Before you head into the backcountry this winter, check out the tips and advice provided by Trails.com for avoiding avalanches, staying safe with beacons, dropping cliffs, and building kickers. Backcountry skiing and snowboarding can be dangerous due to blizzards, exposed rock, deep snow and the general seclusion inherent to the sport, so it’s important to be well prepared for any situation, and Trails.com has articles and videos to help make your backcountry ski and snowboard adventure enjoyable and safe.
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Backcountry skiing can often involve long slogs up rather steep inclines. Skiers relying solely on Nordic ski wax may find that changing elevations, temperature or humidity conditions can alter the chemical properties of both snow and wax, imped...
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Climbing skins allow the backcountry skier to move forward, if rather slowly, and prevent backward movement of the skis. They are used to traverse especially steep or icy slopes with safety and control.
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With the growing interest in outdoor recreation and interest in "extreme" sports, people have been flocking into the "backcountry" in record numbers. But just what is backcountry? It is anywhere you can escape the city streets and concrete wilder...
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There's no better way to spend a winter day than getting outside and enjoying the snow. Don't let a lack of winter toys stop you from getting out there. Improvise with items you already have lying around the house and make your own snow sled.
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Lift lines getting you down? Economy has you seeing fewer trips to your ski area? Don't fret or worry, with the proliferation of new alpine touring and telemark ski gear on the market, the backcountry has just opened up to newbies and hardcore sk...
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Waterproof is the No. 1 feature to look for in a men's snow boot. Many boots feature a waterproof rubber sole with a treated suede, leather or nylon upper. The boot should be adequately insulated and easy to put on and remove. A rugged sole is al...
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Oakley Goggles include a range of products for use in extreme outdoor environments such as those typically seen by athletes in snow sports, water sports and motocross as well as those in law enforcement and the military.
Oakley Goggles are design...
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Backcountry skiing is an exhilarating form of skiing that combines cross-country skiing with downhill skiing. Backcountry skiers climb slopes outside of ski-resort boundaries to access untouched terrain. The backcountry skier uses randonee or tel...
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There are many factors to consider when shopping for snow skis, but the first one is your age and gender. Women's skis weigh less and are more flexible than men's skis, and children's skis are designed for certain age groups and weight levels, wh...
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The Flexible Flyer is a classic steel runner sled. The Flexible Flyer is recognizable by its trademark fire-engine red runners and wooden decking. The sled deck has the offical Flexible Flyer logo--an eagle with wings spread and centered on a red...
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Black Diamond, long a leader in equipment for mountaineers and climbers, offers a full line of skis to suit a variety of terrain. Black Diamond skis are primarily designed for either telemark skiers or alpine touring setups, not traditional downh...
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When snow is on the ground, few things call to the outdoor enthusiast as readily as a good wooden snow sled. Unfortunately, these traditional thrill machines are being rapidly replaced by throw-away plastic versions. It's possible--and potentiall...
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Red fishing line is the best because it disappears under the water but can still be seen by the person fishing above water.
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Ski boots for backcountry skiing can loosely be divided into three categories: NNN BC compatible boots, telemark boots and alpine touring (AT) boots. NNN (New Nordic Norm) BC boots are suitable for easier backcountry tours that have some downhill...
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SmartWool has taken the lead in making socks for the outdoor market. All SmartWool socks use a blend of merino wool, nylon and elastic. SmartWool ski socks are available in a variety of thicknesses. The socks have varying percentages of wool in ...
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Buy an avalanche beacon that is easy to use. All avalanche beacons receive and transmit an electronic signal of a range of at least 60 to 80 meters but some may have a wider range. A quality avalanche beacon should receive multiple signals in the...
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Ski clothing is an important purchase that will help you remain warm and comfortable on the slopes. While skiing requires a specific set of clothes, athletes and manufacturers have made it easy by outlining a three-layer system. When used correct...
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Backcountry skiing is skiing on unmarked, ungroomed slopes outside of ski-resort boundaries requiring the skier to climb slopes to gain access to untracked terrain. Backcountry skiing requires specialized equipment, safety gear and avalanche-safe...
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Those unfamiliar with backcountry snowboarding and skiing may think that an avalanche beacon is designed to predict avalanches. Harboring misconceptions about the purpose and usage of a beacon is a very dangerous thing when traveling in the backc...
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Backcountry skiing is enjoyed worldwide by skiers who like to experience fresh powder and unchartered terrain. Having the right equipment is essential to having a safe backcountry skiing experience.
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Few activities are more exhilarating than backcountry skiing or snowboarding. The lack of crowds and lift lines, as well as the chance to experience untracked snow gives the expert skier or rider the ultimate sense or freedom. However, the backco...
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Europe has the Haute Route and the Dolomites. North America weighs in with the Wapta Traverse, the gold standard for on-continent hut-to-hut backcountry skiing. The Wapta Icefields and glaciers, mostly in Banff National Park of the Canadian Roc...
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When deciding what to wear when going skiing, it is essential to remember layering is important. You will also need to think about the kind of fabric you choose. While natural materials might keep you warm, they might not have the same capability...
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Most U.S. cities use some form of ice melt on their roads several months out of the year; individuals uses these chemicals on their porch steps, driveways and walkways. Because of their pervasive use, ice melt products are inevitably tracked into...
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Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is in one of the most desirable areas in the Rockies. Great skiing in the winter, and backwoods hiking and camping in the summer bring visitors to the area, where they experience some of the most breathtaking and int...
