As the cold weather approaches, that doesn't necessarily mean it's time to stay indoors and shut down for the winter. Instead, with the proper gear, you can get outside and enjoy the crisp air and beautiful snowy landscapes. Below we...
Unlike their lift-assisted alpine cousins, backcountry skis have two jobs: getting you uphill efficiently while retaining enough power to make the downhill worth the effort (and fun). The good news is that material...
Gloves may not get quite as much attention as your other winter clothing, but they offer invaluable warmth and protection when the temperature drops. Our picks for the best winter gloves of...
It's tough to beat a great down jacket, whether it’s for casual use or tearing around the backcountry. This cozy insulation type offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio on the market and packs down smaller than synthetics for easy storage. Below are the...
Throw out your belts and powder skirts: Bibs offer confidence-inspiring protection against wayward snow, cold drafts, and sagging waistlines. They also provide a considerable bump in storage, allowing...
Winter boots are a timeless and charming piece of gear. From classic Sorels to light and modern designs, they aim to keep your feet protected and warm from wet snow and frigid temperatures. Whether you live in a cold and snowy climate...
As the cold weather approaches, that doesn't necessarily mean it's time to stay indoors and shut down for the winter. Instead, with the proper gear, you can get outside and enjoy the crisp air and beautiful snowy landscapes. Below we...
Unlike their lift-assisted alpine cousins, backcountry skis have two jobs: getting you uphill efficiently while retaining enough power to make the downhill worth the effort (and fun). The good news is that material...
Gloves may not get quite as much attention as your other winter clothing, but they offer invaluable warmth and protection when the temperature drops. Our picks for the best winter gloves of...
It's tough to beat a great down jacket, whether it’s for casual use or tearing around the backcountry. This cozy insulation type offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio on the market and packs down smaller than synthetics for easy storage. Below are the...
Throw out your belts and powder skirts: Bibs offer confidence-inspiring protection against wayward snow, cold drafts, and sagging waistlines. They also provide a considerable bump in storage, allowing...
Winter boots are a timeless and charming piece of gear. From classic Sorels to light and modern designs, they aim to keep your feet protected and warm from wet snow and frigid temperatures. Whether you live in a cold and snowy climate...
As the cold weather approaches, that doesn't necessarily mean it's time to stay indoors and shut down for the winter. Instead, with the proper gear, you can get outside and enjoy the crisp air and beautiful snowy landscapes. Below we...
Unlike their lift-assisted alpine cousins, backcountry skis have two jobs: getting you uphill efficiently while retaining enough power to make the downhill worth the effort (and fun). The good news is that material...
Gloves may not get quite as much attention as your other winter clothing, but they offer invaluable warmth and protection when the temperature drops. Our picks for the best winter gloves of...
It's tough to beat a great down jacket, whether it’s for casual use or tearing around the backcountry. This cozy insulation type offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio on the market and packs down smaller than synthetics for easy storage. Below are the...
Throw out your belts and powder skirts: Bibs offer confidence-inspiring protection against wayward snow, cold drafts, and sagging waistlines. They also provide a considerable bump in storage, allowing...
Winter boots are a timeless and charming piece of gear. From classic Sorels to light and modern designs, they aim to keep your feet protected and warm from wet snow and frigid temperatures. Whether you live in a cold and snowy climate...
REI Co-op continues to impress us with their in-house line of products, and the Stormhenge Down Hybrid Jacket is one of their best. Updated last winter, the latest model features a combination of premium goose down and synthetic insulation (the past...
Smartwool is an irrefutable leader in the baselayer market, and their Intraknit line is purpose-built for keeping you comfortable during high-output activities like ski touring. We tested the women’s Intraknit...
Arc’teryx’s Cerium Hoody is their leading down jacket and replaces the popular Cerium LT for this year. Key changes include a slightly roomier fit, thicker shell fabric, and full suite of sustainability measures. The rest of the design remains largely...
Colorado-based Flylow Gear is well known among backcountry skiers for their tough and stylish designs that nicely balance fashion and function. The women’s Foxy Bib is a shining example, combining great overall performance and versatility in a good...
