Snow Sports
Archive*O.K. These tips will work for men too. The only problem with ski mountaineering racing—or randonee if you want to get all Frenchy—is that barely any women in the US are doing it. Which begs the bigger question, why do women wait for men to embrace debilitating endurance sports before…
Pro cyclist Jessica Phillips has always raced road in the summer and taught skiing in the winter. The 32-year-old Aspenite admits that the switch is necessary, because women’s pro cycling alone doesn’t exactly bring home the bacon. This year, she’s taking her transition to a new level. World Cup…
Courtesy of Flickr American snowboarder Kelly Clark earned first place in the halfpipe semifinals today at the O'Neill Evolution 2011 in Davos, Switzerland, according to…
Last week, massive storms pummeled the mountains with snow. Unfortunately, in a 48-hour span, four more cases of tree well accidents were reported. On December 28, a snowboarder went out of bounds from a Tahoe resort and was found in a deat in tree well two days later. On December 27,…
Greg Hill (Tommy Chandler/Backcountry.com) After 266 days of climbing and skiing, and climbing and skiing, and climbing and skiing, Greg Hill hit his goal. His watch registered 2 million vertical feet on…
Greg Hill is 1.65 million feet into his goal of skiing two million backcountry feet in 2010. Will he make it?
Going up, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana Along with the bourgeoning sport of alpine touring, many skiers and snowboarders are skinning and snowshoeing inbounds these days, requiring mountain resorts to figure out how to deal with uphill traffic. Although you may hear grumbling on both sides, know that resorts need…
Early season conditions have been brutal across the west. But none are more so than at Jackson Hole, WY, where the locals are just ruined, and have been for weeks. The fault lies with the lift system…also known as the tram. Four thousand foot laps of powder on an empty…
From hot springs to mountain-town fiestas to one surprisingly easy island getaway, we've got you covered.
As the west gets pounded by storms in what has been a best winter season opening in years, hopefully everyone has been out powder farming the light, dry, deep crystalline snow. When tracking up my local backcountry stash this weekend, I spied giant tree wells, big as black holes. Be…
Aspen frequently shows up on our list of North America’s best ski resorts, and while we think it’s a great place to party, it’s family-friendly, too. Georgie Bremner, Limelight Lodge’s Ski School manager and…
Haggis potato chips, psychedelic snails, drunk lorikeets, an iPhone that speaks Spanish, and a carload of snowboarders. Our journey this week through the interweb to find stuff to click on was an interesting trip. ¡Es Loco! ¡Es MUY Loco! Best…
Last spring, Christy Mahon became the first woman to ski all 54 Colorado fourteeners. And she didn't brag about it.
Photo courtesy of nightthree on Flickr. Hundreds of skiers and snowboarders donned Santa costumes and took over Sunday River ski resort in Maine on Sunday, the AP…
When it comes to ski gear, the most discerning, jaded shoppers are without a doubt ski town locals. Since ski bums often have access to it all, and they are usually difficult to please. Quality, performance…and never forget style (hey-you’ve got to have your own steez) all factor in the…
After having skied in the Northeast for the past ten years, I have come to appreciate warm gloves and have always gone for the mitten approach. My Swany X-Change gloves just fell apart and I was thinking of buying a warm finger glove. I was looking at the Black Diamond Legend or Guide. Which would you recommend? CyrilBurlington, VT
Go time. Photo Courtesy of Flickr Jackson Hole kicked off the ski season in a big way this Saturday, with the first all-mountain opening of Rendezvous in its history, thanks to a record 130-inch base, reports the Associated Press. “There’s…
Wolf Creek, a ski resort in southeastern Colorado known for it's large early season snowfalls, issued a statement today that it's ski patrol director was killed in an avalanche today at 7:45 a.m. The man's name and not revealed in the statement, and no circumstances surrounding his death were revealed…
Ski mountaineer Greg Hill is on his way to skiing two million vertical feet in one year, and he's got a few tips for you. Listen up.
From billiards to big air competitions—downtown—these four ski towns have the best nightlife.
The X-Games gold medalist shares her top five tips to make the most of your ski trip.
From couloir skiing to punchy chutes, the terrain at these resorts will keep you on your toes.
From ski school and childcare to tubing hills and mini-terrain parks, these four resorts put family first.
A group of Italian ski instructors visited the Pope at the Vatican on Monday and he had some blessed things to say about skiing. “This is an environment that in a special way makes us feel small, returns us to our true dimension as…
Lindsey Vonn dressed up as Sharon Stone from Basic Instinct for a shoot with ESPN The Magazine. Here's the behind the scenes video. –Joe Spring@joespring…
From Doug Chabot, director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.
