"shift"

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.

Welcome to the world of tech bindings. The emerging backcountry skier should be informed; it makes the conversation between you and the salesperson two-way rather than one-way. And, you’ll know what questions to ask to secure a product suited for you.

Aaron Rose, a Colorado splitboarder, brings a grounded perspective to interpreting the dynamic backcountry realm. “The observed and felt clues yield the most evidence to consider terrain management and avalanche avoidance. Snow sense is fundamentally built on a visual-tactile experience. Auditory stimulus is secondary, at least for me.”

Like a Lotus flower, the La Sportiva Vanguard beholds many secrets, first among them are attributes making this boot great for ripping and laser focused control. The uphills and transitions, like the flower, however, are more complex. Oh, La Sportiva!…

Be open to the possibilities and you might be surprised. That’s the case with the OGSO Schwarztor 100 SR UL: Behold the rocker, longer turn radius, and begin to smile as you take a walk on the wild side. (Thank you Lou Reed.)

Research suggests burned forests lose snow sooner. But burns also open up new terrain for easier exploration and wide open turns for backcountry skiers. A quick look at this yin and yang of skiing in the new West.

The 2022-2023 Blizzard Zero G 95 comes in light at a verified 1164g/ski in 171cm. Like past iterations, it’s great in the steep and firm, yet it’s not just for experts as it is an excellent choice for epic spring missions.

It may be a small world after all. Luke Smithwick makes a go of it in the Karakoram and Himalaya pursuing the guiding life and personal objectives.

All is takes it one crisp morning and the senses are heightened—snow will come soon. Get ahead of the fitness curve and consider wighted uphill training.

Every backcountry skier has an origin story—some are filled with myths, some with easy access and mentors, some with hardscrabble grit. Here’s Ethan Daly’s true tale.

If insulated pants are your jam–Patagonia’s Das Light pants edge ever so closely to holy grail status considering weight, insulating capacity, and build.

1+1=2. I’m pretty certain it holds for the old and “new” math. Here’s the rationale and the dice rolling, and math for our ski traverse shelter.

Kelly Cordes evolves from backscratchers to slipping and sliding through the forest on skins. And then stops above a seven-degree slope and rips skins.

Hyperlocal comes to the realm of disseminating information about snowpack and backcountry conditions with Chris Dickson and the San Juan Snowcast.

By Kevin Grove Risk, flow, and bliss: Something I have thought a great deal about over the years and continue to ponder and have lengthy discussions with friends and colleagues. Why do we do the things we do, and why…

Just like that, Salomon makes a splash in the 1kg ski boot realm with a stiff skiing (very stiff FWIW) and high functioning tourer in the MTN Summit.

As members of the world’s most socially sensitive species, it’s time we embrace a high degree of emotional intelligence when backcountry skiing.

Janelle Smiley is a mountain crusher who recently relocated with her family to Revelstoke. In this interview, we dive right into her thoughts on risk.

With a suite of functions suitable for a pro user, the Neo Arva Pro avalanche beacon boasts a range of 70m, and sometimes more.