For powder-seeking skiers, Japan has earned a sure-bet reputation for delivering deep, billowing powder. And for six years, ski photographer Grant Gunderson has made his way to the Pacific powder mecca with confidence, knowing that the trip would yield at least a few guaranteed money-making shots. But last winter, this wasn’t exactly the case.
High and Dry in the Chilean Andes
I settle into Portillo’s iconic pool deck hot tub, nursing an aggressive hangover—the result of trying to drink as much cheap wine as the resort’s friendly employees. Soon, a charming Chilean gentleman begins telling me about an epic winter he experienced here as a child in the ’70s.
Last Tracks: UVM alums tell a story of skiing and climate change
Warm winters and below-average snow totals have brought the issue of Climate Change to the forefront of many backcountry skiers’ minds, but understanding its impacts and how to pursue solutions can be overwhelming. To make this issue more tangible, University of Vermont alums Isabelle La Motte and Micah Berman, have turned to video to tell the climate story and inspire people to action.
Training Shoes: Tested Trail Runners
The peaks are collecting an ephemeral white coating about once a week, the leaves are turning in the valley, and my kids are hounding me to watch ski movies—it must be fall. Good thing I’ve been running the hills all summer to get my legs and lungs ready for winter.
2017 Testers’ Choice: Kevin McCarthy’s Picks
The Backcountry Magazine Gear Guide is nothing without its testers—a group of 40 skiers who congregate every year at Powder Mountain, Utah to give the coming season’s skis, boots and bindings a thorough shakedown.
The Guidebook Guy: Fritz Sperry talks about a life spent documenting lines
In the September issue of Backcountry Magazine, Devon O’Neil wrote about the backcountry skiing guidebook scene in North America. One of the writers covered was Fritz Sperry, who has been writing guidebooks about the Front Range of Colorado and other surrounding areas for decades.
The Train’s A Comin’: The Denver to Winter Park Ski Train returns after a six-year hiatus
On October 5, Colorado Ski Country USA issued a press release stating that the Ski Train—historically running from Denver to Winter Park until it ceased operations in 2009—will be kicking back into gear.
2016 International Snow Science Workshop highlights and recap
Over the past several decades, The International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW) has attracted a growing audience of professionals in the snow safety field. ISSW’s mission is to, “merge theory and practice,” and this is accomplished by aligning preeminent snow science researchers from universities and government agencies with daily practitioners in the field.
The Way East: Ski and surf on the Sea of Japan
At first, the idea was just a tiny seed, an adventure combining the love of wild mountains and oceans. Hokkaido takes all the unique culture of Japan and blends it with a pristine wilderness to create a truly special piece of the country.
2017 Testers’ Choice: Christine Raymond’s picks
The Backcountry Magazine Gear Guide is nothing without its testers—a group of 40 skiers who congregate every year at Powder Mountain, Utah to give the coming season’s skis, boots and bindings a thorough shakedown. After completing up to three runs on a given product, each tester fills out a form with numerical scores and detailed insights.
