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.
Fuel: Madison Rose Ostergren talks working relationships, music and finding her own track
You might not have heard the name Madison Ostergren yet, but the key word there is yet. On the heels of starring in a Warren Miller film, signing with Völkl Skis and moving from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Jackson, Wyoming, the bubbly 24-year-old recently released a short film, “Fuel,” with photographer Iz La Motte. In between ski movie premieres, meeting up with old friends at the Killington World Cup and writing a few new songs, Ostergren made time to hop on the phone and answer a few questions.
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.
Op-Ed: Fighting for the backcountry and community identity as Grand Targhee proposes expansion
On the western side of the Tetons, some backcountry enthusiasts are decrying Grand Targhee Resort’s proposed expansion on the grounds that it would negatively impact skiers and encroach on prime wildlife habitat. Longtime contributor Howie Garber shares his thoughts on how new lifts would push out skiers.
2022 Tester Profile: Hannah Van Wetter
Hannah Van Wetter likes breakfast sandwiches, big lines and long days on the skintrack. She also likes a ski with enough underfoot to make the descent a good time.
Mountain Skills: The “Hell yes, or no way” approach to terrain management
Heading into the winter is a good time for professionals and recreators to re-evaluate their decision-making tactics. At the Wyoming Snow and Avalanche Workshop last month, speakers considered whether the larger backcountry community assimilates too much danger in its daily practices.
2022 Tester Profile: Darrin MacLeod
The MacLeods are Gear Test Week staples. With seven years of experience under their belts, they kept the spirit of our Utah test alive, even though they were in their home mountains in Vermont.