Patagonia’s Down Sweater is legendary in the down jacket world, combining impressive versatility in a lightweight and good-looking package. Patagonia recently updated the popular design with a new shell made from recycled fishing nets, lower weight...
Helly Hansen’s Alpha has been our top-rated resort ski jacket for years, and the new-for-winter-2024 “4.0” carries the torch. This popular ski jacket has a great fit and feel with its stretchy construction and hits a real sweet spot in warmth...
REI Co-op continues to impress us with their in-house line of products, and the Stormhenge Down Hybrid Jacket is one of their best. Updated last winter, the latest model features a combination of premium goose down and synthetic insulation (the past...
Smartwool is an irrefutable leader in the baselayer market, and their Intraknit line is purpose-built for keeping you comfortable during high-output activities like ski touring. We tested the women’s Intraknit...
Arc’teryx’s Cerium Hoody is their leading down jacket and replaces the popular Cerium LT for this year. Key changes include a slightly roomier fit, thicker shell fabric, and full suite of sustainability measures. The rest of the design remains largely...
Colorado-based Flylow Gear is well known among backcountry skiers for their tough and stylish designs that nicely balance fashion and function. The women’s Foxy Bib is a shining example, combining great overall performance and versatility in a good...
Patagonia’s Down Sweater is legendary in the down jacket world, combining impressive versatility in a lightweight and good-looking package. Patagonia recently updated the popular design with a new shell made from recycled fishing nets, lower weight...
Helly Hansen’s Alpha has been our top-rated resort ski jacket for years, and the new-for-winter-2024 “4.0” carries the torch. This popular ski jacket has a great fit and feel with its stretchy construction and hits a real sweet spot in warmth...
REI Co-op continues to impress us with their in-house line of products, and the Stormhenge Down Hybrid Jacket is one of their best. Updated last winter, the latest model features a combination of premium goose down and synthetic insulation (the past...
Smartwool is an irrefutable leader in the baselayer market, and their Intraknit line is purpose-built for keeping you comfortable during high-output activities like ski touring. We tested the women’s Intraknit...
Arc’teryx’s Cerium Hoody is their leading down jacket and replaces the popular Cerium LT for this year. Key changes include a slightly roomier fit, thicker shell fabric, and full suite of sustainability measures. The rest of the design remains largely...
Colorado-based Flylow Gear is well known among backcountry skiers for their tough and stylish designs that nicely balance fashion and function. The women’s Foxy Bib is a shining example, combining great overall performance and versatility in a good...
Patagonia’s Down Sweater is legendary in the down jacket world, combining impressive versatility in a lightweight and good-looking package. Patagonia recently updated the popular design with a new shell made from recycled fishing nets, lower weight...
Helly Hansen’s Alpha has been our top-rated resort ski jacket for years, and the new-for-winter-2024 “4.0” carries the torch. This popular ski jacket has a great fit and feel with its stretchy construction and hits a real sweet spot in warmth...
If you’ve ever shopped around for a ski jacket (or pants), you’re bound to have seen the terms 2L and 3L (short for 2-layer and 3-layer) again and again. These refer to the style of construction used in a waterproof jacket’s shell, including the...
Backcountry skiing can be an incredibly rewarding way to spend your time outdoors—no crowds, untouched snow, and a skin-track workout to compliment your knee-deep powder turns...
It’s no secret that skiing is an expensive and gear-intensive sport. And whether you’re doing laps at your local resort or skinning deep into the backcountry, you’ll need a quality jacket and pant combo...
Today’s ski jackets are well-made and built to handle many seasons of use in foul weather. They also can be big investments, with even entry-level jackets often setting you back a couple hundred dollars or more. With so many styles to choose from, it...
The outdoor industry has been notoriously slow to produce apparel in sizes beyond small to extra large, and finding even basic items like well-fitting hiking pants and baselayers in plus sizes can still be an...
As your outermost layer, ski jackets play a key role in keeping you comfortable and protected from the elements. The jacket market has expanded in recent years, covering everything from warm and cozy insulated resort pieces...
