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

The Black Crows Corvus Freebird comes in as a big mountain ready ski locked in for big turns on firmer snow. With 107mm underfoot, a straight tail, and modest tip rocker, the ski that is all pink feels more like an all-arounder than loose and free powder board.

The skintrack can make you or break you. We prefer the former rather than the latter. ACMG/IFMGA guide Alex Geary shows us a shining path toward skintrack setting bliss in his digital handbook, The Art Of Up-Tracking For Skiers And Splitboarders.

In Episode 103 of the Totally Deep Podcast, Doug Stenclik, Randy Young, and Cripple Creek Backcountry’s head of customer service, Tyler Vaughan, discuss their gear picks for the season.

For some, training zones and training plans and documenting those efforts as they prep for backcountry skiing is tedium. Yeah, it’ll get you fit, but the good doctor up in Anchorage (Alex Lee) takes his own fitness path to be better than average. And still, some who have followed him up the skintrack, yo-yoing all day, would say he’s way-way better than average too. Here’s his advice.

Set your sites and the scales on a svelte number, 88mm and 1150g to be precise: The Dynastar Vertical 88 delivers a lightweight ski with notable dampness. IFMGA guide Rob Coppolillo reviews the Vertical 88 and helps us discern where and when it’s best suited.