The Black Diamond Helio 105 is a one-quiver kind of ski. Now, lately I’ve not been a fan of the “one-ski-quiver” idea. For me, if it’s a powder day, then I want fat boards with rocker. If it hasn’t snowed in a while, I’ll grab my all-mountain sticks that can carve groomers and bust crud….
Category: Gear Reviews
Mountain Khakis Maverick LT Softshell Jacket review
When you leave the house, mother always says, “don’t forget a jacket!” This is especially true here in Utah. Even in the mountain summer months, evenings and nights can get chilly, so you need something to stave of that cold air. Mountain Khakis has the brand new Maverick LT Softshell Jacket, that seems to be…
Mountain Hardwear Hotbed Flame 20° sleeping bag review
Cold spots are the source of my bad experiences with any sleeping bags. Poorly constructed baffles, bunched up insulation, and even a lack of good zipper draft tubes have all been culprits that let cold air in. But the big story with the new Mountain Hardwear Hotbed Flame 20° sleeping bag, is that they claim…
MSR Striker 240 Probe & Responder Shovel review
So, you got yourself a copy of Jared Hargrave’s excellent book, Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Routes: Utah. Your skins are cut, you can transition your setup lickety-split, and your beacon battery is at 100%… but before you go breaking trail, take a look at your probe and shovel. Aside from your beacon, these two items…
Mountain Hardwear B Line Parka review
Spring is here in Utah, and with it comes rain. I hate being outside in the rain, but it’s often a necessity. Gotta’ walk the dogs, rain or shine. Ducking from the car through parking lots in a downpour happens often. And if the skies are releasing a light drizzle, then I’ll take a hike…
First Look: Atomic Hawx Ultra alpine ski boots review
Atomic claims to have created the lightest alpine ski boots they’ve ever made. The Hawx Ultra is the newest addition to the Hawx Boot Series and the company says they achieved this by totally rethinking ski boot design and construction. In a nutshell, the Hawx Ultra are 25% lighter, have a 98mm last, and features…
Helly Hansen Warm & Active Flow base layer review
During cold weather adventures, keeping yourself warm, dry and comfortable is paramount. It all starts with our skin, or rather the garments laying on our skin: the base layer. Much like a pyramid of cheerleaders, a strong base will yield good results. If your base is junk, your game is weak…and your time in the…
Kahtoola MICROspikes review
Winter can mean the end of hiking season for many people. But, honestly, you don’t have to stop hiking when the ground is covered in snow and ice, you just need the right gear. Snowshoes are fine when the powder is deep, but what about when it hasn’t snowed in a while? That’s when you…
Mountain Hardwear Micro Thermostatic Hybrid Jacket review
You know what’s tough to find in outdoor jackets? A mid-layer that insulates but also breathes while you are working out in the cold. Most insulated layers are far too warm for activities like backcountry skiing, but often lighter shells or even just wearing a base layer alone does not offer enough protection against the…
Mountain Khakis Alpha Switch Pullover review
Mountain Khakis is getting technical. Long known as an outdoor lifestyle brand, the company with the Bison logo from Jackson Hole has released some serious technical outerwear using innovative new materials. One such piece is the Alpha Switch Pullover. My first time wearing it on a ski tour, my friend Mason exclaimed, “when did Mountain…