If you’ve ever shopped around for a ski jacket (or pants), you’re bound to have seen the terms 2L and 3L (short for 2-layer and 3-layer) again and again. These refer to the style of construction used in a waterproof jacket’s shell, including the...
Backcountry skiing can be an incredibly rewarding way to spend your time outdoors—no crowds, untouched snow, and a skin-track workout to compliment your knee-deep powder turns...
It’s no secret that skiing is an expensive and gear-intensive sport. And whether you’re doing laps at your local resort or skinning deep into the backcountry, you’ll need a quality jacket and pant combo...
Today’s ski jackets are well-made and built to handle many seasons of use in foul weather. They also can be big investments, with even entry-level jackets often setting you back a couple hundred dollars or more. With so many styles to choose from, it...
The outdoor industry has been notoriously slow to produce apparel in sizes beyond small to extra large, and finding even basic items like well-fitting hiking pants and baselayers in plus sizes can still be an...
As your outermost layer, ski jackets play a key role in keeping you comfortable and protected from the elements. The jacket market has expanded in recent years, covering everything from warm and cozy insulated resort pieces...
If you’ve ever shopped around for a ski jacket (or pants), you’re bound to have seen the terms 2L and 3L (short for 2-layer and 3-layer) again and again. These refer to the style of construction used in a waterproof jacket’s shell, including the...
Backcountry skiing can be an incredibly rewarding way to spend your time outdoors—no crowds, untouched snow, and a skin-track workout to compliment your knee-deep powder turns...
It’s no secret that skiing is an expensive and gear-intensive sport. And whether you’re doing laps at your local resort or skinning deep into the backcountry, you’ll need a quality jacket and pant combo...
Today’s ski jackets are well-made and built to handle many seasons of use in foul weather. They also can be big investments, with even entry-level jackets often setting you back a couple hundred dollars or more. With so many styles to choose from, it...
The outdoor industry has been notoriously slow to produce apparel in sizes beyond small to extra large, and finding even basic items like well-fitting hiking pants and baselayers in plus sizes can still be an...
As your outermost layer, ski jackets play a key role in keeping you comfortable and protected from the elements. The jacket market has expanded in recent years, covering everything from warm and cozy insulated resort pieces...
All good plans start with a wild idea, but this one might just take the cake. Back in the spring, Kaytlyn—who I’d never met at the time—approached me with an ambitious proposal. She wanted to link up a series of North Cascades high routes on foot...
Brian and I were less than a week into our adventure north when, during a brief phone call, my dear friend’s children insisted I read their favorite poem, "the Yukon Song." Though written for children extolling the virtues of leaving civilization and...
“Do you think that rain is coming our way?” We pedal under the bright sun, constantly glancing nervously over our shoulders as if being chased by a predator...
The Huemul (pronounced [wey-mool]) Circuit is a challenging, 40+ mile hike located in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, just outside of the Patagonia trekking mecca of El Chaltén, Argentina...
With the Stewart-Cassiar Highway in our rearview mirror, we had finally reached the Yukon. This was our third trip to Canada’s westernmost territory in a calendar year, and we knew that it would feel incomplete without...
Beams of light shine through the musty windows at the Seven Sisters Tea House in Tilje, Nepal, illuminating tendrils of smoke wafting about the room. The glowing dust and particulates move like an indoor aurora borealis. I momentarily...
All good plans start with a wild idea, but this one might just take the cake. Back in the spring, Kaytlyn—who I’d never met at the time—approached me with an ambitious proposal. She wanted to link up a series of North Cascades high routes on foot...
Brian and I were less than a week into our adventure north when, during a brief phone call, my dear friend’s children insisted I read their favorite poem, "the Yukon Song." Though written for children extolling the virtues of leaving civilization and...
“Do you think that rain is coming our way?” We pedal under the bright sun, constantly glancing nervously over our shoulders as if being chased by a predator...
The Huemul (pronounced [wey-mool]) Circuit is a challenging, 40+ mile hike located in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, just outside of the Patagonia trekking mecca of El Chaltén, Argentina...
With the Stewart-Cassiar Highway in our rearview mirror, we had finally reached the Yukon. This was our third trip to Canada’s westernmost territory in a calendar year, and we knew that it would feel incomplete without...
