The 17 inches of powder that fell on Powder Mountain, Utah this past March didn’t distract testers at the 2020 Gear Test Week from logging hours on this coming season’s newest skis, splitboards and boots to find the standouts across crud, corduroy and deep blower fresh.
2020 Gear Guide: Splitboard Accessories
To get you ready for your cold weather pursuits, we’ve complied some of our favorite new accessories to streamline your splitboarding experience.
Celebrating 25 years, Backcountry Magazine announces promotions for seminal season
Jeffersonville, Vt., October 2019: With the annual Gear Guide hitting newsstands and mailboxes around the country, independently-owned Backcountry Magazine celebrates its 25th anniversary with a shuffling of its veteran staff that has become the most seasoned in snowsports media. Longtime managing editor Lucy Higgins has been promoted to editor in chief, replacing Tyler Cohen, who […]
2020 Gear Guide: Skinning Gear Part II
Beacon, shovel, probe—it’s the basic backcountry checklist. But there’s more to a comfortable day on the skintrack than those three essentials— here is our second installment of skinning gear to keep you moving in the right direction. Want tester feedback on these products? Subscribe now or pre-order in our online store to get a copy of Backcountry Magazine’s 2020 Gear Guide […]
Black Diamond Equipment Helio 95 Skis
Black Diamond overhauled their Helio line of touring-specific skis last season and the widest model, the Helio 116, earned an Editors’ Choice Award for its best-in-class weight-to-width ratio. This season, BD takes a victory lap, with top honors falling on a ski that blew away the mid-90 mm competition—on both the uptrack and the descent. […]
Völkl Mantra V.Werks Skis
With their Mantra V.Werks, Völkl didn’t just create a ski for the masses; they’ve provided the masses with a chance to ski better. “The platform underfoot is stiff and snappy, giving unrelenting edge hold,” one tester observed. “It’s like a one-size-fits all ski,” one Montana-based tester said of the mid-fat Mantra. “Even the Jerriest of […]
Black Crows Camox Freebird Skis
“Best for someone who wants a monogamous relationship with their skis,” one tester quipped of the Black Crows Camox Freebird’s loyalty-inspiring performance that’s now secured this 96 mm-underfoot ski an Editors’ Choice Award two years running. “Best for big days when you know you’re going to be going through variable terrain,” one tester said. Slight […]
Voilé Hyper v6 Skis
Last season, Voilé injected their skis with a special sauce that elevated the line to another level. The new recipe goes by the name Hyper, a fitting moniker given the energy dividends these lightened skis now offer. In the case of the Hyper V6, that’s a 15-percent weight savings—more than enough to take another lap. […]
Fischer Hannibal 106 Skis
A ski good enough to pass even a guide’s level of scrutiny? Fischer seems to have done it with their new Hannibal 106. “I wasn’t expecting much from these, but whoa!” said one Jackson-based ski guide and tester. “Light, yet incredibly drivable and pretty darn stable in that cruddy, variable stuff.” That stability comes from […]
Patagonia Snowdrifter Jacket
“exquisite articulation and dreamy man-bod flattery.” The Tech: Patagonia’s new SnowDrifter jacket (and matching bibs) are made from the brand’s proprietary DWR-treated H2No three-layer fabric that’s designed for top-of-the line weatherproofing at a lower price point. A helmet-compatible hood aims to protect against chilly breezes and two bigger torso pockets with one smaller chest pocket—as […]
