Snow Sports
Archive
What's the warmest and lightest winter jacket for under $300 for a woman? JonWarren, VT
A kite-skier in action (from Bengt Nyman on Flickr) At the end of the Trans-Canada Highway in the small town of Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, on Saturday, siblings Eric and Sarah McNair-Landry made their final preparations and began…
A kite-skier in action (from Bengt Nyman on Flickr) At the end of the Trans-Canada Highway in the small town of Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, on Saturday, siblings Eric and Sarah McNair-Landry made their final preparations and began…
John Baker at last year's Iditarod. (From njwilson23 on Flickr) Alaskan John Baker won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race earlier this afternoon in Nome, Alaska, becoming the first Alaskan Native to hold the title since Jerry…
I'll admit, we're way late in posting this. But just because we're halfway through March doesn't mean the top 10 blogs of February are irrelevent. Read on! Number 10: SIA: The Splitboard Revolution Number 9: Gear Junkie: Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race 2011 Number 8:…
South America contains the Amazon, the Andes, 19,000 miles of coastline, and arguably more adventure than any other continent. So where to start? These ten perfect trips, from exploratory rafting in Peru to skiing in Chile to beach-hopping Brazil.
Snowboarders at the United States Open Snowboarding Championships in Stratton, Vermont, planned to meet today to discuss creating a union, the New York Times reports. In part, the creation of a snowboarders' union would…
What's the best ski and snowboard recovery meal? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
The U.S. military has always excelled at training soldiers, but they've had a tougher time helping them adjust to peace. The author joins 11 combat veterans in Nepal as they test the most promising new postwar therapy: adventure.
What would be the best digital camcorder for filming ski footage of my students on the slopes? Compact, optical zoom, easy buttons, a viewfinder or great screen that works in bright light, internal memory or flash memory, etc. Thanks! MarkToronto, Ontario
They climbed the biggest walls, descended the longest rivers, and sailed the highest seas. And they went farther and faster under their own power than anyone else in 2010. Chosen for their ambition, their attitude, and their audacious lines, these are Outside's inaugural adventurers of the year.
What is the most compact one-man tent that can be used for winter camping in Vermont? I'm looking for something to mainly keep the elements out. I would need to fit it into a carry-on. Also, I am looking into a sleeping bag that can handle cold winter nights in the Green Mountains that I can also fit with my carry-on bag. Alex Columbia, MO
Serious toys to get the newest members of your clan addicted to winter fun
I've struggled for years to find a way to keep my hands warm and dry in the backcountry. Inevitably, I sweat through my gloves on the skin up then freeze my digits on the descent. I currently have a light soft shell glove that I cover with an old hard shell for descending. Unfortunately, that gives me one more gear item to deal with on transitions, allowing my buddies drop in on the fresh line while I'm still fiddling. Travis Jackson, WY
We present our Trips of the Year, everything from whitewater rafting in Siberia to mountain biking in Argentina to the greatest multisport vacation in Alaska.
I am looking into learning how to ski. What would you recommend as a good pair of skis for a beginner? Andrews Morgantown, WV
I've never had an interest in learning to ski, but I loved sledding as a kid. Are there any ski resorts with lift-assisted sledding? Having to walk back up the hill was always the worst part. I heard that some resort in Switzerland has a five-mile-long sledding run. Willy Santa Rosa, CA
My girlfriend wants a functional snow boot that will keep her warm, dry, and pretty. Help! —Dave Ostmann Chicago, Illinois
What do you recommend for ski pants? I'm not too worried about price. I'm an all-mountain skier who has outgrown his last pair.AndrewSeattle, WA
I'm looking for a waterproof hard shell outer layer, preferably three-ply, for winter activities...skiing, hiking, snowshoeing. Somewhere between bombproof and minimalist?MikeNewton, MA
There are certain skills every Outside guy should possess. For this, the first installment of our four-part fundamentals series, we address the basics of adventure.
Can you recommend a few options for sunglasses that will not fog up while running and cross-country skiing? Thank you very much!EricMilwaukee, Wi
What is the best winter cycling glove?TonyLong Beach, CA
A new film chronicles the classic story of a daring prison break from a Soviet gulag. We dispatched our crankiest critic to weigh in on the somewhat true story.
What are the best snowshoes for deep snow? What are the best goggles for snowshoeing? Jennifer from Helena, Montana Judy from Portland, Oregon
Freeskier Sarah Burke is ready to return to her winning ways and convince the world the halfpipe skiing is worthy of the Olympics.
What is the best soft shell for cross-country skiing? Paul Ely, MN
Does any company make a cool one-piece ski suit? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
Greg Hill is 1.65 million feet into his goal of skiing two million backcountry feet in 2010. Will he make it?
What are the best shoes for winter running? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
Aspen’s Michael Ferrara is bringing attention to a little-known problem: post-traumatic stress disorder among the people who save our lives
A new account of the Dalai Lama's escape from Tibet turns history into riveting adventure.
How can I survive a night in the snow? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
Last spring, Christy Mahon became the first woman to ski all 54 Colorado fourteeners. And she didn't brag about it.
