A Near-fatal Avalanche on the Grand Mesa Thunderbird Couloir Grand Mesa, CO – It might have been the only chance in decades to ski the Grand Mesa Thunderbird, my life-long passion which almost no one else seemed to share. I’d end up skiing the couloir face first, sans skis and wrapped in an avalanche. The … Continue reading “I Saw Myself Sliding to My Burial”
Salt Lake City, UT – We recently field tested a new outerlayer offering from Sierra Designs, the Rad Jacket, a three-layer waterproof breathable piece with many more features than its reasonable $239 price tag implies. This oversized shell is a highly waterproof, highly breathable outer layer perfect for long, cold, wet days in the mountains. … Continue reading New Feature-Laden Rad Jacket from Sierra Designs Carries an Enviable Price Tag
Salt Lake City, UT – You’re spending a few days or more in the backcountry, but you want to keep that cell phone topped off in case of emergency. You don’t want to pack in the extra weight of spare camera batteries to capture that special sunset scene or blower powder run, either.nEnter the Restore, … Continue reading New Solar Charger from Brunton Provides Reliable Power in Remote Locations
Aspen, CO – An odd sounding whirrrrr goes past, and I snap my head around to look. I had just repositioned myself on the race course and was still fiddling with my camera, when out of the corner of my eye I see an athlete whip past me on his way down the course. I … Continue reading Paralympic Ski Racers Are Every Bit the Athletes as Their Able-Bodied Counterparts
Highmount, NY – While the formation of a citizen’s group to help save a local ski area in danger of closing isn’t unheard-of, the longevity, enthusiasm, and organizational powers of the Coalition To Save Belleayre Mountain are. Formed in the early 1980s when New York State threatened to shutter this government-owned and -operated ski operation … Continue reading Advocating for The People’s Mountain
St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria – Most of us dream of walking in a winter wonderland, and this festive season I was fortunate enough to experience a genuine white Christmas in the picturesque resort of St. Anton am Arlberg.nNestling in Austria’s westernmost province, St. Anton boasts a rich skiing heritage as well as arguably the … Continue reading Spotlight on… St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria
Salt Lake City, UT – If you haven’t looked at the calendar lately, Christmas arrives next week. Next week! If you’re looking for a last-minute gift for the skier or snowboarder in your life we’ve reviewed a collection of products this year that would look perfect wrapped under the Christmas tree. Or if Grandma gave … Continue reading 2009-10 Holiday Ski and Snowboard Gear Gift Guide