Winter 2025-26

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Strain, struggle, and (eventual) solutions on southwest Montana's most notorious highway. As he drove home along the narrow, winding road from Big Sky, Corey Hockett consciously lowered his speed in anticipation of the…

Bill loading up for the skier-haul to Daisy Pass, circa 2004…

Dashed hopes and second chances during muzzleloader season. It was the first morning of my first elk hunt, and I was staring down the barrel of an open-site muzzleloader at two mature bulls—both of which were oblivious to…

A fun-filled itinerary at Montana’s lesser-seen state parks. Winter is the time for celebration and connection with the people you love most. As such, it has become a tradition for my family members from the flatlands to…

Staying warm in the cold. “Winter changes into stone the water of heaven and the heart of man.” —Victor Hugo When the first snow falls, many of us shelve the camping gear and retreat indoors until spring. The thought of…

The art of setting a skintrack. “If you don't like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” —Dolly Parton It’s early, really early. You and your backcountry buddy beat the morning light with a classic alpine…

The stories behind southwest Montana’s most beloved chairlifts. Around here, a chairlift isn’t just a metal bench that hauls you up the hill—it’s a story. Sometimes it’s a nod to the miner who once scraped coal out of the…

Ooey, gooey goodness. Venison—like elk, antelope, or bison—is very versatile. During the winter months, when the weather calls for something warm, hearty, and comforting, using wild game adds a robust taste that pairs…

Why winter hiking is hot. Imagine this: you lace up your boots, slam the door behind you, and step into a landscape so quiet that even your thoughts blush at how loud they are. Biting cold: check. Frost-crusted trees:…

Behind the scenes of skimo racing in Montana. From casual competitions to gold medals, “skimo”—short for ski-mountaineering—has gone mainstream. However, this burgeoning sport wouldn’t have advanced as it has without Matt…

The evolution of the Bozeman Ice Festival. For decades, winter climbing in Hyalite Canyon remained guarded by 13 miles of unplowed road. Most action—carried out by a small handful of dedicated aficionados—took place by…

Racing down the Nordic trails. For the past 12 winters, my springer spaniel, Seamus, has accompanied me on Nordic and “backcountry-light” ski trips to Hyalite, Sourdough, and other local ski tracks. The sight of layered…

Sharing the joy of skiing. The sun continued its downward journey in the sky; the light at last waned—at least the light in the sky did. Pukka’s light, however, did not grow dimmer. For five years my life had been dogless…

Witnessing the strength & agility of winter. They don’t have snowshoes, nor skis, or ice axes. They aren’t dressed in the latest trendy sportswear. For them to labor through the depths of winter’s snow & below-…

The innumerable benefits of sauna culture. “We might as well be on the moon,” I say to James Salter, as we trudge through walls of white that break every few minutes to reveal a false summit ahead and what is clearly…

The timeless comfort of a wall tent. It’s a thick hunk of canvas weighing well over 80 pounds. The frame, a series of steel poles and fittings spray-painted in a code generated from two 20-year-old brains and a 12-pack of…

Prepping hut-trip meals. ’Tis the season for strapping on your skis (or a splitboard) and trekking off to backcountry huts where the powder is deep, the nights are long, and the food is everything. Let’s be real—…

Combating seasonal depression with outdoor recreation. Everyone struggles with the blues at some during our long Montana winters. It’s okay to admit it: no matter how much you love wintertime in general, at some point or…

Building the foundation for better skiing. Skiers, from novices to hard-chargers, frequently feel “the burn” in their quads toward the end of a long run. Often a symptom of inefficient technique (hips too far back over the…

Understanding El Nino’s and La Nina’s influence. If someone told you that the temperature of a body of water 3,000 miles away could affect the severity of winter across southwest Montana, you’d probably roll your eyes. But…

Opposing lights in the winter sky. In Shakespeare’s Richard III, the villainous soon-to-be-king speaks of “our winter of discontent,” entirely in political rather than seasonal terms. Whether you find discontent or simply…

A new product for serious ice anglers. It’s a cold, snowy afternoon in January, and the road to Hyalite is mostly clear. The skiers, snowshoers, and ice climbers have all wrapped up their days, eager to escape the biting…

On hitchhiking to Bridger Bowl. One late-summer evening, my younger brother and I were cruising across the ancient bottom of Lake Agassiz, flat as a pancake as far as you can see in all directions. Bruce Springsteen and…

