalanche management. To help propel your knowledge to the next level, consider these five essentials to further off-piste proficiency and get you ready for the next stages of your education, from an Avalanche Level 2 or refresher course to becoming a mentor or even a guide.
Get The Gear: Five Out-Of-Bounds Essentials
You’ve been skinning at the resort and want to take your backcountry skills to the next level with an avalanche course, but need the gear to best equip you for the next stage in your skintrack education.
Get The Gear: Five essentials to get you to the skintrack
To help first-timers ascend and descend with ease, we’ve put together some gear selects that aid in making strides in the backcountry.
