As you slip your feet into a brand-new liner, knowing how tight is tight enough and where you can get more room can seem mysterious. From our Gear Test Week bootfitter himself, these are the things to keep in mind when looking for a new boot.

Cores composites, sidewalls and rocker profiles. Oh my! There’s a lot of technology that goes into our ski gear, not to mention a ton of insider lingo and technical jargon. So here’s some info on the key pieces of ski construction to use when selecting your next pair.

In his sixth column, Brett St. Clair covers the basics of trip planning and staying safe for a day of backcountry skiing.

For decades, hardshells relied on ultra-durable chemicals to keep you dry in all conditions. Now, with new regulations phasing out these compounds, gear is entering a new era in which durability and maintenance might look a little different.

The November 6 premier of the Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival in Boise, Idaho, features the best stories of backcountry adventure.

In the fifth of six columns, Brett St. Clair shares the most important technical tips for skinning, transitions and descending while backcountry skiing.

Boa’s H+i1 system has a wonky name, but its creators promise better pressure distribution, adjustability and control that ultimately lead to better skiing.

In the fourth of six columns Brett St. Claire explores how to dress and what pack to use when.

In the global economy, rising tariffs are making the U.S. ski industry’s reliance on outsourced goods and services an expensive reality.

On October 9, 2025, pioneering mountaineer, skier and avalanche educator Rob Newcomb died of natural causes at age 91. Amongst a storied career, his most enduring contribution was democratizing avalanche education for an entire generation of backcountry enthusiasts.