Proper layering will help keep you warm and dry on your backcountry adventures but figuring out the right combination of layers can be a bit tricky. You want to stay cool (but not cold) on the way up. A great day can quickly be ruined by getting all sweaty while hiking and then getting chilled because you’re damp. Layering properly can keep the sweating in check and help keep you warm while resting and skiing down. I typically run pretty…
I’ve been watching a lot of skiing shows and movies during my downtime lately and thought I would share some of my favorites. Not all of these are purely backcountry skiing related, but there is at least some element of the backcountry in each of them. The best part is that all of these are completely free to watch. There are way more movies and miniseries out there than one article can capture, so I’ll probably do another one of…
If you’re looking for the best of the best gifts for someone who deserves them, this is the list for you. These are gifts that will make pretty much any backcountry skier smile from ear to ear. If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, check out this article for some gift ideas. Read on for the hottest backcountry skiing gifts for this season. Salomon S/Lab Shift MNC Bindings Many are hailing the Salomon S/Lab Shift MNC as the greatest technical…
The holiday season is almost here and if you’re anything like me, you still have to get gifts for at least a few people. This article should give you some ideas for the backcountry skiers on your list…or for yourself. I won’t judge. 1. Buff Neck & Head Warmer These things are like neck warmers on steroids. You can wear a Buff around 10 different ways and keep everything from your neck to your entire head and face warm. I…
Most climbing skins require some trimming in order to perfectly fit the shape of your ski. Trimming skins is a bit of an art, but anyone can do it with a bit of patience and attention to detail. This guide will help you learn how to trim climbing skins – leave yourself plenty of time to work so you aren’t rushed. I’m going to show you how to trim a pair of Contour Hybrid Mix climbing skins. We’re going to…
Arc’teryx makes some of the finest gear in the business, and today we’ll find out if the Women’s Sentinel Gore-Tex Pants live up to that reputation. The Sentinel Pant isn’t aimed specifically at the backcountry crowd but are meant to be multi-purpose. They’re suitable for riding at the resort or for long touring days, so owning multiple pairs of ski pants isn’t a necessity. Arc’teryx also has one of the best warranties in the business on their gear so even…
I was lucky enough to get out into the mountains this past weekend for some early season powder turns, and was reminded of how complex the decision-making process can be in the backcountry. We ended up having two great days of skiing with no incidents, but I thought it would be worthwhile to remind readers of a few things that may have been forgotten over the summer to help keep everyone safe in the upcoming season. If you’re really new to backcountry…
In short, the new Barryvox S transceiver from Mammut is one of the most fully featured and best performing avalanche transceivers available today. Its only downfall is that it may be slightly too fully featured (read: complex) for beginner or novice users, but it’s an improvement in every regard over it’s predecessor, the Barryvox Pulse. Read on to find out more. If you’re curious how it stacks up against other beacons this season, check out our avalanche transceiver roundup for the 2018/2019 season….
The other day I got a nice surprise on my doorstep when I got home – a box from Camp USA with my new Contour Hybrid Mix climbing skins! There were also some sweet stickers in there, but that’s probably not why you’re here. Update: check out our Full Review of these skins I’m going to do a long-term test of these this winter, but in the meantime I thought I would snap a few photos of the skins themselves…
If you’ve read my backcountry gear for beginners article, you know that you need a beacon (transceiver), shovel, and probe, along with some touring skis/bindings, climbing skins and a pack as the absolute bare minimum to get out in the backcountry. There is obviously a bit more to it, but those are the basics. This article is about a few pieces of essential gear for the backcountry that you might not have thought about and that can come in handy to keep…