Winter

Archive

Glen Plake’s first ever signature model is a backcountry tool that skis like Glen Pake

It’s not a backcountry powder plank, but it sure is quick in steep, technical terrain

Not just for carving, this all-mountain ski can do it all

These skis are party in the front, business underfoot, and designed to charge the whole mountain

This quick and reliable backcountry ski for ladies gets the job done on all but the deepest of days

When the fluff turns to crud, this is the ski you want underfoot

A lightweight free-touring ski with a moderate waist, the Escaper W 97 Nano is a versatile backcountry ski for ladies who charge no matter the conditions

We challenge you to find a more playful and responsive backcountry ski than this

This year’s category winner makes everyone who skis it feel like a star

A tried and true favorite that delivers in crud

This ski was voted the most playful ski among this year’s crop of women’s all-mountain skis

Power and precision are the name of the game with this tried and true favorite

Carv’s digital coaching software uses insoles with pressure sensors to give you real-time feedback. But can it really help first-timers improve?

Defined as “the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness”

A season marked by tricky conditions and progressive riding wrapped up last week in Verbier

Photographer Brian Kaiser captures the joy of this niche winter sport

Choosing the right puffy is challenging. We’re here to help.

Enjoy riding frozen waves more than ever with these items

A few winter flurries had the Outside staff reaching for some cozy booties, cherished beanies, and near-perfect ski boots

If you don’t know how to ski, hire an instructor—not your significant other. It might just save your relationship.

You’ll be surprised by the places on this list, but maybe it’s time we started redefining what makes a ski town

Skiing 101: how to start, what to wear, and pitfalls to avoid

Figuring out how to best equip and dress yourself when you’re just starting this sport can feel overwhelming. We’re here to help.

Keep guests comfortable with this advice around the best food, drink, and gear for cold-weather grilling

What we used to start the year right

Whether you’re mountain biking or just commuting around town, a few key parts will keep you riding, regardless of the elements

Explore America’s favorite winter wonderlands on these scenic routes, which range from beginner to expert terrain

‘The New Age of Reason,’ a recent film from ski makers Wndr Alpine, takes the sport to a higher level—physically and mentally

November usually means the onset of winter, but much of the country is experiencing dry and unseasonably warm weather. Here’s what Outside editors have been using to pass the time until snow season.

Winter needn’t send your overlanding setup into hibernation. Here’s what you need and where to go.

It’s time to break out the merino base layers and the heat-exchange breathing masks

The film will premiere for general audiences this spring, marking the 40th anniversary of the tragedy

Entrepreneurs from Amalgam Skis and Winterstick Snowboards take us on a tour of what sets Maine apart in both skiing and community

Keeping warm never tasted so good

Don’t be afraid of ice climbing. It’s a fun winter skill to pick up, and we’ve got all the intel on how to get started.

Whether you want to learn a new sport—like skate skiing or ice climbing—or improve your skills, there’s a lesson out there for you

40-plus testers spent four months testing the latest, greatest winter gear on ski hills, backcountry routes, and trails, and in our own home gyms and backyards

There were so many good boards this year that it was hard to pick just a few for print. Here are the others our testers loved.

This snow rocket was built for fun

Tough, multifunctional accessories for any itinerary

With this gear, twice the ice is just as nice

We only have space for six pants in the print magazine, but there are plenty more worthy pairs you should know about

These layers herald a bold, new, sleeveless future

Surfing in Baja. Summit-to-sea skiing in Alaska. Hiking in Death Valley. There’s no shortage of epic adventures to be had in winter. We’ve rounded up our favorite trips to make sure you get your fill of thrills.

With the right gear, mindset, creativity, and some science-based hacks, you don’t have to just survive this winter, you can thrive. Here’s how to embrace the cold all season long.

From Reykjavík to Minneapolis, winter isn’t just tolerated here, it’s celebrated

Professional skier Drew Petersen opens up about his struggles with suicidal thoughts—and explains why talking about it is key to addressing the mental health crisis

Thanks to these boots, hiking went from painful to pure bliss

Cecilia Blomdahl’s viral videos are a window into an unfamiliar world full of polar bears, reindeer, and adventures on snowmobiles. But they also offer suprisingly resonant insights for those of us who’ve just spent a year in quarantine.

Outside columnist Jakob Schiller picked the Peak Mission as his favorite pair of winter running gloves. “Patagonia wisely included a thin nylon mitten that folds out of the cuff and covers your fingers. It withstands chilly wind and provides warmth to keep you going when temperatures dip…

In March, Emily Ford became the first woman to complete Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail in winter. She’s also become an unintentional ambassador of the outdoor industry’s quest for inclusivity.

The life of Natalie Rines Terry, one of the country’s top ski instructors for 50 years

A hard carrying case is being issued to solve potential issues with DSP beacons switching modes accidentally

Outside’s ethics guru on who public lands are for

British Columbia is in the midst of a major surge in coronavirus cases, forcing resorts to shutter early

We can’t wait to try these innovative items

Some brands offer portable tent systems that promise an authentic wood-fired sweat experience—at a fraction of the cost of permanent installs

We combed through hundreds of products to pick these three

Our Minnesotan travel writer spent a year looking for good snow boots. She finally found them.

Yukon’s Hammerhead Pro HD was the only logical choice for tackling Vermont’s famous Lincoln Gap Road

Favorites include fire pits, food, and coffee

And here’s how you can do it yourself at home, step-by-step

The nonprofit Skiku has brought nordic skiing to thousands of Native kids in Alaska, where access to the sport has historically been limited

A massive storm led to a record-breaking 60-hour shutdown at Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon last weekend, followed by a day of private skiing exclusively for those already in the area

How to stay fueled and warm on the slopes without looking like a total nerd

Think you already know everything about our nation’s most iconic park? Think again. There’s so much beyond its famed Yosemite Valley, from seldom visited waterfalls to the underappreciated backcountry beyond Tuolumne Meadows.

For a small weight penalty, the new system offers tech-pin efficiency and pro-level descending. Outside spent the past 11 months testing it.

It breathes and wicks sweat better than any other midlayer I’ve tested

Volatile weather has created dangerous conditions for backcountry skiers and set up the West for a bad water year. With climate change exacerbating the situation, it’s time to start assuming the worst for our winters and making plans to adapt. 

A new Snow Mode makes finding trails and parking lots easy, and the app helps you avoid avalanches, too

We featured the Force Dry DX in our 2019 Winter Buyer’s Guide page of the best gear care tools. “Slide your boots over the tubes, set the timer, and wake up to warm, moisture-free gear. Works with gloves, too,” wrote our tester.

Sleep in a Navajo Nation earth home, a vintage camper, or a dome tent, all just a short drive to the South Rim

These were the warmest gloves in our 2021 Winter Buyer’s Guide test. “The Carbide deploys a Gore-Tex membrane beneath supple goat leather on the palm and back of the hand, and has a long cinchable cuff with an adjustable wristband to keep snow out,” wrote tester Dave Cox. Read the…

Tire chains are great—until they're not. Wes Siler explains how and when to consider using them.