Every backcountry skier faces the same dilemma. You’ve invested in a beacon, shovel, and probe. But when you’re staring down a pristine powder line with questionable stability, there’s one piece of gear that could mean the difference between a terrifying ride and a tragedy. Avalanche airbag packs have proven their worth in study after study. … Read more
Winter mornings hit differently when you step outside and feel that first blast of cold air against your neck. I learned this the hard way during a January commute in Chicago when I realized my coat collar simply was not enough protection against the wind chill. That is when I started my quest to find … Read more
Finding the right pack for backcountry days can make or break your experience in the mountains. I have spent three seasons testing different ski mountaineering backpacks across varied terrain from Colorado powder to Sierra spring corn. The best ski mountaineering backpacks under 200 deliver serious performance without emptying your wallet. After analyzing 47 different models … Read more
When the wind chill drops to -20 degrees and the snow starts blowing sideways, your face becomes the most vulnerable part of your body. I learned this the hard way during a January ski trip to Jackson Hole. Within 15 minutes of riding the lift, my exposed cheeks were stinging with the early warning signs … Read more
After three seasons of backcountry touring across the Wasatch and Cascade ranges, I have learned that your splitboard backpack can make or break a day in the mountains. The best splitboard backpacks do more than carry your gear. They organize your avalanche safety equipment for quick access, distribute weight during long skin track climbs, and … Read more
When the temperature drops and winter winds start biting, your ears are often the first to suffer. I learned this the hard way during a morning jog last January when my ears went numb within ten minutes. Finding the best winter ear muffs for adults isn’t just about comfort; it is about protecting one of … Read more
After three seasons of backcountry skiing across Colorado, Utah, and the Pacific Northwest, I have learned that your backpack choice can make or break a day in the mountains. I started with an old hiking pack that had no avalanche tool storage, and fumbling for my probe while my partner waited was not fun. The … Read more
I spent 12 winters hiking through Colorado’s Rockies before I truly understood the difference a quality fleece lined winter hat makes. My first season, I stubbornly wore a basic acrylic beanie. By hour three on the trail, my ears were numb, my forehead was damp with sweat that had frozen against my skin, and I … Read more
After spending three winters guiding alpine expeditions across the Rockies and Cascades, I have learned that your backpack can make or break a winter mountaineering trip. The difference between a pack that carries well with 45 pounds of winter gear and one that digs into your shoulders during a technical ice climb is night and … Read more
Last winter, I learned the hard way that not all beanies are created equal. After suffering through three months of itchy acrylic, beanies that rode up my forehead, and one particularly disastrous slouchy hat that made me look like I was wearing a sack, I decided to find the best winter beanies for women once … Read more