Being a mountain guide in Chamonix, France can be as romantic as it sounds, but it’s also hard on the mind and taxing on the body. And romance and fatigue usually don’t go together. So what if your lover is also a guide? Maybe your business partner, too? Meet Miles and Elizabeth Smart. They can get you into some of the hairiest places on the planet. And they share socks.
Staying Safe: Human Factors and Avalanche Education
From a dry December into a hazardous January, Hallie Benton explores local efforts and recent studies promoting avalanche education.
Atmospheric Flow
Gabrielle Antonioli first thought she wanted to be a doctor. But a sharp left turn put her on a different track: avalanche forecasting. Today, she’s working for Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center.
Resources: Crevasse Rescue
Our Mountain Skills article from Issue 156 lays out the basics of crevasse rescue. This page offers supplemental resources.
Backcountry Basecamp 2024
The 11th annual Backcountry BASECAMP tour, presented by Scott Sports and Flylow, brings the beta published in every issue of Backcountry Magazine to resorts across the U.S. From the Northeast to the Tetons, the Wasatch to the Rockies, Backcountry Magazine joins local guides, forecasters and avalanche instructors for a series of pop-up festivals featuring gear demos, avalanche education, guided tours and a huge raffle benefiting a local nonprofit.
The Deadliest Winter: A Look Back at the 2020/21 Season
With 37 avalanche fatalities recorded in the U.S. during winter 2020/21, the season stands as the deadliest in modern history. Here’s what we can learn from a devastating year.
Don’t Skip Leg Day
Former Freeride World Tour Champion and personal trainer Crystal Wright shares advice on how to train like a pro for ski season.
Sashimi and Käsespätzle: Finding the Goods When the Snow Is Bad
Twice Betsy Manero has headed for epic ski destinations, only to find them drier than her home Tetons. Still, she manages to find the goods.
Op-Ed: An Ode to The Snowboard Movie (Plus, The Best Flicks to Watch Right Now)
From igniting stoke to uniting communities, Drew Zieff reminds us why snowboard movies are so important. Plus, he shares his favorite flicks.
Snowboard Movies Aren’t Dead: The Triumphant Return of Mike Hatchett
Teton Gravity Research’s latest film, Flying High Again, directed by snowboard film legend Mike Hatchett, proves shred flicks are still all the rage.