The glorious return of the monoski. As the old adage goes, everything in life is cyclical. Take skiing in jeans, for example. O/B first covered denim’s slow resurgence back in 2020, and its popularity has blossomed since.…

Who’s really got the best winter festival? If what they say about Montana is true, then we only have two seasons: winter and roadwork. Now, despite the relatively harsh climate we choose to inhabit, we’ve learned to…

Comparing two visions of a classic winter job. Beanies low, music bumpin’, and cool as corduroy while the line builds up at the lift. They don’t have a care in the world—aside from making sure everyone loads and unloads…

There’s no time like the present. "This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it." —Ralph Waldo Emerson Looking back and reflecting on the quarter-century that Outside Bozeman has been…

Honoring the winter solstice. Come December, people tend to fall into two camps: those enchanted by the magic of the holidays—twinkling lights, family gatherings, festive chaos—and those who grit their teeth through cold…

Zenbivy changed the outdoor-slumber game eight years ago, providing a new & improved sleep setup that offered comfort, warmth, and convenience in one integrated package. And that’s exactly what you get with their new…

If I were to choose one word to describe the Deathwish Tour 104 from Moment Skis, it would be "uncompromising"—and for good reason. For those unfamiliar with the Deathwish line, let me first introduce you to the small,…

A good shell is one of the most versatile jackets in an outdoorsman’s closet—useful in any condition the mountain throws our way. When it comes to shells for skiing, the Sogn Shell 2.0 by Helly Hansen is as good as it gets…

At 45 liters, the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L ($239) pushes the carry-on limit but still qualifies for most airlines, making it a solid choice for both weekend trips with a lot of gear, and longer hauls if you pack smart.…

The Mammut Haldigrat HS Hooded Jacket is swift and flexible on a downhill full send, with an up-cycled outer nylon layer and waterproof membrane—keeping me dry and warm, no matter how many times I crash and fall. There are…

Versatile and very warm, the Mammut Stoney HS Thermo Pants give me all-mountain protection and performance, keeping me dry and comfortable on icy lifts and backcountry laps alike. The adjustable waistband ensures a secure…

For a lightweight hiker that can do it all, from quick jaunts on snow-covered trails to mountain-climbing in the warmer months, the Corrie II from Kenetrek fits the bill. I needed a new boot for fall hunting, and the Corrie…

Shirt plus jacket equals Shacket, and Alpacas of Montana’s version is unmatched. Made from incredibly soft alpaca fiber, it provides warmth and breathability for both outdoor excursions and casual wear. The sturdy stitching…

As we patiently wait for winter to arrive in Montana, now is the time to get your cold-weather layering system in order. If you're looking for a reliable foundation, then look no further. The POC Merino Mock Neck Jersey …

As someone who recently made the jump from cross-country to downhill skiing, I’ve worn my fair share of clunky, beat-up, and uncomfortable rental helmets. But after finally committing to a Bridger season pass, I figured it…

The Minus33 Women's 1/4 Zip Woolverino is a remarkably versatile piece that delivers lightweight warmth, excellent breathability, and year-round performance. Designed as a base layer, it excels in high-output outdoor…

The first frame pack I ever used was borrowed from my boss. As you could expect, it was too tall for me and shaped for someone else's geometry, so the straps and buckles didn’t align with my body. It heavily relied on my…

In the old days, skiing was less about exercise and more about moving across the frozen landscape in the most efficient and capable manner possible. Which is the inspiration behind the Altai Kom, a cool cross-country ski…

Like a fine sit-down dinner, we all love a high-end technical backpack, loaded with the latest features and optimized for efficiency in our preferred activity. But most days, a guy just wants some comfort food, and lots of…

It happens every time: rushing to get to the trail, or the rock, or the river, you toss all your stuff on the seat and roll out. And then it all rolls out, every time you turn or make a hard stop: water bottle slams into…

Bundled tightly in my sleeping bag, I reached frantically around my duffel bag, searching for any extra clothes I might have haphazardly packed. The nighttime temperature had dipped below freezing, and I was woefully…

"This isn’t a day-use area." I popped my head out of my makeshift swaddle, and a burst of cold air hit my face. A campground host stood there, looking sternly at me—wrapped in my Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket—and asked me…

