A long awaited 1kg class boot from Tecnica, the Peak series, arrives on store shelves this fall. Cripple Creek Backcountry’s Doug Stenclik spoke with the brand’s Product Innovation, Test Teams, and Winter Validation lead, Stefano Mantegazza, about the Peak’s debut and the long road from prototyping to ready-for-market build.

The Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell is a weatherproof hardshell with minimal bulk and weight for those who count paperclips and like to stay dry.

As backcountry skiers and riders, we can access deep parts of the mountainscape. These regions are often unmonitored by SNOTEL sites. In a few easy steps, we can help fill in these data gaps by collecting snow depth information while touring.

New to the Stateside scene of tents and packs, Samaya, an Annecy based company focuses on gear for the alpine. As skiers and boarders combine projects involving technical climbing and snow sliding descents, Samaya’s ULTRA35 pack is built for the mission. Here’s our first look.

You’ve got the setup nearly dialed; skis, bindings, poles. Perhaps the most critical piece remains — proper fitting boots. Aim for perfection when fitting ski touring boots. Here are five tips to ensure your feet are happy.

The earnest transition into fall has been a ski bounty for some in Alaska, and something other in the PNW’s latitudes; despite the sun streaking lower and lower in the sky, bluebird days and higher than normal temps have reigned. That should be shifting, so we’ve heard, in a week or so. But, backcountry related news still happens. Here’s a brief rundown