Ski touring, Alpine touring, Randonee, backcountry, splitboarding… called by many names, the sport of backcountry shredding is growing. Once the realm of only the most adventurous and fitness oriented, recent equipment advances have fueled the flames of popularity. If you’ve ever heard someone speak of a “Dawn Patrol” session before the workday begins, they were […]
backcountry skiing
Posted inOutside
Everyday Sheroes
Some local women athletes do it not for the glory of competition, but for the sheer love of the outdoors
When I was a little girl, combing outdoor magazines for inspiration, there was rarely a woman to be found—and if there was, she was always a top performing, elite athlete. While there are many women who can keep up with the boys and even lead the pack, I know I’m not alone in wanting to […]
Posted inNews
Mt. Bachelor Opens Friday. Here’s What to Have on Your Radar this Season
Dog policy, hiking the cone and camping see tweaks this year
With Mt. Bachelor set to open Friday, visitors will find the same chairlifts and runs they’ve enjoyed in past years—but they’ll also find that a few things have changed at Oregon’s biggest ski resort. Here are some things to have on your radar as you dust off your winter gear and hit the mountain. Dogs […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Backcountry 101
Before you veer off from the resorts, here are some things to know about the backcountry
The first time I went backcountry skiing, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I knew it would be more work than resort skiing because I had to ski/walk/shuffle or some combination of all three to get myself to the top of the run, but I didn’t realize that getting back down wouldn’t […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Beacon to the Backcountry
Pete Keane – Timberline Mountain Guides
When I meet Pete Keane in the office of Timberline Mountain Guides, he’s pretty clear he doesn’t necessarily want to be there. I don’t take it personally, though, because really, what human can compete with the grace and solitude of the mountains? “I like being out with people and instructing them and being out in […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Winter Insider
The sun is shining and the leaves are blowing—but if snow lovers have their way, any day now the flakes will fly in the low country as well as the mountains. Let this Winter Insider issue be something like a rain dance, inviting the best parts of winter to get here, already. Is this the […]
Posted inNews
Volcano Tour Part 2: Mt. Bailey and Mt. Thielsen
We found deep powder on Mt. Bailey, too many hippies at Umpqua hot springs and almost-corn on Mt.Thielsen.
Posted inNews
California and Southern Oregon: Blasting Wind and a Surprise Storm
The Volcano Tour kicked off with some unexpected setbacks but no shortage of adventure.
Posted inNews
Cascade Volcano Ski Tour – Seven Volcanoes in Nine Days
A ski touring road trip through the Cascades, from California to Washington
Posted inOutside
What Goes Up
Vertfest celebrates a boom in backcountry skiing
“It’s really a festival of fun,” says Stirling Cobb, the events and sponsorship manager at Mt. Bachelor. He’s talking about Vertfest, one of the few winter carnivals to focus on backcountry skiing, which returns this weekend to Central Oregon for its third consecutive year. “It’s all about the mountain lifestyle where like-minded people can come […]