In November Backcountry will celebrate its 20th birthday. The issues from the last two decades are lined up on my desk in descending order, and, I must admit, they’re taking up an awful lot of room. So in celebration of our approaching birthday, here’s a look at 20 years of Backcountry covers.
Biff America: On Priorities
Jeffery Bergeron, under the alias of Biff America, is a monthly columnist for BCM. Biff provides anecdotes about some of our favorite things: beer, sex and skiing.
Snow Shooter: Cedric Bernardini
Cedric Bernardini was born just outside of Chamonix, but he didn’t become a skier until many years later. He has traveled all over, from Paris to Zimbabwe, but it was in the Sierra Nevada where he picked up his love for skiing. When Backcountry got him on the phone, Bernardini talked about days off, being lazy and skiing with friends.
Passion Project: Lynsey Dyer on Her New Ski Film
It’s common knowledge among skiers that Lynsey Dyer can shred. After all, she’s been in more than a dozen ski films. But now she’s turning the lens around to produce an all-women ski film, Pretty Faces, due out in September. We caught up with Dyer to talk about Pretty Faces, community-sourced footage and motivating Minnesotan kids to ski.
‘Whatever’ Comes to Crested Butte, AvaTech Announces Partners and Newcomb Runs for Teton Commissioner
Crested Butte, Colo. accepts $500,000 to host Bud Light’s invented town, Whatever, U.S.A., AvaTech Partners with snow enthusiast groups to promote avalanche education and Backcountry Icon Mark Newcomb runs for Teton County Commissioner.
Throwback Thursday: Shell Shock
Eighteen years ago, a backcountry skier’s shell walked and talked a lot differently than its contemporary fellows. But one thing remains the same: waterproof breathability is still at the core of the outerwear conversation.
Biff America: On Single Women
Jeffery Bergeron, under the alias of Biff America, is a monthly columnist for BCM. Biff provides anecdotes about some of our favorite things: beer, sex and skiing.
Snow Shooter: Will Wissman
Will Wissman has been taking pictures for longer than most people can say they have been skiing. He’s worked with magazines like Backcountry, National Geographic Adventure and Outside, and he carved out time in his busy schedule to chat with Backcountry about snowmaking, stoke and how avalanches can save lives..
Photo Gallery: Gear Test Week
Gear Test Week 2014 was a blur of 200-plus skis, boots and bindings, plastic flamingos and one family-friendly talent show. For a week last March at Powder Mountain, Utah, Backcountry’s editors and more than 50 testers evaluated some 200 hardgoods, highlighted in the 2015 Gear Guide. Testing it all is quite hard work, but we manage to have a little fun on the side.
Throwback Thursday: The Mercedes of Splitboards
In 2001 Backcountry ran its first-ever review of splitboards, with the apt cover line, “Backcountry Bording: Dealing with the Uphill.” The review included the Burton Split and the Voilé Split Decision, but despite the exciting new technology, tester Jenny Ader cautioned consumers.