Beams of light shine through the musty windows at the Seven Sisters Tea House in Tilje, Nepal, illuminating tendrils of smoke wafting about the room. The glowing dust and particulates move like an indoor aurora borealis. I momentarily...
All good plans start with a wild idea, but this one might just take the cake. Back in the spring, Kaytlyn—who I’d never met at the time—approached me with an ambitious proposal. She wanted to link up a series of North Cascades high routes on foot...
Brian and I were less than a week into our adventure north when, during a brief phone call, my dear friend’s children insisted I read their favorite poem, "the Yukon Song." Though written for children extolling the virtues of leaving civilization and...
“Do you think that rain is coming our way?” We pedal under the bright sun, constantly glancing nervously over our shoulders as if being chased by a predator...
The Huemul (pronounced [wey-mool]) Circuit is a challenging, 40+ mile hike located in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, just outside of the Patagonia trekking mecca of El Chaltén, Argentina...
With the Stewart-Cassiar Highway in our rearview mirror, we had finally reached the Yukon. This was our third trip to Canada’s westernmost territory in a calendar year, and we knew that it would feel incomplete without...
Beams of light shine through the musty windows at the Seven Sisters Tea House in Tilje, Nepal, illuminating tendrils of smoke wafting about the room. The glowing dust and particulates move like an indoor aurora borealis. I momentarily...
Patagonia is one of the biggest names in outdoor gear and for good reason: In addition to being at the forefront of social and environmental stewardship in the industry, Patagonia exudes a painstaking attention to detail that’s hard to match. With the...
If you're searching for that elusive one-ski quiver, this is the category to find it. The definition of “all-mountain” varies by manufacturer and retailer but typically includes skis from 80 to 105...
Suunto’s recent attempts in the expedition-level watch category have fallen short of those from the likes of Garmin and Coros—until now. With the exciting release of the Vertical, the Finnish company is...
Whether you’re a resort rider or like to earn your turns outside the ropes, a high-quality jacket is an essential part of every snowboarder’s kit. Over the years, we’ve seen performance gradually catch up with style...
Years ago, Patagonia’s Nano-Air helped to define the active insulation market, debuting the new category with a fun “put it on, leave it on” campaign. With soft and breathable materials, the synthetic jacket is designed to be worn all day...
A great pair of hiking pants provides comfort, freedom of movement, the versatility to perform well in a range of environments, and durability over the long haul. Many of today’s top hiking pants are made from lightweight nylon...
With a wide variety of insulated jackets on the market, the classic fleece still is the most comfortable and affordable. These polyester jackets have been providing cozy warmth for years from campsites and ski resorts to the...
Smith’s Level took the place of one of our all-time favorite helmets, the Variance, but retains most of the winning recipe. Slotting in below the premium and popular Vantage, it shares a lot of the design...
From the very beginning, style has been a defining component of snowboarding culture and has largely influenced the sport's gear and apparel as a result. Today, a good number of snowboarders still...
Patagonia is one of the biggest names in outdoor gear and for good reason: In addition to being at the forefront of social and environmental stewardship in the industry, Patagonia exudes a painstaking attention to detail that’s hard to match. With the...
If you're searching for that elusive one-ski quiver, this is the category to find it. The definition of “all-mountain” varies by manufacturer and retailer but typically includes skis from 80 to 105...
Suunto’s recent attempts in the expedition-level watch category have fallen short of those from the likes of Garmin and Coros—until now. With the exciting release of the Vertical, the Finnish company is...
Whether you’re a resort rider or like to earn your turns outside the ropes, a high-quality jacket is an essential part of every snowboarder’s kit. Over the years, we’ve seen performance gradually catch up with style...
Years ago, Patagonia’s Nano-Air helped to define the active insulation market, debuting the new category with a fun “put it on, leave it on” campaign. With soft and breathable materials, the synthetic jacket is designed to be worn all day...
A great pair of hiking pants provides comfort, freedom of movement, the versatility to perform well in a range of environments, and durability over the long haul. Many of today’s top hiking pants are made from lightweight nylon...
