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...
Skis, bindings, and boots get a lot of attention in the touring world, but don’t overlook your humble climbing skins. Most importantly, you want to match the design and materials to your local terrain and snow conditions to optimize performance. Some...
When the days get shorter and the mercury drops, it’s time to reach for a winter jacket to guard against the cold. Lightweight puffies have their place for three-season use, but you'll want a well-insulated, serious piece for truly frigid conditions...
There's a strong argument that the most important part of your ski touring kit is a pair of quality boots that fit well. The good news is that this growing category has seen some impressive advancements, with a plethora of models that excel both on the...
With a wide variety of insulated jackets on the market, the classic fleece is still the most comfortable and affordable. These polyester jackets have been providing cozy warmth for years, from campsites and ski resorts to the streets and restaurants of...
Intermediate-level skis hit a sweet spot in the market: strong enough for carving but reasonably light and easy to control. They’re a great match for a wide swath of skiers, from those with a few seasons’ experience who can confidently link turns on...
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...
Skis, bindings, and boots get a lot of attention in the touring world, but don’t overlook your humble climbing skins. Most importantly, you want to match the design and materials to your local terrain and snow conditions to optimize performance. Some...
When the days get shorter and the mercury drops, it’s time to reach for a winter jacket to guard against the cold. Lightweight puffies have their place for three-season use, but you'll want a well-insulated, serious piece for truly frigid conditions...
There's a strong argument that the most important part of your ski touring kit is a pair of quality boots that fit well. The good news is that this growing category has seen some impressive advancements, with a plethora of models that excel both on the...
With a wide variety of insulated jackets on the market, the classic fleece is still the most comfortable and affordable. These polyester jackets have been providing cozy warmth for years, from campsites and ski resorts to the streets and restaurants of...
Intermediate-level skis hit a sweet spot in the market: strong enough for carving but reasonably light and easy to control. They’re a great match for a wide swath of skiers, from those with a few seasons’ experience who can confidently link turns on...
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...
Skis, bindings, and boots get a lot of attention in the touring world, but don’t overlook your humble climbing skins. Most importantly, you want to match the design and materials to your local terrain and snow conditions to optimize performance. Some...
When the days get shorter and the mercury drops, it’s time to reach for a winter jacket to guard against the cold. Lightweight puffies have their place for three-season use, but you'll want a well-insulated, serious piece for truly frigid conditions...
There's a strong argument that the most important part of your ski touring kit is a pair of quality boots that fit well. The good news is that this growing category has seen some impressive advancements, with a plethora of models that excel both on the...
With a wide variety of insulated jackets on the market, the classic fleece is still the most comfortable and affordable. These polyester jackets have been providing cozy warmth for years, from campsites and ski resorts to the streets and restaurants of...
Intermediate-level skis hit a sweet spot in the market: strong enough for carving but reasonably light and easy to control. They’re a great match for a wide swath of skiers, from those with a few seasons’ experience who can confidently link turns on...
Patagonia’s high-performance and responsibly produced outerwear is known both for excellent protection from the elements and looking good in the process. Their casual Down With It Parka follows...
Arc’teryx’s Cerium Hoody is their leading down jacket and one sleek piece of gear. We’ve tested several iterations over the years—from the past-generation Cerium LT to the latest version featured here—and have come away impressed time and time again...
Black Diamond's Guide Gloves are a longtime favorite for those who put a premium on warmth and protection. We recently put a new pair to the test (after using and abusing a previous pair for seven...
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...
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...
Patagonia’s ski pant lineup ranges from uninsulated shells for mileage-heavy backcountry missions to insulated designs for fending off the chill on cold resort days. The Insulated Powder Town Pants are unapologetically built for the latter with a thin...
Patagonia’s high-performance and responsibly produced outerwear is known both for excellent protection from the elements and looking good in the process. Their casual Down With It Parka follows...
Arc’teryx’s Cerium Hoody is their leading down jacket and one sleek piece of gear. We’ve tested several iterations over the years—from the past-generation Cerium LT to the latest version featured here—and have come away impressed time and time again...
Black Diamond's Guide Gloves are a longtime favorite for those who put a premium on warmth and protection. We recently put a new pair to the test (after using and abusing a previous pair for seven...
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...
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...
Patagonia’s ski pant lineup ranges from uninsulated shells for mileage-heavy backcountry missions to insulated designs for fending off the chill on cold resort days. The Insulated Powder Town Pants are unapologetically built for the latter with a thin...
Patagonia’s high-performance and responsibly produced outerwear is known both for excellent protection from the elements and looking good in the process. Their casual Down With It Parka follows...
Arc’teryx’s Cerium Hoody is their leading down jacket and one sleek piece of gear. We’ve tested several iterations over the years—from the past-generation Cerium LT to the latest version featured here—and have come away impressed time and time again...
Black Diamond's Guide Gloves are a longtime favorite for those who put a premium on warmth and protection. We recently put a new pair to the test (after using and abusing a previous pair for seven...
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...
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...
