Atomic is going all-in with regards to backcountry skiing. New Backland skis, packs and skins came out this year. So the big story next season will be the new Backland touring boots. Everyone is abuzz about the Backland boots, which were on display at Outdoor Retailer 2015 Winter Market. There will be four versions: the…
Category: Gear Reviews
Beeline Cases create buzz at Outdoor Retailer 2015 Winter Market
Ever drop your phone? Ever break or lose your phone because you dropped it? Us outdoorsy folks sure have to be careful when on the crag or paddling on the water. So how do you protect it? Beeline Cases seems to have found an answer, and was showing them off at the Outdoor Retailer 2015…
Liberty Sequence ski review
Liberty is a small ski company based in Avon, Colorado. While they are relatively new (they were founded in 2003) they are rapidly growing. Their exclusive use of bamboo cores set them apart from the pack, and successful skis like the Helix proved that they were the real deal. As a Colorado native, I’ve been keenly…
Black Diamond Evac 7 Shovel review
Avalanche shovels are pretty utilitarian. You have a shovel blade, a telescoping handle and a grip. As long as your avalanche shovel is metal and not plastic, there’s nothing to see here… move along. Unless of course, that shovel is the Black Diamond Evac 7. Why is this shovel so special? Because it’s more than…
First Look: DPS Wailer 112RP2 Tour1 Skis
Big name, low weight. Salt Lake City’s DPS Skis are already known for their light weight sticks, which has made them a favorite for backcountry skiers. Well, next season, the company will release a new backcountry touring-specific version of the popular Wailer 112RP2, called the Tour1. I was able to get the Wailer 112RP2 Tour1…
Mountain Hardwear Minalist Jacket review
Repels water and breathes – that’s all I want in a ski shell. Whether backcountry skiing in the Wasatch, or going bell-to-bell at Alta, a shell’s technical performance can make or break your day. So when I got the opportunity to test the Mountain Hardwear Minalist Jacket, I was totally game. Why? Because the shell…
Kelty Discovery 30 sleeping bag review
The first time I was invited on a camping trip in Utah my mood quickly went from stoked to scared. Did I want to get out in the mountains? Yes. Had I been dying to experience something John Muir would be proud of? Absolutely. Then why the fear? I didn’t have the gear, and I…
Outdoor Gear of the Year 2014
It’s that time again, where we look back at the best gear that we tested and reviewed for 2014. From sleeping bags to boots, skis and jackets, we put new gear through the wringer in Utah’s mountains and deserts. After testing, some gear collected dust on the shelf, while other became our go-to, use everyday,…
Mountain Hardwear Compulsion OutDry Glove review
Gloves are perhaps the most important bit o’ gear you can wear when skiing. Why? Because if you have cold, wet hands, your entire day is ruined. Nothing will send you back to the lodge or scurrying to the heater vents in your car faster than frozen digits. Personally, I have issues with cold fingers…
Salomon Q-LAB ski review
Last year, I was over the moon for Salomon’s Q-105 skis. I found them to be awesome as daily drivers at Alta with enough float for powder days and carve-ability for groomers when it hasn’t snowed in a while. Well, the Q-105 has been dethroned, as my NEW favorite ski, the Salomon Q-LAB, is far and away…