“What a ski core is made of determines how damp it is, how lively it is and how long it lasts,” says former Backcountry ski tester Oliver Blackman, who makes custom skis near Smugglers’ Notch, Vt. Traditionally, Blackman says, that core material is wood, and while some manufacturers use foam in their cores, wood offers better longevity and character, depending on the type.
Category Killers: All Mountain Boots
While these boots stand out for their inbounds power, they’re still capable of short walks in the skintrack
2016 Editors’ Choice Awards: Boots
Announcing the 2016 Editors’ Choice Awards, selected from more than 400 skis, splitboards, bindings and boots tested at Powder Mountain, Utah and Crested Butte, Colo. For more than 100 additional gear reviews, plus in-depth tester feedback on each of these Editors’ Choice winners, check out the 2016 Gear Guide. And if you subscribe now, you’ll be entered to win more […]
Testers’ Choice: Blizzard Zero-G 108
Tester Tim Beaman says his preferred terrain is “Mountain terrain.” His preferred snow? “mountain snow.” For this reason he needs a well-rounded ski that can function as a quiver killer for any backcountry conditions, and he might have found just that in the Blizzard Zero-G 108.
2016 Editors’ Choice Awards: Bindings
Announcing the 2016 Editors’ Choice Awards, selected from more than 400 skis, splitboards, bindings and boots tested at Powder Mountain, Utah and Crested Butte, Colo. For more than 100 additional gear reviews, plus in-depth tester feedback on each of these Editors’ Choice winners, check out the 2016 Gear Guide. And if you subscribe now, you’ll be entered to win more […]
2016 Editors’ Choice Awards: Skis 95-99mm
Announcing the 2016 Editors’ Choice Awards, selected from more than 400 skis, splitboards, bindings and boots tested at Powder Mountain, Utah and Crested Butte, Colo. For more than 100 additional gear reviews, plus in-depth tester feedback on each of these Editors’ Choice winners, check out the 2016 Gear Guide. And if you subscribe now, you’ll be entered to win more […]
2016 Editors’ Choice Awards: Skis 101-118mm
Announcing the 2016 Editors’ Choice Awards, selected from more than 400 skis, splitboards, bindings and boots tested at Powder Mountain, Utah and Crested Butte, Colo. For more than 100 additional gear reviews, plus in-depth tester feedback on each of these Editors’ Choice winners, check out the 2016 Gear Guide. Buy Backcountry Magazine September 2015 – 2016 Gear […]
In The Shop: Tuning Essentials
Any skier or rider worth a fraction of his or her weight in edge filings and wax scrapings needs a few decent shop tools. After all, skiing variable OB conditions and constantly applying and removing skins can be hell on your bases, edges and bindings. And your “hook up” at the shop would honestly prefer cash to beer. Here’s a selection of our favorite tuning, mounting and shop gear that has come across our workbench.
Black Diamond Issues Voluntary JetForce Airbag Recall
Announced today, Black Diamond has issued a voluntary recall of all first-generation JetForce avalanche airbags backpacks. Black Diamond is encouraging all JetForce owners to visit jetforcerecall.com for information regarding returning packs for a required firmware update. According to Black Diamond, in a limited number of cases, the JetForce packs sold by BD, Pieps and POC […]
Avatech to Offer SP2 Probe, Web and Mobile Updates
Avatech, the maker of avalanche safety tools, plans to offer an updated Smartprobe this winter, alongside updates to their Avanet web platform. The Park City, Utah-based startup of MIT whiz kids launched their brand last fall with a smartprobe, dubbed the SP1, and their Avanet observation-sharing website.