Patagonia’s ski pant lineup ranges from uninsulated shells for mileage-heavy backcountry missions to insulated designs for fending off the chill on cold resort days. The Insulated Powder Town Pants are unapologetically built for the latter with a thin...
Whether you're planning a week-long expedition or camping for a single night, having the right camping equipment for winter is crucial. Snow-covered landscapes can be magically enticing, but trips quickly can turn dangerous—or uncomfortable at the very...
Whether you've been skiing since the '70s or are about to buy your first setup, your selection of skis, boots, and bindings—what we call "hard goods"—is the foundation for both performance and safety. This is especially true when it comes to boots and...
Picking an all-mountain ski can be a daunting task. The category itself covers a wide range of styles from groomer-oriented skis to more powder-friendly designs. In addition, the sheer number of models and annual turnover in the market further muddy...
A quality pair of ski goggles can do a lot to improve visibility on the slopes, but if they get all fogged up, it doesn’t really matter what you’re wearing. The good news is that there are a number of steps you can...
Online shopping is more popular than ever, and the allure is clear: you can purchase whatever you need from the comfort of your home and often receive it within just a few days. Snowboards and...
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 to keep you comfortable. From budget-oriented...
Whether you're planning a week-long expedition or camping for a single night, having the right camping equipment for winter is crucial. Snow-covered landscapes can be magically enticing, but trips quickly can turn dangerous—or uncomfortable at the very...
Whether you've been skiing since the '70s or are about to buy your first setup, your selection of skis, boots, and bindings—what we call "hard goods"—is the foundation for both performance and safety. This is especially true when it comes to boots and...
Picking an all-mountain ski can be a daunting task. The category itself covers a wide range of styles from groomer-oriented skis to more powder-friendly designs. In addition, the sheer number of models and annual turnover in the market further muddy...
A quality pair of ski goggles can do a lot to improve visibility on the slopes, but if they get all fogged up, it doesn’t really matter what you’re wearing. The good news is that there are a number of steps you can...
Online shopping is more popular than ever, and the allure is clear: you can purchase whatever you need from the comfort of your home and often receive it within just a few days. Snowboards and...
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 to keep you comfortable. From budget-oriented...
Whether you're planning a week-long expedition or camping for a single night, having the right camping equipment for winter is crucial. Snow-covered landscapes can be magically enticing, but trips quickly can turn dangerous—or uncomfortable at the very...
Whether you've been skiing since the '70s or are about to buy your first setup, your selection of skis, boots, and bindings—what we call "hard goods"—is the foundation for both performance and safety. This is especially true when it comes to boots and...
Picking an all-mountain ski can be a daunting task. The category itself covers a wide range of styles from groomer-oriented skis to more powder-friendly designs. In addition, the sheer number of models and annual turnover in the market further muddy...
A quality pair of ski goggles can do a lot to improve visibility on the slopes, but if they get all fogged up, it doesn’t really matter what you’re wearing. The good news is that there are a number of steps you can...
Online shopping is more popular than ever, and the allure is clear: you can purchase whatever you need from the comfort of your home and often receive it within just a few days. Snowboards and...
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 to keep you comfortable. From budget-oriented...
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...
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...
Exhausted and oxygen-deprived, we high-fived as frigid winds took our already limited breath away and whipped at the prayer flags that marked the summit. We were about an hour early for sunset, and the extra time allowed us to bundle up, look around...
It’s the early ‘20s (2020s, that is), and van life has never been more ubiquitous. Everyone from climbing dirtbags and festival-goers to digital nomads and your father-in-law is living in a van, and you’ve probably thought about it too...
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 had spent four days hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park the previous summer on a trip that just scratched the surface and whet our appetites for more. Throughout the past year, we dreamed of returning to see the classic spires and tundra...
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...
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...
Exhausted and oxygen-deprived, we high-fived as frigid winds took our already limited breath away and whipped at the prayer flags that marked the summit. We were about an hour early for sunset, and the extra time allowed us to bundle up, look around...
It’s the early ‘20s (2020s, that is), and van life has never been more ubiquitous. Everyone from climbing dirtbags and festival-goers to digital nomads and your father-in-law is living in a van, and you’ve probably thought about it too...
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 had spent four days hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park the previous summer on a trip that just scratched the surface and whet our appetites for more. Throughout the past year, we dreamed of returning to see the classic spires and tundra...
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...
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...
Exhausted and oxygen-deprived, we high-fived as frigid winds took our already limited breath away and whipped at the prayer flags that marked the summit. We were about an hour early for sunset, and the extra time allowed us to bundle up, look around...
It’s the early ‘20s (2020s, that is), and van life has never been more ubiquitous. Everyone from climbing dirtbags and festival-goers to digital nomads and your father-in-law is living in a van, and you’ve probably thought about it too...
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 had spent four days hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park the previous summer on a trip that just scratched the surface and whet our appetites for more. Throughout the past year, we dreamed of returning to see the classic spires and tundra...
As your outermost layer, your ski jacket plays 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 to light, breathable...