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
What are your top three cross-country ski destinations in the U.S.? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
As a recent transplant to Colorado, I realized I should be in the market for a decent winter boot (that could optionally be used year round). There are so many options out there with so many mixed reviews. I'd like to keep the purchase below $200. Any suggestions? JohnDurango, CO
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.
How and where we tested the skis to determine our favorites.
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.
What is the best ski pant for people who tend to run hot? Eron Los Angeles, CA
What is the best way to melt snow for water? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
Tony Hawk went from skateboarder to mogul. How did that happen?
Big-mountain snowboard king Jeremy Jones is leading the sport into a new era of responsibility—which makes him very uncomfortable.
The Throttle pulls off a rather nifty trick: In addition to being superlight—they weigh less than a pack of Gu Energy Gel—the grippy temples also make them the most comfortable glasses here. nativeyewear.com…
Elvis would approve. On snow or sea, slide on any Costa with the company’s top-of-the-line 580 polarized glass lenses and you’ll be amazed. Glare dies. Colors vibrate. Depth perception jumps. Silver mirroring, spring-loaded hinges, sticky rubber temples, and a gold scheme just sweeten the deal. costadelmar.com…
This high-performance, narrow-hulled speedster tracks like an osprey to a trout: fast and straight. The high-backed seat has a ratcheting backband adjustment that, cranked tight, puts you in an aggressive forward position that will let you race with rowing shells—and win. Extras are few in the stripped-down shell, but…
GLASS MASTERY Like the Costa del Mars, these polarized, oleophobic shades prove that optically ground glass is still tops. And with the signature blue-flash mirroring of Revo’s premium J6 lenses, the cognoscenti will know what you’re wearing a block away. This unit’s stylishly wide temples actually provide nice side protection…
Before you start looking, know exactly what you’ll use your shades for: Generalist sporty street designs get you around town and through low-impact pursuits; bigger challenges call for sports-specific numbers. When it comes to superfine optics, glass is unparalleled, but chances are you’ll want lighter polycarbonate (plastic) lenses if…
Nubuck leather, a Gore-Tex XCR liner, and midcut ankle support for $125? Snap this up before the bean counters at Aku snatch it back. You get an all-purpose hiker with aggressive traction, a near-perfect blend of cushion and stiffness, and a durable, instant-break-in upper. The tread bit into ice…
LIFT SERVANT One tester described this pack as “a wallet on your back with water.” The 275-cubic-inch Scorpion’s two-liter bladder kept testers hydrated both on quick tours before work and skiing all day at the resort. Lunch, a spare pair of goggles, and an extra layer fit in the main…
Slick Packaholic Scads of apparel, triathlon gear, souvenirs for the family…this wide-body, 6,447-cube roller rocked for weekend warrioring. A shiny vinyl sheath gives this tank a clean urban aesthetic that also toughens its skin, all wrapped in external load-cinching straps. We loved the voluminous, 18-inch-wide main compartment and mesh compression…
VERSATILE, AFFORDABLE Lose your glasses every other month? Don’t be embarrassed. Just buy these bargain shades and stop losing your money too. You get pink/red photochromic lenses that are good to go all day, and detailing like an adjustable metal nosepiece, sticky rubber where you need it, and antifog vents…
This stripped-down boot has a low flex point and an upright feel, but is plenty stiff enough to crank high-speed turns with confidence. head.com Bonus: Its micro-adjustable alloy buckles were easy to fine-tune, even in bulky gloves. …
Glacier glasses are back with this mean mirrored-lens number, which eschews old-school side shields for an all-encompassing wraparound design. But the Egg Square’s coolest feature? It folds down to half the size of other shades, hinging at mid-temple and nose. carrerasportna.com…
TOP TREKKING TAKE-ALONGThe load-compression scheme on this 5,100-cubic-inch convertible hauler progressively cinches your stuff, trash-compactor style. The Waypoint’s cushy handle and hidden suspension kept it streamlined and obedient during an eight-hour layover in Frankfurt. When the road ends and the trail begins, deploy the real-deal adjustable suspension and turn this…
ULTIMATE ANGLERS Talk about fly. Optically ground glass, like Costa’s premium 580 line, is the connoisseur’s choice for acuity. (Just note these are shatter-resistant, not -proof.) The polarized copper tint nixes surface glare, so fish in the shallows pop out, while way-cool green mirroring provides that air of mystery. An…
Birding on the Cheap Perfect for the neophyte birder who wants quality glass without blowing his inheritance. The DCF NV’s semi-compact design was fast on the draw, and the rubberized exterior helped protect them from inclement weather—and more than one clumsy drop. Their 16mm eye relief allowed for comfortable, strain-free…
Long a champion of oversize aluminum tubing, Cannondale shifts gears to create an all-carbon rig that’s fast enough for testosterone-addled group rides but much more comfortable than its trademark metal frames on epic outings. With slack geometry, a moderately upright riding position, and the superior road-damping qualities of carbon…