We all know we should practice avalanche rescue more, but making it happen can be a sizable hurdle. Sometimes we try to bust out a couple laps in “search mode” at the beginning of the season to dust off the cobwebs. Other times, we’re lucky enough to have access to a beacon park at the local resort, presenting a chance to practice our skill set before heading to more dangerous terrain.
Free to ski: In film “Liberarsi” four Italian stallions ski big lines every damn weekend
We have all seen our fair share of ski flicks, but it’s especially inspiring when a film documents the achievements of everyday skiers and riders, not just the pros. And Liberarsi, a film out today, looks to achieve this regular guy/gal feel.
Backcountry Bulletin: December 2016
Mountain ranges across the U.S. are starting to look the part of winter, and as the 2016/17 season begins to unfold, it’s time brush up on avy awareness and start celebrating the backcountry community. To do so, we’ve listed regional events that focus on educational talks, film screenings, fundraising benefits and early-season races to get you geared up for the coming months.
Mountain Skills: Understanding Alpha Angles
Picture this: You’re skiing across low angle terrain, but need to traverse below a steep open face with no cover. Your avalanche awareness bells start chiming, “Danger!” so you decide to ski out of your way to remain clear of the possible slide path. But there are no trees around to give clues about where you’ll be safe if it slides. So how far is “far enough” from the suspect slope?
To Kingdom Come: A new backcountry organization forms in Vermont
In recent years, Vermont has been a breeding ground for backcountry community efforts and growth in the form of nonprofit aid with governance and access to skiable landscapes. The formation of the Vermont Backcountry Alliance has empowered backcountry communities and coalitions to unite across the state, and one of the most recent communities to jump on the backcountry bandwagon is based in the fabled northernmost part of the state, the Northeast Kingdom.
Job Search: Utah Avalanche Center looks for someone to take on role of Executive Director
The Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) is one of the leading names in avalanche safety and education the world over, and the current Executive Director, Paul Diegel, has been an undeniable influence on the growth and success of the organization. But after 15 years, he is ready to retire.
Mountain Skills: Travel Wisely
Spacing is the tactic people think they are most comfortable with, which leads to the answer, “One at a time.” The variable students forget to consider is the size of the hazard.
Vans and Volcanoes: Road-tripping and logging vert through Chile
Traveling in a foreign country is often thought to be the pinnacle of freedom—just you and your pack, free to go wherever you please. But reality can be a bit different, as I experienced this year while chasing vert and powder in South America.
Ski Free or Die: New Hampshire welcomes the Granite Backcountry Alliance
In recent years, backcountry alliances have gained momentum as a popular vehicle for advocacy in the backcountry skiing world. These organizations are seen as effective and central lobbying voices for recreational interests, and also serve as a go-between for government agencies and private landholders.
Mountain Skills: The Importance of Higher Ed
It’s no secret that even good things go stale—from relationships to that loaf of bread you forgot about in your cupboard. The same applies to our understanding of avalanches: how we analyze and approach them has changed dramatically over time.
