November 2022

We love the bliss of October into early November turns. Despite gouged bases and maybe sparks (rocks lurk), early-season snow is often irresistible. But, early snow brings some precautions — in some mountain ranges— as the snowpack evolves. This conversation with Chris Dickson gives insight into why a love-hate relationship exists with the early snowfall.

A cool opportunity is worth shouting about: so we are shouting with a digital “Hear ye, hear ye!” Backcountry Access and the American Avalanche Association have a sweet scholarship opportunity. The aim is to support female-identifying avalanche workers and their professional development.

Sometimes it makes sense to go light, and even lighter with a ski binding. And this too can apply when pushing the width of the ski beyond the 95mm underfoot realm. Light, under some circumstances, can still be right.

Moment is located in Reno, Nevada, at the foothills of the Sierra on Bible Way. Which, when you consider the biblical devotion of some Moment evangelists, is an apt street for the ski maker. We’ll genuflect towards a specific ski-binding pairing in this review, the Wildcat Tour 108 and the Voyager X II binding.

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.