Suffering from a case of the holiday blues? Don’t let the dark days of winter put you in a gloomy mood. Instead, harness your dreams from the clouds, throw a dart at a date, and start planning a w ...

When it comes to backcountry emergencies, we’ll take all the help we can get, and Ortovox added a new tool to our touring gear. Their new Diract Voice Beacon plays clear instructions that guide yo ...

The first thing you notice skiing in France is that you’re less likely to understand the conversations around you. Not a real surprise, there. But as it turns out, there are numerous ways in w ...

It’s a well-known fact that Utah has attracted a population of serious skiers—and yes, the terrain and snow quality in the Wasatch Mountains are tough to beat, so some of the world’s best and ...

Mention the term "backpacker hostel," and the first image that may come to mind is a no-frills accomodation full of bunk beds and college-age students backpacking around Europe. But, as some savv ...

The silver-mining settlement of Park City, Utah, almost became a ghost town when the mines closed, but its reinvention as a ski mecca has made it a gold mine for winter visitors. Located just ...

I have a confession to make. I'm known for being hard on gear, and my sweat can sometimes ruin technical clothing. Luckily for me, both of these qualifications got me tabbed to do some gear testin ...

The open road is a beautiful (and definingly American) thing, but there’s an awful lot to be said for getting the hell away from blacktop and gravel alike. And when it comes to ecological inte ...

With the world temporarily slowing down and vacations delayed, it's high time to plan your next big move. And what better way than by taking a tip from those who have lived really, really big adve ...

There's a reason National Parks are called America’s best idea. Setting aside vast expanses of pristine land for timeless preservation provides a refuge for millions of Americans to experience the ...

Death Valley became a national park on October 31,1994 as a result of the passage of the California Desert Protection Act. But its history goes back much further: The 3.4-million acre park is a la ...

Your sleeping bag might be the most important part of your camping kit. If you forget your tent at home, you sleep in the open air. If your sleeping pad deflates at camp, you might be uncomfortabl ...

Bibs. They’re all the rage at the ski resort or the backcountry. You’re probably reading this article because A: you’ve finally decided you’re sick of getting snow down your pants, or B: you’re si ...

With the storm clouds from the day’s rain still lingering, the setting sun ignited the sky in intense golden light and vibrant hues of pink. Maneuvering my rusty Sprinter van through curve after c ...

Located in southern Utah, Zion National Park has a series of red and pink sandstone canyons so beautiful that they draw 3 million visitors each year. Most tourists come in March through October to se ...

Avalanche airbag backpacks are an investment worth taking seriously. Not only are they a potentially life-saving tool for backcountry skiing, but they’re also undeniably expensive. A ...

2-person sleeping pads. They might be bulky to carry and a bit unruly to pack up, but if they don’t let you get a good night's sleep at camp, nothing will. And while there are a few worth ...

It’s camping season again, and that means more days on the trail, more campfires, and of course, more nights spent on the ground. Cue the image of a previously happy camper waking up with a sore b ...

“Sustainable” and “ski areas” are traditionally not things associated with one another. However, since climate change has reached a tipping point, many outdoors enthusiasts have become more co ...

Depending on the type of winter vacation you’re planning, some resorts are better suited than others for your particular trip. A girls’ weekend is going to have a different vibe than a family vaca ...

The word Matterhorn smacks of the golden days of Alpine mountaineering, and summons up the signature, craggy summit that even today tantalizes climbers. Indeed, it’s the Matterhorn of the Pennine ...

With more awards to its name than we care to count, the Scarpa Maestrale RS Ski Boot hardly needs introduction. If you aren’t familiar with its pedigree, the long and the short of it is that ...

Ask Aspen local Tony Vagneur what he remembers most about skiing in the old days, and he answers immediately: “the cold.” Circa 1949, when Gore-Tex was a long way off, layering wool was ...

Paul Hassell is a nature photographer, adventure guide, and founder of [Light Finds](lightfinds.us), whose passion for the natural world is matched only by his love for people. I sat down wit ...