Tips from a seasoned competitor.
On any given powder day at Bridger Bowl, long lines of hikers wait near the patrol shack above the Bridger lift to shoulder their skis or board and trek up the Ridge. But on February 5, the…
Light enough for the backcountry, yet durable enough for the resort, the Mt. Baker Storm Jacket from Outdoor Research keeps me plenty warm and dry. Constructed with 2L Gore-Tex fabric, the breathable, waterproof, and…
Cold hands and Raynaud’s might be the ultimate winter-outing buzzkill, and a royal pain in the... fingers. Suffer no longer with the Outdoor Research Stormtracker heated gloves. Three settings provide continuous and well-…
The Gregory Targhee FastTrack 24 is a lightweight daypack for all kinds of winter activities around southwest Montana. Boasting an innovative ski-carry system that allows you to stow skis sans removing the pack, the Targhee…
Premium brands may be all the rage, but most veteran outdoors folk actually prefer lesser-known outfits that make a solid product at an affordable price. The Montec Fawk jacket, for example, is a solid ski coat, with a…
In today’s world, many brands attempt to create do-it-all skis by way of compromise. They end up with something that’s designed to do nothing particularly well. However, the Masterblaster by J Skis has truly accomplished…
Constructed with lightweight but burly material, the Gordini Front Line GTX Mitts provide outstanding comfort and performance. The combination of Gore-Tex, Primaloft synthetic insulation, and moisture wicking-liners make…
Grivel continues to forge the progression of climbing equipment with their newest ice tool: the Dark Machine. These tools have a sleek look that lives up to their name, but obviously, performance is where they really shine…
What is an all-mountain ski? Well, it's a ski that's suited for a wide variety of terrain and conditions. But in reality, there's no such thing as a "silver bullet," no one ski that'll satisfy every demand of every skier,…
Living in Montana and spending half my time outside, one thing I can never have enough of are base layers. The Women’s Tempo Quarter Zip long sleeve from Nathan is the latest and greatest addition to my guilty-pleasure…
When you're ready to ditch those old three-pin paddles and join the 21st century (no judgment; I just barely am myself), you can't do much better than the Rottefella Freedom. This NTN binding is lightweight, extremely well-…
Versatility is the first word that comes to mind when I think about the Voormi High-E Hoodie. Made to be a mid-layer in the cold of winter or an outer-layer for fall and spring, the High-E combines merino wool with a…
As the leaves change color and snow begins to fall, it always feels nice to add a new piece of outerwear to the collection. The Juneau Sherpa Fleece Jacket from Outdoor Research is a great alternative to my usual, very few…
As hunters, we measure ourselves by our skills—and many an otherwise-adept outdoorsman has found humility in a single, inescapable shortcoming. For me, that demoralizing deficiency is an inability to properly sharpen a…
Keeping your ice screws organized and protected is essential for any ice climber, and so is preventing damage to other items in your pack. The Thread Bed from Mystery Ranch offers a new take on consolidating your screws and…
The perfect ski touring pant doesn’t exis—wait, you’re telling me the Mammut Base Jump Pants are made of real Schoeller fabric and have built-in gaiters, reinforced cuffs, four zippered pockets, two mesh-backed vents, a…
Layering is huge when it comes to hitting the slopes or any active cold-weather activity. While the Race AirPush from Tenson is light enough to fit under a shell, it can just as easily stand alone. Tenson’s formula for…
When lightweight bindings first came out, I was reluctant to buy in. The design of pin bindings looked too dinky, something I might pop out of at high speeds or break should I land aggressively. I stayed with my heavy setup…
After watching my husband struggle with his, I vowed to never get goggles with interchangeable lenses. Then I found the Gordini Relode S, designed to fit a woman’s face. With a magnetic-attachment system, these goggles make…
As a kid, whenever I complained about outdoor gear, my dad would say, "It’s the wizard, not the wand." I can attest that the Flylow Baker Bib is a well-rounded wand that lets the wizard do the magic. Flylow combined…
Looking for one goggle that can do it all? The Glade Adapt Photochromic features a highly specialized lens that adjusts to a variety of conditions. I tested these goggles in bluebird conditions and the lens did a great job…
Few tales are as timeless as those of friendship and discovery. Science writer and local author Bruce Smith brings us Legend Keepers: The Chosen One (Hidden Shelf Publishing House, $15), the upbeat story of an orphaned…
Rick Ridgeway’s climbing resume alone rivals any of history’s greatest alpinists, but combined with the breadth of his other adventures, not to mention his professional career including stints in product development,…
The Bozeman area has long been in need of a quality ski guidebook. Finally, with Peaks & Couloirs of Southwest Montana (Kussmaul Backcountry Ventures, $45), Chris Kussmaul gives us a gift that'll keep on giving. Over…
Typically, fantasy novels aren’t the first genre I reach for; however, I found myself pleasantly surprised with Birth of the Anima (Theia Books, $30). This book’s intricate storyline incorporated engaging elements of…