With a wide variety of insulated jackets on the market, the classic fleece still is the most comfortable and affordable. These polyester jackets have been providing cozy warmth for years from campsites and ski resorts to the...
Smith’s Level took the place of one of our all-time favorite helmets, the Variance, but retains most of the winning recipe. Slotting in below the premium and popular Vantage, it shares a lot of the design...
From the very beginning, style has been a defining component of snowboarding culture and has largely influenced the sport's gear and apparel as a result. Today, a good number of snowboarders still...
Patagonia is one of the biggest names in outdoor gear and for good reason: In addition to being at the forefront of social and environmental stewardship in the industry, Patagonia exudes a painstaking attention to detail that’s hard to match. With the...
If you're searching for that elusive one-ski quiver, this is the category to find it. The definition of “all-mountain” varies by manufacturer and retailer but typically includes skis from 80 to 105...
Suunto’s recent attempts in the expedition-level watch category have fallen short of those from the likes of Garmin and Coros—until now. With the exciting release of the Vertical, the Finnish company is...
Whether you’re a resort rider or like to earn your turns outside the ropes, a high-quality jacket is an essential part of every snowboarder’s kit. Over the years, we’ve seen performance gradually catch up with style...
Years ago, Patagonia’s Nano-Air helped to define the active insulation market, debuting the new category with a fun “put it on, leave it on” campaign. With soft and breathable materials, the synthetic jacket is designed to be worn all day...
A great pair of hiking pants provides comfort, freedom of movement, the versatility to perform well in a range of environments, and durability over the long haul. Many of today’s top hiking pants are made from lightweight nylon...
With a wide variety of insulated jackets on the market, the classic fleece still is the most comfortable and affordable. These polyester jackets have been providing cozy warmth for years from campsites and ski resorts to the...
Smith’s Level took the place of one of our all-time favorite helmets, the Variance, but retains most of the winning recipe. Slotting in below the premium and popular Vantage, it shares a lot of the design...
From the very beginning, style has been a defining component of snowboarding culture and has largely influenced the sport's gear and apparel as a result. Today, a good number of snowboarders still...
Misty Mountain's headquarters in the hills of Western North Carolina is not the kind of place you just stumble upon. It's the kind of place you set off to find. And when you arrive...
America’s Top 10 Conservation Heroes is a series honoring the individuals and organizations that have made the biggest mark on conservation, environmental protection, and awareness of the outdoors...
Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. That's quite the job description, and yet she’s pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. A plein air painter from Carbondale, CO...
Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. He authored Alpine State of Mind, a beautifully presented book of adventure stories and...
At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
The time could have been 9pm or 5am, and we wouldn’t have known the difference. It was a clear, mid-June day in the land of the midnight sun. The warm orb hung high in the sky as I pulled onto the summit block...
Misty Mountain's headquarters in the hills of Western North Carolina is not the kind of place you just stumble upon. It's the kind of place you set off to find. And when you arrive...
America’s Top 10 Conservation Heroes is a series honoring the individuals and organizations that have made the biggest mark on conservation, environmental protection, and awareness of the outdoors...
Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. That's quite the job description, and yet she’s pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. A plein air painter from Carbondale, CO...
Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. He authored Alpine State of Mind, a beautifully presented book of adventure stories and...
At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
The time could have been 9pm or 5am, and we wouldn’t have known the difference. It was a clear, mid-June day in the land of the midnight sun. The warm orb hung high in the sky as I pulled onto the summit block...
Misty Mountain's headquarters in the hills of Western North Carolina is not the kind of place you just stumble upon. It's the kind of place you set off to find. And when you arrive...
America’s Top 10 Conservation Heroes is a series honoring the individuals and organizations that have made the biggest mark on conservation, environmental protection, and awareness of the outdoors...
Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. That's quite the job description, and yet she’s pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. A plein air painter from Carbondale, CO...
Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. He authored Alpine State of Mind, a beautifully presented book of adventure stories and...
At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
The time could have been 9pm or 5am, and we wouldn’t have known the difference. It was a clear, mid-June day in the land of the midnight sun. The warm orb hung high in the sky as I pulled onto the summit block...
