As a Teton County (Wyoming) Search and Rescue member and powerhouse of a skier, second-year tester Galen Parke has one trait he looks for in a touring ski: reliability.
2022 Editors’ Choice Awards: Snowboards, Boots & Bindings
Used to be that you strapped a plate on your resort bindings and used your resort boots for backcountry snowboarding, but now we have lightweight touring-specific gear that performs well on the up and the down. Our splitboard testers celebrated that fact by highlighting their favorite boards, boots and bindings.
2022 Editors’ Choice: Apparel
Our testers have always pushed apparel in harsh conditions, and last season was no exception. After all, the folks who make the cut as BCM testers aren’t scared of skinning in sleet, heavy snow and blistering sun—sometimes all on the same day. Here, you’ll find the cream of the crop of jackets, pants, puffies and midlayers.
Victims in eastern Idaho avalanche identified as two local high schoolers
Both victims were reported to be on the slope at the same time when the avalanche released. They are the U.S.’s second and third avalanche fatalities of the winter.
Gearbox: Airbag Packs
Four airbag packs that balance safety features, fit and weight for a spectrum of gear budgets.
First U.S. avalanche fatality of the 2021/22 season reported at Crystal Mountain, Washington
The incident occurred in Silver Basin, a closed area of Crystal Mountain, Washington, that ski patrol had not mitigated for avalanche hazard. Six skiers from the same party were caught in the avalanche, and Robert “Bob” Weisel, 66, of Issaquah, Washington, did not survive. This is the U.S.’s first avalanche fatality of the 2021/22 season.
2022 Tester Profile: Chris Cloyd
As a fitness junkie who’s also an ace in the terrain park, Chris Cloyd wants a board that will take him far into the mountains and jib like a solid.
2022 Tester Profile: Jason Layh
Over his 12+ year tenure, Jason Layh has served as a ski tech, tester and now as our Tahoe test coordinator. He’s infamous for recording his thoughts on each piece of gear on his phone and listening back to the audio while writing his reviews. Needless to say, Jason is the pinnacle of tester pro status.
2022 Tester Profile: Marla “Cookie” Bailey
Marla “Cookie” Bailey has had a few perfect days in the mountains, but she’s still on the hunt for the perfect ski.
2022 Tester Profile: Hayden Gardner
Rookie tester Hayden Gardner tried splitboards everywhere from his home range, Utah’s Wasatch, to Valdez, Alaska. He’s looking for a board that can handle all conditions.
