Many communities are knee deep already in beacon checks, snow assessment, and the move to non-rock skis. As daylight savings time reared up this weekend, so too did the need for avalanche beacon maintenance. Time to get on it. Here’s some easy first steps.

Will McKay brings us along on his AMGA Ski Guide Course, the first in a series of three required courses to become a certified AMGA Ski Guide in the United States. Along the way, we’ll learn about highlight reels, and making a rescue shelter slightly warmer.

Not all things shiny and new need to shout it out loud. The Pass, a new ski from Season, is nicely subdued in its cosmetics yet promises to be a bold, stable, and playful backcountry ski.

A proper boot fit can be a tricky thing. And for some women’s feet, the quest for an ideal fitting backcountry touring boot can be frustrating. In this reposted piece from Lisa Dawson, we get some keen advice about her experience dialing in the fit.

ARVA’s Reactor Tour UL25 airbag pack sets itself apart as a high functioning pack bundling a reliable airbag system with easy access nutrition and hydration pockets for on-the-go backcountry tourers. Alex Lee checks in with an early season first look of the Reactor Tour UL25 from the hills above Anchorage.

In his book See You Tomorrow — The Disappearance of Snowboarder Marco Siffredi on Everest Jeremy Evans captures the spirit of a young adventurer living with purpose.