What is the best ski pant for people who tend to run hot? Eron Los Angeles, CA
Splitboarding: A snowboard that can be separated into two parts and used with climbing skins to ascend slopes. The halves can then be connected at the summit to form a snowboard for descent Of course you've probably heard of splitboarding by now. Gear sales…
At 25, he has a pair of X Games medals, a blossoming photojournalism career, and a well-received memoir. But no legs.
Big-mountain snowboard king Jeremy Jones is leading the sport into a new era of responsibility—which makes him very uncomfortable.
(Above – one of your competitors) The Canyons is giving away the ultimate mountain gig this winter. The prize includes a four-month stay at the Waldorf…
What made big news last month? Scroll down to find out. Here are the top 10 posts from October. At least you'll be armed with good dinner party conversation. Number 10: The Top 10 Adventures in Scotland Number 9: The Top 10 Things To…
With Halloween and elections this week, you might have taken your eye off what else happening in the world outside. We've got you covered. Here's the stuff you should click on. Worth Watching This Weekend:Chilean (Miner) Edison Pena in NY for Marathon (…
Photo courtesy of Joe Shlabotnik on Flickr. Ski manufacturer Armada recently sent cease and desist letters to several ski companies, including Rossignol, for breaching Armada's patent on certain kinds of rockered skis, Gnolls.org reports. Rossignol fired back,…
Flying devils, physics: explained, a record high, a fine wine, and lo-jacked rhinos. We're just getting started. Here's the stuff you should click on this week. “Flying Devils” — Johnny Rooks: 1. National Geographic: 0. How High?Excalibur Billed As The World's…
Conditions: cold, clear, dry, and deep. For early season weather and snow beta, check the American Avalanche Association to find your local avalanche forcast center. Be careful out there. —Christopher Van Tilburg, MD …
I want to buy my cousin a pack to carry his skis up the mountain. He's 18 years old, just started school in Flagstaff, AZ. Should be some good back country stuff for him to try. What's a good pack for back country skiing? Nelson Alexandria, VA
Photo from Tony Wan Kenobi on Flickr A major winter storm that has pounded Jackson Hole since Sunday has already dropped 33 inches of snow, Transworld Snowboarding reports. The immediate forecast calls for even more snowfall. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort isn't slated…
Courtesy Red Bull If you consider plummeting from the sky and hitting rock at more than 100 kph a lucky thing, then welcome to Karina Hollekim’s world. The Norwegian professional freeskier, BASE and ski BASE jumper is currently on tour around the US as part of…
When the Nissan Freeride World Tour announced last month that it was dropping female athletes from its professional big mountain competitions, it didn’t go over very well, as we reported earlier. So, the tour has released a third schedule revision for…
On November 20, the world's best big-air skiers will meet in Stockholm, Sweden, to compete for the King of Style award–and you could be one of them. Peak Performance, Scandanavia's “biggest clothing label in the functional sportswear sector,” sponsors the event that draws 25,000…
Photo from solarthermienator on Flickr Eagle Point, Utah's 14th ski resort, is set to open this December 15, weather permitting, according to SkiNet.com, though there's a chance you've already skied there. Formerly known as…
While there's plenty of snow here in Australia, the temperatures typically don't get as low as they do North America or Europe. Give me the low-down on some great cross-country ski pants that aren't insulated so I won't burn up. – Tom Canberra, Australia
Utah's Canyons Resort is running a contest that promises fame, fortune and endless powder to one wanna-be ski bum. All you have to do is answer the question, “How do You Mountain?” Mountain being “a widely applicable verb that encompasses both the…
The prestigious Switzerland-based Nissan Freeride World Tour recently announced that it was creating a separate men’s and women’s freeride tour. Entering its 4th season, the Nissan FWT has been the most well-publicized and well-funded series of big mountain extreme skiing and snowboarding competitions in its short tenure.
The prestigious Switzerland-based Nissan Freeride World Tour recently announced that it was creating a separate men’s and women’s freeride tour. Entering its 4th season, the Nissan FWT has been the most well-publicized and well-funded series of big mountain extreme skiing and snowboarding competitions in its short tenure.
Photo courtesy of Flickr Disaster Airborne Response Teams, a nonprofit, non-governmental rescue unit plans to use its two Cessna 206 planes to improve access to backcountry rescue sites and other emergency scenes in Colorado and the six surrounding states. DARTS will fly emergency first…
The skis above can be yours with a little outdoor creativity. Beginning October 6th, we'll be checking tweets to to see if you qualify to win a pair of Outside-branded skis from Folsom Custom Skis. The contest will run until October 31. Here's what you have to do to…
I know it's early but I have a ski question. I've snowboarded since I was seven but I started skiing last year. What would be the best ski/boot/binding combo for skiing the resort in Jackson and doing some backcountry stuff too. Skyler Dubois, WY
All told, the Marolts have six ski descents from about 7,000 meters. “People who haven’t done this have no concept,” Mike says. “It’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do.”