The holidays are a time to splurge on those you love, but shopping for a personalized gift can take a lot of time and effort. We're here to help make the buying process easier with our detailed gift guide for outdoor enthusiasts, highlighting hand...
Bindings aren’t the flashiest piece of ski gear you’ll buy, but they’re certainly a foundational one. As the connection between boot and ski, they play a fundamental role in power transfer, responsiveness, and safety. When purchasing an alpine binding...
If you’re an avid skier or snowboarder, a functional rooftop rack can be well worth its weight in powder turns. These sleek pieces of gear accommodate up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards, feature glove-friendly handles and secure locks, and are...
Whether you’re traveling by air, driving up to a cabin for the weekend, or venturing across the world on an expedition, you’ll likely be using a duffel bag to get your gear from one place to the next. Duffels are popular among all kinds of travelers...
As snowboarding season kicks into high gear, it’s time to take stock of the equipment that will help make your winter that much better. Below we break down the top all-mountain snowboards of the 2024-2025 season, from highly versatile models to those...
It’s hard not to admire the utility of the humble ski pole. A pair of ski poles serves a number of purposes, from helping you set a rhythm for turns, to propelling you along flat sections of trail, to having a crutch to lean on in long lift lines. For...
Another ski season is upon us, and to help navigate the confusing online environment, we've put together a list of our favorite websites for buying ski gear. All the sites below are reputable companies that we purchase from ourselves. In creating the...
Ski jackets get all the glory, but a pair of quality pants is equally important for keeping you warm and dry on the slopes. Today’s designs range from waterproof and insulated resort options to full-coverage bibs and stretch-infused offerings built for...
As your outermost layer, your ski jacket plays 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 to light, breathable...
The holidays are a time to splurge on those you love, but shopping for a personalized gift can take a lot of time and effort. We're here to help make the buying process easier with our detailed gift guide for outdoor enthusiasts, highlighting hand...
Bindings aren’t the flashiest piece of ski gear you’ll buy, but they’re certainly a foundational one. As the connection between boot and ski, they play a fundamental role in power transfer, responsiveness, and safety. When purchasing an alpine binding...
If you’re an avid skier or snowboarder, a functional rooftop rack can be well worth its weight in powder turns. These sleek pieces of gear accommodate up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards, feature glove-friendly handles and secure locks, and are...
Whether you’re traveling by air, driving up to a cabin for the weekend, or venturing across the world on an expedition, you’ll likely be using a duffel bag to get your gear from one place to the next. Duffels are popular among all kinds of travelers...
As snowboarding season kicks into high gear, it’s time to take stock of the equipment that will help make your winter that much better. Below we break down the top all-mountain snowboards of the 2024-2025 season, from highly versatile models to those...
It’s hard not to admire the utility of the humble ski pole. A pair of ski poles serves a number of purposes, from helping you set a rhythm for turns, to propelling you along flat sections of trail, to having a crutch to lean on in long lift lines. For...
Another ski season is upon us, and to help navigate the confusing online environment, we've put together a list of our favorite websites for buying ski gear. All the sites below are reputable companies that we purchase from ourselves. In creating the...
Ski jackets get all the glory, but a pair of quality pants is equally important for keeping you warm and dry on the slopes. Today’s designs range from waterproof and insulated resort options to full-coverage bibs and stretch-infused offerings built for...
As your outermost layer, your ski jacket plays 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 to light, breathable...
The holidays are a time to splurge on those you love, but shopping for a personalized gift can take a lot of time and effort. We're here to help make the buying process easier with our detailed gift guide for outdoor enthusiasts, highlighting hand...
Bindings aren’t the flashiest piece of ski gear you’ll buy, but they’re certainly a foundational one. As the connection between boot and ski, they play a fundamental role in power transfer, responsiveness, and safety. When purchasing an alpine binding...
If you’re an avid skier or snowboarder, a functional rooftop rack can be well worth its weight in powder turns. These sleek pieces of gear accommodate up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards, feature glove-friendly handles and secure locks, and are...
Whether you’re traveling by air, driving up to a cabin for the weekend, or venturing across the world on an expedition, you’ll likely be using a duffel bag to get your gear from one place to the next. Duffels are popular among all kinds of travelers...
As snowboarding season kicks into high gear, it’s time to take stock of the equipment that will help make your winter that much better. Below we break down the top all-mountain snowboards of the 2024-2025 season, from highly versatile models to those...
It’s hard not to admire the utility of the humble ski pole. A pair of ski poles serves a number of purposes, from helping you set a rhythm for turns, to propelling you along flat sections of trail, to having a crutch to lean on in long lift lines. For...
Another ski season is upon us, and to help navigate the confusing online environment, we've put together a list of our favorite websites for buying ski gear. All the sites below are reputable companies that we purchase from ourselves. In creating the...
Ski jackets get all the glory, but a pair of quality pants is equally important for keeping you warm and dry on the slopes. Today’s designs range from waterproof and insulated resort options to full-coverage bibs and stretch-infused offerings built for...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