Live the active outdoor life long enough, and eventually you'll pay a price in injuries and ailments. It may be bad knees, an aching back, or, in my case, messed-up feet. Luckily, there are plenty of companies out there…

A lantern can make or break a camping trip—and if you want to really make your next trip, pick up a Duracell 3000L Lantern before you head out. This multipurpose powerhouse lights up a huge area, with a whopping 3,000…

Can shoes change your life? Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz might say so, and I daresay a few dancers, runners, and cowboys would agree. One thing's for certain: when it comes to outdoor activities, footwear matters—…

Nocs Provisions has been kicking butt since they arrived on the scene, making high-quality binoculars that are both cool-looking and affordable. Lately they've been crushing the monocular market, too, and their new Zero…

Foot pain and narrow feet are an awful combination. On the one hand, you need a wider toebox to let your feet spread out, relieving tension on the arch muscles and fascia. On the other, a secure fit prevents toe-bang on…

Sweet relief! After months of foot pain from plantar fasciitis, the Lems Outlander Waterproof Boot has delivered my dogs from their boisterous barking. You see, my other hiking boots have narrow toeboxes, so all the gains I…

After years of packing around the same bulky, heavy, half-broken camp chair, I was hungry for an upgrade. Enter the Helinox Chair One RE, a lightweight, easily packable chair that lives in the trunk of my car and comes…

Finding the right jacket to keep your kiddo warm, dry, and comfortable on the mountain isn’t always the easiest task. Complaints abound, from “it’s itchy” or “it’s too tight,” to “I don’t like the color.” Not exactly things…

Choosing a ski jacket these days is no easy task. You have to take into account: pricing, style, functionality, durability, sustainability—the list goes on and on. Personally, though, my first priority is warmth, with…

The Flylow Stash Bib is all that you need from an outer layer, and nothing that you don’t. The zippers are solid—completely impermeable to water, even when sitting on a soaking-wet spring chairlift. The powder gaiters are…

It's been a winter of hats, that's for sure—I can't remember the last time my head was more shrouded in fleece, nylon, and wool. But shrouded it was, and no matter what I was doing, I found a Sauce hat to suit. For general…

This season, I was not properly prepared for the groundhog to bring on another six weeks of winter. With hand-me-down ski pants and six sweaters, I was either warm and immobile, or cold and shivering. I recently upgraded to…

Mammut has long been a leader in snow safety, and the company’s newest beacon, the Barryvox S2, continues their tradition of innovation and precision. Mammut knows that when it comes to beacons, reliability isn’t just a…

"Blue Bird" by Tom Leuprecht These days are unmatched Never trade them for cash Sun shines with glee Tracing the shadows of threes Upon the snow like hands of a clock Revealing irregularities of frozen blocks Blown, thrown…

As ICE raids continued around the country this past fall, apprehending and deporting illegal aliens (along with a few legal residents), construction at the Yellowstone Club’s new indoor ocean and white-sand beach has ground…

News from Bridger Bowl for the upcoming season. Our world is constantly changing, and Bridger Bowl is no exception. After a landslide swept through the ski area this past summer, general manager Hiram Towle says navigating…

The enduring gift of Charles Anceny. Charles “Chuck” L. Anceney was the epitome of a true Montanan, possessing an unshakeable spirit, straight priorities, and a deep, resounding care for the land. He created the Charles L…

Keeping canines safe in the backcountry. Dogs are people, too. They’re part of the family. And so to protect my canine kin while backcountry skiing, I outfit him with an old Pieps in a harness pouch. That way, if Raleigh…

In The Hidden Seasons: A Calendar of Nature’s Clues (Experiment Publishing, $25), explorer and natural navigator Tristan Gooley makes you notice things you’d otherwise walk right past a hundred times. Breaking one whole…

It doesn’t take long in Montana to come across some wildlife: a deer jumping out onto the road, a magpie touching down on a roof, a ground squirrel scurrying away as you walk toward it. And while many animals have adapted…

Left alone sans phone, Wi-Fi, or television, Torrey—the young protagonist in Bryan Schaeffer’s The Snow Day (SINTR, $25)—discovers a leather-bound book and matching amulet which transport her to a fantastical, yet familiar…

The American West is home to some of the most breathtaking and unique environments on Earth. It’s got it all: from the grasslands and prairies of the heartlands to the jagged peaks and deep, cavernous canyons of the Rockies…