Take Notes [Photo: Tom Wilson Media]

I have been teaching Avalanche Safety Courses for over a decade. I stumbled upon this process several years ago, which always resonates with students. Why not use the scientific method to supercharge our learning? One of the most excellent tools humans have ever discovered can be applied to backcountry skiing! This isn't a way to make backcountry s...

I often refer to surface hoar as the enemy of backcountry skiers. Most avalanche deaths in the Columbia Mountains are caused by surface hoar. "Know thy enemy" is a saying to apply to surface hoar. This article helps you understand this beautiful but deadly crystal.   Surface hoar refers to a type of frost crystal that forms on the surface of s...

Heading Up

As the leaves change and temperatures drop, the anticipation of ski touring season and winter adventures grows. To make the most of your time on the slopes and in the backcountry, it's crucial to prepare ahead of time. From fine-tuning your fitness to embracing cutting-edge backcountry tech, this guide outlines ten essential steps to ensure you're ...

We all share common traits as backcountry skiers: a passion for powder, the thrill of adventure, and the challenges of navigating unpredictable terrain. But there's something else we all share—our humanity. Human biases are an inherent part of our decision-making process, and while some biases can serve us well, others can lead us astray. In the ba...

In an era of dazzling technological advances, it's become all too easy to fall into the digital navigation trap. You know the scenario: you're gearing up for an epic backcountry skiing adventure, and your trusty smartphone, equipped with a fancy GPS app, is your designated guide. After all, why bother with archaic tools like maps and compasses when...

MAT Students using modern GPS to confirm location in the backcountry

One of the greatest backcountry advancements occurred when the smartphone was equipped with GPS capabilities. This invention allowed backcountry users to place themselves on a map that was stored on their phones. Now many apps are competing with one another for backcountry navigation supremacy. I do not view any single app as "the one and only", ra...

Larches in Monica Meadows

Ah, fall – the season of crisp mountain air and recent rainfall. It's a time when my thoughts inevitably turn to winter. I can imagine you, too, are deep in dreams of light, fluffy powder on pristine mountain slopes, eagerly anticipating that first snowfall while staring at your skis or boards. This autumn, I've made the decision to write a series ...