Courtesy of Steve Snodgrass on Flickr. The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah will introduce a heated ski lift this season, Ski Magazine reports. Heat will be emitted from the seats, and the temperature…
Courtesy of Michael Francis McCarthy on Flickr. An study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine tallied 287 documented injuries – including 20 concussions and one death – among 2,567 competitors at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games…
Pacific Crest Heli-Guides recently announced that they will offer helicopter skiing and snowboarding in Lake Tahoe for the upcoming 2010-2011 winter season. Pacific Crest Heli-Guides teamed up with HeliTahoe to promise powder-seekers access…
When freeskier Kit DesLauriers dropped in at 29,035 feet on Mount Everest in October, she became the first person to ski off the Seven Summits. Kit, her husband, Rob, and photographer Jimmy Chin—whose exclusive images appear here—also became the first Americans to ski…
Snowboarding doesn't stop in the summertime, as far as Gretchen Bleiler is concerned. The 29-year-old Olympian has been spending time working on tricks, riding in the back country, and coaching the next generation of riders at camps…
Yes, you can snowboard in the summer. And you don't have to go to the ends of the earth to do it. Just buy a plane ticket to Portland, Oregon, and get yourself to Mt. Hood, a little over an hour's drive from the airport. Hit the…
I went snowboarding for a week on Mt. Hood in Oregon this August. I'd never boarded before, nor was I much of a skier, so the learning curve was steep. Ultimately, I survived the trip with all my body parts in tact, while managing to make some pretty sweet turns…
The La Sportiva Mountain Cup trail running series wrapped up Saturday in Taos, NM. The ten race series was won by Megan Kimmell and Ryan Woods, who both took home $5,000 for scoring the most points during the entire series. Bryon Powell, our friend over at iRunFar.com,…
Executive Editor Mike Roberts talks to Anthony Cerretani about interviewing Tony Hawk and Shaun White for cover story, The Birdman vs. The Flying Tomato. “My advice for Tony? Grow the hair out and dye it red.”—Shaun White. “Oh, God.”—Tony Hawk…
In case you didn’t make it out to Wanaka, New Zealand last week to watch the World Heli Challenge, this video will clue you in on what you missed. Sixty skiiers and snowboarders from around the…
Below, Trey Cook's friend, David Schipper, relays information from Cook and the late Fredrik Ericsson's skiing expedition on K2. This morning a memorial service was held for Fredrik at the Gilkey Memorial,just below basecamp. Trey made it back to base camp after a dangerous and challenging descent.Though…
This dispatch was received on the afternoon of August 5. Below, Trey Cook's friend, David Schipper, relays information from Cook and Fredrik Ericsson's skiing expedition on K2. Today at about 2PM Moab UT time and 10 PM French time the remaining 9 climbers at camp 4 plan to begin their…
Chogolisa (Courtesy of David Schipper) Early this morning I was woken by a call from Trey's girlfriend. 'Frippe was killed…' The bottom of my world fell out. Facts and information are impossibly inaccurate at this altitude so I got started making my way through the…
From August 3, 2010. Below, Trey Cook's friend, David Schipper, relays information from Cook and Fredrik Ericsson's skiing expedition on K2. As I was standing in line to enter the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City UT my phone rang with the familiar 88…. prefix. A few days…
Below, Trey Cook's friend, David Schipper, relays information from Cook and Fredrik Ericsson's skiing expedition on K2. Today's call showed up on my cell phone while I was having coffee before another day at the Outdoor Retailer Show. Trey and I chatted for 7 minutes with excellent clarity and…
When the world's best skiers and snowboarders converge on a mountain in one of the most beautiful spots in the world, blizzards aren't enough to stop them. The World Heli Challenge in Wanaka, New Zealand was nearly scratched when warm storms hit the region two…
As summer racks up some of the hottest days in years aroundmuch of the nation, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort brings some thoughts of cold winter weather. They recently announced a reduced fullseason pass price, slashing the 2010-11 full season pass prices by an unheard of 25% from…
With the summit of K2 rising above us so close we feel like we could have touched it, Frippe locked into his skis and dropped into the massive 45-degree face that stretches from The Shoulder at 8000m to below Camp 3 at 7100m. This big, beautiful face…
“Dead man in Camp 2. Bulgarian.” Lakpa’s news was such a surprise, we had a hard time believing it. For one thing, the last three days of warmth and sun without a breath of wind couldn’t have been more perfect. Base camp had been a virtual ghost town, with all…
Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn holds the crystal globe she won for taking the season long Audi FIS World Cup downhill title after the final downhill race of the season in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. (Doug Haney/U.S. Ski Team) (Doug Haney/U.S. Ski Team) Lindsey…