As the blueprint for the Mountain Accord is making its way through public comment, meetings, and presentations, many skiers have expressed concern about proposed federal land trades with ski resorts. Resorts want more land from the U.S. Forest Service for base facility expansion. They are willing to trade higher-elevation, backcountry land in return. The concern…
Tag: backcountry
Video: Snowboarding from the top of Hayden Peak
The Provo Brothers are at it again. These guys have been exploring the Uinta Mountain backcountry for years, and have released edits of their adventures killer enough to make me want to throw down thousands of dollars for a snowmobile so I can access these peaks in the winter months. Well, they’ve gone and descended…
Wasatch Backcountry Alliance seeks trailhead volunteers
The Wasatch backcountry is being set up for some massive changes. From One Wasatch to the Mountain Accord, the terrain we tour in will either be protected, sucked into resort expansion, or both. The Wasatch Backcountry Alliance needs our help to get the message out to backcountry users and is asking for trailhead volunteers. That…
Backcountry Report: Beartrap Fork
Winter finally returned to the Wasatch! With 13 inches falling over three days in the upper Cottonwood Canyons, myself, along with Mason Diedrich and Adam Symonds, skinned up Beartrap Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon in hopes of fresh lines with no crowds. We found what we were looking for. It felt so good to break…
Wasatch Splitfest 2015 kicks off at Brewvies
The end of February and beginning of March will belong to splitboarders in the Wasatch. The 2015 edition of Wasatch Splitfest goes down February 26 to March 1 and it will be full of raffles, backcountry snowboard movies, gear demos, clinics, and of course, splitboarding. Splitfest starts out at on Thursday, February 26 at Brewvies…
First Look: Salomon MTN LAB backcountry boots
The Salomon MTN LAB backcountry boots have gotten a lot of press lately. From Outdoor Retailer, SIA, and ISPO, the boots have won awards and are probably soaking wet from all the people salivating over them. What’s the big deal? Word is that these boots have blurred the line between light weight touring boots for…
Backcountry turns on Super Bowl Sunday
It’s pretty much tradition at UtahOutside to go skiing on Super Bowl Sunday. This year was no different as we joined Ron Hall and Jamey Parks from Salomon to make some backcountry turns at Alta, and test out the new Salomon MTN LAB touring boots. It seems Juneuary is continuing into February, which mean we…
Atomic and Salomon create online Mountain Academy courses
Avalanche education is expensive. Level 1-3 professional courses cost hundreds of dollars, pricing out many backcountry users. Well, Atomic and Salomon have partnered to create the Mountain Academy, an online avalanche safety course. It’s designed to be a supplement to traditional, in-the-field courses that will cost a lot less money. Designed in collaboration with wePowder,…
Mountain Hardwear goes big with backcountry apparel at Outdoor Retailer 2015 Winter Market
Mountain Hardwear is once again stepping up their backcountry-skiing game at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market with new apparel that insulates and breathes for the up and the down. Micro Thermostatic Jacket Among the myriad of layering pieces that will be coming out this year, is the new Micro Thermostatic Jacket. This is a very light…
Atomic shows off new Backland AT boots at Outdoor Retailer 2015 Winter Market
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…